Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | New member

Hi, everyone! I have been lurking for a week or two, so I think it's time to say hello. I have had problems with constipation and diarrhoea for nearly 20 years now, but it used to be off and on, whereas now it is all the time - I haven't had a "normal" BM for several years. D always follows eating fruit/veg/beans etc, but if I don't eat stuff like that C gets quite bad - there is no happy medium! I have a lot of wind too. The most difficult thing is that even with C the motions are very soft and formless - like sludge - it makes them very difficult to pass. I feel exhausted afterwards and my legs ache for an hour or more. I haven't had an official diagnosis yet, still waiting for an appointment to see if I need tests to rule out other things, but my GP says it's probably IBS.

So, I know you are all experts here! Do these symptoms sound familiar to anyone? Is it IBS-C or IBS-A?

I used to get very severe headaches preceding a BM, sometimes to the point of passing out. I thought they were caused by eating nuts or seeds, so I followed a detox diet 3 years ago and they stopped, but the other problems continued. Also, I had a hysterectomy earlier this year, as the result of having a large fibroid (weighed 12 lbs). I really hoped the bowel problems would improve after that, but there isn't much change, maybe a little less bloating. It amazes me that removing something the size of a rugby ball didn't make more difference!

I have started taking Celuleve (same as Citrucell I think) and the wind has been a bit worse, but that might be coincidence. I read on another website that Citrucell makes motions softer so I'm not sure if it's a good idea for me. Would another SFS work differently or are they all the same? Can SFS make motions firmer or do I need to strengthen the muscles down there?

Also, I have started making some changes to my diet, cutting down on fat, cutting out tea, coffee and chocolate, drinking water regularly. Not sure how far I ought to go: should I try eating nothing but white bread, rice, potatoes, etc for a while or does that only apply to people with D? Is the restricted diet only for when you are having an attack? Actually, what does "attack" mean? As I have the same problem all the time, does that mean I am having attacks all the time or that I never have them?

Just so you know, after reading all your inspiring posts, I feel a lot more positive about tackling IBS now than ever before - I would have posted sooner, but every time I log on there is so much interesting stuff to read, it gets too late! So I hope you won't mind sharing some of your wisdom with me.

Thanks in advance,

Josephine

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