I have had similar experience as Newport; also had IBS, and tolerated next to no bread for a long time.
Last year I quit gluten for some months, had good improvements in allergy (sneezing, stuffed sinuses) also some weight loss, similar to Wombat. (you look smashing these days!)
Lately I have experimented with sourdough bread; and I now can tolerate small amounts of it. Especially when combined with good fats. Had a post about it some months ago.