[joan12]

I have had stomach problems from childhood. It took well into my 30s before I was diagnoised with IBS. Having spent literally hundreds of pounds seeking someone/something to help with this disabling condition, I now have some hope that my latest consultation at a London hospital (which I insisted I had) will help me to manage the situation. It would seem I have a possible overgrowth of bad bacteria in the small bowel. A course of strong antibiotics has been prescribed for a week to kill off the bacteria and is then to be followed up with one month on a high dose prescription probiotic. It's also been recommended that I follow the FODMAP diet and a dietician has been suggested to help me manage it. I hope the NHS can find me someone suitable but it is doubtful as it would seem not many people know abut FODMAPs. I had already been cutting out fruit, dairy, alcohol and gluten but I see that I could possibly be OK with some of the fruit. My symptoms have been realy awful over the years. I generally get a bad headache before an "episode", am sometimes hyperactive, have mood changes, feel dizzy and lightheaded along with the usual loose, foul smelling stools and nausea. My local hospital and doctor could find nothing wrong on scans, tests etc. so I am really hopeful that with time I will now start to see an improvement.