Comprehensive Stool Analysis? IBS Story...

Hello everyone,

Hope you are well and greetings from the UK (Bristol in South West England to be specific!). Sorry for the essay post but I wanted to give this as much background as possible to work out whether or not (considering all the things I have tried) whether it is worth my money and time paying for a Comprehensive Stool Analysis test to get to the bottom of my problem? (Pun intended and lazy..sorry!)

WHEN IT ALL STARTED/POSSIBLE CAUSES

-I took between 8-10 courses of Antibiotics to treat recurrent sinus infections during 2009/2010

-I also took a lot of ibuprofen to help clear my sinuses (as recommended by a doctor)

-I used to binge drink a lot in my early to mid 20's during University and parties. A lot of beer mainly.

-I used to constantly eat hot curry (homemade with a lot of cayenne pepper and other spices) with a lot of Encona Hot Sauce to clear my chest and sinuses

-During the past I have suffered from mild OCD and have had ongoing personal issues with anxiety for which I have had counselling on numerous occasions

EARLY 2012- Diagnosis

-During early 2012 I was diagnosed with IBS due to stomach cramp, stomach growling and gurgling and alternating constipation and diarrhoea.

-Since then I have tried various medications (loperamide, buscopan, fibre supplements, Amitriptyline to name a few) which have not helped and in some instances have worsened my condition.

- During this time I was working full time as a Media Relations Officer. This involved dealing with queries from journalists for a local Council. I found the job very stressful and I often felt this contributed to the symptoms of IBS.

-I saw a private dietician/nutritionist who ran a Gut Fermentation Profile test.Her verdict from the test results was that I may have gut dysbiosis, something caused by an imbalance of friendly bacteria and an overgrowth of yeast.

She recommended Glutagenics ) a probiotic and an anti fungal supplement ). She also told me to avoid wheat, added Sugar and yeast. I didn’t feel as bad; but I didn’t feel as if I was getting any better as I was still having the problems.

2013- No job, No carbs, No…

-At the start of 2013 I was out of work as my contract came to an end. Ironically I was a lot more relaxed and happy. I had a home and living and whilst I could not afford as much before I was ultimately more chilled and happy. This, however, did not lead to a great improvement in my IBS condition itself.

- During the spring/summer period I went on a similar regime to the one your site recommends. I did a bone broth cleanse, fasted for 48 hours and then went onto only eating organic chicken, eggs for breakfast and broth for a week or so.

After this, I went onto a low carb diet; frittata for breakfast; bone broth mackerel and left over veg for lunch and then meat and veg casseroles for dinner. I used to snack on nuts and cheese and also had extra virgin coconut oil and raw sauerkraut as well. Whilst I felt better on this diet initially I found it very hard to maintain long term due to a lack of energy and variation. I couldn’t afford organic meat and eggs and over time I had more digestive problems cropping up on the diet. A dietician I saw also told me that the diet would rob me of a lot of important minerals and vitamins.

2014- Where I’m at now

I am in full time work on a short term contract which will end in 6 weeks time. I have had a lot of time off work due to my stomach and IBS problems. To compound things even more I have also had shoulder and neck pain which has impacted upon my performance at work. I have had chiropractic treatment for this.

I’m now at a point where I am going round in circles with trying to treat this condition. I am still on the glutagenics and also taking a BioCare Probiotic supplement alongside Peppermint Oil capsules, and alverine citrate.

In terms of my diet I try to stick away from sugar, yeast and alcohol. I like to have brown rice with salmon, rice noddle stir frys (meat with low FODMAP veg), sweet potato with meat, porridge oats with no added Sugar jam, gluten/wheat free pasta with tuna. Snackwise I eat Snack Jacks and Nakd fruit and nuts bars.

My main symptoms at the moment are:

Feeling bloated after evening meals

Having a lot of gas (mainly after lunch and evening meals)

General stomach discomfort and occasional growling

An urgency to have a bowel movement first thing in the morning (this is often a lot..formed but a lot of it and often smells bad)

In the evening it changes to feeling constipated. If I do pass a stool it requires effort and I feel the need to strain. The stools are often thin and several of them.

I wake every night to urinate; usually at least once and often twice

Sorry this has been such an essay. Any help or pointers in the right direction would be welcome? Would the CDSA test help?



Thanks,



Dan