My IBS-C and Food Triggers

By CommunityMember9434c9

1 min read

I am 70 years old and I have been dealing with this for 2 years. I have had a colonoscopy and they removed 2 polyps and was also diagnosed with diverticulosis. My mom always had constipation and she ended up getting pancreatic cancer and passed away. It's a fear that I may get that cancer too.

I have to work on my stress and anxiety I know it makes IBS worse. I try to eat healthy but I also have acid reflux and can't eat a lot of foods that are healthy and have lost weight because I feel nauseous after eating. My doctor has me taking omeprazole 2 tables before or after I eat. I started a diary of what foods trigger the gas and bloating and try to stay away from them. A lot of the healthy foods are trigger foods, I like broccoli, apples, grapes, that causes gas and I eat kiwi to help with constipation but it's acidic and I get the sour taste in my mouth with acid reflux. I also have pain in my abdomen after eating not sure what causes that.

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Karina Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="CommunityMember9434c9" user-id="6902385"/> Thank you so much for sharing your story. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this and I'm so sorry about your mum. For what it's worth, IBS has not been linked to an increased risk cancer: "Compared with the general population, IBS does not increase the overall risk of cancer." Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35130187/ I completely understand your struggle with healthy eating. I have IBS-D and have dealt with the same thing for years (if you want, you can read about my experience here: <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/diet-struggles' target='_blank'>https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/diet-struggles</a>). In the end, I've realized that healthy food for me is food that does not make me sick, so I just eat the biggest variety of foods I possibly can but also avoid any triggers. For me, this means eating only small portions of vegetables and always cooking them, for example. The food diary is a great idea! Have you tried prunes and dates for constipation instead of kiwi? I'm wondering if they might be better for your acid reflux. We have an article about them here: <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/prunes-dates-constipation' target='_blank'>https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/living/prunes-dates-constipation</a>. Magnesium supplements also seem to help some people. As for stress and anxiety, I can really relate. My IBS-D is triggered by my anxiety more so than by food. Have you found any tools that have helped you so far? For me, gut-directed hypnotherapy and EFT tapping are helpful. Big hugs, Karina (team member)
CommunityMember942884 Member
My experience is same as member 9434c9.I know exactly what you go through.I really think I would have to give up food altogether to be symptom free.Then again that would cause a bad reflux attack.
1. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember942884" user-id="9778193"/> I'm so sorry that you're going through the same thing. Have you been able to find any foods that work for you? I hope your symptoms aren't too bad today. Big hugs, Karina (team member)