IBS. Any suggestions for instant relief

I have struggled with IBS symptoms for years which have become much worse, post menopause. I have always eaten a healthy vegetarian diet and am not overweight, but ultimately the only thing that really helped me ( in combination, not separately) is trying not to get anxious about things, regular relaxation such as yoga or pilates and regular walks in the fresh air, avoiding gluten and sugar like they are the plague, cutting down a bit on other carbohydrates ( i.e exercising proper portion control on the gluten free pasta, potatoes and rice) , and being careful with the amount fibre intake in the form of onions, garlic, beans and brassicas, as these are the main foods that trigger the worst of my stomach pain and bloating, followed by embarrassingly excessive wind, normally exactly two hours after consumption. I also aim to stick to a 10 hour eating day and fasting for 14 hours ( i.e nothing other than caffeine free tea after a 18.00 dinner (unless a special occasion, of course) - then breakfast at 8.00 am), with Peppermint tea if I feel bloating coming on. All of this is tedious, and I often fail my 10 hour eating rule, and eating out is not much fun but is do-able. This is the only 'regime' that seems to help me, and I'd rather be without the IBS symptoms than eat the triggers, and it is of course a drug free remedy.

Thank you for all your help and advice. I know I must sound ungrateful and dismissive in not jumping on the fodmap diet, but I honestly don't know how it would help, although that isn't to say there might be a food trigger. My situation is that my attacks are few and far between. I can go for months with no problems at all. So if I tried cutting out food I would have no way of knowing if I was symptom free because I had cut out a particular food or because I was just not having an attack. That is why I originally asked if anyone had any suggestions as to what I could do to calm the pain and bloating of an attack. My last bad "do" was back in January/February, so I have had a reasonably good year with just a few minor bad days along the way. I am sure my IBS is stress and anxiety related. I did find a very interesting and informative webinar on line. I cannot imagine how awful it must be to suffer all the time. Thank you again for your help.

After reading an article by Dr Rangan Chatterjee praising the product Symprove I started on it 2 years ago. I haven't looked back. Amazing stuff.

It’s unclear where the myth of aloe vera juice as a treatment for IBS symptoms originated, but scientific research does not support its use, and the few random control studies that have been undertaken have found no benefit.

In addition, the regular ingestion of aloe vera juice is not recommended due to the risk of significant side effects, such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, allergic reactions, dehydration or electrolyte imbalances, low blood sugar, elevated cancer risk and interactions with other medications.

I'm sorry but doing things that have not been prescribed by your doctor could be dangerous. There is no miracle cure. Living with a chronic condition can leave you feeling stressed, anxious and exhausted. IBS can leave you with brain fog or feverishness. It is not a good idea not to treat it under a doctor.

It definitely sounds diet and anxiety related. You have to be prepared to work at it. Look at the type of fibre you eat. And other food. Keep a food diary.
I drink rooibos tea. Peppermint doesn't work for everyone.
And tackle anxiety / stress. Meditation yoga whatever will work for you.
As I say you need to do some work on it. There isn't an easy fix.

Hi, medical check if worried. Adapt your food a bit....if this happens from time to time, you will know what foods aggravate. Aloe Vera juice (buy in health food shop) can be soothing. Plenty of water. Rest and relaxation. I know...easier said than done but we need to recognise what the body is telling us....Get well soon. (I am a homeopath and can recommend homeopathy if you want to address it long term).

I have every sympathy for you Lizbethann55.

I have had IBS(D) for years it started after a lost my Dad.

There are lots of helpful suggestions here, I think it is all about eliminating foods, keeping a diary, and seeing how it goes. I am just coming to the end of an episode that has lasted for weeks, it is exhausting and painful but I feel I am over the worst.

I hope you feel better soon x

When a friend of mine had his third kidney transplant he was surprised they had offered him one. His first, in his thirties, had lasted 20 years. The second was rejected, so in spite of all attempts to sort it out it had to be removed. When he expressed his surprise at being offered one now he was older and retired his consultant said they tend offer them to people who they know will stick to the awful drugs routine that goes with a transplant. Many don't.

If you are not prepared to go to the doctor and, if advised to alter your diet will not do so, you have lost my sympathy and may lose the doctors willingness to treat when their time could be used for someone who will apply themselves to the rigorous regime require to stay healthy.

It sounds as if you don't actually have IBS then Lizbethann. Psychological problems like anxiety don't cause digestive disorders although they can undoubtedly make any pain feel worse.

