With all the anxiety and stress I've been under and the never ending hormonal roller coaster rides, my IBS has flared up again.

I can go from a regular movement to loose stools to diarrhea in one day lately.
I think Splenda is triggering it, too. I found out it's in my soy milk and also in the gum I chew during the day. That coupled with the stress/hormone situation and my body is so out of whack again.

Has anyone tried the IBS diet? There is so much conflicting information out there: Eat yogurt. Don't eat yogurt, its dairy! Go low carb. Go high carb low fat. Don't eat red meat. Eat a high protein diet. You get the drift....

Help!!! I'm miserable!!!!

Book,
I am sorry you have this problem, I had it also back in the beggning of the perimenopause.
Anxiety and stress alone can make IBS to flare up, as IBS is most motility disorder, either too fast or too slow, u got the picture, from constipation to diarrhea in one day.
I don't think splenda can trigger it, but xylitol in the gum can give you runs, and also, soy milk can be suspected, I personally, can't tolerate soy in any form, it ripps my intestines.
There are different kind of IBS diets, some ppl need more fiber some have horrible pain from too much fiber, you need to experiement.
Yougurt and kefir my daily staples, along with low carb, definetely avoiding whole grains, as whole wheat bread, brown rice, etc. Big no for the IBS, the bran is bad news for IBS sufferers.
I know that good old sour dough bread is best for IBS, also straches, like potatoes, plain white rice, and everything that has less roughage is good, if you have diarrhea type of IBS.
I think soluble fiber is good, insoluble not soo much, so go for soluble in root veggies, carrots, potatoes, and fruit, apples, plums, etc. The soluble fiber is always good, and some good fat like butter and olive oil. The high protein diet is not good for anyone, it is dehydrating and burdens kidneys and liver, JMO.

I am not sure if red meat is really bad, in moderation. What helps my digestion, is good broth, chicken or beef, slowly simmered and plenty of plain yogurt and kefir, cheese also, is great digestive aid. Less roughage when u have the cramps and runs, chicken soup, home made, with plain white rice can cure any IBS.

I think it is good book and website, on The Specific Carbohydrates Diet, that designed for ppl with Chron and Celiac, perhaps u can look up some recipes.
I know, if my stomach rumbles, then I need to take it easy with roughage, make chicken soup, and avoid raw veggies and fruit for few days.
While fresh milk is big no-no for many of us, lactofermented dairy as yougurt and kefir is life safer, but it must be with life cultures, and better home made.

I am not a fan of whole grains, as I think, majority of population is somewhat gluten intolerant, and phytic acid is not our friend either but sourdough bread, made with organic flour is really good and so is plain white rice for IBS.

http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/be...e/beginners.htm
http://www.scdrecipe.com/
HTH,
I.

I've gotten my IBS undercontrol by eliminating milk, eggs most dairy, spicy food,rasins most raw fruit and nuts. I could
never eat yogurt but I get so back up that I tried activia and the other one for irregularity I forgot the name of it. I'v been eating it almost everyday for a couple of weeks and no problem with IBS and its helping with the constipation. Thats what worked for me. Good luck! IBS isnt fun.

I have never found my triggers >trust me i have tried!!!> nothing was found on a colonoscopy & upper gi. Many stools test later, It was found I have a digestive enzyme missing. But replacing it didn't help
best thing> my doctor gives me donnatal to take for flare ups.

Booky.. I had IBS so badly for a few years, I knew where every bathroom was on my way to work. I could tell you the nice ones from the not so nice ones It was terrible. I was housebound for YEARS because of it. I didn't want to go anywhere. I would take up to 5 immodium in a day and that didn't even control it at times. I tried every IBS diet known to man. Nothing. Just THINKING about it would give me diarrhea.

All I can tell you is now that I'm post my IBS is over. No more problems. I still have the same immodium in my purse that I've had for about 3 years now! I so sympathize! It's a nighmare.

Huggzzzzz!

My IBS is better now that I'm post, too. I also had some rough stretches!!! Remember having trouble eating from constant nausea.

Hope you feel better soon, Bookie. IBS is a DRAG.

(((HUGS)))
JJ

I have a similar thread going Booky....but I don't think mine is IBS...but then again...who knows?...I've been trying to figure mine out for the last 4 years now.

My difference is I have had hardly any 'normal' stools in the last 4 years since peri and now post by 2 years.....I whoop for joy when I have one that is close to normal!!!

I reckon it is definately something that I am eating, so I either have to be VERY rigid and keep a food diary or do a food intol test.

As I speak I feel the need to go to the loo, but I am holding onto it because I do not want it to whoosh out!.....I just want a normal morning elimination!

I was hoping that when I stopped my periods that this would sort itself out, but alas 2 years after, they are the same.

I understand how you feel....you are not alone.

