Gut problems

I had IBS for decades - it was miserable. I was put on Questran and it went away. Something to do with malabsorption of bile salts.

I hope it has been well investigated - important in people of grandma age.

I developed problems about two years ago. Mostly stable with Mebeverine and a very limited diet, but sometimes flares up for no apparent reason. Very wary of eating out these days, and somewhat bored with my diet.

Five years ago I developed IBS type symptoms and lost nearly two stones in weight over a year. I eventually wondered if it was due to a food intolerance and so tried cutting out wheat and dairy from my diet and it was 80% better. It may be worth trying. After six months of cutting them out completely I am now able to eat a little of each without symptoms recurring.

Mine started after a bad fall which I think sent my immune system off track.

It is very debilitating as it makes you so tired, as I think you don't get any benefits from the nutrients in the food you're eating.

Anghared19
Unless there is something specifically wrong I'm afraid your on your own with 'gut problems'.

Fortunately now, there is a 'library' of information out there.
You just have to start reading and see what might work for you, or, you could, like my daughter pay to see a private diet/intolerance expert. She had amazing results.

Cabbi21
Have you been tested for Diverticulitis?

I’ve had IBS for decades and finally got relief by following the Low FODMAP diet. Google Monash University Low FODMAP for reliable information, there’s a lot of nonsense out there. See if you can self refer to a dietician, it isn’t an easy diet to follow and it’s helpful to have support during the re-introduction phase. It’s not a diet for life, you find the levels at which you can tolerate different foods. My bugbears are onion, garlic, stone fruits and beans. All the best.

Yes, Petra and it was negative, hence the IBS diagnosis.
I just know my problems are not severe, and usually very manageable, thankfully.

If you have had antibiotics at any time it might be worth taking Probiotics, you can buy them in a good health food shop. They do make a difference for me.

I find that I have to now go easy on the pickled onions and things which are over-spiced but if I'm sensible ( not greedy ) I'm alright. I don't fortunately have gut problems as such just that feeling that I'm not as young as I used to be if I've over-indulged as the digestion slows down.

I would consider a couple of things. The obvious one being gluten. Have you tried eliminating bread for a while? I have taken Yakult in the past and it did seem to help. Process of trial and error.

I was recently diagnosed with bile acid [ salt ] malabsorption after many years of what was suspected ibs.
Apparently many diagnosed with ibs actually have this.
I was fobbed off by many GP's over the years until I was finally sent for a sehchat scan which showed the BAM.
I am now on medication for life and it has made a huge difference. Ask to be sent for this test to rule things out.

Mine is due to not having a gall bladder, something I was never told at the time of having it removed that I could be in line for future issues.

I had a colonoscopy recently and they found I had diverticulae.The doctor made light of it said it's a common problem of ageing.
Is diverticulitis the same thing?

Like midgey, I’d recommend probiotics. I got short shrift from a couple of cynical posters when I mentioned them on another thread, but I can only say that they worked for me. I take high strength Acidophilus from Holland & Barrett. I’ve just seen they’ve a penny sale on at the moment so will be buying more today.

One thing to mention - they must be kept in the fridge once opened and this is in very small print on the label.

I've been suffering from this for a while but didn't realise. Certain foods irritate my guts and it's a question of learning what to avoid. I can go for weeks with no problems, then I eat something my stomach dislikes and off we go again. I try not to take medication for it. I find cinnamon seems to reduce the inflammation, it's nice in coffee.

CassieJ - precisely my situation - no gall bladder. And I also have SOD (Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction) also caused by gall bladder removal - and no, no-one told me of these possibilities.

Oh yes, I've had gut problems for 7 or 8 years. I put it down to a very stressful couple of years with illness/bereavements of close family members.

I went low carb nearly 4 years ago, which solved the acid reflux and bloating problems, but I still have irritable guts!
I had various tests done - bloods, stool, ultrasound and even a CT scan (stopped short of a colonoscopy) which showed nothing untoward although I do have diverticulae in the transverse colon, but I don't think that is the cause.

I think we become less tolerant of certain foods as we age, for me it is sugar, wheat (fructans in wheat) and onions definitely don't agree with me.

It becomes difficult to know what to eat sometimes, as sometimes food tolerated one week, isn't tolerated the next!

It is also thought that people with IBS suffer from "visceral hypersensitivity" (google it) where the colon reacts more dramatically to food passing through it.

Over the years, I've spent a shed-load of money on various supplements, which haven't made much difference (or if they did, may have been a placebo effect), and have a cupboard full of various pills and tablets.

@Fennel, diverticulitis is inflammation of the diverticulae "pouches", and should be treated promptly, as infection can in some cases lead to peritonitis, and surgery.