Managing IBS
Posted , 6 users are following.
How do you all manage your IBS? I have gone to a very bland diet, trying to find which foods effect me, keep a diary. Any other suggestions for a newcomer?
0 likes, 25 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
×
Notes on Managing IBS
graham9772 anne68902
Posted
Hi I have a different problem but I have found the Monash University's FODMAP diet was very helpful to me. This was developed specifically for IBS and has shown excellent results for people with those symptoms. Search for them and find a dietician who has experience with it. The diet has been adopted all over the world and I thought it was accepted as the first line of attack.
Be in touch if you need help to find out about it. What country are you in?
Cheers
Graham
anne68902 graham9772
Posted
Thank you I have heard of the University but wasn't sure as there is so much info out there. I live in Colorado USA
graham9772 anne68902
Posted
There is a website http://www.katescarlata.com/fodmapdietitians/ that lists dieticians who have had some training, There is one in Colorado but I am not in a position to say whether they are any good or not.
The original work is at Monash and they have released a smartphone App that you can download. You definitely need some one to "hold your hand" like a dietician or your family doctor. To make it work you have to be strict. The FODMAP diet is thought to only work for 75% so I wish you luck.
Graham
anne68902 graham9772
Posted
graham9772 anne68902
Posted
anne68902 graham9772
Posted
Can't hurt to try, thanks
leeniepie anne68902
Posted
Food and symptom diary is definitely the way to go. The FODMAP diet is very helpful, but it depends on your symptoms. There is a very useful website by a lady called Heather which I'm not sure I can link to without getting deleted, but Google it.
Medication wise painkillers, anti spasmodics and laxatives/anti diarrhoeals (depending on which way you go!) And a good old hot water bottle help the most.
anne68902 leeniepie
Posted
Thanks for the info, I have tried and anti spasmodic didn't do much for me. How does a hot water bottle help???
graham9772 leeniepie
Posted
I haven't read anywhere about the FODMAP diets effectiveness depending on your symptoms. Is this from a FODMAP specialist dietician?
anne68902 graham9772
Posted
graham9772 anne68902
Posted
I don't have IBS I have RLS and I have found that the IBS diet (low FODMAP) does a great job of stopping the symptoms. There is some relationship between IBS and RLS I have no idea what it is and I am not researching anything about it. I just try to conduct simple experiments, with myself as a subject, and hope I can find improvements. So far so good I have done better than any doctors I have visited. I just follow a low FODMAP diet with a couple of extra exclusions (gluten, lactose, caffeine and alcohol) Pain in the neck but if I depart from the diet I get restless legs and no sleep for the next two nights. Its the main basis of my life worth living.
Graham
leeniepie anne68902
Posted
leeniepie graham9772
Posted
Yes, and Monash themselves. It is very good for bloating, gas,cramps. Somewhat goid for diarrhoea and doesn't really do anything for constipation.
anne68902 leeniepie
Posted
anne68902 leeniepie
Posted
leeniepie anne68902
Posted
Not really. The gut is controlled by nerves. Too much stimulation , you get diarrhoea, not enough, you get constipated. It's all the same system.