IBS .... Just what CAN you eat?

Racheldevon

I used to have awful IBS and spent a week in hospital with it at one point. As others have said, addressing stress is a key thing to tackle. I tried varying my diet and aside from missing out on key nutrients I didn't get any long term benefit. For me, I saw a nurse who was a colonic hydrotherapist, weekly to start with and then less often, alongside seeing someone is a BAC registered acupuncture practitioner. I also take a high quality probiotic supplement that you keep in the fridge from a local independent health food shop. Sometimes things like Colpermin (Peppermint Oil capsules) can help, and are available on prescription. I very occasionally get a mild flare up - perhaps once a year.

You mentioned possible anorexia in your post - I work with children who are anorexic and hospitalised as part of our service. If this is being considered then ensure you are under a paediatrician who's looking at this issue, and be aware that Family Therapy is NICE guideline recommended as being one of the most effective treatments - this is usually provided by CAMHS who will have specialist staff working in this area.

floss2

Dazzle_drop wrote: »

Hello all:)
I hope somebody can help....
DS was this week diagnosed with IBS and possible anorexia ...

We spent the past week in hospital whereby he gradually started to eat - (dry crackers & dry toast )
We saw dieticians whilst in hospital who advised to introduce a new food daily to see if certain foods trigger the IBS ...
We have been home 3 days and seem to be getting nowhere fast as he is refusing to try any "new" foods for fear of developing stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting ...
DS is 15 ....upon discharge from hospital I was told that the dietician would be in contact "in due course" and we were given a sheet with foods to avoid - pizzas etc

Please .... If there is anyone with IBS out there - please could you tell me your typical eating plan ...
DS has suffers with the stomach cramps, diarrhoea and nausea - so a high fibre diet I'm guessing is a no-no ...
Please could anyone help or recommend a book to buy that would maybe suggest foods that would help DS

Thankyou in advance for anyone who helps - no matter how small you may think it is - ALL advice is welcome as right now
XxxxxX

Has your DS been given any medication to help with the cramps? If not, I would contact your GP first thing tomorrow, ask for an urgent appointment and request some to at least help him begin to eat. If he knows he won't get the cramps and other distressing symptoms, then he will relax, which will help to ease the IBS anyway. Then you can both start to try different foods.

My IBS means I can't eat pastry, high animal fat foods, oily foods, deep fried foods (I do have fish & chips once a year as a treat!), lentils (unles very very soft!), chick-peas (unless in hummous), and cheese (but for cheese I take my pills & suffer once in a while ). Also anything more than 1 glass of red wine has an impact within a few hours too

I have found that oat-based cereals like granola are better for me than wheat-based (i.e. weetabix or shreddies). We use a lot less butter/cream/cheese and rarely have pies or pastry.

Good luck

Reluctant_spender

I find stress is the trigger as opposed to certain foods, to that end I see an acupuncturist for stress etc and find that helps loads.

This works for me.

HPoirot

For my IBS I keep clear of fresh fruit and salads, spinach, peppers and any high fat or spicy food. Vegetables are ok as long as they are cooked. I also eat gluten free foods and lactose free milk whenever possible, but this is less of an issue than the high fibre foods.

Dazzle_drop

Oh wow!!!! Thank you all so so much!
Yes he's just spent a week in hospital and is now under the CAHMS team, dietician and a consultant (I presume for the IBS) ... They're also testing a stool sample (sorry if you're eating!!) for bowel disorder? Still awaiting the results .
He hasn't drunk fizzy drinks like lemonade since way back in the spring .... ATM he's just on dry crackers and dry toast and trying to introduce a new food daily (which is a nightmare!!!) it seems though even by just eating dry crackers and dry toast he has the stomach cramps and diarrhoea ...
He's been prescribed Buscopan and Domperidone? And I've bought Colpermin over the counter - sadly though none of it seems to ease the symptoms ....
I've bought the yoghurt drinks as I read they can sometimes ease the symptoms but he's afraid to drink them!!!
I think ill buy the FODMAP book too as that may help - tbh I'd do and give anything right now to see him eat normally just for a day ..
Gosh it's a horrible condition
Can you tell me do any of you or parents of those who suffer take anti diarrhoea meds? (It's ok if you don't wish to reply!) as I don't know whether that would help or hinder him ...
And also even though you stick with your "safe" foods do you still have diarrhoea, nausea and stomach cramps?
I'm a bit lost tbh as he's getting more and more frustrated and depressed and I'm just at a loss as to what to do to try and help him ...
I'm sorry to ask what may seem silly questions to you ....
I'm now going to re-read all your replies!!!
Thank you once again - all of you xxxxx

Oh PS .... Do you suffer with mouth ulcers too? As he has mouthfuls of ulcers which seem to be permanently

Tiglath

If I get a really really bad bout (12-15 loo visits in a couple of hours) I take loperamide to manage to get into/continue at work, but the pain is excruciating. Mostly I'm okay as long as I stay away from grains and hard skins. It seems to hit me mostly in the middle of the night; I once passed out on the loo and DH found me keeled over sideways against the wall. No mouth ulcers here - I take it they've thought of coeliac disease? My stepdaughter's coeliac and lactose-intolerant and gets mouth ulcers.

HPoirot

Dry foods are harder to process and require more of peristalsis motions from the digestive system which then set off the cramps. I cannot eat dry foods unless washed down with a hot drink. Why don't you try giving him some broth or soup, carrot soup is supposed to be gentle on the digestive tract. He can have the toast and crackers along with them if he wishes. Although I do agree that mouth ulcers seem to indicate coeliac disease or some food intolerance of some sort. ETA I also cannot eat breakfast cereals or wholegrain foods.

Linda32

I've had IBS for years and years (possibly not what you want to hear, apart from the fact that if it is IBS then it will never ever become anything serious) Although it can make you feel like death warmed up IMHO.

The things I can't eat are all fruit, lettuce, yoghurt, pro-biotic drinks and soup. All rather random I'm afraid.

Don't ever miss a meal or get over hungry. Carry snacks with you if necessary. High carbs are best for me like cereal bars or biscuits. Drink enough as well, it doesn't have to be water, all liquid counts and liquid.

HTH

Blackpool_Saver

I had a bad IBS attack this last week, porridge got me through to the other side, there is also powder called slippery elm that you mix with milk (in my case soya milk) they line every nook and cranny from mouth to anus and calm it all down

Linda32

Oh yes, I forgot about milk. I can't have a bowl of cereal and that much milk. Rice milk is nice though on cereal. But more expensive than cows milk.