Any ideas? - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

baz22p · 12-01-2008, 07:39 AM

I have had IBS for nearly 4 years, and I cannot work because of it. I have had the usual tests (barium enema, full blood tests, endoscopy, bowel biopsy, etc) but all have been negative, so IBS has been diagnosed. I alternate between constipation and diarrhoea regularly. I have tried diets (the elimination diet made me worse!) but find that what upsets me one day can be tolerated on another. I have tried changing my lifestyle but nothing seems to work. I am currently on amitriptylene 25mg, citalopram 60mg, and codeine 2X 30 mg, but it is all very hit and miss. My GP is great, but the hospital gastroenterologist is useless - so is the 'second opinion' at another hospital.
My main problem is bloating, which I have nearly all the time to some degree or another (I measure all IBS symptoms on a scale of 1-5 and record each day in my IBS diary). The bloating is often caused by activity somewhere in my intestinal/digestive tract, whether it is eating something, or passing a motion. I also get chest pains, mainly on he left hand side of my chest, but sometimes it can be central and it is severely crushing as though an elephant was sitting on me! The need to 'go' is quite sudden most of the time, and even after almost 4 years of anticipating the activity of my rear-end I find that I 'mess myself about once a month. The best help I found so far is the lve and help I get from my wife and daughter - they are wonderful!!!!! In order to adapt my life-style to accomodate my IBS I have become a house-husband (which my wife thinks is a terrific arrangement), which means I can be close to a toilet at all times plus regulate my activity levels to how I am feeling at any particular time. I know that there is no cure for IBS but I am searching for that little improvement in my quality of life. The literature, both on the bookshelves and on the 'net, is great, and even if each bit gives just 1 hint that improves my lifestyle then that is a bonus. Any help or suggustions (or even just a 'chat' with a fellow sufferer) would be most welcome.

Rainy20 · 12-04-2008, 09:10 PM

Hi Baz,

I have had IBS for over five years now. I think somehow I have just learned to live with discomfort. I have heard of so many stories worse then mine, but the only thing I can tell you that matters is diet. There are just some foods I can not eat. Dairy is a key trigger food for me. It seems if I eat from the good list, I can then sneak in a few no no's. I know there is insoluable and soluable foods. I believe its the soluable that is better for you, like Sweet Potatoes, mango's,pasta and many more. Some no no's are greasy foods and hard to digest ones. IM sure with some research you can find the list. I also find excersise to help too. Good luck.