Fellowship of IBS-Sufferers

Hello,

I am new to the C-C and thought I should start a group for fellow sufferers of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  This is my first post.

Let us swap our IBS eating and survival tips, as well as our IBS horror stories, if you so dare ;)

So, whether you've got IBS-A, -C (like me), -D, or -P, please introduce yourself and let the discussion begin!

I know mine isn't exactly what the post topic lists but we're all in a pretty similar boat.

Good to see someone's brave enough to create a post in this direction. I was diagnosed with Crohns about 2 years ago and it makes loosing weight a huge pain in the huge behind! lol Hard to loose weight when the only thing that doesnt make me sick is same things that pack on the pounds.

Hopefully if it takes off we can get a stomach sufferer's sticky hehe

I was treated for IBS for years (nothing helped) before I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis/Crohn's (don't know which). There are a few people on here with IBS, IBD, and celiac disease. There's also a fourth type of IBS where the predominant symptom is pain (IBS-P?).

I have IBS, although am not sure about the -A, -B etc.  Mine is triggered by wheat, mainly, although once it's triggered I have to be careful about fat content as well.

I find that an over the counter medicine called buscopan (in the UK) really helps with the cramps and the feeling that someone is tying your insides into knots.  I'm fortunate that now I know my trigger I rarely suffer badly.

I make an effort to use wheat free pasta wherever I can and to include rye bread in my diet, to give my system a break.

I have noticed that peppermint tea can really help too, or fresh mint tea is even better.  I finally had to admit that large amounts of alcohol trigger make a bout more likely too, although now that I'm losing weight I don'thave so many calories to waste on that!

Hey shrinking_caro!

I may be wrong, but I think IBS-A is the one that swings between the extremes, IBS-D is the one where you "go" too much, IBS-C is the one where you can't go, and the pain one is where you can have normal bowel movements but have a lot of pain in your abdomen anyhow. Fun, eh?

Oh, ok, got it!  In that case I have a mixture of -D and -P - nice to know!  Unless that's -A of course...

;-)

I think -P is a factor in any kind of IBS, lol.  We all could probably agree that there's no such thing as IBS without some sort of pain involved!

I was told I have IBS (bascially I had every test under the sun with no results except my tummy is a bit inflamed so now the doctors are ignoring me)
Mine has more turned into IBS. I have horrible gas most of the time, and can't eat fats. But I still eat red meat. I will go on the iBS diet as soon as its practical (I eat a dining hall at the moment and they cant even provide low fat, let alone no dairy, red meat etc. and i need to gain weight!) When I have cramps, passing gas helps, and my toileting is SO erratic! There is no patten except usually in the morning its clay coloured and softer (sorry to be so gross)

Mine started as a fat intolerance, but turned into what seemed like gallbladder disease. I got a pain in my gall whenever I ran, or ate fatty foods, and even the pain in my back under the shoulder blade, but after a scan it turns out my gall is fine!

Now I am trying to eat a high calorie, low fat diet, but still have dairy, as I need a lot of iron and calicum as I'm active, and at the moment have little control of my meals. In two weeks I will begin my IBS diet as uni ends.

Im in australia and cant find any beano etc or many good soy products. Anyone have tips on how to stay healthy in terms of calcium and iron and stick to a strict IBS diet? I will try and reintroduce foods after two weeks.

Also whats the best dairy to start introducing. Are you guys better are handling low fat or high fat dairy, or lactose?

Does anyone have similar symptoms to me? How can i make sure its IBS? Could it be something else.

i find peppermint tea helps. I ahvent cut out wheat as I really need to gain weight and carbs is a good way and I'm not gluten intolerant. has anyone found this helps?

I think I have IBS but I have not been diagnosed. Every once in a while (not too often, luckily!) I get bad lower abdominal cramping with constipation. Once it starts, it stays for at least 3 days, and for part of that time I can't concentrate on anything because I am doubled over by pain that gets really bad just before I am able to pass a small amount of gas or stool.

It seems to happen during stressful periods, but not all stressful periods. The first time I got it was during finals week several years ago. Since then it seems to happen when something scary is impending - a big talk, a looming deadline, my boss returning from a trip. And it seems to happen when I do not have a lot of outward acknowledgment of the stress (I don't know I am so worried until the IBS hits). I eat lots of fiber and I can't really pinpoint any trigger foods. It doesn't seem to matter whether I eat healthy foods or pizza. But the last couple of times, I think it was triggered by dehydration or too much salt.

Does that sound like IBS?

Unfortunately IBS is different for everyone. It's a catch-all name for symptoms that a doctor can't explain. Different diets work for different people. Many people with IBS have problems with specific foods, but there is no single diet that will work for everyone.

