IBS/Food Allergies

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I was told by my doctor today that I most likely I either have IBS or food allergies. I already have environmental allergies and I am going to that allergist for the testing. I'm waiting to hear back from the endocrinologist's office so that I can try to schedule both on the same day. In the meantime she said to take Benefiber and Zantac or Prilosec.

I was wondering from those who have been there what to expect from this point forward. How dod they do the food allergy testing? If it is IBS, what should I expect in terms of treatment, getting it diagnosed, etc.? Thanks!

 

[PrincessMom4]

I am not sure what I have but the doctors what to do a colonoscopy on me...needless to say I got very uptight about that situation. Best case scenerio its IBS or worst case IBD, either way I changed a few things in my diet by doing some of my own experienting (no I didn't become a scientist..lol) I REALLY watched what I was eating and I have a great website that maek dealing IBS easier. There are certain foods that trigger attacks that you would not even think of and you also have to watch how you eat. Most people eat in a hurry and some of our bodies can't ahndle that fast of a digestion. You also need to eat a soluble fibre before you eat an insoluble fibre. Always have peppermint candies on hand and I mean true peppermint. I went from feeling I can't go anywhere (without knowing where there was a restroom-I know where every gas station is in the upper part of New York state...LOL) to being able to travel 1100miles.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Thank you for the reply. I started the Zantac and Benefiber yesterday, so far nothing. I know the fiber will take time, not sure about the Zantac. I heard back from my endo, I was told April 15, so I think I am going to make the allergist appointment for this month. A.) I don't want to wait that long and B.) I thought given the nature of allergy testing it may not be the best idea to do it before the endo appointment. I don't want to get into a position where I have to miss the appointment and wait another month and a half.

 

[Schmeck]

Altoids are a great source of peppermint. They helped me through many digestive attacks. I haven't been diagnosed with IBS, but it's getting time for me to be checked out. Pain that has me doubled over, gas, and sluggish intestines are no fun!

 

[zumbergc]

You may also have food sensitivies which won't show up on a food allergy test. You can be sensitive to things which throw off your stomach and not show up on a food allergy test.

You can keep a food log, what sets some people off, won't set others off.
Keep track of what your eating when.

Also keep in mind. I can eat certain things only every once in a while with out causing stomach irritation. So, lets say once a month or every other month I eat one of these foods. I can make it thru ok, however I will have to watch my diet like a hawk that next week.

Eat that same food 2 days in a row, we got problems. So, just because you ate something fine one day, but the next it made you sick. That is possible, makes things more difficult but keep it in mind.

 

[heatherfeather24]

I have IBS and was diagnosed via a lower GI (not fun) over 10 years ago. IBS is more of a rule-out diagnosis as I understand it. They were looking for signs of Krohns or other physical issues, but since they couldn't find anything, I was left with IBS. Around the time of the diagnosis, I was placed on an exceptionally bland diet (no dairy, very little meat, only gentle veggies) and told to introduce items from these groups one at a time and pay attention to how I reacted -- most were fine, some (green peppers) were a disaster. Some even varied depended on how they were prepared (raw apples and I do not get along, but cooked apples and apple products are fine, go figure). I was also told to track my emotions -- stress is a huge trigger for me, as well. Currently, I am not on any medication or any fiber supplements to manage the IBS -- I have been able to control it with diet and by recognizing when I'm worried (for whatever reason, acknowledging the stress I'm under seems to help my digestive issues).

As for allergies, I don't have any, but my son has several severe food allergies. His were diagnosed via blood test and are occasionally monitored by his doctor via additional blood tests and the occasional scratch test. You mentioned something about the allergy test somehow causing the IBS test to be postponed -- I don't get how this would happen since the two seem pretty unrelated. I would go forward with both tests as soon as you can. If you have true food allergies (as opposed to just sensitivities), repeated exposures can heighten your allergic reactions and you'll want to cut those foods out of your diet as quickly as possible.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

The reason I said it would delay the other testing is because the doctor said at this point a gastro is overkill. So I'm getting the food allergy testing done and then we are going from there. The testing is going to be on the 17th.

 

[heatherfeather24]

That makes sense. As long as you're taking care of the food allergies, the rest can obviously wait. Hopefully, you just have some sensitivities and everything can be resolved quickly for you. Good luck.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Thanks! My hope too.

 

[disneymarie]

Hi Butterfly, Did you ever notice an intolerance to lactose? I found out in my 20's when I decided to do a slim fast diet drink plan. I nearly crawled in the doctors office.

I have to watch a lot of things with hidden lactose, most hotdogs, butter, eggs bother me too.
I buy lactose free milk but is still will cause some IBS symptoms.

Another thing was the fill in the generic medications I take. Most have a cellulose in them that I am not able to breakdown and causes the IBS to flare.

I can not enjoy a good Lasagna, stuffed shells. cream soups, and forgetabout the great Blue cheese dressing I love.

Try to cut dairy out and write what you eat. Check online where some of the hidden lactose products are too not to have them.

See what happens. Oh, two of my kids are lactose intolerant and 2 are not.
di

 

[flying_babyb]

ibsgroups.org I swear by this community

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Hi Butterfly, Did you ever notice an intolerance to lactose? I found out in my 20's when I decided to do a slim fast diet drink plan. I nearly crawled in the doctors office.

I have to watch a lot of things with hidden lactose, most hotdogs, butter, eggs bother me too.
I buy lactose free milk but is still will cause some IBS symptoms.

Another thing was the fill in the generic medications I take. Most have a cellulose in them that I am not able to breakdown and causes the IBS to flare.

I can not enjoy a good Lasagna, stuffed shells. cream soups, and forgetabout the great Blue cheese dressing I love.

Try to cut dairy out and write what you eat. Check online where some of the hidden lactose products are too not to have them.

See what happens. Oh, two of my kids are lactose intolerant and 2 are not.
di

I cut out lactose in October and it did not make a difference. Today was awful. Twice when I was teaching I thought I was going to puke or have diarrhea. I managed to power through but it was close. A couple of times I almost asked our para or mentor teacher to cover for me so I could run to the bathroom.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I had the allergy testing and that is not the culprit, so I have a Dr.'s visit on Friday and we'll see where we can go from there.