IBS and Me………..
Not really being a subject and symptoms that are easily discussed with another person, no matter how close that person may be to you, for many years, like so many others, I suffered in silence with my all embarrassing symptoms. I would lie in bed many a night worrying ... Read review
Advantages: None Disadvantages: Can completely take over your life
IBS and Me………..
Not really being a subject and symptoms that are easily discussed with another person, no matter how close that person may be to you, for many years, like so many others, I suffered in silence with my all embarrassing symptoms. I would lie in bed many a night worrying myself sick that something serious was wrong, but then by the time morning arrived I would be feeling normal again. I couldn't go to my GP, he ... ...I waste an appointment that someone who was really ill could be using when my pain kept disappearing?! That was exactly what I was told when I did pluck up the courage to go to my GP. I wasn't able to get an appointment with my usual GP and had to settle for another one in the practice. I explained to him that I really didn't feel well, but I couldn't explain exactly what it was, I had tummy pains, bloating, frequent urination and I had trouble sleeping ... more
IBS and Me………..
Not really being a subject and symptoms that are easily discussed with another person, no matter how close that person may be to you, for many years, like so many others, I suffered in silence with my all embarrassing symptoms. I would lie in bed many a night worrying myself sick that something serious was wrong, but then by the time morning arrived I would be feeling normal again. I couldn't go to my GP, he would just think I was wasting his time, why should I waste an appointment that someone who was really ill could be using when my pain kept disappearing?! That was exactly what I was told when I did pluck up the courage to go to my GP. I wasn't able to get an appointment with my usual GP and had to settle for another one in the practice. I explained to him that I really didn't feel well, but I couldn't explain exactly what it was, I had tummy pains, bloating, frequent urination and I had trouble sleeping at night. He immediately told me there was nothing wrong with me and that there were people out there who were actually ill. As soon as he had said this to me I just broke down, I had persuaded myself that the doctor would be understanding and that I really shouldn't worry about visiting him, but when he said this to me I felt so terrible for wasting his time. He then continued to tell me that I was obviously just depressed because I had broken down, needless to say I left no further forward.
Another 6 years passed by with my silent suffering. Having to live my life of pain secretly like this was starting to take its toll on me. The pain and embarrassing symptoms were taking over my life, everything I did had to revolve around how I felt, which, when you don't talk to anyone else about it can start to cause considerable problems. I decided to confide in my husband and explain to him how I felt. He immediately persuaded me to go to the doctor telling me how silly I was not talking about it, but at the same time he knows I hate going to the doctor for myself. After a couple of weeks my symptoms were really bad and I was now getting very emotional too, so I decided to be brave and go to the GP but I was going to make sure I saw my own GP and no-one else.
My GP is a lovely man. When I sat down in his office he turned his chair to face me, looked me straight in the eye and asked what the problem was and then he let me speak, whilst he listened intently. After listening to everything I had to say he explained in great detail all the ins and outs of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. He explained about the workings of the bowel and how many different triggers can set off an attack. He explained to me how stress can play a big part but more so that food can also be a major factor.
IBS is such a difficult condition to treat because basically no two people are the same. Some people are bothered with pain, bloating and diarrhoea, whilst others may be bothered with pain, bloating and constipation. What foods might irritate me might not necessarily irritate someone else. It, unfortunately, really is down to the individual to try and work out, through trial and error, what foods are ok and what foods are not. This is probably most easily done by the use of a food diary, by keeping track of what you eat and how you feel afterwards. This can be time consuming and may take a long time but it does work. I personally have found keeping a food diary and using food exclusion very difficult but over the past few weeks I have had a major breakthrough. I do not eat meat (not a vegetarian, just no meat) because of this a very large portion of my diet is Quorn. Using my food diary and also through research into the Quorn product, I have now establish that I unfortunately have a bad intolerance to Quorn. I love Quorn products but they obviously do not love me, giving me very painful stomach cramps. I will miss Quorn but I certainly will not miss the pain!
After first diagnosis I was initially given Fybogel, this is an insoluble fibre in powder form, which you dissolve in water and drink before a meal. It is supposed to work by making you go to the toilet more easily and more regularly. This, however, only made me worse and the constipation was making me ill, but I persevered until I could go on no more and I relented and returned to my GP.
This time he explained to me in layman's terms that there are two types of fibre, soluble and insoluble fibre. We are always told we should eat plenty insoluble fibre such as whole grains, bran, raw vegetables, unpeeled fruits etc. to keep our bowels healthy, but this type of fibre, although very important, can cause many problems for suffers of IBS. This kind of fibre does not dissolve or break down in the bowel. In some people insoluble fibre can cause diarrhoea and in others constipation. In my case, having a very high insoluble fibre diet, thinking this was supposed to help my constipation, all the time it was actually making it worse. Although a very important part of everyone's daily diet, if you are experiencing problems with bowel function then a couple of weeks with little or no insoluble in your diet and a higher level of soluble fibre could be enough just to kick start your bowels into functioning properly again. Good sources of soluble fibre are rice, pasta, oatmeal, potatoes, barley and peeled fruit. Once your bowels have regained their function again then insoluble fibre should be slowly introduced back into your diet. Insoluble fibre is a very important part of our daily diet as it helps to keep the bowel clean and healthy by acting like a brush and removing any unwanted bacteria, but it should be eaten with care. To ensure both types of fibre work properly within the bowel you must also drink plenty of water between 2 - 3 litres per day is advisable for everyone, not just sufferers of IBS.
Stress can also play a big part in making IBS symptoms worse. It is very hard but you should try to relax and stay as calm as possible. A good way to do this is with exercise. Regular exercise is a good way to help keep the bowels functioning the way they should be. One exercise that is thought to be particularly beneficial for IBS sufferers is Yoga. Yoga is a very good form of relaxation, which can help overall fitness, lower blood pressure, improve muscle strength, aid sleep patterns and reduce anxiety levels. In turn this has been proven to give relief to IBS symptoms.
Obviously if you are suffering from any of these symptoms then you should try to visit your GP. Although rare the symptoms of IBS can also be the symptoms of more serious conditions.
(which also help to lower cholesterol and maintain blood sugar levels)
· apples (peeled) · barley · citrus · oats · pears (peeled) · white rice · potatoes
Important Points to Remember
· IBS symptoms need constant monitoring · IBS is something you may never get over · IBS is not an excuse to get out of doing something · IBS is not an easy subject to talk about · IBS is not contagious · IBS has many different symptoms and causes and is very individual to each person · IBS is not easily controlled · Try to avoid trigger foods · Drink plenty water (2-3 litres) · Take regular exercise · Try to relax
Overall the most sound advice for IBS suffers is to try and avoid trigger foods, which you know irritate your bowel, you should also try to avoid foods with a high fat content, eat plenty of soluble fibre but also make sure you include insoluble fibre cautiously and always drink plenty water.
I have tried to write this review in a simple, informative and yet not too graphic way in the hope that it may be of some help and indeed relief to other sufferers out there. I also hope that it will help non-sufferers to understand how truly terrible and debilitating this disorder can be.
Advantages: it can make you healthier, stop you abusing your digestive system Disadvantages: many symptoms discomfort.
Ive been an ibs sufferer for nearly a year and i can say that it is very distressing. I was depressed at first as for me image is very important and my worst symptom is bloating and my favourate part of my body is my stomach. Before ibs i would wear crop tops or tops to show my toned stomach all the time. But now i cant do that and i had to reinvent my whole wardrobe and im still in the process of doing it.
I adore my stomach in the morning, if ... ...up with the stomach i once had a year ago. but once past breakfast i look a bit podgy, then after my dinner i would look pregnant! it does no good for my self esteem.
