IBS - any tips or advice on what helps you manage your symptoms?

Hey guys!

I know this isn’t a medical forum but IBS has no proper diagnosis and no formal treatments so I just wondered if you guys found anything that helped your symptoms?

It’s literally draining me now. I spend every morning in the bathroom and I just can’t find anything that will help and my GP has done several tests but nothing! They just put it down to ibs and won’t give me anything.

Thanks guys x

Unfortunately your GP will tell you if it is or not your IBS causing things , if you where referred to a specialist at hospital then perhaps ask to be referred back...!!

It best to try and find out what foods may be causing your IBS to flare up and then avoid these.

You may know most below already ok....

I'm a NHS registered midwife.


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Try to:
Experiment with fiber. Fiber helps reduce constipation but also can worsen gas and cramping. ...
Avoid problem foods. Eliminate foods that trigger your symptoms.
Eat at regular times. Don't skip meals, and try to eat at about the same time each day to help regulate bowel function. ...
Exercise regularly.


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General tips to relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms
Do
cook homemade meals using fresh ingredients when you can

keep a diary of what you eat and any symptoms you get – try to avoid things that trigger your IBS

try to find ways to relax

get plenty of exercise

try probiotics for a month to see if they help

Don’t
do not delay or skip meals

do not eat too quickly

do not eat lots of fatty, spicy or processed foods

do not eat more than 3 portions of fresh fruit a day (a portion is 80g)

do not drink more than 3 cups of tea or coffee a day

do not drink lots of alcohol or fizzy drinks ( non alcoholic drinks maybe better if you drink )...!
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Information:
You can buy a key from The IBS Network shop or Disability Rights UK shop that can help you access public toilets if you get symptoms while away from home.
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How to ease bloating, cramps and farting
eat oats (such as porridge) regularly
eat up to 1 tablespoon of linseeds (whole or ground) a day
avoid foods that are hard to digest (like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, beans, onions and dried fruit)
avoid products containing a sweetener called sorbitol
ask a pharmacist about medicines that can help, like Buscopan or peppermint oil
How to reduce diarrhoea
cut down on high-fibre foods like wholegrain foods (such as brown bread and brown rice), nuts and seeds
avoid products containing a sweetener called sorbitol
ask a pharmacist about medicines that can help, like Imodium (loperamide)
Important
If you keep getting diarrhoea, make sure you drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

How to relieve constipation
drink plenty of water to help make your poo softer
increase how much soluble fibre you eat – good foods include oats, pulses, carrots, peeled potatoes and linseeds (whole or ground)
ask a pharmacist about medicines that can help (laxatives), like Fybogel or Celevac.....


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Diagnosing IBS :-
What happens at your GP appointment
The GP will ask about your symptoms, such as:

what symptoms you have
if they come and go
how often you get them
when you get them (for example, after eating certain foods)
how long you've had them for
Information:
Before your appointment, it might help to write down details of your symptoms to help you remember them.

The GP may also feel your tummy to check for lumps or swelling.

Tests for IBS
There's no test for IBS, but you might need some tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.

The GP may arrange:

a blood test to check for problems like coeliac disease
tests on a sample of your poo to check for infections and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
You will not usually need further tests in hospital unless the GP is not sure what the problem is.

What happens if you're diagnosed with IBS
If the GP thinks you have IBS, they'll talk to you about what it is and what the treatment options are.

It might be difficult to take in everything they tell you.

If you're unsure about something afterwards, write down any questions you have and make another appointment to go over them.

The IBS network has more information on IBS

Well IBS is a proper diagnosis, and doctors are supposed to do tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms to make the diagnosis. What has your GP suggested you do so far?

Several stool samples. Referred to gastroenterologist for colonoscopy and endoscopy. I was told to make a food diary of everything I eat and wasn’t given any medicine or anything to help! You will be surprised, IBs isn’t a proper diagnosis. There is no way to diagnose IBS.

IBS is finally diagnosed when every other potential condition is ruled out.

They will give you laxatives if you struggled with constipation or the binding medicine if you have diarrhoea. This masks the symptoms and doesn’t solve the problem. That’s why I was asking if anyone had any tips or ideas.

Try going on a meat based/carnivore diet. Meat is easily absorbed and digested by our bodies. Foods high in fibre and anti-nutrients like grains, beans, legumes, vegetables etc gave me the most trouble when I had digestive problems.

Thank you for all of your information Tracey it’s really helpful. It looks like I am doing several things I shouldn’t be or eating things I shouldn’t. I had a colonoscopy to rule out any other condition and so for the past 5 years if not longer I’ve been struggling. I have loose stools so it does drain me of my energy.

I am going to try and make a routine a stick to it for a few weeks. I tried probiotics but I felt like it made me worst but only used them for 3 days because of that. I never knew I could get a key to use when I’m out and about that’s soo helpful!

im going to take a look at the IBS network. I think I was just hoping for some miracle medicine but it looks like it’s a lot to do with my diet and lifestyle.

thanks again Tracey x

Thank you I’ll try this! I love legumes not going to lie.

Hey guys!

I know this isn’t a medical forum but IBS has no proper diagnosis and no formal treatments so I just wondered if you guys found anything that helped your symptoms?

It’s literally draining me now. I spend every morning in the bathroom and I just can’t find anything that will help and my GP has done several tests but nothing! They just put it down to ibs and won’t give me anything.

Thanks guys x

Hey @JasmineAcademic,

I'm sorry to hear you're struggling with symptoms associated with IBS.

As a student dietitian, I strongly suggest seeing a dietitian or a gastro dietitian through either self-referring yourself or asking your GP to refer you. That way you can discuss managing your symptoms to help manage your IBS. I'm surprised your GP hasn't referred you to see a dietitian for dietary management - have you actually been referred by your GP?
IBS as a condition varies a lot between individuals and what triggers one person is different for someone else.

Veronica
Student Ambassador

Hey Veronica,

Thanks for your reply.

I did see a dietician around 4 years ago but at that time I don’t think I was eating enough and I wasn’t going toilet hardly ever. Now it’s the opposite reason so I think I need to go and ask to be referred back.

Thanks again!