IBS

Hi pennypumpkin, you poor thing. You have had a rough time of it and to develop IBS on the top of it all is awful for you.

You have obviously researched IBS on various sites and tried to settle things yourself so it's difficult to know how to advise you.If you read through this thread you will find lots of tips from a few of us.

Has your gp referred you to a dietician? I ony ask because they (gp's) tend to save sending patients to one as a last resort but if you request it they are supposed to refer you.Also has your gp given you any medication to help the symptoms, such as an anti spasmodic/Gaviscon/ a PPI such as Lansoprazole/ constipation sachets ?They really do help the worse symptoms. I used to take them all the time but now have been able to reduce them to when I'm in a flare up or feeling a bit gippy for a day or two. There are over the counter meds such as Buscopan/Colpermin and immodium instants that are very helpful. You really need to have prescribed meds from your doctor though.

Some people find pro-biotics help but others find they do not and can make the flatulence worse.

Cooked food is always better than raw as it is more easily digested that raw foods, giving less wind and stomach pain.

Keep bran products to a minimum and eat oat ones instead, porridge is the best, you can buy oat bread, it is very tasty. Toast is better than bread for the digestive system.Rice cakes, although like eating a bit of cardboard does not usually affect the gut. White rice is also better than brown if you have IBS.

Some people find they have to avoid pasta, spicy foods, any type of beans, citrus fruit, onions and green vegetables and tomatoes. If you can eat bananas, on the other hand some find bananas are a no no (I'm one). Pears cooked or tinned are very easy on the digestion, so is jelly. Creamy foods and sweets are usually a no no.

Generally chicken is ok but avoid red meats. Light fish dishes are also easily digested.Mashed/boiled potoato is better than fried/roasted.

Rather than look online for 'foods for IBS' it's sometimes better to look for 'easily digested foods', as basically our digestive systems need a break from hard to digest stuff as they have become over sensitive.

I'm afraid we are all slightly different and what works for one doesn't for another.

You are best to keep a food diary. Take a notebook and write down everything you eat and then make a note of what happens a few hours later. Try and find what affected you. It's hard but does help if you can stick to it.

Most of us end up living on a pretty bland and basic diet, after eliminating all the foods that affect us.I still have flare ups after years of being careful and eating only what I know I can digest easily.

Sometimes with the wind problem having a daily fybogel/movelet sachet does help after a while. Then there is no constipation at all. The diarrhoea is actualy linked to the constipation as in the evening the constipation builds up, overnight the gut tries to deal with it and you are left with diarrhoea in the morning from the residue.

There is a ginger tea that is really good at settling tummys. It's called Birt and Tang's Ginger Tea, it's in tea bags and you can buy it at Holland and Barrett's. It's really nice with half a teaspoon of honey in. If you try it do not by Twinnings as its horrible stuff. Also charcoal tablets can reduce the wind and settle a sore gut. Ask your gp or pharmacist about these though, it is an old remedy and I'm not sure if it's still around.

I am so sorry that you are having such a bad time. Your partner sounds a lovely man and I'm so pleased you have a good baby. I have a five month old grandson whose becoming legendary for his dirty nappies! I'm wondering if he's next for the IBS horror, I do hope not. My hubby has learned to live with my windy moments and we are now able to laugh them off.I have felt bloated and unattractive many times. Once you can get on top of it the bloat will go away and the wind will calm down too. It must be so hard for you no wonder your confidence has taken a tumble, with help you should eventually improve.

I've had a thought while bashing this out. As you've recently had a baby do you think your health visitor could help you with any local IBS meetings or literature? Where I am my daughter-in-law has a really nice health visitor and they have a clinic where they will help if they can with any questions. She was referred to the hospital recently with sore wrists which can affect pregnant and newly delivered mothers.It may be worth asking.

I hope that you find a solution soon. It is a nasty thing to have to deal with.Try and keep as positive as you can and be determined to beat it.

My best wishes to you for a speedy answer to your problems, Fanny Jane.

