Christmas works do and IBS afterwards
I went out for a Christmas dinner last night with some colleagues, and I overindulged on rich food and alcohol. During eating I hiccuped and uncontrollably let out a huge burp that was heard by everyone at the large table. Then as we were coming out the restaurant after we finished, burps kept coming as I passed other people, I had to put my hand over my mouth.
After that I was glad I had done a few burps because I thought it would mean I had got all the gas out and won't get IBS.
But unfortunately it doesn't work like that. As soon as I got home I had indigestion and had to take some antacids which gave me more burps, but when I got into bed my belly wouldn't stop bubbling and groaning and I had to keep sitting up to burp.
Then when I woke this morning I had diarrhoea and a windy belly, and have been farting all day and not feeling too well. The farts had a rotten eggy smell and I had bad pains across my tummy. I was going to go out but I decided to just stay in because I wouldn't have been much company for others.
So I just spent most of the day lying on the couch stroking my tummy with my hands and letting off these disturbingly stinky farts.
It's Sunday night now and although my tummy is less painful now I'm still farting. I just hope I feel okay by the morning as I have work again.
I'm so sorry that you're dealing with all these symptoms after your Christmas dinner. This has happened to me so many times. 🙁 Has it gotten any better since you posted this?
I'm also wondering if you've ever tried taking activated charcoal in situations like these? For me, taking it right after a potentially unsafe meal often helps me avoid symptoms altogether. It can also help relieve bloating and discomfort afterward (although not as effectively as when I take it right away). I've written about it here: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/bloating-remedy-charcoal if you're interested.
Wishing you quick relief,
Karina (team member)Oh yes....any "Christmas do" of any kind is going to be the most evil enemy of IBS !
I remember my first Christmas with IBS. I ate two tiny mince pies at lunchtime one day on the run up to the festivities, and as I had done every year, I enjoyed every bite of them. Then when I had an absolutely rotten belly the day after, I could NOT understand why two mince pies had done that to me !
(all that rich fruit and spice filling of course.)
It takes a while in my opinion, to adapt to the dietary restrictions of IBS.
It took me a while indeed to realise I couldn't eat so many things I had been able to eat all my life.
Basically, there is not one "Christmas food" I dare go near. I have to stick to my usual gut friendly foods. Those are really healthy foods, not junk, but very plain and simple. No sauces, spices, pepper, onions, garlic, satsumas, dried fruits, cream, trifle, mince pies, and just about everything people have at Christmas.
I am sure your tummy will settle in a few days if you eat very plain and simple (probably low fibre?) foods, and drink plenty of water or mild milk free teas.
I hope you find foods that do suit you. If eating out that can be hard to do, but not always! Some eateries can prepare very simple foods sometimes if asked. Otherwise, there are sometimes options on the menu already which might suit. You can even request that they leave out dressings/sauces/etc if you find that those upset you. Many restaurants will cater for people with food intolerances if asked.
Peppermint tea might settle your tummy? Or food grade peppermint oil (one or two drops in a cup of just boiled water and sip like a tea.)
