IBS I just can't get better this time

[Minime85]

I've been having a really bad attack since March time. Over this time I've lost well over a stone and a half in weight and gone down two dress sizes. I already don't eat wheat, and tomato based foods, a lot of diary too, I don't drink any alcohol. My diet is incredibly limited. I have a few days of being well but then like today I get an attack out of no where. I've been to the doctors who just pass me off with peppermint tablets. I'm so fed up. I take a probiotic drink everyday and have acupuncture. Any advice greatly received.

[carolinementzer]

Hiya, just a thought....I didn't get better until I completely came off gluten - have you tried that yet? I know your diet is already limited but losing that much weight (if you didn't want too) is not good. Have you been tested for coeliac?

I avoid cow's milk products (am okay with goat and sheep), avoid gluten and limit sugar.

[Minime85]

Thanks for reply. I don't eat gluten at all unless it's gravy or a sauce where there might be flour and that's not very often. I haven't had any wheat products in the slightest in last few days either. I have had coeliac test years ago. Was negative. Asked for it again and was told I couldn't have it as because I don't eat it it wouldn't show up. I'm so miserable. I only drink skimmed milk in tea and rarely eat any other diary now.

[carolinementzer]

Sounds tricky, have you thought about seeing a nutritionist? It maybe that you need some supplements or herbs to heal the gut. I would recommend a BANT registered one.

[Minime85]

I was referred to a nutritionalist years ago and she just said eat more fibre and bran when I was sitting telling her that just went straight through me. I'll look up some though thank you. I was doing better on this probiotic drink but it seems to have stopped working so I don't know if to leave it off for a bit but worried it will be even worse if I do that!

[tweetypot]

I would go to the GP and get a blood test to check for deficiencies. Something as simple as a Vitamin B or zinc deficiency can have some pretty dire consequences but you won't know until you get it checked.

Don't mention the word IBS if you have an unsympathetic GP - mention all the other symptoms instead.

[Unlabelled]

When my ibs was at it's worst I found taking Udos choice super 8 and doubling the dose for 7 days straight did help a lot. I can't have dairy, eggs coffee or gluten anymore
No weight loss though! Hope you feel better soon.

[Minime85]

Someone mentioned a vitamin B deficiency to me before I will go back and do that then. I've had blood tests recently for things which showed no issue. Thanks I will look into the super 8 too. I'm barely eating and I don't want to loose weight. I was happy with my weight before and now everyone just keeps going on about how thin I am.

[dillie]

You poor thing :(

Have you tried metatonic to boost you up a little? I swear by it, especially if my IBS flares up for any length of time. Daily I take Bassett's chewy vitamins daily energizer. I can't tolerate normal b vitamins as they give me wicked heartburn. These chewy ones don't!

I use lactofree stuff. Can't be without my porridge in the morning! Seems to be the only thing that keeps my guts in order. That and yakult. Did try soy, but that gasses me up.

Do you eat fruit? I have found anything with skins on a nightmare. So I have limited dried fruit (as too much fructose sets me off) and a few berries.

That's a thought, how about your sugar intake natural or artificial?

I hope you feel better soon, its

[dillie]

Damn fat fingers!!

Its horrible!

[BIWI]

How much sugar are you consuming? I don't just mean in the form of sweets/chocolate/biscuits, but in things like fruit or high carb veg? The probiotic drinks that you're using - do you know how much sugar there is in those?

I suffered from IBS (as well as thrush, regularly, which can be associated with IBS). When I started low carbing (which essentially means cutting out/down sugar), which was to lose weight, one of the totally unexpected side effects was the impact it had on my IBS. I very rarely suffer these days - in fact, it's only when I've been overdoing the carbs that the symptoms start to come back.

Instead of the probiotic drinks, go to a healthfood store and buy a good quality probiotic tablet - they should be kept in a fridge no on the shelf. These won't have any sugar in them.

[Minime85]

Thanks dillie. I eat a lot of chocolate but honestly when I can't stomach anything else it's the only thing that stays in! I take a drink called symprove every morning. I'm wondering if my body has got used to it? I will look into what you've suggested too as I really must need vitamins. I don't eat much uncooked food as that doesn't agree with me. So fruit and salad often a no go. If I do I eat with a hot drink if I can so it's not all cold stuff going in my stomach.

[BIWI]

A lot of chocolate = a lot of sugar!

[Minime85]

I know BIWI but if I don't have that I literally eat nothing but the inside of a plain jacket potato and I work full time in a demanding job so I have to consume something. And honestly it always stays in! Unlike normal good and even a cup of decaf tea today! I'm going to seriously look at the things that have been suggested. It's really and truly dragged me down today. Thanks for everyone's advice

[BIWI]

Do you have a problem with meat/fish/eggs?

[PickledPorcupine]

Are you on any medication? I found my IBS was a lot better after coming off the pill.

I really feel for you op, it's horrible horrible horrible and people just don't understand how debilitating it is (until they live with you and see how much time you spend on the toilet!).

[marriednotdead]

Sorry you're suffering

I've tried various things since my IBS diagnosis, as the Mebeverine tablets my GP gave me were little help. The most significant improvements have come from giving up Lactose and gluten, and following the FODMAP diet.

