Irritable Bowel Syndrome

[Lan]

Hi all,

I am suffering quite bad with IBS at present and am posting now as hoping someone can help.

I am having very bad stomach cramps, explosive diarrheoa, sickness and nausea, legarthy and heartburn, to name but a few. I have a dietician's appointment, but not until 3rd October. I am also being sent to hospital for a camera up my back passage.

I am feeling so depressed as first thought it may be another food allergy. Just can't stop it and is affecting my work. I have had to take time off and am now being sent to Occupational Health to see if that can work. I think this is a positive move.

I am going to do some research on the internet, but just thought it would be nice to chat with people, who understand how bad I'm feeling.

I hope you can help.

Thanks in advance.



Lan. :D

[Copper]

This sounds very grim to me. I hope you feel better soon. I know nothing about IBS so I can't help really. Are you sure it is not some other intolerance? PA (my daughter) has been getting periods of illness similar to you and in the end had the York tests. She has wheat and gluten intolerance as well as the milk, which we had already worked out. The tests also picked up other intolerances but the wheat and gluten are the worst (ie have the highest number rating)

Maybe you should consider having these tests - I know that £250 is a lot of money but it could make you life much better. PA had lethargy, feeling sick and dizzy spells but not every day. We really struggled to work out what was going on and felt we had no choice but to pay for the York tests. The NHS did some blood tests and her GP said she had no intolerances and did not have IBS!!!!!

[Bet]

Dear Lan - Poor you, things sound really bad at the mo. I am lucky as my IBS has never been as severe as yours sounds or other people who post on here. However, the last time I had a bad bout of diarrhea which lasted 3 weeks, the only thing that stopped it was, on doctors advise, to go without food for 24 hrs and take a tablet to stop the diarrhea. This worked for about 4 days and altho' it came back it wasnt as nearly as bad. Remember to drink loads of water as you must be dehydrating by the sound of it. I agree with Copper - if you can afford the York tests it does sound like possibly other foods are having a bad effect on you at present. Are you particularly stressed at the mo? This is one thing which tends to set it off. I hope you start feeling better soon

[matt]

insider knowledge. i'd eliminate the stress before worrying too much about another intolerance or allergy....


:(

[Pam]

Poor you, Lan. Would it be worth going right back to square one with an elimination diet until you are a bit better and then you can test out what is causing the problems again. Is your mum unwittingly giving you something that you shouldn't be eating? It must be so frustrating for you not being able to get to the root of the problem.

I seem to have an onion intolerance that has just flared up again, I go for so long and can eat them with no problems but suddenly I'm awake at night and visiting the loo frequently again. It happened a few years ago but I seemed to grow out of it and now it's back with a vengence.

Hope you get to the bottom of your problems and that Occ Health are helpful and work are sympathetic, you don't need any extra stress.

[ellsie]

Sorry to hear you are poorly Lan. When I suffered with this the only food that helped was bananas and I ate loads of them. They helped me a lot. Apart from that I use kaolin for my daughter when nothing else would calm things down. Good luck.

[rebecca c]

Lan

I know you are feeling really bad right now and are in a lot of pain and discomfort. But do remember you will get to the root of it and it will improve.

I have been working on my IBS for 3 years now and I now have long periods of time when it is fine.

For me it is NOT stress, I am under a tremendous amount of stress at the moment (more than ever in my life before) but my tummy is fine. I even had some spicey food on Saturday and dont seem to be reacting (yet!)

For me the IBS was improved most by no gluten. I have brown rice and banana for breakfast every morning and this helps a lot. Lots of water. No dairy. Also seems to be some link to the salicylates but still experimenting with this. More recently chocolate has made me violently ill. I avoid all caffeine too. If I am doing something new or challenging I do have problems with my tummy but I accept this and go with it.

Take care of yourself and remember it will get better. one step at a time.
All cliches but I say them with feeling because they are true.

[linny]

Lan.
so sorry to hear you've been feeling poorly.:( I quite often get similar symptoms but they think mine is gastritis. I went for a colonoscopy (camera up the back passage) and all the nurses were lovely and I didn't feel as embarrassed as I thought I would. They do give you 'drugs' to make you relax too. I now have to take Immodium plus tablets when I get bouts of it, but I know what you mean about stomach cramps, similar to labour pains I'd say!

All the tablets they tried me on for arthritis caused the stomach problems too. Over the weekend I've had arthritis flare up in my jaw. I lost 2 nights sleep and have been given codeine as well as co-proxamol by the emergency doctor on Saturday evening. It's died down today thank goodness.

Hang in there the sooner you get the tests done the sooner they will be able to find the cure.

[Lan]

Hi all.

Thank you ever so much for the posts, as they are really appreciated.

I think most of my problems may be down to stress due to the fact that they started on a very stressful weekend. I locked my keys in the back of a car the night before a wedding and I was due to give a reading. I was up at 6 waiting for the guy to come get them out and he was late. I was then running late to go to the hairdressers and the wedding was very emotional.