Perhaps your mind would be set at rest if you went through a check-up and the series of tests that exclude anything else.

Thanks for all your help and advice. I am very fortunate in that IBS is not a constant problem. My poor mum struggled with IBS (D) for many years so I know how dreadful it can be. I only have a few attacks a year. They are, I suspect, brought on by stress and anxiety. I also suffer from terrifying health anxiety so I immediately presume it is something worse than IBS which makes the IBS worse, if you get my drift! But when I do get an attack the bloating and pain are really bad. Last night while Googling (dangerous I know) I came across something called Kolanticon which is a medicine. Has anyone tried this?

I improved a lot when I was put on Calcium and V
it D for another problem I suppose the chalk is binding but I did wonder if not being short of Vitamin D helped in some way ?

I improved a lot when I was put on Calcium and Vit D for another problem I suppose the chalk is binding but I did wonder if not being short of Vitamin D helped in some way ?

As we don't seem to think that following the research is worth following (I think you are mad as I enjoy being well) you do need to understand that it is food that is heavy in natural sugars which inflate you.

Yes, start with no wheat - it's not about being gluten-free but that is an easy way to cut out wheat. Wheat is not in itself high in fodmaps but we eat so much of it that it is high in the quantity we are trying to digest.

Lactose-free is also a good idea but that is lactose-free not a milk substitute as some of those can be equally indigestible and some are okay.

The other two high on the list would be garlic - a very high concentration of the avoidable sugars, in this case, fructans and the same for onions - very high in fructans.

I wonder if you feel very tired at times? And do you put on weight? These are two things that turned themselves around for me by becoming knowledgable about what my gut can tolerate.

I found that I did not need to go completely down the FODMAP route. But by cutting out wheat totally, and restricting dairy slightly, my symptoms were much improved and at a level I could cope with.

It is, I'm afraid, a matter of trial and error until you find what your personal gut can cope with.

As you are reluctant to go Fodmap, I would just cut out wheat products for a trial, and monitor the results.
If you continue suffering, the link below allows fully informed choices regarding foods to avoid and foods that should not irritate.

www.healthline.com/nutrition/fodmaps-101#high-fodmap-foods

My SiL suffers from this. She is now taking more care with what she eats and drinks and finds this helps.

My DD suffered for years with pain. Other possibilities being ruled out, the doctor told her it was IBS and offered no solution. However, in desperation she tried going gluten free which has worked a treat. It is so easy to follow these days with many 'free from' foods available, perhaps it would be worth giving it a try as I see that a few posters have also found it helpful.

I have IBS(C) too and I cannot recommend a low fodmap diet enough and it is now becoming the prescribed treatment. I don't know about you but at the end of a flare, it can seem to turn into IBS(D) which is also a problem but one I used to be almost grateful for.

I know two people who went from IBS to irritable bowel diseases, one of whom found it meant they ended up with a colostomy. I am not trying to scare you but it is worth going to your doctors and asking if low fodmap is suitable for you. You do want it on your notes even though you are unlikely (as should be the case) to be put under a dietician. You may well have to go it alone but there are several people on here who will support you, me for one.

Your initial weeks, because it is an elimination diet, take what seems like half the choices you have been used to out but you can add back in slowly, finding out what is and isn't something you are sensitive to or cannot tolerate. Those foods are not being digested but fermenting in your gut.

I know you say you do not want to do it but what other diseases would you refuse the treatment for? Your description of your flare has brought back awful memories. If I have one these days it will last a day at worst and the painful part is often only a couple of hours. I have actually learned to use the foods, that probably an IBS(D) sufferer would avoid, to manage these times.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

For a bad flare up, I drink a mug of peppermint tea. It has usually settled it. However, like a previous poster I went gluten-free due to another condition about 2 years ago. Have never looked back, saw the difference within about 4 days. Avoiding dairy may help, but I have never went back to eating gluten. My life no longer revolves around finding toilets!

Peppermint oil warm water and not too much bread

Try Fodmap then reintroduce the foods you miss. Worth it.

MissAdventure

Have you tried cutting out gluten from your diet, Lizbeth. It's easy to do and when I did it four years ago my IBS symptoms disappeared within a few days.

It may not work for you but might be worth a try.

Buscopan and Co codamol right at the beginning of symptoms for me. Keep a food diary too, certain foods can trigger it. Of course stress is also a massive factor.