Irritable bowel syndrome-symptoms and triggers

[mariolatry]

I have just been informally (?) diagnosed with IBS. My doctor did no invasive testing but deduced this based on my symptoms. Mostly I have lots of abdominal cramping with some diarrhea ; no constipation. I've been keeping a symptom diary to try to determine what my triggers are but I can't find any one or two things that are consistent.

I guess what I'm looking for are others' experiences, plus any advice that people have to offer.

 

[LBAK]

For my husband, ham triggers it. I don't know why but every time he has it it flares up. Stress also.

 

[frannn]

I have had it for several years, with attacks almost monthly. I also have acid reflux, and had a diverticulitis attack for the first time last week. I have had so many negative tests that some of my symptons had stumped the Dr. I vomit about every other month, and the Dr said that is not usual with IBS. I think it was probably both IBS and diverticulitis the whole time, undiagnosed. I would keep a diary of what you eat along with your symptoms. There are so many different gastro diseases, with many similar symptoms. Try to eat healthy, drink water, eat lots of fiber. I am going to take my own advice as well.

 

[frannn]

For my husband, ham triggers it. I don't know why but every time he has it it flares up. Stress also.

Stress is a major trigger. I have been prescribed an anti spasmatic type drug for the intestinal cramping. I think its called Clinidium (sp?)- thats the generic name. Its the only thing that helps.

 

[overlyspoiled4sure]

My daughter is bothered by this & she's found that, as well as stress, chocolate, soda pop, & lots of cheese/rich foods bring on symptoms. Now she's a single mom she's had fewer episodes.

Must be that different things bother different people so the OP will most likely want to keep a food diary so she can know what upsets her & how quickly the upset happens. Good luck!

 

[MIGrandma]

I suffered for nearly 10 years before I talked to my doctor about it. Stupid of me, I know. When my problems (diahrrea) started it wasn't that bad. Once or twice in the morning and that was it. Then after a few years it was after lunch most of the time as well. And sometimes after dinner. Sometimes 4-6 times per day, every day. And urgent, as in uh oh, I need a bathroom, now!! So I finally talked to her about it, and she just said "oh, it sounds like IBS", "here, take a pill (bentyl). The pill helped some, but not enough.

I did some research, thought it might be celiac's disease but I don't have all of the symptoms. But it made me decide to give up wheat and see what happened. Within 2 days I was much better and within 2 weeks I wasn't having problems at all. Normal BM's. No more gurgling of my stomach, major gas, worrying if I would "find a bathroom in time", etc.

This was several months ago and I pretty much just avoid anything that has wheat, wheat gluten. Apparantly over the years I have developed an intolerance of wheat.

Occasionally I still crave a fast food burger or a piece of cake, etc. and I will give in and have it, if I know I'm not going anywhere the next day, and will be at home close to the bathroom.

You might want to try it. It worked for me.

 

[Binnie]

For me, stress is a huge trigger, as others have mentioned. But I have a sensitivity (not an allergy) to soy that will trigger it, too. (Tofu is not my friend...)

 

[JESW]

Stress, greasy foods, anything in a cream sauce..etc.

My dr. put me on Chlordiaziazepoxide (generic version of Librax) and that seems to help (2x a day). I also use probiotics (the kind you have to keep in the 'fridge). If I am going out where there may not be a bathroom (which would set me into a panic) I take Immodium.

I just got through a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy and neither one showed anything serious so that was good - but I still get sick! There is no cure for IBS - you just need to learn how to control it. I LOVE my DD's iced coffee and some days I can have it and be fine - other days I have it and I am sick within minutes of finishing. It can be frustrating. I have found that exercising and breathing techniques help too.

Good luck!

Jill

 

[Grandmax3]

I have had it for several 10+years,it is controlled somewhat now. I figured out onions of any kind or smell set it off.It makes it difficult because people don't realize that so many thing have onions and they are not listed on the menu and such.

 

[C.Ann]

For DD (who suffers from the diarrhea version), it's milk (she drinks Lactaid milk now); ice cream; and cheeses..

For me (the "other" version), it's stress; cheeses; lots of different medications; and anything carbonated..

Luckily niether of us have extremely long lists of what triggers our problems..

 

[a1tinkfans]

IBS symptoms seem to get triggered by: Dairy, stress, caffeine, greasy/fried...too many veggies/over do it on fiber is just as bad as not enough
I will use Lactaid before dairy and over the years I have actually built up my tolerance a bit...I never drink milk and throw it in cereal but then don't even use/drink it, if that makes sense.
Check those labels there is whey/dairy in things you never realized....
meanwhile, many with IBS are very lactose intolerant and have those grumbly tummys, UGH....many also suffer with anxiety type symptoms too...find a good doctor who will at least "slow" its annoying side effects with some meds or OTC. Good Luck!! FYI, They can diagnose it thru colonoscopy.

 

[RyeCrimsonMoon]

I've had it for 5 or 6 years now. Once you figure out all of your triggers, it's not that bad, you just have to tip-toe around food. Instead of having an attack every other day when I first had it, I now only get one every so often.

