How do you get over what is happening? i want it to end.

Hello- sorry that you are feeling really down.i'm 19 and also at university so I can relate with you on this one! I was diagnosed with IBS after test and mri scans etc and it is sometimes the most debilitating condition. I used to really worry about foods and going out and staying at friends that i would worry myself into an IBS attack- the gut and brain are interlinked and the more you worry, the worse IBS gets. For me personally, i cut back on the 'googling' as I kept convincing myself i had a tumour or cancer and everything bad; this is the worst thing to do and doesn't help with symptoms!

make sure you're having regular meals, breakfast especially. Drink plenty of water and exercise, not only do these help with symptoms but make you feel generally better in yourself. You haven't stated what your symptoms are bug I know when I have an 'attack' i have uncontrollable shaking, stomach cramps, diarrhea, feel nauseous and just wiped out for the next day. Mint tea helps soothe my symptoms as well as eating plain simple foods. You will soon learn what affects you and what doesn't- for me it is soft cheese, spicy, alcohol and rich food. I am currently on the FODMAP diet which you could look up?

you are not alone and soon enough you'll know your body and feel better about it. Ask your doctor for some antispasmodics for your pain- chin up. We're here in thus forum in exactly the same position and always here to help or chat- it's helped me!

best wishes and merry Christmas!

maisie xx

Hi Brighton90. 

I know it is easier said than done but please please do not get too despondent. I can well understand how you feel as both my wife and I have had to drastically change our eating habits since being diagnosed with Diverticulosis. The strange thing is that some of what I eat, does not agree with my wife and vice versa. Like you we no longer go out to dine spontaniously, nor go on long journeys without a lot of forward planning. I would suggest that you seek out as much medical advice as you can. IBS is very much in the news at the moment and new treatments etc are being developed all the time. Keep your chin up. I know problems like we both have are not easy to live with, but once you have found out what suits you and what doesn't, yes like us it will take time, life will look a whole lot different.

Good luck.

Hi there.

Depression and Anxiety are major causes of flare up`s of IBS.I can imagine the worry from being in Uni and the toll it must take on your life and health.

The more we worry the more it gets worse,the same is with Acid Reflux also.

You should speak to a doctor and ask to try Diazepam for 1 week on a low dose of 2mg per tablet,tell him/her you are suffering from depression/anxiety and you want to help yourself be well.Look at having 1 morning and 1 per evening and you will start to understand that the anxiousness and everything part of this in your mind begins to relax and in return the stomach starts to heal.I would advise the chance of meditation classes or such things to help you beat this for even though it is in your sromach  a lot starts in the mind.Once we have the mind under control we can begin to be more at peace.I want you to know that you are normal and fit in just fine,it is everyone else that needs to wake up,you are normal now and you are being critical of yourself because you feel helpless my friend.Reach out for help,speak about the problems you have to others so they can best assist you.I do feel that in your case you need peace in your mind and life so as to bring peace to your stomach.If i can do it, and i am talking about someone who was in and out of hospital weekely many times daily and had my symptoms made worse by doctors not understanding.Calmness brought me an awkening and i can eat those foods you speak of now when i could not before.The life you loved will come back,have faith and belief in that. You say there is nobody around me that understands how this feels.Well you have friends here for a start who understand and care.You could try some ideas i have posted in other threads for IBS also if you wish.All the best.Mark

Hi, you poor thing, my son is in his 3rd year too and it is stressful x I follow low fodmap and have found plenty to eat even going out. Prezzo etc do gluten free pasta and most supermarkets sell lactose free cheese ( get the strong one) as well as gluten and dairy free bread, crumpets, wraps, cakes., Biscuits, crisps, cereal bars. Pesto sauce and red sauces for bologneise x skip the onions and garlic when you can! Sainsnurys has a great free from section with all these! Roast should be fine! Bisto Best is gluten and dairy free! Use oil instead of butter. Eat meat and fish and rice is fine too as are potatoes x unsweatened almond milk for your tea and coffee is great! Good luck you just need to adapt xx

brighton,

I feel very sorry for you, unfortunately the same thing has happened to me in the last two years. I cannot really advise you as I am not medically trained and I would suggest you speak to your GP before taking any advice.

I can however, tell you how it has affected me and what medication I take. I have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and IBS not a good combination. I have discovered the hard way that I must not eat wheat and rye, milk, cheese, citrus fruits, coffee, alcohol, fizzy drinks, anything acidic or spicy, and no fats or oils.

Stress can cause me sivere flare ups and my sleep has been very seriously affected. I do not seem to get depressed because I retired at 50 and if I want to do nothing I can. I often sleep through the day if I have a bad night. I think one of the biggest problems I have is getting others to understand how I feel and what affects me, because of this my wife prepares all my meals, I never eat out and I never eat pasties, pizza's or carry out foods because I never know what is in them.

