Trigger foods not causing IBS symptoms?

Digestive health
1

Hey everyone,

I've heard that IBS is caused by trigger foods and that the IBS symptoms can be reduced by finding out what triggers the symptoms and avoiding it. I always have to rush to the bathroom several times a day without fail. I've tried the low-FODMAPS diet for 2 months a few months ago, but I didn't notice any difference. I ate the foods that were allowed on the FODMAP and no matter what I ate or drank, I still had the same symptoms. They weren't reduced and I didn't feel any different. So I'm not sure which food triggers my symptoms or if it happens with anything I eat/drink. Could it be possible that IBS can also be tiggered by any type of food or drink and not necessarly a specific type? How can anyone live a normal life being afraid of eating, drinking, or doing anything? Has anyone else had a similar issue? I noticed the symptoms get a lot worse with stress, worry, or being nervous which I have heard are common with other IBSers.

2

I had the same symptoms. It, could be crohns, to me. I think you should go back to your gp and get tests done. Good luck

3

Thank you Stephaney, the symptoms that I have I think match IBS perfectly and I don't really match the Crohn's symptoms. The doctor I have is really good. She really wants to make sure it's IBS and not something else. I've done 2 separately stool samples, blood work, a colonoscopy, and all of those came back clear. The doctor said she's pretty sure it's IBS, but she wants me to do a MRI scan of my small intestine's to make sure it's not Crohn even though she's sure it will come back clear. So right now I'm waiting to get a appointment for a MRI scan, but I'm 99% sure it's IBS. I've believed it was IBS for 5 years and the symptoms match me perfectly.

4

I too am a serve suffer of this problem. What to eat n drink, ive been having issues of ibs for 3 years and still getting investigated as to what the actual chores is. Ive started the low FODMAP diet hopeing it would cut down but feeling no better as such. Have they prescripted any tablets for u? Coz there is things that do help ease the symptoms. Could help for u?? i find sometimes its not what im eating its how its been cooked ie certain oils or fryed. No good. Try if u havnt fry light sprays, also keep a diary that helps when u go back to the doctors, shows u and them a pattern.

Keep fighting the battle, dont give up there is answers out there.

5

Not meaning to be rude but where did you get your low fodmap info? Not everything that's out there is correct. And we're you following it strictly?

Keep a food diary and it may help identify patterns.

Yes stress is a big factor in IBS so if you were stressed when you did the fodmap diet you may not have seen such a good result.

Also do you follow the general IBS guidelines of avoiding fried, fatty,spicy food, caffeine and alcohol?

6

Where do these general IBS guidelines come from? Caffeine & alcohol are part of the low Fodmap diet (according to Monash University who invented the darn thing), but fried, fatty and spicy food are not. Speaking personally, I've not noticed any problems from them, although I don't eat much fried or fatty food. I do eat lots of spice though.

7

Just about every piece of advice you read on diet for IBS recommends avoiding caffeine ,alcohol ,fatty, spicy foods as they are gastric irritants. They can have adverse effects on the normal person bowels, so can be ten times worse for IBS sufferers. Obviously this does not mean that every single person will be adversely affected but they are best limited in those with IBS.

8

Ah. Just about every piece of advice, eh? Well I already mentioned Monash University, the world's leading experts on the low Fodmap diet, who don't mention thise foods. Here are the NICE Dietary Guidelines:

Diet and nutrition should be assessed for people with IBS and the following general advice given.

Have regular meals and take time to eat.

Avoid missing meals or leaving long gaps between eating.

Drink at least 8 cups of fluid per day, especially water or other non‑caffeinated drinks, for example herbal teas.

Restrict tea and coffee to 3 cups per day.

Reduce intake of alcohol and fizzy drinks.

It may be helpful to limit intake of high‑fibre food (such as wholemeal or high‑fibre flour and breads, cereals high in bran, and whole grains such as brown rice).

Reduce intake of 'resistant starch' (starch that resists digestion in the small intestine and reaches the colon intact), which is often found in processed or re‑cooked foods.

Limit fresh fruit to 3 portions per day (a portion should be approximately 80 g).

People with diarrhoea should avoid sorbitol, an artificial sweetener found in sugar‑free sweets (including chewing gum) and drinks, and in some diabetic and slimming products.

People with wind and bloating may find it helpful to eat oats (such as oat‑based breakfast cereal or porridge) and linseeds (up to 1 tablespoon per day).

I can't see mention of fried, fatty or spicy foods there either. Who is actually giving this advice? IBS is a problem in the colon (the clue is in the name); gastric irritants affect the stomach (the clue is in the name). People who suffer from IBS may also have problems with such foods, but none of the expert sites I've visited say they are a cause of IBS.

9

I never said they were a cause, I said they could be problematic. And many people on this and other sites would agree. I have read this information on many advisory articles, and had the same info given to me (and other people had it given to them) from doctors and dieticians.

The nice guidelines do say limit caffeine and alcohol as I said. I also never said these food a were fodmap. I know they are not (with the exception of some alcohols).

There is no need to make this an argument, I was just trying to help someone.

10

I am glad you went back to doctor, I hope it is ibs

11

IBS sufferers have to exclude a lot of foods already; we don't need anyone telling us to leave out a whole bunch more unnecessarily.

Of course individuals may find any or all of thise things upset them; equally they may find that lettuce and cucumber sets them off. My point is that none of the expert advice I've found has suggested staying away from them as a matter of course. If you know of one, then please point us to it.