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Could this be IBS

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Posted 9/22/2013 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
I know a lot of you with Fibro also have IBS so I thought I would ask my question here. I have had problems with my bowel movements for quite some time now. I am either constipated or have what I call 'thick' bowel movements or diarrhea. Sometimes when I have the 'thick' bowel movements, I have severe cramping. There have been times it is so bad that I get nauseated and have thrown up. I had a colonoscopy several years ago due to my age and everything was ok. Does this sound like IBS? Forgot to add that my stomach is always bloated.
Posted 9/22/2013 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
It could be several different things. I have Crohn's and it has presented itself mainly with cramping and diarrhea but I have had constipation, also. A colonoscopy would have shown that, I think.

I have two suggestions for you. Keep a food journal and see how various foods affect you. If I eat a lot of fiber, I have cramping and constipation. I can only eat a banana once in a while because of this. I know what I can and cannot eat to feel well.

Also, since this has gone on for a long time and you have severe cramping, I highly suggest you see a gastroenterologist and find out what really is going on so that you can feel better quicker.

Hope this helps,

Sherrine
Posted 9/22/2013 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Well, since IBS covers most colon/bowel issues, you are safe in assuming that.

A food diary sounds like your best strategy, if a colonoscopy is clean. True allergies are rare, but sensitivities are rampant.
Posted 9/23/2013 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both! I do have a doctor's appt in a couple of months so I will mention it to her. I will use your suggestion and start keeping a food diary.
Posted 9/23/2013 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Dizny :) As was mentioned, it could be something else, such as Chrohns ....
But to answer your question, yes. This sounds like IBS to me. Which BTW I have a little bit of experience with..... That BS messed my whole life up, most of my days, for 20+ years !

I just cut out a few little insignificant food items completely..... such as: bread, rice, potatos, pasta, dairy, and most anything heavily processed and packaged :) Easy, right ? :)

Nowadays {apparently, unless I just get ridiculous with a fat-filled, 2500 cal dinner, like the night before last} my stomach works perfectly :)

Best wishes :)
Fish
Posted 9/23/2013 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
As I said before, food sensitivities are quite common. There are different triggers for everyone, so the best course of action would be to have a discovery process first, and then eliminate the things that reacted with you.

I have been on Selected Carb diet for four months now, a diet intended to help with crohns. It has been very helpful, but it is very very restrictive. Last spring, I spent a few months figuring out what my triggers are, and finally researched and then implemented the SCD.

Everyone is different.
Posted 9/24/2013 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
I have fibro and severe ibs it's frustrating some days are harder then others my doctor gave me this new medicine linzess and I've also been taking ginger and magnesium. What you consume really matters I try to stay away from dairy and red meat. It's been a struggle but we just got to keep our head up and make the best out of it :) once your on a healthier selected diet things do get easier.
Posted 9/24/2013 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
Myself, just out of curiosity, when you say your low carb diet was "very, very restrictive".... about how many gm's of carbs are you eating daily ?

I'm probably eating 200 gm's a day, which might sound like quite a bit, but based on a 4500-4800 diet, it's relatively light. < And this is because of the fact that I don't eat many condensed or starchy carbs at all.

Peace,
Fish

PS, When I look at my list of stuff I don't eat any of, ever, I can see why it seems daunting to others. But to be honest, their are so many great foods I can eat / do eat + its all just second nature, nowadays :) Easy Peasy :)
Posted 9/24/2013 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/

This has info on the diet.

The diet was created to help crohns/UC sufferers. I wanted to try this before I went on humira, as I was hesitant about its side effects. It was worth a shot-if my crohns wasn't improved in 6 months, then I could move to humira.

No grains, no wheats, no rice, no potatoes, no sugars, no soy, limited use of beans. No dairy, except for aged dairy.

Before, when I was eating the comfort food diet recommended by most for crohns, I felt awful, and there was no abatement of symptoms.

I won't know the extent of how my colon is or isn't healing until my next colonoscopy.
Posted 9/24/2013 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Myself. That actually sounds fairly close to my diet for the last few years.... except that I drink Silk Soy Milk, and I eat a "little bit" of sugar in my BBQ sauce, Yoshida's, seasonings, etc.... oh, and a TON of sugar in my 6-10 servings of fruit every day.

I will go check the link now.

Thanks again :)

Peace,

Fish

edit; Dizny, I hope I'm not hi-jacking your thread....

Myself, checked the link, and that diet sounds very much like the Paleo diet. In fact, I actually describe my diet as being about 80% Paleo, along with a few select non-paleo food items "in moderation" (my oatmeal, Silk Soy Milk, etc)

Posted 9/24/2013 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
BF eats Paleo. It is similar, but I am allowed certain beans I prepare myself, and homemade yogurt.

The book is very interesting, from a scientific POV, and explains the science behind the SCD.

It is selected carb, meaning fruits and most veggies are allowed. And my crohns is far better, except for a bad few days early on when I discovered that red cabbage was a bad idea.
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