I take Buscopan as an anti-spasmotic drug to stop cramping in my lower intestine. I have tried mebeverine and colpermin but they did not work for me.

I would suggest you keep a food diary so you can work out what is best for you, we are all different and what works for me may not work for you.

Try not to get too depressed and remember there are lots of people with IBS just like us.

Have a happy Christmas brighton90

regards

robert

I know exactly how you feel...I have developed a fear of eating the wrong thing in fear of the stomach pain that comes from eating unhealthy...I watch everyone around me eat delicious food I used to be able to eat...I don't eat sugar, I can't drink soda, tea, etc.. I cannot eat fast food...I have been surviving off rice, protein, and I still eat gluten but I am tired of giving up everything because of this issue...but I have hope no matter what doctors say I believe I can be cured...I believe if I eat right and learn how to relocate stress to different parts of my body...I can be healed =/ It is a waiting game but I don't believe anything is incureable despite what people tell us..Try probiotics and eating tons of fruits and veggies 

Don't give up!  I am too an IBSr and it is awful.  Somedays I just don't want to face the day.  I have other medical issues too.  Back pain, bladder pain (Interstitial Cystitis)  but I am older and expecting body to break down.  You are young and you must fight.  Go see another doctor if you aren't satisfied with this doc.  There are medicines for this and maybe you should take an antidepressant.  I tried Celexa but I got terrible side effects but I am very sensitive to meds.  I know stress is a Key factor and the symptoms make you stress out.  It is hard very very hard.  I will pray for you.

I was suffering with IBS for 30 years.  It was a problem. I found out that a had an intolerance to lactose when I was 27. That was easy.  Giving up wheat is alot easier then you think.  I have been wheat and gluten free for over two years and no longer suffer from from IBS.  The bloating, diarrhea, regurge at 2 am in the morning where I couldn't breathe is gone. Not to mention the fact I lost 43 lbs by giving up wheat which is basically sugar.  Your Dr. should have told you to take a probiotic.  Your intestonal flora will also be out of balance that's the reason to take a probiotic. 65% of all people with a northern European background have a food sensitivity to wheat, glutten, lactose, casin (milk protein), and soy.  This can be mild to major to celliac disease (which you can be tested for). The upside is you become a lot healthier. IBS can also be exasterbated by stress.  I personally know many peope who have gone wheat free for health reasons, and some just to lose weight.  YOU ARE NOT ABNORMAL. It isn't any different than any other food allergy like shellfish or peanuts actually it is probably more common.  Science is just starting to understand how bad wheat and milk it is for most of us.

There isn't any reason you can't go out with your friends to dinner.  You just ahve to learn to eat differently.  Just order salads with grilled chicken.  Where I live alll the restauarants are very accomodating to make a meal glutten or wheat free. Recently my wife has also gone glutten and wheat free and has noticed more energy as well as being able to lose that 20 lbs she couldn't shed.  IF I NEW I WOULD HAVE FELT THIS GOOD I WOULD HAVE GIVEN UP EATING WHEAT 20 YEARS AGO! I WILL NEVER GO BACK!  There a re plenty of wheat flour substitutes. It does get easier and it will be worth it. i actually prefer the food I now eat.  If any one makes you feel like an outsider they are just ignorant!  Don't give up just rethink how you eat.  Many athletes and body builders ahve also given it up  because its not good for you even if you don't have a severe sensitivity to it. GOOD LUCK.  DON'T DISPARE AND DON'T GIVE UP. 

Hi Brighton

Cheer up you can beat this very healthily with a no gluten no dairy diet.

I did it so do millions of Asian People like Chinese and Japanese who can live a lifetime with no dairy and gluten.

Basically you need a steam machine for your rice and food.

And should be able to eat any roast dinner you want at home as long as it is meat and veggies with potatoes or rice.

And when at home you can have pancakes and stuff cooked with non diary milk like coconut and almond milk.

When going out Japanese and Chinese restaurants are your best choices, with the risk to get some gluten in Chinese sauces and condiments though but basically rice, veggies and fish or meat should be fine and the Asian deserts use many legumes like red bean paste.

Ask Santa to bring you a beautiful gluten and dairy free cooking book and you'll see that there are hundreds of yummy recipes for you when socializing outside, and it might not even be for life as some group food might be reintroduced little by little when you intestines are healed.

Dear brighton90,

Ludvine, CaplKirk, Worrychick and me, we are all saying the same thing. No wheat or dairy, take probiotics and eat fruit and veg. Try to avoid alcohol. All this worked for me and I was amazed at how much energy I suddenly had. My symptoms of IBS have faded to almost nothing. My only problem is my addiction to stress and this is a really bad thing.

Once you cut out wheat and dairy you will see the difference to.

Please cheer up, I think you are a very nice person and I really hope you have a great christmas.

Best wishes

robert