I rarely have a flare up these days although I have permanently loose bowels unless I try something not on the list or take a risk.

I recently visited an alternative therapist and tried some fairly draconian exclusions to calm my gut. We quickly found that probiotics did not improve things for me as you might expect. Smaller amounts of darker chocolate (70%+ cocoa) are more satisfying and have less milk in, should dairy be a trigger for you. Lidl does several varieties and they are nicer than some of the big brands like Lindt IMO

I take a daily vitamin and mineral supplement- without iron as that aggravates me and I don't need it. My diet is a lot 'cleaner' these days, no ready meals or processed foods as they all seem to have hidden ingredients that my insides object to.

Good luck with working your way through this.

[idontlikealdi]

Going Low carb totally cured my IBS, is that an option for you?

Also google the FODMAP diet.

Has you GP ruled out anything else, diverticulitis and chrons?

[lostblonde86]

Personally I find having any milk even in tea/ coffee and lots of chocolate set my ibs off, to much dairy.

Also stay away from creamy sources and deserts, sugar and dairy don't help.

Have you tried the pepper mint tablets? I drink peppermint tea each day to settle my tummy, the tablets made me a bit gasy.

Hope you feel better soon

[idontlikealdi]

Going Low carb totally cured my IBS, is that an option for you?

Also google the FODMAP diet.

Has you GP ruled out anything else, diverticulitis and chrons?

[professionallurker]

I see you say your job is a demanding one...could stress be setting it off? I worked in a stressful job and my IBS almost stopped overnight when I left it.

[Thumbwitch]

minime - this is a controversial suggestion but I'm offering it up because it worked for me. I had IBS in my 20s, not dreadfully bad most of the time, but occasionally REALLY bad, where I'd be doubled over in agony and with greyish green upper lip, cold sweats, the works - and then I read the Eat Right 4 Your Type blood group diet book. Admittedly I read it in a spirit of pure cynicism, because I have a science background - but it rang some bells for me and so I started to follow it - within a few days most of my digestive (and other!) symptoms had disappeared. I no longer felt nausea after most meals, I no longer got tired after lunch (dozing at the desk tired) and all my IBS and heartburn disappeared. As an added bonus, my migraines reduced enormously (I still get them when very tired but that's about it now).

So if you know what blood group you are, it's another option to look at. I also think that a good daily multi-vit/min is a good idea, but also recommend taking vit D3 separately as many people are low in vit D these days, partly due to diet and partly due to the amount of SPF in make up and all the advice to stay out of the sun. I had been on a daily multi and a daily fish oil for some years and still ended up vit D deficient - I now take 3000IU per day to keep it up.

Other things to look at that might be triggers are salicylate foods or nightshade foods (of which, sadly, potato is one) - do you get migraines as well? They can be triggers for those too. Lists of foods are easily found by googling.

[BellMcEnd]

Cardinal MN sin of not thoroughly reading the thread but really didn't want to read and run. I'm a bit concerned about the extent of your weight loss and really think you need to be investigated further. Have you ever had a colonoscopy or endoscopy? Have you ever seen a gastroenterologist? Would second other posters suggestions that you may well have some vitamin / mineral deficiencies.

Poor you. It sounds miserable. I'd definitely suggest seeing your GP again and asking for a gastro referral. I really hope you feel better soon and massive apologies for not fully reading school holidays and 3 boys, really shouldn't be on MN at all but it's saving my sanity

[Minime85]

Thanks everyone for your advice I'm really truly grateful. And no people don't understand how debilitating it can be and I haven't been this ill with it for about 8 years. And I haven't weighed this little since I was 17 -20 years ago!

pickled no I'm not on any medication at all as I couldn't do the pill because of ibs in the past as I could never rely on it.

married I'm going to get some dark choc as I've done that before and I've been and got a multi vitamin supplement today too. Thank you

Re the food map diet I haven't heard of that and will look it up.

idontlikealdi I will try and do lower carb but I only eat potatoes and gluten free bread. I rarely eat pasta and don't eat rice.

professional unfortunately the job is a must. I'm a teacher so maybe ironically being out of routine and off work has given me another set back.

thumb I will look up the blood diet too. Thanks.

BIWI I've checked the sugar and it says for 50ml (I take 40ml) 1.2g carbs but doesn't beak it down any more. I am fine with fish etc too so will try more of those.

bellmc I have got a multivitamin and going to try that. Yes I had a camera 11 years ago and nothing was found. I've also recently had blood test to check for inflammation etc and all was well. Which is something at least.

[Bunbaker]

I agree with BellMcEnd. The weight loss is a red flag and your IBS needs further investigation. When I lost half a stone one summer because my IBS was out of control my GP didn't hesitate to refer me to a gastroenterologist.

Please go back and see your GP and stress how much weight you have lost.

[Minime85]

Honestly bunbaker I went and they weren't interested that was two separate gps. One was sympathetic the other not. The last thing I was given was peppermint tablets and I'm not taking those as all they do is burn your bum quite frankly!

I go for acupuncture which has massively helped and I'm going again next week were as I wasn't due until sept as it seemed to have settled.