Main symptoms:
Diarreah
Constipation
Abnormal bloating
Abdominal pains
Other symptoms:
Fatigue (tiredness)
Lower back pain
Ibs can also lead to:
Vitamin deficiencies
Digestive enzyme deficiencies
Low stomach acid
Paracytical,fungal or bacterial infections or overgrowth ...
oriental_mei 11.10.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Member Advice on Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Advantages: None that I can think of Disadvantages: Everything about this illness
Tonight I am feeling so miserable. I have been running to the toilet with diarrhoea. I know that's not a very nice thing to talk about, but I want to tell you what irritable bowel syndrome is all about.
I don't usually write in the Ciao cafe, but when I do it is because I want to tell you about something that needs to be told.
Many people including doctor's don't really understand irritable bowel syndrome. A lot of doctor's look at you as a hypochondriac. ... ...been classed as a hypochondriac. Tests have been done and because there has been nothing found you get chucked out of hospital with the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. Last time I went in with extreme pain they sent me home with no information, nothing.
Let me explain a bit about what I have to put up with. It can go from diarrhoea to constipation from week to week. Though at the moment it's mainly been diarrhoea and because of this I have ...
Mickie26 14.08.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Member Advice on Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Advantages: There are none that I'm aware of Disadvantages: Bloatedness, Cramps, Incontinence, Flatulence (list is endless)
A couple of months ago my friend confided in me that she suspected she had IBS, despite not being officially diagnosed by a doctor. I laughed and told her to steer clear of the late night curry's and mushy peas but she didn't laugh back. Why ? Because she wasn't kidding and IBS is no joke.
She still hasn't seen a doctor because with her mum having been officially diagnosed with condition, and after a lot of time spent reading and researching the ... ...body now and able to lead a near-normal life. She did however encourage me to write this op to help others in a similar position as she spent at least 2 years suffering unecessarily. I must also point out at this point that it is definitely a good idea to see a GP to be on the safe side. An incorrect diagnosis could lead to further problems somewhere down the line.
IBS stands for 'Irritable Bowel Syndrome'. I was surprised to discover just how many ...
T21AMY 11.01.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Member Advice on Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Advantages: None Disadvantages: Plenty, how long have you got?
This is an opinion about Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a topic that is dominated by, well quite frankly, BOTTOMS, and how they function. Yes I know your personal bowel habits are your business, it's a private matter, but everybody has to defaecate(thats a posh word for poo), well almost everyone. The only person I know of that doesn't have to defaecate is the queen. She's got a thrown, but not the kind you would want to poo on. Irritable Bowel Syndrome(IBS), ... ...in some shape or form, and I am one of them, in fact IBS is more common in women. To be perfectly honest, I find it a pain in the ****, quite literally, it's no laughing matter. IBS often begins between the ages of 15 and 40. Commonly it's onset can co-inside with a time of stress, such as the exams, the death of a loved one, and divorce. There is no specific profile of the disorder, there are a range of symptoms that the individual can suffer, and ...
jusophine 20.10.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Member Advice on Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Advantages: None Disadvantages: A painful debilitating social embarrassment
These are just some of the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a condition suffered by literally millions of people to a lesser or greater degree. Not only is IBS incredibly debilitating in its severest forms, but even the milder forms can be a serious social embarrassment. I know - I've suffered periodically from a mildish form for a few years and my poor sister has it almost permanently.
At times IBS can have you so racked with pain that you ... ...to the loo with the rampant squitters every two minutes, which is often followed by days and days of not going at all and feeling bunged up totally. Then of course there’s the farting and belching. Not to mention the headaches, muscle weakness and general feeling of knackerdness that accompanies the other symptoms.
As the two of us spend quite a bit of time discussing this condition and comparing treatments (as well as having farting competitions), ...
sandrabarber 02.10.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Member Advice on Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Similar products and search queries by other users »
Member Syndrome, Member Advice Syndrome, Member on Syndrome, Member Irritable Syndrome, Member Bowel Syndrome, Member Advice on Syndrome, Member Advice Irritable Syndrome, Member Advice Bowel Syndrome, Member on Irritable Syndrome, Member on Bowel Syndrome, Member Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Member Advice on Irritable Syndrome, Member Advice on Bowel Syndrome, Member Advice Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Member on Irritable Bowel Syndrome
