IBS? Chronic abdominal pain but no constipation or diarrhoea

I think you might be mistaken. Type Chamomile tea for IBS into Google and it is recommended everywhere. I've not read one piece of advice that warns against it if I'm honest. It is considered one of the safe hot drinks, and I find it very soothing.

No, I'm not mistaken. I'll answer this twice as the site blocks external links, usually temporarily. High Fodmap beverages according to Monash University, the inventors of the low fodmap diet, include:

Chai tea, strong

**Chamomile tea**

Fennel tea

Herbal tea, strong (fruit-based with chicory root) 

Oolong tea

I've also found that Liquorice Root has similar effects to chicory (not yet tested by Monash).

Link:

http://www.med.monash.edu/cecs/gastro/fodmap/diet-updates/beverages.html

Thanks for that. Here in lies the problem, I've found so much conflicting information it's hard to know what to trust!

The FODMAP diet does look very interesting though and funnily enough I do eat a lot of foods on the avoid list, particularly things like broccoli, onions, and garlic.

I think I'll give it a go over the next few weeks and see if there is any improvement.

Thanks again.

There's probably conflicting information for two reasons:

1. IBS seems to be a "go to" diagnosis for GPs these days. If the tests don't pick up anything else then, Sherlock Holmes style, it must be IBS!

2. Trigger foods seem to not be identical from person to person.

The reason I go with the Monash version, is that they are a scientific institution specialising in dietary-related illnesses and are the leading researchers in the area.

The Monash advice allows somewhat for the second by suggesting that once you have cleared the offending sugars from your system you can try introducing foods back. They also suggest some alternatives, e.g. I now use garlic-infused olive oil whenever I want a taste of garlic in my food.

Also keeping note of what you've eaten and comparing it to attacks you can see if there are any additional trigger foods - I've found that cornflour is a big problem for me even though it is low Fodmap.

A quick question on the FODMAP diet; bread looks like a no go area. Is that true, and if so are there any alternatives?

I've been trying bread made with Spelt flour, and for me it seems to work OK, but seems that I'm not as sensitive to cereals as I am the other groups. Plus I like the taste.

Otherwise you can try gluten-free bread, just check that they don't include Rye, Barley, or Wheat in any guise - some gluten free products can include them. There are a pile of possible substitutes such as rice flour, cornflour, buckwheat, millett. Health shops have all sorts of flours if you bake your own.

Would be interested if you could expand on your assertion??

I'll expand to for your interest...Vick is using the Rome Criteria...although could have used the Manning...either one is  used by Gastroentrologists to establish an IBS diagnosis.

Use Plos one, pub med, science Direct or Science Daily vs google.

Ann

just received a pm requesting eloboration:

Rome criteria. , beyond  abdominal pain and discomfort symptoms must be associated with two or more of following: improvement with defecation, 1. altered frequency

of stool  or 2. altered consistency of stool.

Many thanks for that Ann, I can confirm that my bowel movements have been perfectly normal. My pain comes from the area below my belly button. It's never a sharp pain, more a tenderness and cramping feeling.

Today I focussed on starting the Low FODMAP diet, but I missed out the slippery elm tablets and buscopan, and to be honest I've been in agony. My stomach has been gurgling and making squelching noises all day. Even a hot bath didn't relieve the pain.

Pains below your belly button.if centered could be from your bladder or prostate...not that it's infected but bacterial imbalance/enlarged...a guess since you've stated pains began post antibiotics...overactive gland...what antibiotics and what were the results?

The urine test would not indicate an "imbalance"...nystatin would be a urologists med of choice...I'd try Grapefruit Seed Extract or caprilic acid before the nystatin although its been around forever with few to mini side effects.

Confusing some...DGL and Slippery Elm do support stomach lining. And if you've stomach pains...Gastritis??...but this is Upper Abdominal vs lower.

I'll chat with Nick see what he thinks...in the meantime clarify or elaborate areas of confusion...if possible...Ann

I was prescribed amoxicillin for the over-reactive gland. I noticed mild pain after taking them for around 4-5 days.

Re. Gastritis, that would be more prominent around my stomach, accompanied by acid reflux etc?

a quick reply...Amox is a wide specturm antibiotic..has the potential and history of doing some damage...clearing out good bacteria...and can cause errosive gastritis if taken on an empty stomach. And Gastritis can be a stand alone disorder...caused by an insult...does not necessarily need to be associated with refulx...Nicks wife had Gastritis for 4 years with perfect bowel movements.

will get back to you with some other things after chatting with Nick...Ann

 

I've had a few days to reflect on your comments and despite my earlier claim that my bowel movements have been fine I'm not entirely sure that is the case. I do feel like there has been a change in both frequency (less) and consistency (softer). I'm keeping a record in the run up to my appointment with the Gastroenterologist in a few weeks time.

I have been following the Low FODMAP diet for a few days also, but as yet I think it is too early to say whether that is having any positive effect.

Another thing that has became apparent is I have started to experience constant pain through the night that is present when I wake in the morning. It used to be that I'd wake free of pain and it would set in within a few hours of getting up. Best wake I can describe it is that it is similar to the feeling you get after doing too many sit ups, like my stomach is constantly tense.

 

I was like this first thing in the morning with my gallstones. Dr said it was nothing to do with gallstones but to do with acid in my stomach. He prescribed me Omeprazole and they did the trick..

Sarah