Hi All

Well time to tell you all whats been going on,

Had some more test, mri and ct scan, last week, results come back today, i have non hodgkins lymphoma its in its early stages as gp felt the lumps i have been on about for nearly two months and got the test done now got to wait for hospital to give me a date to start radio therapy and to talk about other steps they have said because its in early stage radiotherpy will be only a short coarse.followed by medication, they have all my medical details now so hopefully all be fine. In a way im glad i know the main reason why my ibs been playing up and why i have been in pain for so long, ( and ibs is not the fault of this ) in the back of my head i new it wasnt just ibs, coping well know ive got a doctor that understands but been a long tme, well tell anyone out there that if your not happy with what the doctor says, and recovery is not as planned keep on at the doctors insist on test an im glad i had fanny jane along side me on this web, as without her i sure i would have gone mad.

Will be here daily now as like i said im coping, and strong to battle anything life throws at me, i will not give in. Thanks all

chat soon

Kaz xxxxx

Oh Kaz, I'm not sure to be pleased for you, that you at last have a full and proper diagnosis or so sad that it's something that's going to require even more strength from you. I know that you are strong and will deal with this.

To hear that your doctor is now constantly being so supportive is truly wonderful. I know how difficult this year has been for you and at one point you were very desperate. I am truly humbled that you feel I have helped a wee bit.

Although my conditions are different from yours, I do know what it's like to live with things that affect every moment of our lives and never giving in is a big part of it all. I am always here if you want a chat or a moan at how you are feeling, just log in.

You are absolutley right Kaz, about doctors and making sure that they take whatever our symptoms are seriously. My sweet sister-in-law was diagnosed this week with bowel cancer. She has also been fobbed off for months this year with 'anxious middle aged woman syndrome'. All of a sudden It's surgery and chemotherapy and all that goes with it. She is shell shocked and fearful but determined to be positive and recover.

Bucketfuls of positive vibes coming your way. Take very great care of yourself and 'be a good patient!' Accept any help that's offered and feet up sometimes - please!....

Many blessings to you, I shall be thinking of you, Fanny Jane. x

Hi Fanny Jane

Oh what i night, mind going into one just couldn't go to sleep and when i did eventually nod off kept seeing my mum and all she went through with her treatment for cancer.

trying to distract my mind today baking and started knitting again, still going to take it easy though,

me and chris have decided last night not to tell my dad or my daughter as cancer was th cause of my mums death and father in law a year and a half ago, just going to say i need traetment for my spleen i know its lying but dont want to drag up old memories, chris is supporting me and thats all that counts to me

I hate the wait for appointments, im so trying to not think about whats to come, but its so hard not too, wish the pain would go away, hot water bottle easing it but its hard to move about without some discomfort reminding me whats wrong with me.and my ibs is giving me d today i know its stress that causing ibs symtoms now i surpose my poor body just had enough with one thing and another but its not going to beat me, its like playing high stakes in a card game, but ive got some aces up my sleeve.

Anyway hows you ?

Sorry to hear about your sister in law hows she coping?

OH any good receipes for christmas cakes that not dairy and wheat/ nut? well off i go for another challenging day ahead, not going to nap today as i think this was the problem last night sleeped for two hours yesterday afternoon.

Oh well her i go chat soon

Kaz xxxxxx

Hi Kaz, I'll see if I have a recipe for you as I've a pile in my drawer of all sorts of dietry bits and pieces, there may be something you could try. It's good to hear that you are baking and knitting. Distraction techniques are very helpful when dealing with any type of difficult condition. I write shockingly awful poetry ( actually I call it my Verse and Worse!).

So sorry about last night. I was up also, we should have hooked up. I have a nasty tooth infection and have to go to the hospital Monday to have it dealt with. In the meantime it's those awful antibiotics called Metronidazole, yeuck, to try and get it under control.

I think you are very brave in making the decision about keeping the diagnosis to yourself. As you have told me this I can tell you I would probably do the same. I have been through a few nasty things that I did not tell my sons about. It's really good to hear that Chris is being so supportive. One of my son's is also called Chris, he is lovely and caring, so we both have a Chris that love us and support us.

Yes, waiting for the appointments and going over what may or may not happen in our heads is very hard. It's the same for everyone. I hope that all the staff you come across are cheerful and supportive and make your appointments easier to get through.

