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I have had IBS for a couple of years and have consulted my GP and taken various medication, changed diet, etc but with no luck. It has come to a point where it is unbearable, taking frequent trips to the toilet to let out wind (up to 12 trips in a day)...any advice on what else I can do as it is stressing me out, home life and work. One other question....I also have bad breath which is like the wind passing in the opposite direction...again tried various medication/mouth washes but no luck...what can I do? I've spoken to my GP and dentist but no luck.
Thanks

Hi

I am sorry to hear you are struggling what changes have you made to your diet? Have your tried the Low FODMAP diet for IBS? If you are struggling it would be worth seeking out a referral to a state registered dietitian as doing this diet alone can be a bit of a challenge and the evidence we have is for DIetetic treatment. It works for 70% of people and is designed to help specifically with bloating - it can help also with diarrhoea and has variable success with people who are constipated. If you have tried this diet then a dietitian who is knowledgable can perhaps suggest other diets to try depending on your medical history. Have you checked out the IBS Network Self Care plan? I have attached a link for you

http://www.theibsnetwork.org/the-self-care-plan/

the next link is the area on bloating

http://www.theibsnetwork.org/the-self-c ... et-relief/

Click the link on FODMAPs and this will give you links if you want to see a dietitian. I hope this helps - I am not sure about your bad breath, some people with IBS do get reflux symptoms - not sure if this might be a cause, perhaps one of the doctors on here can help

Hi,

As you have ruled out most of the common causes of bad breath - mouth breathing, oral hygeine, tooth and gum disease and constipation, but you have a lot of gas in your gut, I wonder if you might have bacterial overgrowth of the stomach and small intestine. This might occur because an infection in your stomach is inhibiting acid secretion or because you have some stagnation in the upper gut. Ask your doctor to check if you might have helicobacter pylori or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. . .

Hi there, many thanks to Dr Read & Dr Thompson for the advice, will take this forward and speak to my GP (again), and hopefully things will improve, will keep you posted. Thanx