I.B.S.

[dare]

Does anyone here have IBS? I just got diagnosed with this today, and I'm just wondering if there are any foods that I should avoid as to not make the symptoms worse?

[tam]

I have IBS :( I was diagnosed 7 years ago and suffered the symptoms for quite some time before they figured out what it was. I think everybody's trigger foods are different, so pay attention to your body and what happens when you eat certain foods. Not sure which type you have? I have both constipation and diarhea, but mostly diarhea.

For me when I was first diagnosed, raw brocoli, red meat, seafood, coffee, chinese food, were the worst triggers. It's also the amount of food I ate. Large meals = bathroom NOW. I find that cleaning up my eating has helped a lot. I rarely suffer from my symptoms, and it only takes a few straight days of eating like I used to before my symptoms come back full swing.

Also, stress is a huge trigger for me, probably moreso than food.

I also have side pains, which are there 24/7 365 days per year. It sucks because I turn or move certain ways and I feel as though I've been stabbed. That's alwasy pleasant! :censor:

Let me know if you have anymore questions - I don't take any medication, just try and control through food and lifestyle. It works for me, but not for everyone.

[Cali]

that's a tough one. :( Probiotics have helped me a lot, keeping stress levels low, and especially choosing whole/natural foods over processed foods.

[ladypilot]

I think the triggers for everyone are different. I have to stay away from dairy, greasy food, and meat. It took me several years to figure out my triggers. Stress is a huge one for me too. Mine goes both ways too. The huge key is to eat a lot of natural foods.

[dare]

Thanks for all your help everyone!

Ladypilot - you mentioned that you have to stay away from meat....what do you eat then, to make sure you get enough protien? Lots of protien shakes??

Does anyone have any difficulty with eating eggs whites? Also, I have read that you should stay away from sweetners & 'sugar free' stuff...I am thinking that is a big trigger for me & need to start cutting down on stuff like that, which sucks b/c my protien powder has artificial sweetners in it.....

[LUVPINK222]

I was on Zelnorm for awhile and it helped. Off it now and I just avoid certain foods that cause me pain. Onions for one!

[ladypilot]

Originally posted by dare@May 9 2006, 04:52 PM
Thanks for all your help everyone!

Ladypilot - you mentioned that you have to stay away from meat....what do you eat then, to make sure you get enough protien? Lots of protien shakes??

Does anyone have any difficulty with eating eggs whites? Also, I have read that you should stay away from sweetners & 'sugar free' stuff...I am thinking that is a big trigger for me & need to start cutting down on stuff like that, which sucks b/c my protien powder has artificial sweetners in it.....
I eat a lot of cottage cheese, eggs, yogurt, proten shakes, and pb. I am trying to find a way that I like to eat oatmeal so I'll eat more of it. I hate the stuff. I also eat white fish every once in a while. Maybe 2 or 3 times a year.

[freckles]

Just read this post...as I was searching to see if anyone else had stomach issues. I have been the egg-white/smoothie queen for the past few weeks... until the last few days...egg whites now have me doubled over in agony. Not just a bit of pain...a lot. Quite often resulting in :barf:.

This is frustrating beyond words.... I am trying hard to lean out right now and it seems that more and more protein sources are irritating my stomach! :curse: Any one else dealt with this? What have you done for releif? I think I could run a 10K race tomorrow due to my excessive carb intake!

[tam]

Freckles,

How much are you eating at 1 time? For me, larger meals are also a trigger. Steak used to get me every time, but if I only have a small piece, I can eat it no problem. I have never thrown up as a result of food intake, only due to pain so I don't have a good answer for you, sorry!

[freckles]

My meals aren't large by any means... as I eat pre-workout, pwo, lunch, snack, dinner and snack. I wish I could say it was a matter of too much food... I'm getting pretty choked at not being able to meet my protein requirements each day because of stomach troubles :mad: .

Right now I am avoiding having dinner because I don't know what to eat! I want fish, my stomach wants crackers. I sympathize with anyone diagnosed with IBS or any other stomach issues... this truly sucks.

[sexy_sefora]

I have it as well, and has really been acting up lately.

I can't have dairy, alcohol, coke drinks....And i haven't figured out what else triggers it. As i just found out a year ago. Though i knew i had it for a long time, just thought i was lactose intelorant.

I was wondering why those lactaid pills never worked? :p

[Phoeff]

My sister has it. She only eats organic foods and takes a lot of enzymes. Primal Defense by Garden of Life is a probiotic she takes, too.

Coconut oil is supposed to be good but I don't know if it fits into your diet.

[Tina]

Can you have it and not have constipation or the runs?

I get stomach pains a lot after I eat, but not these other symptoms.

[drlinda]

I have had stomch issues for a very long time. I have tried medications and herbal remedies. I've cut certain foods out of my diet also. Nothing has helped to date. I have a new doctor who feels that the stress in my life is causing my serotonin levels to drop which causes an increase in acid . She has me on Zoloft--nothing has changed yet (but I am hopeful).. Has anyone else tried this?

[Brandi]

That happened to me. They didn't put me on any drugs though. I just slowly got back to normal.

[veon]

My Dr. prescribed a daily dose of Citrucel (soluble fiber pills). Between that and laying off the irritating foods (fat, alcohol) I am so much better. If you can avoid prescription drugs - do so. If you can find another way, they're not worth the side effects.

[mipinky]

Large meals, dairy, red meat, white flour. I take Zelnorm. IT took me about a year to fiqure my body out. YOu have to watch what you eat and how your body responds.

[Chikara]

My mom has IBS. Not fun. She has to eat a "bland" diet. Nothing hot or spicy, nothing that contains NutraSweet or MSG.

Stress is a big trigger for an "episode". Eliminating stress helps out those with IBS, Crohn's, etc. Hope this helps!

Forgot to add-many people who suffer from IBS, etc. and have an episode or incident-especially in public- develop anxiety issues about going out into public again. Kind of a "once bitten, twice shy" deal.

My mom has these anxiety issues. She'll take Buspar before big public events. Since she started taking Lexapro last year (anti-depressant/anti-anxiety) her fear has decreased dramatically. :clap: