Not nice - need to stop feeling bloated during the day

littlechezza

Any advice, I think what I'm doing is getting myself in a panic so don't eat all morning at work and then when I eat my stomach bloats up and the horrible things start, I've had IBS for years and can't decide which symptoms are worse, I've had them all at some point.

Does anybody stick to this 5 small meals a day and find it works, it's just working out what to have for the 5 small meals that work, I've also tried charcoal tablets which seem quite good but a pain to remember to take to work.

marybishop

Like you I've had IBS from the year dot. I've finally realised that what definitely makes it worse is if I leave long gaps between meals so I make sure I eat little and often and I never skip breakfast. It doesn't seem to matter too much what I eat as long as I eat something but too many biscuits/bread is not good! What also doesn't help is if I don't drink enough through the day or if I only drink tea/coffee - I'm not good at drinking plain water but I love pink grapefruit squash!

minnie123

I have found enteric coated peppermint tablets great for IBS - the enteric coating means they don't dissolve until they reach where they are needed. I have used them and found them to be really good.

littlechezza

I think I just have to be brave an go for it one day with the small meals, I seem fine with bananas oat cakes etc., but bread isn't good and lasagnes and spag bols are usually best left for week-ends.

I'm fine with some of the peppermint tablets but others give me heartburn which is weird cause I love the peppermint tea.

It's awful isn't it, you always think that people have worse things happen but it's such an embarrasing subject.

I've been taking beneflora this week for my good bacteria which doesn't seem to be doing anything, I remember the days when I used to eat pasta and anything else I could at school and didn't seem to have any problems.

marybishop

Forgot to say when I'm stressed my IBS is at its worst! I've noticed the days I'm not working it's usually OK.

Alcmene

I have IBS, I'm also celiac, I find when I eat wheat/oats/barley or anything else startchy by by accident it triggers the IBS. Also, as Mary states, STRESS> that really sends it barmy.

littlechezza

Yeah the stress doesn't seem to help, I always thought the dashing to the loo side was worse but I seem to have that under control, it's the bloating and what occurs with that which I can't stand, think I will go with the small meals tomorrow and see how I do, I just feel like it doesn't bother anybody else as everybody at work seems fine but guess I don't walk around with a big sticker advertising the fact!!

Also bought some fennel tea today as getting sick of the peppermint all the time need to have a change.

glowgirl_2

Cut your carbs, it really does help:) The Low Carb support thread has huge amount of advice that you could adapt:)

jenniewb

I have been told I have IBS (I disagree!) my stomach is bloated alot and although I never have any pain, I do look like I am 6 months gone- well that was until I cut out dairy- my stomach has reduced (looks about 2-3 months pregnant now and I no longer get offered seats/people to carry my bags etc). I'd only cut out dairy if your really desperate- I have been told I am calcium deficient and thats not good as it puts me at risk of brittle bone disease.

I find that with the carbs I do eat (porridge) I am absolutly fine so the no carbs thing (just like the no dairy thing) is likely to vary from person to person. I also find protein gives me gas and some bloating, as does soya.

I think its a guessing game. I also feel that doctors label IBS as anything they simply "don't know but wont kill you". I have yet to find an IBS designed treatment that makes any difference (Buscopan, ibruprofen, peppermint oil/tea/capsuals, deflatine...tried SO MANY with NO result what so ever!) I think its trial and error and working out what works for you.

I eat several times throughout the day and actually find that first thing in the morning its at its worst, most bloating and gas. It gets better as the day goes on, I tend to eat more at the end of the day, I have no idea if there is a connection there.

I also find exercise helps de-bloat me. I do end up rushing out to the loo mid workout (lucky I have a stop start on my timer!) but it works to boost my digestion. (Sorry if thats TMI but wanted to share as it does make the biggest difference of anything).

Sleep also helps. I don't sleep, I am very bloated, I sleep for 8 hours and I'm likely to be able to have my digestion, erm, work!

It would seem that everyones different (or more to my theory, everyone has different disorders entirly and doctors just put them all under the same umbrella as these different disorders have yet to be discovered and dealt with).

Just my two-pence worth!

Eric_Pisch

glowgirl wrote: »

Cut your carbs, it really does help:) The Low Carb support thread has huge amount of advice that you could adapt:)

hate to say this but i had IBS for about 15 years, I have reduced my carbs and do not eat any wheet/barley/rye or Gluten and after 3 months my symptoms have been reduced by 90%,

jenniewb

Eric_Pisch wrote: »

hate to say this but i had IBS for about 15 years, I have reduced my carbs and do not eat any wheet/barley/rye or Gluten and after 3 months my symptoms have been reduced by 90%,

wish it worked for me: I used to have sevear anorexia, a hang over of that is that even today I will not eat carbs. I have plenty of bloating and gas and IBS symptoms, yesterday after a "further investigation" the specialist told me I have IBS

This is why I am suspicious of "IBS" given as a diagnosis, it would seem that there are so many different types and different causes, they are almost like different syndromes all together! I wish doctors would just say "I don't know" instead of "you have this thing which we have little research into and covers all the symptoms where there is no conclusive answer".

Remember guys, IBS is supposed to be done as a process of elimination. If you do not feel that you have been heard or are having symptoms you are worried about, do ask for more tests, its your body, not theirs, your the one that has to live in it and experience all this!