So – the first aspect which my new therapist looks at is food intolerance. There are a lot of different theories and arguments surrounding IBS, but I think that one thing that is pretty much beyond doubt is that food affects our symptoms. The question is how much of an influence it has – and perhaps more importantly, how on earth we can figure out which foods are causing which problems.
There are two basic approaches to trying to discover whether an IBSer has a food intolerance. The first approach is to try an elimination diet, which involves eliminating various foods from the diet for a week or two and then keeping a record of any changes in symptoms.
Elimination diets have proved very successful in some cases, but their major downside is that they have to be very strict, and can take several months to complete fully, in order to give you the time to eliminate each food or group of foods. When you’ve been ill for months or years, this is not an easy thing to cope with.
The second approach is to use some kind of laboratory test to look for certain reactions in the body to certain foods. This is much easier for the patient, because all they need do is provide a sample of, for example, blood, and then that’s it.
The problem here is that most tests are unproven, and some are downright ridiculous. The test that I personally have most faith in, because of its widespread use and the fact that it has appeared in a respected UK peer-reviewed medical journal showing good results, is something called an ELISA test, which looks at the level of IGg antibodies in the blood.
I’m not gonna explain exactly what IGg antibodies are because, well, I don’t really know, but the basic idea is that if you have a ‘traditional’ food allergy it is caused by IGe antibodies; if you have an IBS-type food allergy or intolerance, it may be caused by IGg antibodies, and these reactions can take two or three days to show up as symptoms.
And the ELISA test, looking at the IGg antibodies, is the test that my new therapist uses. So that’s the first investigation…
Dear Sophie,
I am reading “Understanding Your Irritable Bowel” by DR Db A Silk MD FRCP arrived today and I realised I am searching for something that I will never find.
Yes, I do occasionally (once or twice a week) have very severe pain and yes I do occasionally have bad guts (again once or twice a week) and I generally am in discomfort all the time because I can feel stuff moving round my intestines. However I am not letting it get me down and it no longer gets in the way of my career or social life (because I will not let it – bring on the self-help books – sorry I know this sounds cheesy and I would have scoffed at it like 6 months ago). I know that cutting out wheat and anything cheese-like and not eating too much fibre has drastically improved my symptoms so I feel I am happy now (bin a long time since I could have said that).
In conclusion, I am happy and the IBS is this annoyance (and on occasions this down right nasty bastard) that will not got away, but I feel I can cope and I feel that its not the main part of who I am.
You may remember emails I had said saying “i am cured” complete rubbish – i will never be cured. However, I am managing my symptoms and hope that one day science will provide more help, but I will not let it drag me down. I am beginning to think that this positive thinking malarky works! Anyway keep going, keep positive (as patronising as that sounds) and never ever give up your faith that you will one day be much better. Lots of love David
PS I have had counselling and find it very helpful and would recommend it to everyone (even ppl who do not have IBS).
PPS I was in a job that was making me unhappy, I am now in a job that I cannot wait to go to – is this a coincidence?
I have been a ibs person for a long time now.There is no medication,herb,therapy,or any of the bullshit they try to sell you.Sorry folks,that’s the way it is.I have spent thousands still have ibs and everything that goes with it.Sorry to be so depressing but that is the way it is.
I have been a ibs person for a long time.Sorry folks there is no cure,herbs,medication,therapy for ibs.I have spent thousands and guess what? I still have ibs.People try to sell you all this crap that does not work.If you want to keep searching that’s up to you.I’m sick,tired all of the above.Doctors can kiss me where the sun don’t shine.The only thing that helps me is hard core pain killers.I used to be embarrased to take them or even ask a doctor,now I do not care it is the only thing that gets me out of bed.I am so sick of the bed.Good Luck to all who suffer ,I know your pain.
There are ways of trying to heal IBS. There is a good book called Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall. It has a great protocol and a lot of science behind it. Elaine’s daughter had severe ulcerative colitis.
I have IBS and it seems to flair up when I eat certain foods. I am happy to say that I am 100% pain free nowadays from an elimination diet.
I eliminated refined sugar (including high fructose corn syrup/glucose-fructose), coffee/tea, certain fats (keep omegas – fish and flax are best sources).
I stopped eating all processed foods. The simple rule-of-thumb for this one is: ** If it wasn’t created by nature, DON’T eat it. **
Eat 100% organic and stay away from any food stuffs that are chemicals. (If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it.)
Don’t eat ANY fast food, under any circumstance! Ever, ever, ever… If I am on the road and hungry I would rather drive another 30 miles to a grocery store than eat those drive-thru chemicals.
Also, chlorinated tap water kills the natural bacterial flora that your guts are supposed to have. Drink lots of water, but only non-chlorinated water.
Buy a juicer and use it daily. (organic veggies only)
I am healthier than I have ever been in my life, I have less than 10% body fat and never get sick.
I hope this helps and god bless!
John