My triggers: Milk (Soy Milk is fine though!), Mexican, Lots of cheese, whipped cream, oranges/ juice (but lemons and limes are fine ), Root Beer, ice cream, and eating too early.

 

[Aristomommy]

DD has IBS as well as a co-worker of mine. The triggers they have in common are stress, nervousness and excitement of any kind. Foods can change over time, like DD can sometimes eat hot dogs, but most of the time not. Pop-tarts and other processed foods are the worst all the time.

Since DD is young, there is no recommended medication, her IBS is controlled by diet. She eats lots of fiber with each meal, and she eats a yogurt every morning. If you are not lactose intolerant this will add healthy bacteria into your stomach. DD says Stonyfield yogurt is the best for her, it's organic and has 7 types of bacteria (I think).

I hope you find your triggers and can manage your IBS with diet.

 

[WHIT1]

I HAVE IBS for years and am unable to take the meds. I found this IBS diet and its so easy and makes so much sense. Last year I had an attack so bad and the pain was unreal, that I could not eat or function. I tried the meds again ,but the side effects were worse. The book is by Heather Van Vorous.You can also look the diet up on line and it list all the food you need to eat and what you can't eat. Food is divided into 2 groups soluble food like rice, pasta, noodles potatoes carrots ( I eat baby food carrots), and sweet potatoes,(baby food ),plus there are alot more listed. This is all the food everyone loves to eat anyways ,this way you get to eat all you want and have no pain or diaherra. There are also insoluble you eat to, but as long as you keep the soluble level up (its almost like a drug) you can get to the point where you can eat what you want. But you have to stick to this diet for about a month before venturing off to other food. You also still loose weight. I lost alot of inches , the wt is much slower for me. Its hard to travel and find soluble food thats why I always carry my baby food. Taking fibercon will help calm a spasm down when you are bad and eat something you should not. You can eat beans, but did you know the outside layer is what causes the spasms. You have to mash them in order to be able to be spasm free. This is the only thing I have found that has worked for me without drugs and I have been using this diet for almost a year.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I have IBS... stress-induced only. It's flaring up tonight, as I am stressed about work tomorrow.

I get the "Triple Threat"... constapation, followed by "regular", and finally diarrhea... and then relief.

I honestly find relief from spasms when I have my DH knead my belly. It sounds strange, but it works wonders.

A nice warm cup of mint tea also helps.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I have IBS, Crohns and ulcers, yes and acid reflux I go with a low ash diet. I have to stay away from fiber. I cannot eat salads, or basically anything. I will tell you what I DO eat!
you can do chix ( but I am vegetarian )so I do soy
I can eat boiled red potatoes or a baked potato
I live on eggs/whites and egg subitute
I eat light oatmeal bread
the only veggies I can eat are peas, carrots and green beans. that is it!
I eat one yogurt a day
I can eat dry cereal
pancakes
eggos -lol
tuna

I have lost so much weight eating like this, BUT I also have not had symptoms till just recently. because I have been sick. so now I have to clean house and back down my diet again!
I only drink bottled water and vita coco for the electrolytes. and decaf tea

for fruit I can only eat strawberries, blueberries and banana's

 

[crazelion]

I have IBS I can't have onions, milk, dairy at all. I went to Wendy's today and ask for no onions on my sandwich and found out it had onions after couple bites. I going into a store in the mall and could not make to bathroom and mess up my clothes that was embarrassment. I had go home and shower.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I have IBS I can't have onions, milk, dairy at all. I went to Wendy's today and ask for no onions on my sandwich and found out it had onions after couple bites. I going into a store in the mall and could not make to bathroom and mess up my clothes that was embarrassment. I had go home and shower.

don't you hate that? I think I have been in every bathroom from Canada to Florida!! lol ( and everyone in Disneyworld!)

 

[disneybound2010]

I have had IBS since I was a child,but was not diagnosed until I was 22. Mine flares up the most during times of stress.As a child, I was always yelled at for faking a tummyache to get out of school...I was bullied big time,hence the STRESS at the mere thoguht of school. I started working in a nursing home and the environment and situations there were definitely high stress. I ended up in the hospital for over a month and then back and forth to Johns Hopkins for 6 months before they finally gave me the diagnosis(lots of invasive testing) While stress is my biggest trigger, I am also lactose intolerant and I have GERD as well. Dairy products, greasy foods, many green veggies,certain meats and anything carbonated(tho I am a soda addict) can set off an exacerbation.I can't even chew gum because you swallow too much air while chewing! My Dr. at Hopkins told me I was not the worst case he had seen(there are actually ppl on feeding tubes because of IBS) but I was a pretty complicated one.

I have both IBS C and D. It's always a party in my bathroom LOL

 

[RachaelA]

Stress is a huge trigger of mine. Same with milk and ice cream. Anything with a large amount of dairy. i'm okay with butter and cheese.

I take an anti-spasmotic medicine that I take that helps.

This website was helpful http://www.helpforibs.com/

I used to take the peppermint capsules from the website. They worked great for the first couple of months and then not so great because I have acid reflux as well.