Hi, I guess IBS isn't very common in males - but I wanted to find out what other males/females are doing to help with their IBS?
I'm now on week 3 of a flare up - not complete consistant but i'd say a good 80% of the time I feel awful. I'm suffering with extreme gas, which seems to get trapped, nausea/sicky feeling and loss of appitite.
The docors don't really seem to be interested just labelling it "IBS" which is fine - but there has to be something that can be done? I only started getting IBS about 2 years ago when I was 26 - all i've had so far from my GP is a stool sample test (which came back fine)
Is there anything I should be doing differently? I'm literally at the end of my tether now - ruins my day-to-day life now as many days I dont have energy, or just feel too sick!
Hi Calum: Isn't it awful. I'm sooooooo sorry you are suffering.
IBS is like a curse. I've had it for over 50 years and it comes and goes for reasons unknown to me except I know that when I'm under more stress than usual (doesn't have to be a lot these days) I flare. I have stress-induced IBS -A which means stool passes one day and then may not again for 3 days or I can experience both in one day. There are foods that I have to avoid as well.
You can start by checking the low FODMAP diet on the net (what foods to avoid and those that are considered fairly safe. It is best to keep a journal so you don't forget. I forgot and had a large bowl of cottage cheese with fresh blueberries the other night as a treat and thot I was going to have to go to the ER (for me cottace cheese and most dairy will send me immediately to the loo). I had severe cramps and violent d with terrible acid burn all along lower abd and anus.
Be sure you keep hydrated -- drink lots of water. And check out the low FODMAT diet. Those are two things you can do to start. Others here will have lots of advise for you.
My best wishes -- hope you start feeling better.
For several years, I had flare ups for no rhyme or reason. No certain foods seemed to set it off. Stress, and also a break in my routine seemed to be the most obvious reason. I have found a lot of relief in avoiding stress, and keeping plenty of fiber in my diet, and also for taking acidophilous, triphala, and slippery elm, which seems to be the best part, as I have been blissfully regular and without any symptoms for a while now.
I have had this werewolf like curse for approx 6 years now. I have tried many, many things which have given slight improvement but overall I have moments where I am as bad now as I have ever been. I still have days when i am 3 hours late as I can not get out of the loo. The one saving grace is going through the amount of changes I have made whether through diet and exercise has given me the freedom to return to work. The illness is there but not as frequent as about 3 years ago I had to take the best part of a year off as 2 or 3 days a week I would not be able to get out of the loo and then I would sleep through the afternoon. Now I am back in work, albeit on a reduced salary as I said flexibility was more important so if I am ill then so be it and they agreed as they were getting great experience on the cheap. It was for just 3 months originally and that was a year ago. I was very lucky as I was completely open at the interview and I think we both saw it as an opportunity. I eat better and lost weight and exercise more and although it helps it is not a cure. I am slowly coming to the realisation that for cramps and spending long hours in the loo there is no cure and I am coming to terms with it and in many ways I think I will always be coming to terms with it. When I came here it was to find a magical cure such as what do I eat or drink but the one piece of advice I was probably given but maybe never heard is don't battle as I did but come to terms with it. When I started doing this I started to improve as no stress over being late for work because if I am 3 hours late they pay me 3 hours less so being more open has been a benefit whereas before I was always trying to hide it and work at the pace and efficiency as pre diagnosis and it is just not possible and in the end I let so many people down so many times that my g/f left and my company put me out to pasture as I just could not do it. I had to adapt and that took me a long time to understand but I am finally doing it now. It might not be common in men but seen enough men on these forums so know we are not alone.
Ask your doctor for an antispasmodic such as Buscopan and try Nurofen as well. Avoid gassy foodss like broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbage and stay away from fizzy drinks. Try the Low Fodmap Diet. A food diary may also help.Try distraction techniques such as a hobby.
I'm doing my best to avoid foods which don't "agree" with me - but the most concernin thing is that the foods that effect me change from day-to-day to to make a structured diet is pretty impossible.
My GP has now said he wants to see me - so going back on Monday AM to see my options - i'm also considering going private through my employers medical scheme.
Thanks for your kind words!
Yes, I think mine is stress related as my diet doesn't seem to upset me when i'm out of the "stress" environment.
Hi Callum I hear ya re: a structured diet. I'm convinced that I have stress-induced IBS-a or something other than IBS. I have the same problem you do with food. I can eat 2 big slices of supreme pizza and do just fine but the next time I have it, I'm running to the toilet. I've tried the low FODMAP diet but it doesn't work for me.
Doc said add fiber, lower stress and use Imodium for diarrhea (d). Since I also suffer from generalized anxiety disorder, lowering stress is like a non-option and more fiber gives me d. I'm stumped and keep experimenting. Oddly enough, I've found that if I throw out the starch (pasta, potatos, etc.) from so called TV dinners, no matter what's in the dinner, I'm not running to the toilet.
I hope you get some answers and begin to feel better. Keep in touch.