Irritable Bowel Syndrome and WDW---HELP!

[ericafny]

Hi. Didn't know where to post this so please forgive me if it doesn't really belong...

Wondering if any other DIS'ers have Irritable Bowel Syndrome and if so how do they handle it while in WDW? I have a mild case (very mild, but still enough to be annoying) and I am a little nervous about eating in the restaurants and then going on a ride or watching a show. I don't want to be uncomfortable but I want to eat good food!!! Any advice is appreciated!

Erica

 

[Uncleromulus]

My friend has it and know knows (pretty much) what he can and can't eat. He always has his prescription medicine with him and I believe he'll actually take a pill after any meal he deems "suspicious", and before any actual symptoms appear. In our 2 previous trips with him, no problems that I was aware of.

 

[bkhibiscus]

As long as you know your triggers and either avoid them or moderate how much you eat of them you should be fine.

 

[WillCAD]

Yeah, I took a trip once with IBS and wound up spending more time in the bathroom than on the rides.

After that I started going to my doctor for proper medications which eliminated the problem as long as I took them on the proper schedule. Once I started taking meds, I was happy as a clam at WDW.

 

[lajones81]

I recently took a trip and had no problems! I ate so much food, but I know what can set off my stomach. If I really wanted something on the "no-no" list, I bought it while leaving the park or at the food court in case I didn't feel good. My best advice is to drink lots of water and relax! You will have a wonderful trip!

 

[RachelTori]

Out of curiosity - what foods are on the "no-no list"? I wasn't aware there are certain foods that can trigger it? Is stress ever relatedd to it?

Thanks!

 

[dmslush]

Out of curiosity - what foods are on the "no-no list"? I wasn't aware there are certain foods that can trigger it? Is stress ever relatedd to it?

Thanks!

A lady at my office has it, if she eats her 'trigger foods' you can bet she will be in the bathroom the rest of the day. She just started with a list like this (trigger foods) and starting noting which of those foods made her sick.

 

[minnieandmickey]

My husband has a mild case of IBS and takes Pepogest (peppermint) and a Papaya enzyme tablet and it seems to help him. He also makes sure to ask if his trigger foods (dairy and onions) are in the meal and reqests that they be ommitted.

 

[lajones81]

Out of curiosity - what foods are on the "no-no list"? I wasn't aware there are certain foods that can trigger it? Is stress ever relatedd to it?

Thanks!

For me, I avoid red meat, alcohol, and anything spicy (i.e. Mexian or onions). Usually, I'm ok with Lactaid milk and low-fat yogurt, but regular milk and even ice cream or too much cheese can make me sick.

Stress is a huge factor! I find that I feel I'm at my best when I get a good night's sleep (I mean about 8 hours), eat well (I've pretty much been eating mostly raw foods for a while now), and not stressing out. I must say that I have been having a very good run here (knock on wood!) for a number of months.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask...this has been my life since I was 12 and I'm 24 now!

 

[caitycaity]

He always has his prescription medicine with him and I believe he'll actually take a pill after any meal he deems "suspicious", and before any actual symptoms appear.

i really think this is key. i also have IBS and other than stress, none of my triggers are consistent. sometimes i can have beef and i'm fine and other times if i eat beef i'm out of commission for awhile. after getting the perscription from my doctor, i haven't had an attack in a few months.

 

[RachelTori]

For me, I avoid red meat, alcohol, and anything spicy (i.e. Mexian or onions). Usually, I'm ok with Lactaid milk and low-fat yogurt, but regular milk and even ice cream or too much cheese can make me sick.

Stress is a huge factor! I find that I feel I'm at my best when I get a good night's sleep (I mean about 8 hours), eat well (I've pretty much been eating mostly raw foods for a while now), and not stressing out. I must say that I have been having a very good run here (knock on wood!) for a number of months.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask...this has been my life since I was 12 and I'm 24 now!

I'm thinking my youngest DD11, may have this. I can't think of anything consistent in her diet (other than possibly dairy and sugar - too much candy IMO!). Would you suggest I take her to a doctor? How would they even test for this? Have you ever been on medication for it?

Thanks!

 

[lajones81]

I'm thinking my youngest DD11, may have this. I can't think of anything consistent in her diet (other than possibly dairy and sugar - too much candy IMO!). Would you suggest I take her to a doctor? How would they even test for this? Have you ever been on medication for it?

Thanks!

This runs in my family so most of us have a bit of experience. My mom took me to my pediatrician when it started (age 12) and I think they did some food allergy testing first. I was not allergic to any food except, of course, for dairy. (I believe food allergies can cause symptoms like IBS so you need to run that out, too). Then, since that didn't really tell us much, my pediatrician referred me to a gastroenterologist - basically, a stomach doctor. He did some tests (let me tell you, some are not very pleasant) to check for ulcers, etc. but did not find anything. IBS is actually a diagnosis based on the fact that there is not other diagnosis. In other words, I didn't have anything else, so I was diagnosed with IBS. At first, I really didn't need medication and could just watch what I ate, but, as I got older, I realized I needed medication to help. I'm on my third type of medication and it's called Trazodone. It's actually an anti-depressant, but my gastro. told me that anti-depressants in very, very low dosages have a calming effect on the stomach. It's really been a wonderful help! I hope I answered your question. If you have any more questions, please do ask.

 

[RachelTori]

Thanks! Yes, you did answer my questions, lajones81

I'm just not sure if I need to subject her to a battery of tests at this point, but at least I have some idea what to expect!

Thanks, again!

 

[lajones81]

Thanks! Yes, you did answer my questions, lajones81

I'm just not sure if I need to subject her to a battery of tests at this point, but at least I have some idea what to expect!

Thanks, again!

Not a problem!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest going over to the "disABILITIES" forum, where there is more expertize.

 

[califred]

Racheltori

You may want to at least deal with an allergy test, those are genearlly not invasive and would let you know, she could have many triggers. They can also rule out celiac disease with a blood test as well.


I too have IBS, I also had a few of the less fun tests, but it was nice ot know it wasn't anything else really serious, I take an anti anxiety drug for mine and it works wonders by keeping the stress down.

 

[waughzee]

Make Immodium your friend.

 

[rcraw45425]

DH and I both have had it for years. Stress is our biggest trigger, so we try to avoid that. Also, I have issues with salads, leafy vegetables and things with seeds, almost like diverticuitis/osis. We make sure to take plenty of Immodium with us and I also try to take some sort of fiber, usually the benefiber chewables. He's an MD and is a firm believer in the fiber thing. It truly does help.

 

[snowy76]

I've had two bouts of it, the first time came with food poisoning (yipee!) and the other came recently after a very stressful time at work. This last time I had a spoonful of orange Metamucil in the morning and at night. Within about two days I felt MUCH better! I also carried some Immodium for emergency use.

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

I understand your pain! (Literally!) My family is plagued by stomach problems (Chron's, IBS...) I have IBS which is worsened esp. by stress and eating out. I think I have narrowed it down to certain foods, of course and bacteria in foods at restaurants. I usually avoid buffets like the plague. Although 1900 Park Faire for breakfast didn't bother me too much last time. I love WDW for vacations because there are plentiful bathrooms if needed and not alot of driving or traffic jams involved. After I eat somewhere I make sure to avoid the buses, boats, long rides, basically anywhere that I can't escape quickly. I also try not to eat too much at one time. Smaller meals spread out are better for me. I also used to use Immodium quite a bit when eating out but have found they no longer work for me. Hope some of these ideas help you.