IBS / Food Intolerance?

sara86pink

I've been suffering from IBS for about 5 years on/off now but only got it diagnosed by my GP a couple of weeks ago. He said it was stress related due to my work so signed me off work for a week.

Since that appointment I havent had any symptoms at all.

This morning, I had a bowl of coco pops and couldnt finish it and about 20 minutes later my symptoms had come back and lasted about 2-3 hours.

I researched online and was wondering if this is a food intolerance? My OH is a coeliac so I'm very aware of symptoms related to allergies and intolerances and he mentioned that maybe it was diary as he has noticed a pattern.

Problem is, I get it so random and often I dont know what it is i'm eating!

I cant afford to go see anyone about this and my GP couldnt offer much advise as he said it was 'trial and error' to find out the food and then eliminate it.

Does anyone else have this problem and if so, do they have any advice on how to find out what food it is and how to eliminate it?

I've looked on all the relevant websites but am getting confused.

Thanks

jenniewb

I was diagnosed with IBS the first time about 4 years ago. I refused to accept it as a diagnosis after about a year or thinking the doctor was right as I did some reading- few of the symptoms matched but like you, I had other unaddressed symptoms.
As it was done without any further tests and from what I know, IBS is by process of elimination. No one really knows what IBS is or why it happens, its therefore an umbrella term for "we're not quite sure" in my mind so I kept visitng the doctor and trying to work things out myself.
Eventually I went back and made it clear I would keep coming back until things were sorted or I had more of a definate diagnosis.

Eventually after I kept going back, the doctor did allow me further tests and a referral as it was/is getting worse, colon cancer killed my grandmother and the whole condition really has a huge impact on my life to put it mildly. The diagnosis of IBS to me is a useless one as I have taken time to try all the remedies sugested yet nothing even touches the symptoms.

It just goes to show though that if you want a proper diagnosis, few doctors seem to be willing to do so, I think you should go back, say your unhappy with the diagnosis, that you have noticed other symptoms. Ask for more evidence on IBS and why they have selected this as a diagnosis for you.

Otherwise try food elimination- tricky but do-able. You cut a type of food out for 2 weeks plus, make surte to read everything in the packet etc (as I am sure you know well) then gradually add it back in over the course of two weeks noting anything new you experience.

sara86pink

It really is a horrible and misunderstood illness and personally I really think more needs to be done because it took me ages to get to this stage as there isnt much information out there and the information that I did find, seemed to be very vague.

I understand my diagnosis of IBS especially as he said it was stress related as I did get the symptoms really badly when I was on my way to work (hate work and was really stressing me out) but luckily I have a new job so no more stress

OH's mum is a retired nurse so is going to help me with my 'elimination diet' which I'm happy to do. I just dont understand where it says not to eat 'processed foods' - I know the obvious take aways, ready meals etc but does this go for things like soups, baked beans, frozen food etc?

duloch

How do doctors assess whether you have IBS. I really dont like doctors and cant remember the last time I went because I wasnt feeling well but lately I have had strange feeling in my stomach since having a stomach ache a month ago. I felt like I was going to have diahorrea but I never did it was normal poo but I went more often than I usually go. This carried on for a week then I went back to normal however every now and again I get strange feeling in my tummy after eating but nothing happens. Thinking about going to the doctors but would like to know what they will do if anything. Like I said I dont like going to doctors and if I have a little understanding it will help me. Sorry sara86pink for hijacking your posts.

sara86pink

Hi Duloch, dont worry about the post hijacking, I'm happy more people get involved in this!

When I first thought I had this it took me about 3 doctors until someone finally diagnosed me so it really depends on the doctor. I always thought that some doctors dont think that this is a 'real' disease and therefore used to shrug me off.

My symptoms are that my stomach will bloat our so much (from relatively flat to about 7-8 months pregnant) I get sharp pains in my lower abdomen / groin and I get the feeling like I have trapped wind with bubbles of wind 'popping' inside me. It is very unpleasant and it does affect me quite a lot. As for going to the toilet, my symptoms are that I very rarely go and it wouldnt be uncommon for me not to go for days on end. This is normal for me and cant remember the last time I had a lengthy amount of time when I was 'normal'

I would go see the doctor as you never know what they will say until they see you, and there is also the risk of leaving whatever it is untreated and it getting much worse.

Failing that, if you do think it could be food related, maybe try and see a dietician or nutrionist for advice. I would but I really cant afford it right now

jenniewb

duloch wrote: »

How do doctors assess whether you have IBS

Its supposed to be by elimination, they test for everything else and when they cannot find anything, then they decide IBS. Unfortunetly with lack of funding, waiting lists and busy doctors they tend to diagnose from the offset without doing any further tests, you have to ask/beg/make a fuss for them.

There are many books and info sheets written on IBS but its all so vague- it seems to cover just about every stomach symptom going, which worries me as it can mean things get over looked.

I'd go to your doctor, they have more knowledge and can suggest remedies which have helped others (just wish at least one of them worked for me!) have yet to find something that works or even makes a dent in my symptoms (could it be that I maybe don't have IBS?!) but others swear by things like mint tea, relaxation/massage, buscopan and bacteria drinks.

buzzyy

my partner has sufferd for years with this condition,he has found that regular shiatsu does help ease discomfort,also pepermint tea - help the wind ,camamile tea -soothes three times a day,tumeric tablet daily,asadopholis(good bacteria)all these can be bought at you wholefood shop or holland and baretts,then the doctors prescription peppermint oil before food,also mebeverine twice a day,and immodium,spasmodol - for the spasms when its really bad.hes had many tests bloods and magic eyes,he also has to be careful of certain foods like wheat,tomatoes,mushrooms,onions,something to do with the acids but he does put up with many things i cook,because its very hard to make a meal for him then something else for the rest of the family,i hope this has been useful for you,not the best thing to live with at all,xxxxxxxxxxxxx

sofababe

Sarah, if u are going to do a food exclusion experiment I would start with milk/dairy. Your symptoms (pain & bubbling low down in your abdomen) sound exactly like what happens to me if I have too much milk. I'm lucky that my intolerance is not too severe e.g. I can have a cuppa with cow's milk and I'm ok but if I have a bowl of cereal I'm in agony for a couple of hours. Given that u say this came on after a bowl of Coco Pops, milk would be my first thought. Mine started after a tummy bug that we all had a few months ago but everyone else is fine.

I hope u feel better soon xx

sara86pink

Thanks sofababe, me and the OH sat down last night and he thinks its dairy too so for 2 weeks I'm trying a non-dairy diet to see what happens.

I know I can still get symptoms for the next couple of days but I'm hoping after a week I should know if its affecting me or not.

If that doesnt work, I'm going to cut out wheat and so on and so forth until I find the culprit!

Kt8

i cut out all processed food as much as possible, basically anything thats in a tin/box or not natural .

i eat alot of white lean meats, eggs and cheese, ..so very atkins based and it really works for me.

cereals, carbs anything like that sends me west and makes me v.v.ill, also anything chilli or spicy.

alcohol also but i dont cut that out i just get on with it.

frozen meals are a no no, its just not natural food.

the atkins way of eating is incredibly good for IBS sufferers, also the supplement psyllium husks which is fibre helps too.
as any kind of oats or cereal fibre ..bran etc in the shape of food is also a no no but works for some people.

its trial and error

Indie_Kid

You should only do the elimination diet under the supervision of a doctor. I was advised to cut out wheat - this works. I also have to limit my intake of fruit and veg to three portions a day.