At present I am also under a lot of stress as my ginger cat Dexter has gone missing and am under alot of pressure in work. I just seem to be running around all the time. I have put up 60 'Missing' posters tonight for Dexter and hoping someone will get in touch.

I have thought about the York tests, but my father knows a guy who does them and has offered to pay. As mean as he is paying I will definitely give it a try.

I hope all your problems are solved shortly and thank you again.

Lan.

:unsure::unsure::unsure:

[rebecca c]

Hope you find Dexter Lan - we once lost our dog and had to do all the poster stuff it was a difficult time so I know what your going through.

[Pam]

I hope Dexter turns up soon, you must really miss him.

Go for it with the York tests, they might give you some pointers as to what you need to cut out. It is a lot of money but if it makes you feel better it has got to be worth it.

[cnc]

I hope Dexter turns up soon, it can't be easy.

Good luck with the tests Lan, hope they reveal something useful for you.

Take care

[Copper]

I have lost two cats so I know how awful it is and how you must be feeling. I hope you find Dexter soon.

Yes you must give the York tests a go as you have nothing to lose. It has to be better than yet another exclusion diet :(

[alexx]

Hi Lan,
Hope the cat turns up, I know how attached we get to the little creatures!
I have IBS and in my search for a cure came to have the Yorktest as a last resort and found my dairy intolerance. Another thing I was told by the specialist I saw was that continually taking laxatives or antidiahorrea medication can aggravate the problem - I know sometimes you have to take one or the other but try and use the minimal amounts as otherwise your bowel is more likely to spasm.
I also find peppermint oil capsules really helpful for painful bloating, and a slice of fresh ginger in hot water sipped slowly is good for nausea.
I hope you find something to alleviate it - don't worry about the colonoscopy, while it isn't pleasant it doesn't hurt and is relatively quick.
best wishes!
Alex
xx

[tigerlily]

Does anybody know if a toddler of 2 can have the York Tests done?
What do I do, order it and have the GP do the blood part? How does it work? Who do they send the results to?

Vanessa.

[tigerlily]

What is KAOLIN?

Thanks

Vanessa.

[Copper]

Does anybody know if a toddler of 2 can have the York Tests done?
What do I do, order it and have the GP do the blood part? How does it work? Who do they send the results to?

Vanessa.

I suggested on another thread that you email the York Test people and ask them if they can test your 2 year old. I am not sure if your GP would be willing to collect the blood - depends what they think about the private tests I guess. Do you have a friend who is a nurse who could do it? The results are sent to you at home by snail mail.

You can read about the tests here

http://www.homeinonhealth.com/categories.php4?cPath=3

This is copied from the site

The FAQs or Frequently Asked Questions provided have been compiled using feedback from our existing customers. Our aim is to provide you with answers to any questions you may have concerning the products on offer, or regarding the YORKTEST Group of companies. However if there are any questions that are not covered in this area, please speak to a member of our customer support team on +44 (0) 1904 410 410 or email clientsupport@yorktest.com (clientsupport@yorktest.com).

I hope that helps.

[matt]

to answer the kaolin question it's a fine particle clay, also know as china clay see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaolin

harmless abbrasive.:)

[Pam]

It is an old fashioned remedy for diarrhoea, I suppose it would bind the stomach contents to prevent rapid exits.

[matt]

is also a main ingredient in lots of toothpaste, which is probably the source of the question, fine abrasive for the cleaning of teeth thereof!:D

[Pam]

Ooooh you learn something new every day!

[Bet]

Re the Blood tests for York - they provide you with a home kit so that you take the blood yourself. Just prick your finger with 'needle' provided and then take swab and post back to York in envelope provided - all included in price. Very simple to do, my 5 yr old did scream when blood test done but easily over with and forgotten about. I think the minimum age for York is actually 2 so may just be OK

[linny]

I'm a total coward as far as blood tests go, I've fainted twice and have to lie down whilst they do it. I did the York Test and was perfectly fine whilst having my blood extracted from my finger!!!! ;) I'm fine with needles and things being injected in but not when they take it out!:(

[Bet]

I did the york test at same time as daughter so very bravely did mine first to show her how it didnt hurt!! and then cruelly did hers making her believe she would feel nothing. Only way she would have it done and I think its the shock of having your finger pricked for a second rather than it actually hurting which caused the tears. Anyway, the promise of a little present as she had been so brave soon helped her forget about it and it was certainly well worth doing as we now know that too much yeast will affect her as well

[goose]

As a new ibs sufferer, im trying to get my head round things. every day being a struggle, not knowing wheather it be a good day or not. getting stomach cramps when you least expect them is a nightmare. and sudden rushes to the loo.
So Lan, i know exactly how you feel on a stressed day.
I've just started a new job and going on holiday next week and im stressing already, wheather ill be eating the right foods or how many times ill need the loo at the airport.
God i wish there was a pill to cure ibs.
THE GOOSE:angry: :angry: :angry:

[Pen]

I thought that maybe those of you who suffer with IBS might be interested in checking out this book. It is called "What your doctor may not tell you about IBS--Eliminate your symptoms and live a pain-free, drug-free life." ISBN 0446690910.

