IBS

CrevisbigX

Member
Location
Cheshire
After 8 years finally getting somewhere with the doctors. First off all got diagnosed with a hiatus hernia and acid reflux back in 2011 but the last 12mths have been hell. So back to the doctors after a few test they are pretty sure it’s IBS still have to have a camera to rule out colon cancer.
Now it’s a change of diet to rule foods out and try a stress free life. Anybody living a normal farming life with it because some days I just can’t get away from the house which is just getting me down.
 

PSQ

Member
Arable Farmer
Taking a friend in for more IBS tests next week. The consultant told her the 3 main triggers are coffee, chocolate and alcohol, which are the 3 main food groups in her diet. She's seen a massive improvement since she drastically cut back on all 3.
 

Andrew1983

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Black Isle
Suffered quite bad from late teens to late 20s. I tried cutting out various things but never made much difference. Saying that I never drank tea or fizzy drinks for all that time as had it in my head they made it worse, I moved house when I got married and changed from farm work and contracting to mainly just farm work, do have an odd breakdown now and again still at 35 but no where near as bad as I was. Don’t know if it really can take credit but we have a fridge with filtered water dispenser which the water tastes much better from than the tap in old house. Both off the mains.

I take Imodium as a preventative and buscopan when I get a bad go of it.
You have my sympathy it’s no fun! Surprising how many people have it when you actually speak about it.

As an aside an a bit of a coincidence to the op I was diagnosed a hiatus hernia a couple years ago and suffer from reflux too.
 

traineefarmer

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Mid Norfolk
My wife and Mother-in-Law suffer with IBS. Not sure on the MIL, but the missus's main trigger is caffeine. Which is a problem as she pretty much runs on builder's tea and Pepsi Max.

It was a lot worse for her during and following pregnancy, but now if she cuts out her triggers for a couple of weeks she will be fine for ages. I think stress and fatigue is also a factor.
 

Macsky

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Highland
I would not be surprised if chlorinated tap water had a hand to play in it. Gut bacteria seems to have a massive role in our general health, basically the more diverse the population the better, and what is chlorine added to do? Kill bacteria.

Might be better than dysentery, but far from optimum I’d say.
 

Andrew1983

Member
Mixed Farmer
Location
Black Isle
I would not be surprised if chlorinated tap water had a hand to play in it. Gut bacteria seems to have a massive role in our general health, basically the more diverse the population the better, and what is chlorine added to do? Kill bacteria.

Might be better than dysentery, but far from optimum I’d say.

When we first moved to the house I lived from 16-27 years old which coincides with the worst years of my IBS we complained that the water had a strong taste of chlorine, the water board tested it and said it was within limits. After moving house I improved a lot. Water still tastes funny when I go back home.
 

Macsky

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Highland
When we first moved to the house I lived from 16-27 years old which coincides with the worst years of my IBS we complained that the water had a strong taste of chlorine, the water board tested it and said it was within limits. After moving house I improved a lot. Water still tastes funny when I go back home.

I have mains at home, which is decent as afar as mains goes, but spend a fair bit of time through the year staying with relatives that have a private supply (filtered and UV treated), the difference in ‘gut comfort’ is immediately noticeable.
 
Fodmap, low fibre, Low grain and paleo are all types of good diets. What about raw milk, home made yogurt? Improving gut bacteria with slow foods. quality ingredients. Even look into IF (intermittant fasting). Since weve gone organic, IF and cutting soo much crap out of our diets vast improvements. Still have cake, chocolate etc but all quality there is def a difference to how you feel. Slow home made bread etc. Herbal teas.

Having read about the damage done to guts and bowels by poor diets, over use of painkillers, extreme stress and general rubbish lifestyle its no surprise there is so much IBS. Def read up on gut bacteria.
 

kill

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
South West
Taking a friend in for more IBS tests next week. The consultant told her the 3 main triggers are coffee, chocolate and alcohol, which are the 3 main food groups in her diet. She's seen a massive improvement since she drastically cut back on all 3.
I gave up Caffeine about 15 months ago due to stomach issues (probably IBS but never bothered getting diagnosis) also have virtually totally stopped drinking alcohol for the same reasons and 95% of bloating , stomach cramps and urgent runnings are eliminated.
Fully agree about painkillers etc @Chasingmytail as things got well worst last year after strong painkillers had been prescribed for a long time .
 
Last edited:

CrevisbigX

Member
Location
Cheshire
Thanks for some of your reply’s interesting reading also there’s some good reading about it on the net. Got to go for a endoscopy which I have had a few times with the the hernia plus got to have a colonoscopy as well on Tuesday just to rule out any other issues.
 

