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Newly diagnosed, where do I start??

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alex.s.mitch
alex.s.mitch

After 2 and a half years of pain, crazy bloating and erratic bowel movements I've finally been diagnosed with IBS this week. I've struggled all my life with my tummy but it's been particularly bad following a 12 month period where the doctor repeatedly missed the Helicalbactor Pylori infection I had. I've also got Endometriosis and am finding it quite hard to find a diet/elimination diet I should try first as there is so much information out there. If I'm being honest I'm finding it quite overwhelming but need to do something now because I'm suffering daily and it's affecting my ability to get on with my job. I don't think it helps that I'm a stressed person; when I'm up against it or scared (like when I'm flying) my stomach physically knots and twists it's excruciating. Any help or suggestions would be amazing smile

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • frazzled
    frazzled alex.s.mitch

    Posted

    Hi alex: I'm sorry you are in physical distress.  What newly diagnosed IBS patients usually use as an aid is the low FODMAP which can be found on line.  It's a process of eliminating the food that may be causing IBS symptoms.  What I am wondering; however, is whether the endometriosis may be causing symptoms of its own that may mimic IBS symptoms such as pain, bloating, and nasty gut bacteria, etc.  Are you being treated for endo... ?  What other medications are you taking?  How long have you had end.... Please excuse all my questioning but as I mentioned the symptoms of IBS can mimic underlying conditions that should be ruled out. Did you have an colonoscopy and was the H Pilori found via endoscopy and now gone?  Waiting to hear back from you.

     

    • alex.s.mitch
      alex.s.mitch frazzled

      Posted

      Hi Frazzled,

      Thanks for your message. I bought a low-FODMAP book yesterday so will give that a go for a week and see if I feel a change. I was diagnosed with endo via laporoscopy in 2012 and was put on the pill back to back with only 2 breaks a year. I came off the pill a couple years back so have gone back on recently to try and regulated my hormones.

      I ended up in A&E with excruciating stomach pains 18months after the problems starting (Jan 2016) and the docs wrote a letter to my gp asking that I be tested for HP which is how I found out about the infection. I had two attempts at double anti biotics to get rid of it then went private for a colonoscopy and endoscopy to check for sure and rule our bowel diseases hence why they've now settled on IBS as the problem. When I get an episode I can easily jump more than a dress size and be left lying where I am until it goes away, that's what I'm trying to conquer most. The erratic fluctuation between diarrhea and constipation is easy in comparison. With ref to endo treatment, my gynaecologIst has sent me away twice saying my issues are GI

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 alex.s.mitch

    Posted

    Have you heard of the Fodmap Diet which is specifically designed for IBS?  You may also find that hormones will make your IBS worse with endometriosis.  I'm amazed h pylori was missed.  This was one of the first things I was tested for and it came back negative.  I was diagnosed with IBS.

     Do you have mainly constipation or diarrhoea or a mixture of both?  Try fruit for constipation and imodium for diarrhoea. Have you discovered any food triggers?

    • alex.s.mitch
      alex.s.mitch pippa58442

      Posted

      Hi Pippa,

      Thanks for your message. Yeah I got a book on FODMAP yesterday so have read it cover to cover already and going to give it a go. It was crazy it was missed, I only found out after ending up in a&e with severe pains and the docs wrote a letter to my GP requesting the test. It had been left so long I had to have double antibiotics twice to shift it.

      My bowels shift a lot, I can go to the toilet in the morning with constipation then within 30 minutes be running back with diarrhea. That's where I'm a bit stuck with what to eat because different things are recommended for both. I've got no known triggers but have just read that onion and garlic are bad and I have both a lot. Alcohol is another one that always gives me and tummy hangover!

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 alex.s.mitch

      Posted

      Try excluding onions, garlic and alcohol for a while to see if you symptoms get better.  Then reintroduce them to see if symptoms come back.  You may find that some foods that are safe on fodmap actually irritate your stomach or the ones that are supposed to be bad are fne.  Sometimes foods that are ok one week, can be bad the following week.

      Other common triggers are dairy, gluten and potato.  Ask your doctor about seeing a dietician to help you.   At the moment, I am going a week between bowel movements after being normal for a while.  From last Saturday to Monday I had diarrhoea after bowel overflow.  I ended up on Imodium and now I am slowly easing back into fruit to restart my bowel all over again.

      However,  although some foods have always been irritants for me before my IBS. I have no IBS food triggers. Stress and diet change are the things that set it off.  I am in holiday and I think diet change has played a part in my bowel disturbsnce.

    • alex.s.mitch
      alex.s.mitch pippa58442

      Posted

      That sounds awful, you must be so uncomfortable. I travel a lot with work so it's interesting you say you were noticed a difference when you're out of your routine on holiday. My doctor gave me mebeverin to take when I'm struggling, I've had omeprazol and lansaprazole before but didn't feel any benefit.

      What's your thoughts on supplements? I do seem to feel a bit better when taking aloe Vera tabs and a probiotic. It sounds like I'm going to need to do a lot if monitoring so will ask to see a dietician. Thank you!

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 alex.s.mitch

      Posted

      I would only take supplements if you are not getting nutrients from your food.    Otherwise, food alone should give you the nutrients you need. I was going to take probiotic tablets when my IBS started but my doctor put me off them.  I was also given Mebeverine but it disagreed with me and so I take Buscopan instead along with Nurofen.  I also rely a lot on fruit
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