My IBS Triggers, Part 1

By Shannon Grantham

2 min read

Over the years I have spent countless hours trying to find which foods trigger IBS for me. More often than not this caused me more stress than it did help. I am one of those anomalies I guess. Depending on the day, something I ate one day with no issues can cause issues the next. For me, this was a breaking point.

Trying to find the source of my IBS

I’ve spent the better part of the last 10 years trying to find the source of my IBS. After having procedures done, tests ran, and the many diets I have been on I was given the diagnosis of IBS-D. I was told this is just something you have to live with. Managing symptoms, trying to live stress-free, and eat a low-trigger diet. I have read all the books I can find. I have read all the medical journals I can find as well. The consensus has been from my doctors “we just do not know why you have the problems you do.”

IBS treatments (or crutches)

For 9 years I just used Imodium to help with diarrhea. I would reach the max dosage daily most of the time. Over the last few years, it became my crutch. I couldn’t work without taking it due to spending the majority of my time in the bathroom. My managers had a hard time understanding my need to go so often. I would try to avoid the bathroom as much as possible on my “good” days.

My food and symptoms diary

I took the advice I have seen so often given to IBS sufferers. Food log - symptom log - keep track of everything you put in your mouth. Apparently, I have one of the more severe cases. That’s my luck, right? Everything and nothing can set me off. I am so glad I am one of the few like me. This is something I would not wish on anyone.

Learning more about my IBS

Over the years my body has been stuck in what has been explained to me as “starvation mode.” Looking at me, you would think that sounds crazy. To add to my fun life I have Hashimoto (thyroid condition) as well. This makes it super hard to lose weight but really easy to gain. My body moves food so quickly through my system that anything that I actually digest my body turns straight to fat (thanks to starvation mode).

There is hope for those like me. It has taken me years to get here but I am a fighter. I will not give up and throw in the towel so easily. Keep hope and never give up looking for things that will work for you.

Stay tuned for part 2!

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The IrritableBowelSyndrome.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
I think the most frustrating part of IBS is the issue with food. Sometimes there really is no rhyme or reason which makes it so difficult to try and control. -Elizabeth (team member)
uliana Member
You are not the only one. My case is exactly the same. There are good and bad days. Flare-ups can be as long as 15 days and there is no tracking of what food causes it. I can eat almost everything when I am in remission and have no problems and get diarrhea and nausea from drinking water during flare-ups. When I have bad days I have no appetite and barely eat a bowl of rice a day (if I push more I can throw up), and when I feel a bit better, I can add a boiled egg. This can go for 10 days before I feel go back to normal eating. It is very depressing to live like that but nothing I can do for now. I hope there will be some sort of medication soon..
1. Kelly Dabel, RD Community Admin
 Appreciate you sharing Uliana. Hope this reminded you that you are not alone here. Best, Kelly, <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net' target='_blank'>Irritablebowelsyndrome.net</a> Team Member
constipatedguy13 Member
Cheese
explodingguts Member
Mine is not as bad as yours but yes, I live on Immodium, and, if I have to go on a long walk or drive, I fast. I removed a huge source of stress when I relocated from a suburb I hate b/c of its brain-dead planning that allowed parks but no public washrooms for miles and, it must be said, a frequently unhappy marriage. I found myself a bolthole in my old hood so that I can now walk for hours at the beach knowing there are plenty of public toilets along the way. I return to family on weekends to do some cooking and gardening - the best of all worlds. It's too late for divorce so no point unjustly enriching the legal profession but living alone is truly a joy. I've identified most citrus and tomatoes as triggers but I still need a splish of fresh lemon with my vodka and tonic. Away from the negativity I seem to need fewer of these, which may also be helping. But since I got my own sweet place, my guts have responded with calm. One problem still, however, is like muscle memory. The body remembers a stress response that must be actively un-learned and replaced with a relaxed "Nothing is wrong - there are plenty of bathrooms everywhere - all is well" response. It requires conscious effort whenever I leave home. The long walks are helping a LOT as is shopping and cooking for one. Not everyone can afford to do this, I know. But I found myself contemplating an assisted suicide order b/c life truly was not worth living. Radical thought and action were needed. Once you've suffered anything as crucial as exploding diarrhea you and your body and spirit have learned to live in fear and dread. Unlearning it is the challenge, but it only comes when the diarrhea becomes at least predictable. From there, you've got a chance. I'll say this: I do a lot less cooking and more fasting these days and I get more of the exercise I was unable to take b/c of that awful suburb without toilets.
1. Sam Costa Member
 Hi <inline-mention user-id="2321200" username="explodingguts"/> -- I remember our chat about your former living situation and how unhappy you were. I'm glad you have narrowed down your triggers, found walking helpful, and are living in an area you feel safer (and closer to toilets)! Thanks for sharing your tips about exercise. I hope things continue to look up for you. - Samantha, <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net' target='_blank'>IrritableBowelSyndrome.net</a> Team
2. explodingguts Member
 Thank-you, Sam. It was a tough decision b/c spouse is ill, but it was a good decision. We are still tight, etc. Sometimes you win one.
CommunityMember273 Member
I totally feel you,, Ive had IBS most of my life,, used to be IBS -C now its IBS -D,, Ive read articles that say it can change over time for those of us who have had IBS our whole lives, or for a length of time.. I spent many years trying to find out how to treat IBS, researching all the articles, medical journals, and making the mistake of thinking doctors know anything about it.. its a go to crutch diagnosis I think when they cant find any obvious thing such as Crohns or ulcerative colitis,, in my humble opinion, I believe some people actually can have disease activity, such as Crohns or Ulcerative colitis but it wont show up right away on tests,, I was finally diagnosed with U.C> about a year ago, but Ive had the symptoms for years and years... Finding the right diet is a crap shoot a lot of the time, it changes for me a lot as well, what safe foods work for days or even weeks all of a sudden cause pain and discomfort , we have to be fighters indeed, and encourage one another , which this site helps us to do.. 
1. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 So sorry you were diagnosed with UC! I was diagnosed with Crohn's and IBS at the same time ten years ago. Just so you know we have our sister site dedicated to UC and Crohn's. Here is the link: <a href='https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>inflammatoryboweldisease.net</a> -Elizabeth (team member)