Cramps/Diarrhea After Eating on empty stomach
Any suggestions? When traveling for several hours or at some event I tend to not eat-going without eating for 6-8 hours. Problem is I'm hungry afterwards and once I eat i invariably get cramps and diarrhea. I assume this is common for IBS sufferers??
Hi
, I can certainly relate to your experience! Sometimes when I'm traveling or I have an important business meeting to attend, I tend not to eat for a long time as well for the sake of avoiding a flare up. But, I find that for me it is not a healthy thing to do in the long run because I end up getting very hungry and fatigued (on top of the IBS symptoms I get depending on what I do eventually eat). One thing I've been trying to do differently is eat small snacks periodically rather than not eat at all. The challenge is finding a variety of snacks that won't trigger my symptoms and will keep me satiated throughout the day.
With that being said, if you would like tips/suggestions for traveling with IBS, here is a link to an article that I think you may find very helpful: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/coping-and-diet/travel-tips-for-ibs-management/.
Also, regarding your question if it is common for IBS sufferers to deal with cramps and diarrhea after not eating for a long period of time: I think it depends on the sub-type. I suffer from IBS predominant-diarrhea (IBS-D), so cramps and diarrhea are typical symptoms for me, whether I'm stressed and/or I ate something triggering. However, there are many who suffer from IBS predominant-constipation (IBS-C) and never really experience diarrhea as a symptom. I hope that answers your question.
Please never hesitate to reach out for support and thank you so much for being a part of this community! Best - Hess, IrritableBowelSyndrome.net Team member
I laughed when I saw in the article to keep MD's contact info handy while travelling. I've NEVER had ANY helpful advice from an MD. Neither GPs nor GI specialist have had any interest in investigating beyond their very basic testing protocols. Maybe an internist referral? I'd have to plead a strong case for it up here. Actually thinking about a chronic problem that doesn't respond to their two or three very basic solutions does not prompt MDs to make further inquiry under Canada's very flawed, very expensive medical scheme. They rule out two or three easy treatable comditions then give up. I applied to visit Mayo Clinic last year but corona fraud travel restrictions created a potentially bankrupting risk of detention on both sides so I cancelled. We have nothing like Mayo Clinic up here. 
I'm sorry to hear all this. It must be so frustrating to not feel seen or heard from the medical community. Hopefully soon things will change with travel and you can get to the Mayo Clinic. I hope you are feeling okay today and having minimal symptoms. Best, Elizabeth (team member)
Travel for me requires fasting period. Very uncomfortable but it avoids instant diarrhea when I break fast. I do better breaking the fast with cereal w banana, yoghurt, eggs - binding foods.
These are good tips. Binding foods help a lot with IBS-D. How have you been feeling lately? -Elizabeth (team member)
Mostly good but flare briefly yesterday - corn in shepherd's pie probably or possibly peppermint tea. I heard the tea was helpful with stomach trouble but maybe not for me. Immodium is effective for me in terms of stopping the D but I'd like to understand what exactly is happening in my stomach/digestion pre-explosion.
