Hi Worriedwillow,

Sorry to hear you are going through this.  Have you had an update since Feb ? 

Hi Toddy. Since Feb ive been treated for IBS, an infection,chronic constipation and no treatment has worked so far while my symptoms persist. Im now being referred in the next few weeks to a gastroentology consultant for a colonoscopy amd scans. What worries me is prior to these symptoms i spent almost a year visiting a gyno for menstrual problems including prolonged heavy periods, irregular bleeding, pain and bleeding with intercourse, the gyno prescriped me to try a progesterone only ontraceptive pill which actually stopped me from having periods, shortly after my menstrual problems stopped these symptoms started and have now worsened over time. Feel like pulling my hair out at this stage, every doctor just wants to pass it off as the easiest solution by saying its IBS but i know my body. Its just so frustrating not to get an answer or solution to this for so long.

Hi WorriedWillow.

This is the situation I was in when I was in my late 20s during the late 1970s.  Of course, we didn't have much in the way of scanners, endoscopes, etc and I had to get on with it.  Which I just about did.  I managed with combinations of additional bran and Fybogel, Colofac tablets, Aloe Vera gel, and Peppermint tablets.

About 5 years ago, after a couple of attacks of diverticulitis, my GP referred me for a colonoscopy.  That was clear of cancer but did show (as expected) diverticular disease.  From there, she referred me to a dietician who put me on the FODMAP diet.

There's no doubt the FODMAP is hard going.  It's really difficult to follow, and it's easy to eat something you shouldn't by mistake.  I also thought that it was a waste of time and wished I hadn't started.  I nearly gave up several times. However, I eventually discovered that my food triggers include mushrooms, baked beans, and milk in large quantities.  Guess what was my favourite breakfast? 

So, from my own experience, I wouldn't assume that because you tried the FODMAP diet and it didn't seem to work, therefore you can't have IBS.  I don't know how assiduously you followed the process but unless you check the ingredients of every item to eat (and, yes, I do know what a pain that is) then you might be accidentally eating one of your trigger foods.

I don't know how you feel about restarting the FODMAP diet again.  That's something only you can decide. But by cutting out my main triggers, and switching to almond and soya dairy alternatives, I'm 99% cured of my IBS. However, I really miss eating mushrooms...

Hi WorriedWillow.

This is the situation I was in when I was in my late 20s during the late 1970s.  Of course, we didn't have much in the way of scanners, endoscopes, etc and I had to get on with it.  Which I just about did.  I managed with combinations of additional bran and Fybogel, Colofac tablets, Aloe Vera gel, and Peppermint tablets.

About 5 years ago, after a couple of attacks of diverticulitis, my GP referred me for a colonoscopy.  That was clear of cancer but did show (as expected) diverticular disease.  From there, she referred me to a dietician who put me on the FODMAP diet.

There's no doubt the FODMAP is hard going.  It's really difficult to follow, and it's easy to eat something you shouldn't by mistake.  I also thought that it was a waste of time and wished I hadn't started.  I nearly gave up several times. However, I eventually discovered that my food triggers include mushrooms, baked beans, and milk in large quantities.  Guess what was my favourite breakfast? 

So, from my own experience, I wouldn't assume that because you tried the FODMAP diet and it didn't seem to work, therefore you can't have IBS.  I don't know how assiduously you followed the process but unless you check the ingredients of every item to eat (and, yes, I do know what a pain that is) then you might be accidentally eating one of your trigger foods.

I don't know how you feel about restarting the FODMAP diet again.  That's something only you can decide. But by cutting out my main triggers, and switching to almond and soya dairy alternatives, I'm 99% cured of my IBS. However, I really miss eating mushrooms...