[Vicky Foster]

Hey x Contact with anyone would help sooo much! I've just been 'officially diagnosed' with IBS not that doctors really know how to help. I've seen a gastroenterologist too and he suggested a high fibre diet that has nearly killed me NEVER TAKE LACTULOSE! oh it hurts!

I'm taking antispasm tablets and codine phosphate but nothing is easing the symptoms...i'd so love to have a normal bowel movement. How are you guys managing to socialise because i feel as if my life is on hold and all i ever seem to talk about is poo. ugh. I dont know what to eat or what to avoid, how to beat the anxiety that comes with IBS and how to get out of this rut. I'm not trying to wallow in self pity but i really don't know what to do. I'm only 19 and feel as if my life is being totally controlled by my digestive system. meep,

 

[eric]

Sparkle, welcome to the bb. Keep reading and learning and you will find some things to try that may help you. There are all kinds of resources, books and information on the site here.Also this may help for information and websites for IBS. http://www.ibshealth.com/about_ibs.htm This is some fiber info for you as well. http://www.parkviewpub.com/fiber.html It may also help to post more about your exact symptoms.

 

[Dane3]

Sparkle,Diet and Stress effects IBS. You have already discovered that Lactose is a problem so you are on the right tract. Foods that bother me when my IBS is bad....Fatty FoodsSpicy FoodsAnything with Citric Acid (including Beverages)Raw VegetablesRaw FruitsIf you are really hurting right now you might want to limit your diet to....Breads (Low Fat)NoodlesMashed PotatoesCream of Wheat (With no Milk)Well Cooked Oatmeal (With no Milk)RiceOther Lactose Free foodsAfter you start feeling better, expand your diet intake but keep tract of what you're eating. Remember everyone is different, so maybe you can tolerate something that another IBS sufferer can't.

 

[fiona26]

Hey Sparkle welcome to the bb! I`m young as well so I know how it feels to try and organise your life round your bowels.Check out the Young Adults Issues Board- it`s where all us youngies hang out.

 

[Vicky Foster]

Wow! thankyou everyone for your suggestions. It's made me feel better just knowing that other people are finding a way of coping with their IBS so there's hope for me.

 

[Auroraheart]

Everyone else has said what I would...so I'll just welcome you to the BB.

 

[buzz1]

Alright Sparkle. This BB should be the first point of call when you start feeling bad. You say you saw a gastroenterologist, are you still seeing him/her? What have they said to you other than a fibre diet?The exclusion diet is a good start. Your GP should be able to refer you to a dietician at a hospital.buzz1

 

[nmwinter]

welcome to the board - sorry you have to be here of course! A word of encouragement - I came here a couple of years ago after suffering from IBS for over 20 years. I'd been able to go through good and bad periods in the past but never able to sustain the good periods. It seemed more like luck than anything else. But since incorporating some of the things I've learned on this board, I am doing much better. I have IBS C/D which means I alternate between D and C, so keeping abalance has been critical. FOr me, hypno, calcium/magnesium supplements and fiber seem to be doing the trick.What works for you might be different. Best advice is to read a lot, ask a lot and see what might work. You should check with your doc to make sure what you're thinking of trying is safe.take care!nancy

 

[Vicky Foster]

I've seen my gastroenterologist a couple of times now to have blood tests to rule out thyroid problems, wheat allergy and other random things. They all came back clear. I've also had one x-ray which showed that at the time my intestine was blocked indicating that i was constipated, although i didn't feel it!I seem to have IBS c/dso either way i'm on the loo way more than i should be

Because of this, i was put on a high fibre diet and advised to take lactulose solution (supposedly an alternative to things such as fibrogel etc) but i've just abandoned this after 3 weeks as it was making things far worse, giving me D and as much pain as before.I'm now hobbling about with gut ache as usual not knowing what to eat or what medicines to take. I have ordered 'eating for IBS' cookbook though so hopefully that'll help...has anyone else followed its instructions and had success?I'm also looking into taking up yoga classes for relaxation because i'm getting very low and panicky with not knowing what my body will do when i'm in public or socialising, so it's turning into a vicious circle! Argh!I'm not seeing my gastroenterologist again for probably 6 months as i can't afford any more private healthcare so it's back onto the NHS waiting list.

 

[bonniei]

Welcome to the board Sparkle