My sister-in-law is a sweet lovely person. She has never married and we are her only family, so we will be supporting her as well as we can. She does have some old and caring friends who will help her too. As you know yourself no one can foretell the furture. However being positive is the biggest and most healing and helpful way of getting through anything

I always try not to think negative thoughts if at all possible. When I was born I was premature and popped in an oven (aga type) wrapped in cotton wool soaked in olive oil- this is absolutley true. It was a very tiny nursing home with very little equipment but very dedicated midwives. When I survived I contracted Rheumatic fever this was touch and go too. My parents were told that I probably wouldn't survive.

Well I did and here I am a wife, mother and granny to boot. My life has been full of negative happenings but tomorrow I could be run over by a bus, nothing to do with my conditions.

So I live each day and never ever give in to anything. I have learned that in life bad things happen to good people and having a positive attitude is the only way.

Hope you don't think I've gone on too much. I just wanted to convey to you that life, whatever we have thrown us is very precious. You have been blessed with a daughter, be strong for her.

Well I must off now to my mother, goodness knows what she will be up to today, she has dementia. A very sad and difficult condition but it does have its funny moments and we collapse with laughter sometimes.

Bless you Kaz, keep busy and take very good care, Fanny Jane.

HI ya

Not good, been in hospital since friday evening, got discharged late last night, my spleen ruptured so had emergency op, they also took two lymph glands out why they were there they have cancealed my radiotherapy treatment for one month so i have time to heal but now i only have to have a small dose therapy to eliminate the lymphoma that remains, so in a way im half way there already, they have taken the spleen out now as i understand i can live without it, but have to take medicatation for the rest of my life to eliminate poisons in my body, eating is very hard at the moment as i feel ive been hit by a double decker bus and the insition they made looks like he used a blunt knife, but as usual taking day to day, like you said you dont know whats round the corner in my case the gp got to have weekly check ups every friday at the hospital as they want to keep checking my bloods and do ct scans regular, have stitches out this thursday and have a nurse daily to change my dressings nice to see a new face, even though im her first call at 7;30 and she has cold hands,

well time to rest and get some more knitting done making a santa doll

take care all chat soon

kaz xxxxx

Oh Kaz, sending you lots of virtual hugs. Having gone from thinking you had IBS to this is the most horrendous experience... and there you are calmly sitting down to knit a Santa Doll. You've got b...s girl!

I'm so glad I had a quick log in before going off for the day to my grandsons. I have been thinking of you and mentioned you to my hubby this morning, saying I must tell you that a cake recipe like you mentioned doesn't exist, despite me looking everywhere I could think of! The least of your worries my dear.

I remember a lady from my childrens schooldays who had her spleen out, this would have been about 25 years ago. I see her round the village sometimes and she looks ok. We are really just nodding aquaintances though so I don't know too much about how she is. She's a granny now as well.

Ooooh cold hands..... tell her to wam them up, least she can do....

I have to go as my baby grandson has had two days in hospital with a nasty virus. He's just home and is a poor little scrap. His mum's also had it and to top it off his dad, my son, is being sent out to a ship tomorrow morning, where we have no idea and when he'll be back, no idea either, he's in the Navy. So she's a bit tearful as you may imagine.

Chin up. You are in my and I'm sure a lot of other peoples prayers and thoughts, be kind to yourself and hope to hear some more positive news soon, much love, Fanny Jane.

Hi Kaz, just letting you know I've been thinking about you today and that nurses cold hands! Hope the stiches came out ok and you are not too sore.

I'm not home much as still helping with my grandson but he is much better and I'm hoping next week will be a bit less exhausting. I'm babysitting this evening as well as this morning as his mum is being weighed at slimming club, so fingers crossed she comes back happy, although with all the trauma lately I'm sure she's lost a bit.

Good luck tomorrow, I'll be thinking of you and hoping to hear some positive news one of these days. Bless you, Fanny Jane.

Hi Constancia,

For finding food triggers, try keeping a food diary for 2 weeks, and write in not only what you eat but also what you drink, any other substance that passes your lips and probably most importantly, how many hours sleep you get each night and your daily stress levels, as these last 2 are HUGE in IBS, and often overlooked, even by doctors and they can affect how your tummy handles foods too