IBS and Slimming World

Hello Jan, could I ask whether your IBS is constipation or diarreah dominant as you say the fodmap diet has really helped. Like many IBS sufferers on here I have anxiety especially health anxiety and other health concerns and lots of stress over last 2 years and especially this year with other family health problems.  I suffer from constipation not that I go for days with out going but rather difficult to pass and not feeling empty.  Following a  bout of constipation where I had blood in stools my gp prescribed fybogel with mebeverine which  is keeping me regular but does not help with wind and bloating which I got with the constipation.  I have read that if you take this fibre drink then suffer from wind and bloatinbg then it might be a good idea to follow low fod map.  I thought it was only for those with loose stools and that not eating the high fibre might make constipation worse.  Maybe I am wrong.  What do you think?  The bleeding has now stopped but my gp is sending me to the gastro for possible sidmoidoscopy or maybe colonoscopy.  She thinks it might be an internal hemmeroid high up in the rectum.  She did a rectal exam and said it was fine but a small skin tag remain of old external hemmeroid which I knew about.  She is not worried and my appointment is in 3 weeks.  I am of course worried as I am 69 but trying to be positive not easy with anxiety and the fact that my husband has just had a colonscopy because of anaemia and they removed 8 polys all benign so has repeat scope in one year.  My doctor did blood tests for me and they are all ok no anaemia,infection or inflammation.  

My IBS is diarrhoea dominant, but the Low Fodmap diet focuses on different types of carbohydrates and between soluble, and insoluble fibres. If you're eating the wrong type of carbohydrates it probably will increase bloating and gas. Sometimes too much of the "wrong" type of fibre can increase constipation.  My GP also told me it was unlikely that I had anything sinister, but as a precaution sent me for a colonoscopy, which was done within about 10 days of me seeing him. The results were fine, just a small benign polyp which was removed. All my blood tests were fine too, hence the diagnosis of IBS. It was actually my GP who recommended Low Fodmap. 

I'm in my early 60's and although I've never suffered with anxiety, the onset of my bowel problems did make me very anxious, and I found myself caught up in a vicious circle - the more anxious I became about going out and not being able to get to a loo quickly, the worse the IBS became, which made me even more anxious. One of the chief benefits for me of Low Fodmap was that I realised I could manage and control the IBS, which reduced the anxiety, which reduced the IBS symptoms - it changed from a vicious to a virtuous circle!!

Low Fodmap doesn't work for everyone but it is well worth giving it a good try. 

Incidentally, my GP said IBS is very common in people in their 60's, particularly in women.... so I guess there are lots of us out there. 

I'm sure you'll be fine, and I bet that as soon as you've had your procedure and got the all clear, your anxiety levels will plummet. 

Do let us know how you get on, and good luck. 

Jan

Thank you for your kind words.  I was diagnosed with IBS around 6/7 years ago although I was not sent for a colonscopy at the time.  I am glad this new doctor (we moved last year) is sending me to see someone.  I did not realise IBS was common in older people although if as they says it starts when you are younger the there must be alot of older people with it.  To be honest If I think back there are times when I had bouts of digestive problems which was probably similar in my teens and 30's  Mine started around 2010 when my daughter husband and grandaughter decided to move 200 miles away.  I was devastated at the time.  Now we are living just 15 mins away from them so it worked out in the end.  Will try and remember to let you know how it all goes.  Going bck to the diet I do feel a little better today stomach is much calmer.  Yestereday I had wind bloating and back ache.  For the last 2 days I have reduced fruit intaker and cut the skin of apple so maybe I am on the right track.

Trouble is i've followed SW diet for many years, sadly not loosing any weight at the moment and my stomach is getting bigger by the day!

And as for my stools they have never been regular i'm afraid so i'm used to the lack of pattern

Well if you get constipation then the low fodmap diet often makes it worse to start with as you eat a lot of plain white refined carbs and avoid fibrous fruit and veg.

If you don't want to go full fodmap just try eliminating one thing for a few days and see what happens. For example swap your bean salad for a sandwich or soup and see how you feel.

I have in fact bought some Buscopan IBS this morning which i've taken, i'm at work and feel the urge to 'go' but i'm too scared, I don't often go at work (office based)

 

the natural process for digesting food involves spasms in IBS often those become painful and buscopan flattens that out but if you take too much you stop digesting and get constipated so watch out especially if also taking mebervenie as awell