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IBS Diet advice please..

Posted , 7 users are following.

dak3931
dak3931

i have suffered from diagnosed IBS for about 12 months and believe it to be as a consequence of a long period of antibiotic use following pneumonia.

It first presented as diarrhoea and since taking colafac MR it is now more commonly constipation with bloating, right hand stomach pain and back pain and gurgling lower bowels.

i have read numerous articles about diet and they are in the main contradictory.

i have decided to reduce my gluten intake and have certainly stopped the majority of treats such as chocolate and biscuits thereby reducing my sugar intake and also significantly reduced the amount of coffee I drink but am only experiencing small gains and never feel too far away from a bout of diarrhoea.

i go to the gym 2 to 4 times a week when symptoms allow.

Any dietary advice based on experience would be greatly appreciated.frown

 

1 like, 30 replies

30 Replies

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  • sarah87162
    sarah87162 dak3931

    Posted

    There is a fodmap diet on google search.

    Before I was diagnosed with gallstones a GP thought it ws either gallstones or IBS so the symptoms are obviously similar.

    I have now had my gallbladder out but am not sure if I have IBS as well.

    Having to be careful what I eat,nothing over 3 percent fat.

  • donclaudio
    donclaudio dak3931

    Posted

    Dak,

    With your IBS Dr's diagnosis and antibiotic implicated..you need to reboot your digestive system. No fad diets ..usually a gastritis diet with your own input as to negative and positive reactions. Diet alone may take time..to accelerate these that you c can tolerate...yogurt, kefir, sourkraut, probiotics, prebiotics and small easy digestive meals. Claudio

  • ann_and_nick
    ann_and_nick dak3931

    Posted

    Dak,

    will add to DonClaudio's post:

    with frequency (loose stools..watery etc)...you lose electrolytes...so stay hydrated and add minerals......best to ask you pharmacist for a non carbonated drink vs pills.

    Probitocs: getting them to colonize is a huge challenge..most are either destroyed by your stomach acid, or are washed out...so putting them back, and often seems to help...same goes for  yogurts/kefir etc  more benefirial when taking small amounts often rather than all at once. Prebiotics...there are 3 types...psyllium husk, psyllium seed, jerusalem artichoke/chicory. The ones I am most familar with are psyllium husk and seed...one traps water within your waste like a gell and makes the stool more formed..the other slows down transit time (so one speeds up while the other slows down)...too much causes GAS (inulin)..Don Claudio suggested to start with 1/4 teaspoon...maybe  try both to see what works best for you...the combo husk and seed  also "boost" production of your good colon bacteria...is well worth considering.  any of the prebiotics can help (chaperone) some probiiotics thru the stomach acids....

    In summary, hydration, electrolytes, pro and prebiotics... our best...Ann....relax.

    • dak3931
      dak3931 ann_and_nick

      Posted

      Ann. Thank you.

      at last some experience based and consistent advice for which I am very grateful.

      I am using a probiotic called acidophilus plus purchased from a local health shop as a trial and will source some of the psyllium husk and seed and keep you updated.

      The sky does not appear as grey today😀

    • dak3931
      dak3931 ann_and_nick

      Posted

      Ann. 

      Any tips on where to buy the husk and seeds and in what form?

      I have looked on the web and there are capsules and whole husk?

      Ta,

      Dave

    • ann_and_nick
      ann_and_nick dak3931

      Posted

      Where to buy varies.by price..amazon is usually competetive,we prefer whole husk. Quality should trump price. We use source natural but a few others are considered good quality. Pharmacy and health food personnel consensus. Not all countries have.identical product, so inquiry thru pharmacy or chemist.

      We avoid bulk. We are in the usa having sources that differ from other countries. Hope info helpful, ann

    • ann_and_nick
      ann_and_nick dak3931

      Posted

      re capsule vs whole. I "guess" the capsule is an "OD" preventive since the husk has "inulin" that "in excess" can cause gas. So, why not control amount of whole husk?......I'd follow DonClaudio's suggested start of 1/4 teaspoon..once daily.....if no result, try 2 times daily but only morning and noon...not afternoon nor evening. The most recent IBS Constipation patient in our Pacific NorthWest started at 1/4 teaspoon, increased over a weeks time to 1/2 teaspoon x 2 daily...37 year old Chinese female..IBS not antibiotic implicated...bad diet...wild snack meals with timing erratic...inadequate intake of water.."latte with excess sugar and condiments" etc.  She began "compliant"..but in less than a couple of weeks when she was feeling "normal" tried Latte..back to square one for a short time before she finally chose not to takes risks at such an early stage of recovery. Takes time to get the entire digestive track (from oral cavity to anus) back in good order....Ann
  • donclaudio
    donclaudio dak3931

    Posted

    Dak,

    Your doing all of the right things..Ann mentioned psyllium husk/seed.. with constipation dominant, the husk might be more suitable but why not both?...... hydration and lots of it ...spot on.....the addition of an electrolyte drink is IBS beneficial.  ....coffee IMO is healthy...in moderation with or without IBS...check out the "rome criteria" for IBS..a few dr's diagnose IBS too quickly with any bowel disorder..., could be clinic policy to minimize costly testing.

    Former wife's daughter diagnosed with IBS...but was bacterial overgrowth due to long term wide spectrum antibiotics...took only days to show improvement and then in 8 weeks...could eat pizza for the first time in a very long so called IBS war...... Doesn't work out that way for everyone....in 2013 "JPT" on this web forum provided a protocol that worked for him and others (looks like your are on the same protocol  path. Wish you God speed.

    • vivian89329
      vivian89329 dak3931

      Posted

      Hi

      I have a question and some input. I have IBS and diverticulosis. Most recently I had episodes of loose bowels at least 8 times a day and constant pain keeping nevoutvof work for over a weel at a time. Gas always there. Treated with antibiotics which have made me worse. Drs not sure if they are diverticulitis attacks or IBS but now they are gearing towards IBS. In the past an all protein diet had helped. I just started today. Easier to digest than carbs. However also in the past once I had a bowel movement pain would subside. Now its constant.

      How long should the pain last after a flate up?

      Vivian

    • dak3931
      dak3931 vivian89329

      Posted

      Vivian,

      i was diagnosed with diverticulosis many years ago following a barium enema examination. I suffered pain in my right abdomen below the rib cage and bouts of severe constipation. I was not offered any treatment or dietary advice. Interesting after my recent CT colonoscopy there was no suggestion of diverticulosis?

      My pain and discomfort is an everyday occurrence, just with varying degrees.

      I am changing my diet and and currently experience a good day, followed by a bad (like today😡). This forum is helping me a great deal and have received some good advice which I will take.

      i understand the carb issue and have reduced my intake.

      Can you give me an example of your protein diet.

      Dave

    • vivian89329
      vivian89329 dak3931

      Posted

      Hi

      It seems that we are suffering from the same

      Symptoms and day to day life. This recent flare up kept me off work for two weeks. You can find protein in avocados chicken a lot of fish tuna salmon all meats. I am staying away from all breads. I found that I was much better without them. Greek yogurt and bran buds are good. Blueberries are an anti oxident and clean out the bowel. Lots of green tea. I had to take imodium today. Now I have to make sure that tomorrow I take some psylium. It's a catch 22. Need to balance good carbs and fibre.

      Let me know how it goes.

      Vivian

    • dak3931
      dak3931 vivian89329

      Posted

      I am going to order some psyllium husk and like you, the Imodium is always in easy reach
    • vivian89329
      vivian89329 dak3931

      Posted

      I will let u know in a couple of days how i am doing. Please do the same.

      Vivian

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