'Keeping a food diary helped my IBS'
Living with IBS
Like a lot of people with IBS, I ended up working out myself what caused my problems and how to make them better. I'd been having problems since I was about 11, with stomach aches, constipation and diarrhoea. My doctor said it was just growing pains.
Finally, when I was 23, someone mentioned IBS to me. I found a book about it and did my own research. The book advised me to try cutting out certain foods to see whether I felt better.
The most common trigger foods for my IBS are dairy products and wheat-based food, and I discovered almost straight away that these made me feel bad. For example, I noticed that 10 minutes after having a bowl of cereal, my stomach was bloated and sore.
Over the years, the foods I can and can't eat have changed. I can't eat anything green, like broccoli. I can't eat much red meat, and I'll only have one drink at a time because alcohol makes me feel awful. Unfortunately, it's all the things I like, which is a pain. But not eating them is a small price to pay for feeling better!
Fiona McCrae, 42, Gwynedd, North Wales,
More help and advice
- Get all the facts on IBS
- How water and aloe vera can help
- Tips on keeping IBS under control
- For more information, visit the IBS Network
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Kimberly Willis, about 1 year
Hypnotherapy is now widely used for IBS. As a Hypnotherapist I see many people each week who experience a huge reduction in their symptoms and feel more able to get on with their lives. It is a gentle therapy which can be used in conjunction with other therapies and medicines.
Report this commentTRACEY FRANCIS, about 1 year
I WAS WONDERING IF FIONA EVER SUFFERED WITH DEPRESSION DUE TO HAVING IBS AT QUITE A YOUNG AGE, AND IF SO WHAT HELPED HER DEAL WITH IT?
Report this commentStephanie, about 1 year
I was just wondering wether Fiona had ever tried a Homeopath for her IBS? It is great to keep conditions under control as it helps you get on with life, but most conditions are curable if you know where to go to get help....this is surely better than management only? Stephanie
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c feeney, 12 months
i have suffered from i.b.s. for at least 30-35 years to my knowledge, my main triggers are fried food,any thing in the cabbage family,spicey food,the main problem is excessive wind and very very rarely cronic constipation. its not pleasent and does affect my life at times ive had my bowels checked for other causes, and was happy to recieve the dignoses of i.b.s[ having had relative that died of cancer] but i find peppermint oil helps and only use skimmed milk ive tried couseling for the depression but found good mangement most effective.does anyone have any other useful tips
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