a right pain in the bum (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Member Name: licclevicki

Product:	Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Date:	12/03/09 (525 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: not life threatening?

Disadvantages: Pain, disruption to life

If you are a regular reader of my reviews you will know that l suffer with a condition known as ME/CFS. One symptom many sufferers experience with this condition, is the symptoms of IBS (Irritable bowl syndrome) so l thought l would share my experiences.
This isn't likely to be a very'nice' review, as the symptoms of IBS aren't very pleasant at all.


What is IBS?
***********

IBS stands for Irritable Bowl Syndrome. Whilst it isn't fully understood as to why we experience this condition, we understand that it causes

* abdominal pain/cramps
* diarrhoea
* constipation
* nausea
* bloatedness
* wind/reflux

IBS is not thought to be dangerous at all. It can be caused by infections or even things like stress, or a poor immune system


My experience
************

Looking back l do not know when l first experienced the symptoms of IBS, but l do know they got particularly bad about 8 years ago. Before this period ld never really thought too much about the frequent bad stomaches, gurgling in my stomache, the bloatedness and various other symptoms of this condition.
But 8 years ago when l was about 17 l became so ill with this illness that l had to act.

It got to the point when l could not leave the house without very painful stomach cramps and having to rush to the toilet. I thought perhaps l was eating something l shouldn't be, but it didn't seem to matter what l was eating everything seemed to make me ill. I was in constant discomfort, and consequently felt very ill. The pain was the worst symptom for me.

Although it didn't seem to matter what l ate, l soon realised that certain foods made my symptoms worse. I got to the stage where l avoided eating. I lost an awful lot of weight, my hair was falling out, my periods stopped and l became very weak. I became afraid of leaving the confines and safety of my home, where l knew l could get to the toilet easily. Every time l left the house l was getting panic attacks because l became so fearful of the pain. Every trip out would require easy access to a toilet. It was such a horrible experience.

Because l was so young, doctors were reluctant to do tests, and they sent me home with fybo gel. Which for those who have never heard of it, is a disgusting drink (often flavoured) , which is full of fibre to get your digestive system working. Having said that for some people it works, and it is definitely worth trying.
(some people do not get enough fibre in their diet which is thought to cause IBS)
Whilst both the taste and consistency of this product is revolting, l would have done anything to elevate my symptoms!
Unfortunately it didn't really help me at the time. Niether did the various other over the counter remedies that l tried.
So the only other thing that seemed logical to do was to seek treatment from homeopathy.

Homeopathy is based on natural treatments. The lovely person that l saw, finally recognised how ill l was. She used Iridology ( where characteristics of the iris are looked at and it shows where there are problems) from this she was able to help me.
This homeopath told me two very, very, very important things, infact she told me lots, but the two key things were l was lactose ( sugar found in milk) and wheat intolerant.

So off l went home, with lots of information about how to make myself well. A whole lifestyle change, but did l care? I just wanted to feel normal again. So l cut out any product containing wheat and milk. It was difficult, extremely difficult, but l never thought about it twice. I just did it. There were various vitamins and minerals she gave me too, which no doubt helped.
I stuck to this harsh diet for many years. I never touched 'any' wheat or lactose, even though people would try to tempt me to ice cream and chocolate cake, it didn't bother me, l became used to rice cakes and soya milk.

The diet worked wonders, almost instantly l started to lose a lot of those crippling IBS symptoms that l had been experiencing for so long. Anytime that l would have the tiniest bit of wheat or lactose, the symptoms would return. Even if l didn't read a food label properly and accidently ate something l shouldn't, l would experience the discomfort l had been suffering before!
But as the years passed l would occasionally try a little bit of these enemy foods just to see if my body had healed itself. Eventually it did. I remember the first chocolate bar l had after years of not being able to eat such things. It was magical.

These days l am not completely rid of IBS but my symptoms are much easier to manage. I know that when my IBS gets particularly bad its time to watch what lm eating, to reduce stress levels, make sure lm eating healthily, and to generally look after myself. I still have bad days, and most days experience, to some extent the symptoms of IBS, but they are not as crippling as they were all those years ago.

Perhaps my experience is somewhat different to many people suffering with IBS, it is clear food is a big factor in my IBS. lm not sure why my body started to reject foods like it did. But what l would suggest is that anyone who is desperate to get help for this illness, try to cut out dairy and wheat. It really might help.
Unfortunately my IBS was so bad at the time, that l couldn't tolerate any of these products at all, so even cutting back was no good for me.

IBS affects many, many people who don't even realise they are suffering with the condition, it can be mild or rather severe and it can fluctuate from one day to the next.
I have since had a bad episode of really bad reflux, which l was told can also be a form of IBS. (My doctor told me this).

There are ways to help manage IBS, so do not dispair, and do not be afraid to talk to your doctor, it may be embarrassing, but there is help out there.




Suggestions
*****************


If IBS is bothering you at the moment here are my suggestions:

* drink only water (as your body treats anything else as food and will try to digest it)
* eat healthily
* cut out any foods causing discomfort
* Acidophilus (found in minerals or digestive drinks)
* relaxation
* avoid or cut out spicy foods
* avoid citric fruit
* avoid stress



Helpful links
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www.ibsgroup.org/
http://shop.biocare.co.uk/shop.aspx
http://www.homeopathy-soh.org/



* This review is personal opinion based on my own experiences, ld recommend you seek medical advice if you are affected

Summary: finding ways to cope