For those with IBS...

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2006
For those with IBS...
12
Mon, 07-17-2006 - 11:21am

For those who have IBS what changes have you made in your life-i.e. daily routine, diet, etc.- that have helped the most?

I have a mild case of IBS w/ diarrhea and so far can't find any foods that trigger episodes. I know my flare-ups are related to emotional stress so dealing with that would certainly help. I really want to get it under control.

Any tips would be great!!
Thanks!!
mom2cutie05

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Mon, 07-17-2006 - 4:40pm

I have found that I am lactose intolerant and that really revs up my IBS. Have you ever noticed any discomfort after eating anything that contains dairy? Stress does cause my stomach to cramp more easily too.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2006
Tue, 07-18-2006 - 11:41am

My doc said to watch dairy too and see if it is a trigger. So far though I can't find a link. He said that if dairy is a problem then I would have a problem soon after eating it...is that the case with you?

I've been working to reduce my caffeine intake (although the only caffeine I have is a cup of coffee in the a.m.) since that is not good for IBS. Neither is coffee for that matter! I do love my coffee so it's a tough one!

It's hard b/c you end up fearful that every food you're eating could potentiallly be problematic. Ugh.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2003
Wed, 07-19-2006 - 12:53pm

I've recently developed IBS myself{about a month now} After the first week of being terrible sick with the pain, bloating & diareha I found information that made me realize that it was IBS. In my case it seems dairy is a big trigger. For me it happened hours and hours later so it was really hard to figure out what my issues were.

I immediately cut out dairy. {which is very hard since I drink a Venti Latte at Starbucks everymorning} I noticed an improvement immediately. I switched to Soy milk and Lactose Free Milk and toffu ice creams. I have also cut back on the Lattes to reduce the caffeine. For several days I was so scared to eat anything becasue I didn't know what would bother me...

I also have started taking a Caltrate 600+D supplement during my meals and Digestive Enzyme 15-20 minutes before everymeal and I actually feel more normal now compared to the first two weeks. The brand is "Source Naturals" "Daily Essential Enzymes" I got at my local healthfood store. www.sourcenaturals.com Apparently the enzyme help your system process the food better. And I found out while taking it the giving it at least the 15-20minutes to disolve in your stomach before eating was very important. if you try it, you will notice increased trips to the bathroom, but no diareha and no pain...I definelty can live without that!

This week I also tested the waters taking a "Lactaid" pills before eating some cheese and yogurt, huge difference, the dairy didn't bother at all.

A co-worker who suggested the digestive enzyme told me she suffered a period of IBs, but hers was stress related. The enzymes helped her a lot too.

I'm hoping that continuing to use the supplements and the enzymes I can continue to control the IBS without having to get any prescriptions from a doctor.

Good luck!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Wed, 07-19-2006 - 1:59pm

Thanks for sharing what has helped you!


I take the store brand of a lactose enzyme, which costs less than Lactaid and it works fine for me, along with lactose free milk.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-16-2003
Wed, 07-19-2006 - 2:45pm
Oh thanks for letting me, I was afraid to try one of those. They certainly are a lot cheaper.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Wed, 07-19-2006 - 2:53pm

FYI, I buy the store brand at WalMart and it works as well as the name brand.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2006
Fri, 07-21-2006 - 11:59am

Thanks for the tips! It does make me more curious though about dairy. My episodes are usually in the mornings, so many hours after eating. Could dairy at dinner be a problem that long after?

I think I just need to keep a food journal to see if in fact there are triggers that I'm just not seeing.

I hope it's not dairy because I love it!!

~mom2cutie05

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Fri, 07-21-2006 - 12:07pm

From my own experience, dairy effects me pretty quickly. Certain foods are worse than others for me, so I know which to avoid and which ones I can eat, as long as I use my lactose enzyme before hand.


Keeping a food diary is an excellent idea! It should help you see a pattern and will provide you with something tangible to show your doctor.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-29-2004
Thu, 07-27-2006 - 10:32pm
There's not really a diet that one can take to help for IBS. But I took OTC medicine for bloating and try to stay away from foods that are known to cause bloating. It's all I can really do.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Thu, 07-27-2006 - 11:07pm

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