Irritable Bowel Syndrome

[Dee-M-See]

Just been diagnosed with this complaint, is there any particular type of food I should avoid?
Thanks

[Mamyalynne]

It varies in the individual really Dee - keep a diary of what you consume and how that affects you.

Then work it out from there.

(Not medically qualified, just a fellow sufferer)

[Sammy48]

To be honest Dee, it's trial and error. You have to find foods which suit you and ones that set the IBS off. Personally for me it's Brocolli, Brussels and bran flakes.

[Sammy48]

Mamy, I have noticed you seem to put that statement in brackets on medical answers you give lately. Are you frightened of being sued if you are wrong lol lol lol (not meant to offend).

[Mamyalynne]

Just don't want to mislead anyone - most on here know me , but not all.


I'm not offended Sammy , nothing much offends me.

[Buenchico]

Worth a read:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Irritable-bowel-syndrome/Pages/Treatment.aspx

The IBS Network is a charity dedicated to helping sufferers. There's lots of information on their website:
http://www.theibsnetwork.org/the-self-care-plan/
(Note: Due to some rather poor web-designing, those prominent boxes labelled 'Medicines', 'Health Tips', etc aren't actually links. However the information is available through using the grey tabs towards the top of the page and/or the 'Diet', 'Stress' links towards the foot of the page)

[VHG]

Why didn't you ask the person or people who diagnosed it?

Surely they are the best people to ask.

[woofgang]

VHG, not always....the folk who diagnose it can only say "this or that has been known to help" Even fellow sufferers can only say what has helped them. Triggers (and things that help) can change over time and stress and other environmental factors can also make a difference.

[fiction-factory]

I suffered badly, but intermittently, for about 5 years but it suddenly stopped without me changing my diet as no-one seemed sure what was the cause. There was a suggestion it was milk but since I started becoming a regular home made latte drinker it has stopped! I have no occurrences now for 5 years. So maybe it is down to other factors rather than food

[aelmpvw]

a daily dose of actimel seems to help my symptoms ... worth a try

[Sqad]

\\\ So maybe it is down to other factors rather than food\\

That is a good point as it is far more common in women than in men and there may well be a hormonal or certainly a psychosomatic aspect to this disorder.

However certain foods are by far the commonest trigger and sufferers must sort these out by trial and error as suggested by many posters above.

[pixie374]

Food intolerances can come and go, so it really is trial and error. Lactose, wheat and gluten (can get blood test for that one) are worth avoiding then gradually reintroducing. Also, stress is often a huge factor.

[Sqad]

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

This is worth buying.

[woofgang]

that's interesting Sqad. My default diet when things get bad is heavily white bread and pasta based as it seems to help to settle things. According to FODMAP, it should make things worse but it doesn't, in fact it helps. I would be the first to agree though that there is a large element of mind affecting body. I find that when I am stressed I am fine, its when the stress ends that things get unpleasant.

[Eve]

I agree about it being very personal. I tried FODMAP (and other diets) under care of a dietician at the hospital, didn't help me but difficult to stick to rigidly, lots of things cut out and can get quite expensive, a lot to invest in it but it has apparently helped a lot of people.

I have another malabsorption condition though as well as IBS and get bad indigestion and reflux.

I find Buscopan helps for the cramps and take it pre-emptively on prescription. I also have a daily bio-whatsit yoghurt.

My tolerance to things chances randomly, I've had to cut out things for long periods then found I can tolerate them again, such as dairy.

I have bowel rest type diet episodes when I try and just stick to very simply light meals with things I know I can tolerate if things get really bad.

Wholemeal/grain is something I can't tolerate very well. Soft cheese is another current one.

[jennyjoan]

Dee I have had IBS for about 15 years now - but I never changed any thing unfortunately. As soon as food went down up I went up to the loo - and without disgusting you but it literally went everywhere.

This past few weeks still not having changed diet - have gone to a bit of constipation which I can cope with - I truly can't believe it. It is a mystery to me.

[Mamyalynne]

A food diary is the way to go Jennyjoan to see what your triggers are - even if something is a no no, you can have it occasionally and have remedies on hand just in case.


Of course it may not be food related as said above.

[tonyav]

Don't know if these links are of any use to any of you.

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/imodium/5-reasons-why-keeping-a-food-diary-can-change-your-eating-habits/ar-BBkyNxK

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/imodium/how-to-get-your-digestive-system-back-on-track/ar-BBkyBIX

[whirlyhurly]

Since I started drinking a tiny Yakult drink, each day my IBS has halted.

[thelewisgang]

onions played havoc with my IBS. I haven't tried them myself but someone I know gets relief by taking Aloe Vera Capsules/Tablets from the health food shop

[kirkcudbright]

I was diagnosed with IBS in the 70's and could never pin it down to anything sometimes it's worse than others. For the last 3 years I've been prescribed methyl cellulose 3 tablets twice a day with a small amount of water which has been very helpful. I occasionally get pain or bloating for which I take buscopan and if the 'runs' are a problem a loperamide helps. Anyone who has this horrible problem has my sympathy!!!