IBS???

iv tried a gluetn free diet, as this helps my IBS a lot but i find that it can get quite costly and to be honest, i was getting annoyed with how fussy i had become so i now only eat the stuff im trying to cut out once in a while and before i knew it, it was like a routine and i dont really miss things like bread or pastas.

Theres a lot of gluten and wheat free stuff available, pastas are great and quorn mince so you can make your own spaghettie bolognaise, or plain fish with veg, i tend to marinate a lot of diced meats with yoghurt and mint and serve it with a nice salad.

salad is the one thing that doesnt bloat me or make me run for the loo. iv had to eliminate spicy foods because i would just feel awful the next morning.

Lunch ideas i usually take a microwave packet rice to work (so many flavours to chose from) and i made a massive spinache salad, i try to bring some grilled chicken or turkey with me as well because the protein will fill me for longer.

I promise it will get easier and your cravings for the starchy foods will reduce. there are a lot of recipe books about now that cater for food intollerance. my snacks usually consist of carrot sticks and hummus, or celery or olives. even try plain popcorn. that fills you up and if you make it yourself then you know that there isnt anything in it but the corn. )

My IBS is hugely triggered by Fats and Oily food. Also bread can leave me feeling bloated and lethargic. I think IBS is one of those conditions which is different for everyone. What may effect me, may cause no problem for you. I was reading an article the other day that stated that IBS is just an umbrella term for when there is a form of inflammation of the bowel.

I've changed my diet considerably since being diagnosed. I was told I just had to live with it. Which was very frustrating, so I took it upon myself to keep track of days when it's bad and days when it was ok.

I became a vegetarian over a year ago as a drastic measure to halt my IBS. I don't suggest everyone with IBS give up their meat, but it worked for me in that I lost weight and the reduction of high fat meals helped. I also stopped eating takeaways that were high in fat and oily. I am in control of my IBS now. It doesn't rule me. I do have days where it's bad still and I have come to know that this is triggered by anxiety. So I do reccomend looking into some relaxation techniques as having IBS is vicious circle when it comes to stress. I used to worry about eating out or staying round a friends which in turn would trigger my IBS therefore causing more anxiety.

I am open with friends and family, they know I suffer and are helpful when it comes to them preparing food. I don't go anywhere without Gaviscon or Immodium but I can count of one hand the amount of times I have had to use them in the last year.

I hope you manage to find a way that suits you when controlling you IBS.

I'm not sure about there being two different versions. From what I have learned many people can have alternating periods of diarrhea and constipation. FYI IBS is what you call a "diagnosis of exclusion" meaning that once you can't figure out what is causing the symptoms you call it IBS. So there is no definitive way to diagnose IBS and we don't know much about it. I will tell you that one of the classic treatments (at least on the books) is an SSRI as depression and mood disorders are thought to have a contribution.