HOW CAN I COPE WITH IBS

You don't have to put up with the symptoms. There are things you can do to make yourself feel better. Such as eat a high fiber diet, avoid fatty and greasy food, ask your doctor for an anti-spasmodic such as Bentyl (this will help alleviate the pain) and for your acid reflux you can take Prilosec - but really you should find out why you have acid reflux. Untreated acid reflux can lead to damage of the esophagus.

Have you tried any of these suggestions yet?

Yeah, once diagnosed with ibs you are on your own. All the Dr's do is keep pumping you with pills. This is what the Dr's think I have, all I can eat is bread, fish and potatoes and I have been for 4 months. I've lost 4 1/2 stone. I have found nothing that works for me. Bit I hear most people can't take artificle sugars like those in polos. You could try peppermint tea, or oil caps, you could try buscopan this wrosk for most people. Avoid any thing with Coedine(i think that's how it's spelt) as this slows down bowel movement and can cause constipation. Avoud fizzy drinks. Try eating 5 small meals a day rather than 3 big ones, and keep a food hournal so you know what you ate and what caused what symptoms. See diary might be your worst trigger, and veg might make you feel bad but you might be able to find a portion of veg you can manage. That sort of thing.
I was put on anti-depressants (not for depression but for my tummy, they didn't help me) but they could help you.
Take buscopan (or other anti-spasmodic) two hours later take a paracetomol. Then the byuscopan and then the paracetomol to hours between.
Don't eat past 8 at night.

But that's all I can say too you. It's a nasty condition to have, especially when you can't eat what others do and can't eat out. Sorry you're not feeling well. I hope you start to feel better soon.

Allie cat
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