IBS - help, discussion, tips

I've had IBS for many years. I find in general, I don't have a ton of food triggers, except very high fiber foods (I recently tried some protein bars that had 12 grams of fiber each and they did not sit well). Stress and anxiety can also act as triggers for me. I find when I am active and exercising, during that time, my symptoms are usually reduced.

When I get bad attacks, I treat with some over the counter Imodium. It is pretty effective in reducing diarrhea/bowel movements. I will also take it preventative if I know I am going somewhere where I will not have access to a bathroom for a long period of time.

I did a FODMAP protocol under a doctor's supervision to discover my triggers. Anxiety is also a trigger but usually doesn't bother me as long as I stay active.

I did have a food that was previously okay suddenly start bothering me, it took a while to zero in on it, but I figured that one out without going through the whole doctor/FODMAP thing.

I'd recommend finding a list of your trigger foods, which usually involves doing an elimination diet of some kind (FODMAP, as a few folks mentioned, is a good starting one) and keeping a food journal. Once you have that, managing stress to help avoid stress triggers is another good way to do things.

Elimination diet. Gluten is my problem. TMI, but I used to vomit out both ends regularly before I eliminated gluten/wheat from my diet several years ago at a doctor's suggestion. ZERO bowel problems now. I don't miss it at all. It's not worth the pain, inflammation and nausea. Good luck.

Bubblemar wrote: »

zeejane03 wrote: »

My husband has diagnosed IBS. We started with allergy testing to rule out food allergies (which run in the family), and then he did the FODMAP protocol, which helped him narrow down most of his triggers. He's cut those things out for the most part, and that's helped. Since the beginning of the year he's also been taking RS (resistant starch), along with a probiotic and that's really helped as well. He now can go weeks without having a flare up, though if his routine gets messed up it takes a couple weeks to get back on track (he was out town for work a couple weeks ago, for a week, and that really messed him up, he's just starting to feel better sigh....).

My sister has also done FODMAP and it helped her as well (her triggers are completely different than my husbands). She also did it under a doctor's supervision, like my husband did.

I never know what to look for in probiotics, they're a bit overwhelming to shop for, do you have any suggestions?

My husband takes InnovixLabs Multi-strain probiotic. We chose it based on cost/reviews and have been pleased with it. You can get it on Amazon or online at Walmart (we get it shipped free to our local store).

I also have IBS with Const and really frustrated lately. Seems I’m stopped up more than usual despite lots of fiber and my meds ( I usually take 290 mcg Linzess) but currently battling Allergens prescription assistance program.

My gastro DR is huge on probiotics and says just buy a cheap OTC one 1-2 billion CPU is fine I buy the Kroger one 2 billion CPU and its $11-12

Bubblemar wrote: »

zeejane03 wrote: »

My husband has diagnosed IBS. We started with allergy testing to rule out food allergies (which run in the family), and then he did the FODMAP protocol, which helped him narrow down most of his triggers. He's cut those things out for the most part, and that's helped. Since the beginning of the year he's also been taking RS (resistant starch), along with a probiotic and that's really helped as well. He now can go weeks without having a flare up, though if his routine gets messed up it takes a couple weeks to get back on track (he was out town for work a couple weeks ago, for a week, and that really messed him up, he's just starting to feel better sigh....).

My sister has also done FODMAP and it helped her as well (her triggers are completely different than my husbands). She also did it under a doctor's supervision, like my husband did.

I never know what to look for in probiotics, they're a bit overwhelming to shop for, do you have any suggestions?

Bubblemar wrote: »

zeejane03 wrote: »

My husband has diagnosed IBS. We started with allergy testing to rule out food allergies (which run in the family), and then he did the FODMAP protocol, which helped him narrow down most of his triggers. He's cut those things out for the most part, and that's helped. Since the beginning of the year he's also been taking RS (resistant starch), along with a probiotic and that's really helped as well. He now can go weeks without having a flare up, though if his routine gets messed up it takes a couple weeks to get back on track (he was out town for work a couple weeks ago, for a week, and that really messed him up, he's just starting to feel better sigh....).

My sister has also done FODMAP and it helped her as well (her triggers are completely different than my husbands). She also did it under a doctor's supervision, like my husband did.

I never know what to look for in probiotics, they're a bit overwhelming to shop for, do you have any suggestions?

My housemate and I have both been diagnosed with IBS with constipation. Neither of us have done elimination diets; our (separate) doctors do not feel it is necessary. My biggest triggers are changes in my daily routine, including dietary changes. I take Miralax every other day and try to get 64oz of liquid a day. My housemate takes Miralax everyday (he's more lax on the weekends) and he drinks 100oz of liquid daily. He has a med for cramps when they get intolerable. When he was first diagnosed, he was having incapacitating stomach cramps. His doctor gave him a week's worth of laxative suppositories to get regular elimination happening. That got him "cleaned out" and going regularly with the Miralax.

When things get really bad for me, I usually have to do a saline enema. This usually only happens when I'm on vacation (about once a year). Before I knew what IBS was, I could literally go a month without a BM. I'll never be a daily BM'er; every 2-3 days is my usual. Once a month or ever other month, I get the opposite problem (diarrhea). I try to just let it happen. If it doesn't clear up in a day or so, I take Pepto and then I'm back to constipated.

@Bubblemar as you can read IBS impact and causes vary greatly from person to person.

In my case I lived with life defining IBS for 40 years. In looking for pain management in a rush back in Oct 2014 at the age of 63 cold turkey I cut out all foods containing added sugars and or any form of any grain. Pain management was well underway within the first 30 days so I still eat this way.

In the early spring of 2015 one day it hit me my 40 years of serious IBS had left. Four years later it still has not returned even one time.

Just this morning I read some research as to what may have happened in my case to resolve IBS and many other health issues and lead to my unexpected weight loss and weight maintenance.

Save yourself some reading time below by just reading the Summary Box at the end of each of the 9 sections first. If you find something that may apply to your personal health concerns then read the details.

Why the Gut Microbiome Is Crucial for Your Health
https://healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health

Note this a nine part link that is seamless if one keeps scrolling down.

It Affects Gut Health

The microbiome can also affect gut health and may play a role in intestinal diseases like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (25, 26, 27)........

The Gut Microbiome May Affect Your Weight

There are thousands of different types of bacteria in your intestines, most of which benefit your health.

However, having too many unhealthy microbes can lead to disease.

An imbalance of healthy and unhealthy microbes is sometimes called gut dysbiosis, and it may contribute to weight gain (21).......

The Gut Microbiome May Benefit Heart Health
Interestingly, the gut microbiome may even affect heart health (32).

A recent study in 1,500 people found that the gut microbiome played an important role in promoting "good" HDL cholesterol and triglycerides (33).

Certain unhealthy species in the gut microbiome may also contribute to heart disease by producing trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)......

Note the red meat/TMAO health risk in this section of the article.

The Bottom Line

Your gut microbiome is made up of trillions of bacteria, fungi and other microbes.

The gut microbiome plays a very important role in your health by helping control digestion and benefiting your immune system and many other aspects of health.

An imbalance of unhealthy and healthy microbes in the intestines may contribute to weight gain, high blood sugar, high cholesterol and other disorders.

To help support the growth of healthy microbes in your gut, eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fermented foods......

Best of success. Keep in mind we are all different and what we need to eat or not eat to gain better control over out different health concerns may be very different from person to person.