MissSteak

Member
Location
Aberdeenshire
Try magnesium supplements, it should help with cramps. One big trigger that people rarely mention is cigarettes.
Certain kinds of magnesium can be a laxative so research which kind is most suitable. A hard and fast rule is if its cheap then it'll be the kind that will give you the runs.

Magnesium in Epsom salts is a really good way to get the good kind it into your body. You need about 0.5-1kg and soak for 30 mins but it's good for a big range of body cramps and relaxation.

A trigger for me is caffeine. I was never a coffee drinker, only tea. Tesco do a decent decaff tea bag.

Good tip on immodium as a preventative and buscopan for attacks. Make sure you have some on you.

I find any change in my routine causes me issues. Hence why I prefer not to travel for work or pleasure.

Taking steps to reduce my anxiety also improved my insides. I purposely stay away from unnecessary stresses and have done a lot of CBT to help park anxious thoughts. It's a slow process.

Our gut is such a sensitive little bugger.
 

CrevisbigX

Member
Location
Cheshire
Certain kinds of magnesium can be a laxative so research which kind is most suitable. A hard and fast rule is if its cheap then it'll be the kind that will give you the runs.

Magnesium in Epsom salts is a really good way to get the good kind it into your body. You need about 0.5-1kg and soak for 30 mins but it's good for a big range of body cramps and relaxation.

A trigger for me is caffeine. I was never a coffee drinker, only tea. Tesco do a decent decaff tea bag.

Good tip on immodium as a preventative and buscopan for attacks. Make sure you have some on you.

I find any change in my routine causes me issues. Hence why I prefer not to travel for work or pleasure.

Taking steps to reduce my anxiety also improved my insides. I purposely stay away from unnecessary stresses and have done a lot of CBT to help park anxious thoughts. It's a slow process.

Our gut is such a sensitive little bugger.

Anxiety and stress seem to set me off rather than foods.
 

DRC

Member
Anxiety and stress seem to set me off rather than foods.
My wife suffers terribly as well. Have to plan even the shortest trips and travelling can be a nightmare . She was diaganosed with a bacterial overgrowth called SBBO. Too much bad bacteria . We have to pay for probiotics called VSL . Which are millions of good bacteria ( don’t bother with the drinks advertised on tv).
She has also had ulcerative colitis .
At the moment she’s going through a good phase , so touch wood.
Message me if you ever want to chat to her .
 

CrevisbigX

Member
Location
Cheshire
My wife suffers terribly as well. Have to plan even the shortest trips and travelling can be a nightmare . She was diaganosed with a bacterial overgrowth called SBBO. Too much bad bacteria . We have to pay for probiotics called VSL . Which are millions of good bacteria ( don’t bother with the drinks advertised on tv).
She has also had ulcerative colitis .
At the moment she’s going through a good phase , so touch wood.
Message me if you ever want to chat to her .

Thank you for that it’s appreciated
 

som farmer

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
somerset
I have to take tramadol, and muscle relaxants for arthritis in my spine, it has completely changed my taste buds
annoys the wife to hell, but very interesting to read this thread, I think to many agri types just muddle on, thinking it's just them. I know I feel like a fraud because I have a blue badge, and can't do a days work, we are allways told its good to talk, how many of us do?
 

MissSteak

Member
Location
Aberdeenshire
Anxiety and stress seem to set me off rather than foods.
It's a big trigger. Visit your doctor and discuss medicine to reduce anxiety. I'm on a pain killer for a chronic condition but it also acts as an anti anxiety drug. It's rather good at taking the sting out of anxiety that I didn't know was occurring.

Rome wasn't built in a day. Take your time figuring out what works for you. For me it is prescription meds, magnesium baths, CBT, peppermint oil or tea to calm the gut and staying the hell away from anything that takes me away from my routine. I appreciate this isn't possible for everyone, but I certainly avoid travelling and caffeine. Even knowing I've to be up an hour early to leave for a meeting upsets my gut without me even realising I was that anxious about it, any major stressy events are a kick in the gut!
 

MissSteak

Member
Location
Aberdeenshire
You will hear it a lot but exercise helps. Swimming calms me down. Anything you can do to reduce stress will help. It won't be an instant result but you'll look back and see the small changes. I find writing lists helps deal with stress, checking items off is therapeutic. Also purging stuff in the house or outside helps, clears the mind and calms me. A good sort out of stuff is always a good way to spend the day.
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

  • 0 %

    Votes: 80 42.1%
  • Up to 25%

    Votes: 67 35.3%
  • 25-50%

    Votes: 30 15.8%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.6%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 7 3.7%

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

  • 1,294
  • 1
As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
Top