Some tricks that I have learned for the D type are: Calcium tablets (the ones without vitamin D) are constipating. Bananas also help with the runs. Being in moderate/severe pain increases your heart rate and burns more calories than being relaxed. Raw fruits and veggies are a bad idea!

red_herring: Peppermint tea rocks! A close friend with IBS-D can only tolerate fat free dairy. My problem isn't IBS (but the symptoms are similar), and I am the same way. I love fat free yogurt and fat free old cheddar cheese. It sounds like you're having a hard time getting a diagnosis. I hope they figure it out for you soon!

Mine is more omnipresent that painful so I'm kinda 50% all the time, rather than doubled in pain (when I eat cheese thats a different story) so I think something is giving me this terrible gas. I eat plenty of fibre, and they type they recommend, and I tried two weeks witout dairy ages ago and nothing changed, but a few months later the gas came. I dont have problems with the toilet, but it does vary (as in I dont need to take laxitives)

I do eat a lot of raw fruit and half cooked veggies (i like them crunchy) so I'm going to give it all a go. Thing is I'm very healthy concious and gong from nultgrain to white bread, potatoes and rice (high GI, lower nutrition) will be fun. Tofu is fine right? ANd cocoa(not chocolate)? I love that stuff.

Good luck all, if they figure out what it is, I'll share my help as much as possible.
I like the website help for ibs. it has grea tips and recipes and even an exchange board.

Red_ herring:  Yes, it certainly sounds like you have IBS.  Fat intolerance, gas, erratic bowel movements, changes in stool color/frequency/consistency, the vanishing and reappearance of symptoms (some people even go through entire months without symptoms), and negative test results for other diseases -  All of these are classic characteristics of IBS (though, as ser25 stated, IBS is different for everyone, so I am using the term "classic" very broadly here.)

We are twins on many levels!  Mine also started as fat intolerance. (If you want dairy, definitely go for fat/sugar free). I am also trying to gain weight on a low-fat, high-calorie diet.  And I'm also living at a university, eating in dining halls (which makes managing IBS quite difficult!)  Oh, and we both have usernames that start with "red"  ;)

My university provides only a few options that work with my IBS diet.  The result is, I pretty much eat the same foods every single day.  (Luckily, I don't get bored easily; though I know most people would become frustrated with repetition.)  In one dining hall, boca burgers are available upon special request (which helps me get protein [not to mention an IBS-essiential: loads of fiber!] while avoiding meat. Obviously, most non-meat sources of protien like nuts, soy and [non-fried] fish wouldn't be available at a cheap-o university dining hall.)  The "bread counter" and the salad bar are always open (my case of IBS does not involve an intolerance of leafy greens or wheat, unlike many.)  Needless to say, I live off of salad, bocas, and wheat bread. Oh, and bananas. (That's about the surgeriest thing I can tolerate.  Bananas are my ultimate dessert, my "major treat" when I get a sweet-tooth . . . Pathetic, I know.  To other people, bananas are a "healthy snack" while "dessert" is something more along the lines of cake, cookies, or ice cream).

Because it is impossible for me to vary my diet at the current time (it varies far more when I am living at home, not at university), I make sure to take a multi-vitamin.  That way, I compensate for anything I may be missing. Also, if you are underweight to the point of missing your period (I'm not saying you are, but thought I should mention this in case), be sure to take calcium+D supplements (especially if your IBS-caused-dairy-intolerance discourages you from drinking milk and eating cheese).  No period = low estrogen production = lack of calcium absorption = you need as much calcium as a post-menopausal woman!

Denise07: Yes, your case also sounds like IBS.  IBS symptoms are known to be triggered by stress.  I would definitely see a doctor and start getting tested.  (Basically, a "negative" result on every test = IBS.  As ser25 stated, it's a catch-all disorder).

Wow! That is cool!
My dining hall is TRYING to cater, but they think a low fat meal is fried chicken thighs... They say my idea of low at is different to theirs so they wont chaneg the meal plans. But I continue to struggle on as we're not allowed to not pay for it, and we're not allowed to cook (altho i do) in the dorms.

Lol, I live of plain white (digusting tasting too) fish salad and bread. We dont have boca in australia, and their veggie patties are really bad. Even the veggos (who also have a hard time) dont eat it.

I am fine with eating bananas but they are my favourite!! We have a no sugar low fat ice-cream here, so i indulge in that on occasion and its fine (I think) but I seem to always have a little bit of gas and irrtation, so will try the proper IBS. I love freezing bananas and whizzing them into "ice-cream" tho.

I think that is a good idea to take suppliments. At the moment I'm just having lots of low fat dairy, but soon it will bea  problem. Plus being very active I need more, PLUS being fat intolerant I dont think i absorb all my minerals etc

Thanks for that! Its good to know I'm not completly alone!

Lol, it definiatly is the negative result in every test diagnosis!

