thread: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
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    537

    IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

    I have googled the symptoms, and can check off most things on the list.

    Has anyone got IBS? Do the Inner Health Plus tablets work?

    DH has to help me get the boys ready for school today, as I am back and forth to the loo. Should I get some IBS support tablets? I've taken Immodium to stop the runs and cramps.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Dec 2006
    In the Angelic Realm
    1,675

    I've got IBS and even tried those inner health plus tabs. They did nothing.

    Try Mintec. You can buy them over the counter as well as in the supermarket. My gastroenteroligist referred them to me. They do work, but i am so sick of taking tablets before each meal, that i gave up.

    I have the bloating and constipation, not diarrohea. Have you had a lactose and fructose hydrogen breath test? Some of the things you eat may trigger it. I am very, very sensitive to lactose. My anxiety causes it too.

    It is a vicious cycle.

    GL.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    Melbourne
    622

    When I was diagnosed with this I found it most helpful to make a list of the food that set me off and then try to avoid them. For me it is too much red meat, broccoli, cauliflower (both of which I love) and some cooking oils that are the worst offenders. Yakult helped at the beginning while I was trying to determine the things to avoid.

    TD - I have got soem of the Mintec but haven't tried them. I am TERRIBLE at remembering to take tablets.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
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    TD- Foods can affect me sometimes and not other times. I have bloating after eating weet-bix but the constipation and diarrohea is the most common. The 1st time I ever had it, was when I was 16, and under alot of stress, so maybe it could be emotionally related. I'm on Zoloft to keep my anxiety under control.

    I might have to try the Mintec.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Dec 2006
    In the Angelic Realm
    1,675

    anxiety and depression are main triggers for my IBS too. I just put up with it because i have to. I'm on anti depressants too, but my IBS still flares up.
    I do recommend a hydrogen breath test too, to eliminate foods as a cause.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Sunny Qld
    14,682

    I tried mintec - didn't do anything for me! The inner health tablets really worked for me, maybe because I had the crap part of it, not the constipation?

    Oh and pregnancy basically got rid of it for me - so I'm just waiting for it to come back with a vengeance!

  7. #7

    I was diagnosed with IBS about 2mths ago. The doctor put me straight onto a script for Colofac. I haven't been as bad since being on that. Do have my moments, but no where near like I was.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
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    TD- Do the GP's do the hydrogen test?

    Arimeh- I went to the chemist today, and the lady that served me said her daughter takes the Inner Health Plus IBS and it works for her, so I got some of that to give it a go until I can get to the Drs.

    Astrolady- I would love not to have it as bad as I get it at the moment.

  9. #9
    BellyBelly Member

    Mar 2005
    Limestone Coast, SA
    2,671

    I have IBS and find that it is anxiety and lack of sleep that triggers mine.

    Back in the days where I had IBS attacks everyday I took Inner Helath Plus everyday which I think did help and I took Mintec on bad flare up days and it worked wonders. Another thing that really helped with the pain was Aloe Vera Juice, you take a tablespoon 3 times a day and it really settled my guts down.

  10. #10
    Moderator

    Oct 2004
    In my Zombie proof fortress.
    6,449

    I saw a Naturopath for mine. She made some tonics specific for me, plus some probiotics. I find with me that I really should avoid a lot of wheat, some is ok. Actually I am so much better of I low carb. It is funny that cream with I am eating a normal diet is a major trigger, but when I low carb I am fine with it.

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Nov 2007
    Murray Bridge, SA
    1,600

    Mine only comes when I'm overweight and I get the bloating, cramping and frequency...

    I'd like to do a mini survey if I might... can each of you respond about whether or not you drink coffee? If so, how much?

    I'll explain why after I've had a few responses

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
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    537

    Widdly- I found the Immodium today settled my belly. I still have a little bit of a sore belly, but no where near as bad as this morning.

    Astrid- That's strange about the low carb making it better.

    Nettie- I don't drink coffee, and not very often I drink tea. I am a bit fatter than I used to be, but have also been having hot flushes, mood swings, tired, no libido, but after reading another thread, I think that may have something to do with hormones.

    Would IBS have anything to do with hormones?

  13. #13

    Hey Toni. I rarely drink tea/coffee in the summer. Winter I might have a cuppa or coffee once a day. Never really have anymore than 1 in a day though.

    I know KFC will set me off, and tomatoes will also set me off (if I eat alot). I also think BBQ sauce is another trigger. We have just introduced that into our house as Kameron's friend can't have tomato sauce. I have had it twice as a marinade in chicken since we have had it and both times have spent the night on the loo.

    I know I am not Lactose Intolerant, as we went through a couple of months of having a Lactose free diet, when Ashton was first diagnosed with a Lactose intolerance and it made absoloutely no difference to me.

  14. #14
    Moderator

    Oct 2004
    In my Zombie proof fortress.
    6,449

    As for the coffee question - I have had times where I have drunk a fair amount of coffee, I think I stopped having it daily when I was about 21. Now it is just an occasional thing, I drink a fair bit of tea though.

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Nov 2007
    Murray Bridge, SA
    1,600

    I know when I had my gall bladder problems that drinking coffee really helped allieviate the symptoms.

    I'm now a big coffee drinker and don't suffer too many IBS symptoms. I thought I'd ask because I wonder if some coffee in your diet would help? Coffee activates your intestinal muscles which helps you digest..

    Just a thought!

    Peppermint tea might help some of you too. Certainly helps with wind!

  16. #16
    Moderator

    Oct 2004
    In my Zombie proof fortress.
    6,449

    When I was a big coffee drinker I still had problems and caffeine triggers hunger in me (which is not a good thing). At my best, when low carbing, I would have been having less caffeine than normal. Would be nice if it did work for me.

  17. #17
    BellyBelly Member

    Mar 2005
    Limestone Coast, SA
    2,671

    yep, IBS can be linked in with hormonal imbalances such as PCOS, which I have.

    And, no, I have never drunk coffee, but would have thought it would upset the bowel rather than make it feel better

  18. #18
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Here
    537

    Just an update.

    I have been taking the IHP IBS support tablets for just over a month now, and I have to say, they are the best thing! I have only had 2 bad nights on the loo, and the pain was no where near as bad as when I wasn't on them. The cramping also stopped after 'everything' was finished.