The reason I mention it is that I was asking my integrative doctor about natural ways to help my fibroids and low thyroid problems, and he told me about the books "What your doctor may not tell you about fibroids," and another one in the same series, on low thyroid.

I have read and own two other books in that series, "What your doctor may not tell you about pre-menopause," and What your doctor may not tell you about menopause." and they are absolutely brilliant and have assisted me greatly in discovering the dangers and truths about synthetic hormones, including HRT. Even my dentist read the books and has chosen to use natural hormones cream.

It wasn't until I was doing an online library search for the books my doctor told me about that I discovered that there were so many of them in the series--fibromyalgia, breast cancer, sinusitis, anxiety, children's allergies and asthma, children's vaccinations, migraines, knee pain and surgery, colorectal cancer, osteoporosis, and more.

[goose]

thanks for that ill have to try and find out more about it. ibs can take over your life sometime i have to plan day to day around the problem but i really need to did out more info on it so ill have a look for that book and let you know how i get on.

[Lan]

Hi there.

I know how everyone feels about IBS. I am lucky at present as have managed to find the biggest trigger which is lager. Having cut that out for a few weeks I am now feeling a lot better.

Goose, I hope you have a great holiday and will let us know how it went.

Take care,


Lan. :):):)

[goose]

Lucky you, knowing what is triggering it off, im still trying to find out.
Have cut out the dairy and dont drink, and have even given up the fags!!
God how boring do i sound:eek:

But still suffering severe cramps and feeling sick at any given moment although stopped rushing to the loo, until im under stress, thats when im at my worsed. I wish they would find something sientific to fix ibs as the whole camera thing aint that great.:angry:

[GLES]

i'm sorry for you cos i can understand you what you feel as i am having IBS very badly and i am Coelaic and Lactose Intolerant too.Try to go and walk evryday even for 1/2hr it will help to keep stress controlled. Hope you be well soon

[matt]

caffeine can also be a huge trigger.
legume vegtables ie peas beans etc can be culprit.

ball ache i know but you need to omit stuff for a few days and see if that makes an imrpovement then reintro and see if it all comes back.

[pinkfairy]

Hi there.

I know how everyone feels about IBS. I am lucky at present as have managed to find the biggest trigger which is lager. Having cut that out for a few weeks I am now feeling a lot better.

Goose, I hope you have a great holiday and will let us know how it went.

Take care,


Lan. :):):)

:eek: Some lagers and cheap wines contain lactose, my consultant has told me to avoid them until a list can be published of the safe products. When I find out I will let you know. I really wish we could rely food labels it would make life a lot easier. Don't you agree???

Hope this answers some questions.
Jane

[matt]

well we could write to our mp's or just send one from all of us to someone in whitehall. tony or minister for food??? to ask that the law be amended. what do the rest of you think?

[pinkfairy]

HI Matt

I totally agree with you that something has to be done about the food labelling. As from 25th November the 25% law is out. And all manufacturers have to put all contents on the labels. But the remaining stocks on the shelves will also have to clear with time. But how can we guarantee that the products contain lactose? We need somebody who can test for lactose in foods and drink and then inform us. Any ideas?

I know they test certain foods at my clinic but they are very short of funding. I really do think the goverment should fund the LI clinic further so that more vital research can carry on. We need to get publicity any ideas? Anyway enough of my soapbox talk.

Just remember your not mad just Lactose intolerant!!:)


Jane

[Pen]

I have borrowed the book "What your doctor may not tell you about Hypothyroidism" (by Ken Blanchard--ISBN: 0446690619) from the library and found a section on 'Gastrointestinal Complaints' that may be of interest to those of you who suffer with IBS. It says:

"Alternating bouts of painful constipation relieved by diarrhea (especially at the time of a woman's menstrual flow) with cramping, abdominal bloating, and weight gain characterize the most common diagnosis by gastroenterologists today: irritable bowel syndrome. It is a diagnosis that gastroenterologists almost universally fail to link with hypothyroidism. I believe that in the menstruating woman, IBS is a manifestation of hypothryroidism acting on the two body systems: the bowel wall and the hormonal system that regulates menstruation. As with other parts of the body, depleted thyroid levels reduce the normal muscular activity of the bowel walls, causing constipation and abdominal muscle cramps."

He also goes on to say that just because blood test results indicate that your thyroid levels are in the 'normal' range it does not necessarily mean that you are not suffering with hypothyroidism!

[matt]

you'll have trouble getting the government to fund anything that does not promote the dairy industry. bad publicity. all can really do is hope that the firms are responsible and label their foods properly.

and trust me i am mad and dairy intolerant, well maybe not the second who knows? :o