I've had IBS-like symptoms for the past couple of months. Lots of pain on my left side and alternating diarrhea and constipation. Not all the time but off and on. Thursday I have a colonoscopy. Needless to say, I am nervous for what this test will show! I am hoping it's just IBS, but I have never had a real problem like this before. Keep your fingers crossed for me...and offer up a prayer if you are so inclined!

Just had the colonscopy today and all is well! Thank God!

Great news!!!

I just went through my first one in December and was having some weird abdominal symptoms too so I know the anxiety.


c

Sorry....hit the send button too fast.

Any idea what your stomach problems were from. My pains were in the left side, radiating down as well. I tend to think mine are gas pains because I can feel it moving, then ....... out.....;-) then relief!

Great conversation first thing in the morning!

I'm wondering if you can feel slightly nauseated or just feel 'off' with IBS or a food intolerance?......this morning I was out shopping and I felt this way...but after I came home and scoffed my lunch, I felt better........?!

Does this also apply to airborne allergies as well as food I wonder?

I have had on/off feelings like this for as long as I can remember - as well as the loose/hard bowel movements for the last 4 1/2 years since peri now meno - so I reckon there is a close connection there?

Anyone knowledgable about this?

BTW....you girls that had a colonoscopy...what was the suspected outcome?

caz

Oh yes, I definitely get the transient nausea too. That is part and parcel with IBS--and also very annoying!

I think mine might be similar. I googled something called "Splenic Flexure Syndrome" which I think may also be the cause. I may also be lactose intolerant. I've been cutting out dairy, and I may do a "dairy challenge" to see what happens....

What was the suspected outcome???? Cancer, of course. I'm in menopause. I suffer with severe health anxiety. If it's out there, I'm going to get/have it!
Seriously, I was freaking about the outcome of my colonoscopy. I was so anxious about the whole thing that I couldn't eat and lost a lot of weight....
I did have a polyp that was benign so it was a good thing that I had the procedure done.
I didn't mind the drugs they give you at all though. They were very good.....;-)
Now that I've had one done, I can speak from experience and say that it's nothing to be afraid of. Even the "cleanse" the day before is not all that bad.

What the heck is splenic flexure syndrome....I gather it has something to do with the spleen?

Do you have problems at all with high fiber foods? I used to be fine with lots of bran, flax etc. but now fiber causes this reaction.

Maybe I should look at dairy also although I don't get a ton of it in my diet.

Splenic Flexure syndrome is pain that occurs on the left side where the colon starts to decend. That's where I have pain-lower ribs on the left side. It's because the colon takes such a sharp turn that things can get a bit stopped up there. At least, that is the theory! It's really just a type of IBS.

Fiber definitely makes it worse. Now that I have gotten the all-clear from the colonoscopy, I need to look at my diet in order to control my symptoms. I did a "dairy challenge" today-I drank a whole bunch of milk after not having any for a few weeks to see what the reaction would be. So far so good. So maybe I am not lactose intolerant! That would be nice. But then I have to pinpoint what else is triggering this pain and see if I can eliminate it. Maybe insoluble vs. soluble fiber?

anyone here done a 'CSA' test (comprehensive stool test)?

I am about to do one......it can show up occult blood in stools, which in turn means there is usually a major problem, it also pinpoints the bad bacteria lurking in the colon etc., and many more nasties.......I will let you know the outcome.

If of course it does show up bad stuff THEN I will get a colonoscopy!

caz

I had dreadful IBS and eventually saw a Professor (it was undiagnosed until then) I cut most dairy produce and carbs. I have a high protein diet and avoid yeast. I take probiotic capsules and if I get an attack I take coarse bran which he recommended. As a result I feel much better and unless I eat cheese or milk products I'm generally fine.
I tried soy milk years ago and it made me feel awful - apparently it is full of sugar and that upset my system so now I never drink milk.
Louise

Good luck with this test caz.....I'm sure it will come out fine. Let us know when you get results!


c

Gone the IBS route for many years, and have some simple "fixes" that worked for me. Number one is to realize that it does NOT cause cancer, and is NOT going to kill you (ever:)!. That's the first step.
I take Acidophilus every morning-you can go from a 2billion to 5 billion "active cells"-it says on the bottle. Get mine from "Walmart" (cheap). THAT has been a godsend. I will never stop taking it-it reduced the bloating, cramping.
When I get a "flare up"-pain in lower left side and diareaha, I have a "Metamucil" fibre wafer (I like apple cinnamon) at night with a cup of herbal tea/ or hot water. I might have another one in the morning with my coffee. Then make sure I have lots of liquid throughout the day. Fibre is the answer to all the worlds ills:)-especially IBS.
Make sure you do some mild exercise-like walking-just to have some movement-plus it reduces stress a bit.
VOILA! 2 days I'm right as rain -until the next bout.
Oh well---------good luck!