Sure thing! We IBS-sufferers have to support each other :)

... Oh, that banana "ice cream" idea sounds wonderful; I will definitely try it!

We could call it banantilax!

(Yay, bananas! The natural anti-laxative!)

I suffered chronically for the past two years - rumbly stomach, bloating, tummy pain, constipation, diarheoh (Sp?) etc etc...

Recently I have cut out all sugar and refined white grains from my diet.

From about day three, I felt 100%.

My skin has cleared up, I am never bloated, I "go" regularly every morning after breakfast.

It is quite miraculous!

Basically I eat NONE of the following: white bread, white rice, white pasta, potato, sugar, chocolate, cake, cookies, lollies etc.  I also eat no dairy except for yoghurt. No milk, cheese, icecream.

It was hard initially, but now I just concentrate on how great I feel!

If anyone else wants to try this way of eating, and has questions, message me! I'd be happy to share!

Is that IBS? I thought potatoes and white pasta is ok. Sounds more like coeliacs.

Just want to run this by you guys. Saw a nutritionist today. Shes not that great - a lot of the time I'm teaching her things. Well altho I've cut out fat, still getting gas and clay-coloured looser stools (the other times they are hard and darker) No real cramps and stuff (except today after red meat lunch) She suggests LOWERING my insol. fibre - less skins, less brocolli less wholemeal, which i find hard, as I get about 42g fibre a day without trying (i did pysllium husk for a while, but my fibre is sky high!) What do you think. If this doesnt help I'm doing a test for fructose!

I think people with celiac disease can eat potatos and white rice. I'm not sure of everything that has gluten in it, but white rice is a staple for a celiac colleague.

As an aside, no one should accept a diagnosis of "just" IBS if certain symptoms are present. IBS will not make you bleed out your rear, lose weight very quickly, or have problems with low iron (anemia). Passing gas or a BM should make the cramps better. If they get worse or don't change, it may not be IBS. If you have persistant pain and frequently have the runs, it could be something more seirous. If none of the IBS prescriptions work and you feel in your gut something is wrong, demand a second (third, fourth...) medical opinion.

How many of you have had biopsies (samples) of your intestines analysed? Generally this is done when you have a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

Oh darn! I did notice blood (to dr said it was haemoroids from harder stools, as I have both. he didnt check) I lost weight cos I didnt eat enough, and had low iron as I couldnt eat meat. Oh but the gas thing is true. I just got a note from the doctor i have to carry around.The pain has stopped (only when i eat fat) but i stil have some gas. I went for a second opinion and she said "What did the last doctor say" and i told her about the tests and she said "Well i agree". Fun times.

But I have talked to a nutritionist. Thatnks for the help!!

I had an endoscopy (down the throat) and they took a biopsy. Low lactase but not too low. They dont want to stick the tube up as they think nothing will come of it just like the last 5 tests i did.

Sorry for the long post, description of bowel disease follows.

For years I was treated for IBS, but they were wrong. The only way to rule out bowel disease is to have biopsies taken from your large intestine. It's not much fun, but it's worth it to get to the bottom (no pun intended) of the problem and to get the right treatment.

Crohn's and ulcerative colitis cause pain, rapid weight loss, the runs, and sometimes bleeding. Collectively they are called IBD, or inflammatory bowel disease. IBD can make you feel exhausted, weak, and mentally slower than usual from malnutrition. Even eating normally, you can't absorb as much when your gut lining is inflammed and you have the poops. There is no cure for IBD, but many treatments. They often hit in the teen years or 20s, but can happen anytime. There are periods of remission and flare-ups. Remission can last years, but is unlikely to without meds. The main difference (simplified) between Crohn's and colitis is that colitis is restricted to the large intestine. Crohn's can affect your whole digestive tract, and can cause much deeper tissue damage.

Warning: This gets gross... A little bit of red blood is often from tears on your bottom from being constipated or from wiping too much when you have the runs (like IBS). Larger quantities of darker blood are a sign that it's coming from inside. Long clotty strings are an indication of a serious medical problem that you should not try to deal with on your own. Severe pain, to the point where you are curled up on the bathroom floor afraid you're going to pass out, is often a sign of something more than IBS. However, for some people, IBS causes this kind of pain (I used to be IBS-D with -P). Both IBS and IBD can cause you to pass a lot of goo. This is mucus that your gut makes to protect itself when it doesn't feel well.

If anyone is going throught the scopes, the barium enemas, the tests too nasty to mention, I'd be glad to talk to you. Message me! I've been through them all and I know some tricks to make them seem less awful. It can be tough to talk about with people who haven't been there. I hope that everyone on this thread finds relief for their digestive issues.

I forgot to mention that the rates of Crohn's and colitis are increasing, and that they are most common in North America, Europe, Australia, and people of Jewish Descent.