Two of the most common overlapping complaints in people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and food sensitivities. Now, research is beginning to identify a sub-type of IBS that's actually linked to food intolerance.
About.com IBS Guide Barbara Bradley Bolen has a great blog on this study: Atopic Bowel & Food Sensitivities.
Here are some more resources for you, whether you're living with these problems or suspect you may have them:
Do you believe your food sensitivities are related to IBS? How do you manage your IBS or other GI symptoms? Do you suspect food intolerance is making your symptoms worse? Leave your comments below!
Learn more or join the conversation!
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When my yeast overgrowth problem was under control, both my IBS and food sensitivities almost completely went away. It is, however, a chronic problem I live with. If you have these symptoms, it is well worth finding the doctor who will treat this.
Dear Adrienne,
I fortunately do not suffer from IBS, but I deal in my hypnosis practice with many IBS sufferers.
My experiences are in no way scientific or statistically correct, but it seems to me emotional stress is the single most important causing agent, and when people learn better ways of coping with this stress, the IBS symptoms get reduced drastically.
I have written an article about hypnosis and IBS too for those interested, hope it’s okay to point it out here: http://hypnodepot.com/help-with-ibs
Kind regards,
Bob Walsh
I do not suffer from food intolerances or sensitivities nor even IBS in any major way but I do have Gastroparesis (GP). Gastroparesis is a neurological result of damage to the Vagus Nerve or to the ICC’s (Interstitial Cells of Cajal). CFS or more correctly M.E. (Myalgic Encephalopathy) is classified as a neurological disorder.
I was diagnosed with GP at around the same time as I was beset by all my other M.E. /Fibromyalgia symptoms.
I hear of M.E./Fibro people having major ‘digestive’ issues and wonder why more are not diagnosed with Gastroparesis or delayed stomach emptying. This would ‘fit’ with the neurological basis for M.E. perhaps more than ‘reflux’, SIBO or anxiety.
GP is quantifiably testable via gastric emptying scintigraphy.
Stress combined with eating dairy, eggs, gluten, soy or artificial sweeteners (and now it appears sugar and alcohol) make my IBS symptoms pretty unbearable. If I stay to a strict diet and don’t get upset (both are hard to maintain!) I’m okay.
I’ve been tested for yeast problems, but that came up negative (yet sugar sets it off?). There have been times I’ve been able to control my stress levels, but unless I’m eating right my digestive system still goes crazy.
Many doctors in Australia are testing IgG food sensitivities for chronic fatigue and IBS sufferers. IgE testing often misses out on the whole picture that may contribute towards your symptoms.
Once I had been diagnosed and removed from my reactive IgG foods, I noticed a marked improvement within two weeks in regards to my IBS symptoms, mental clarity and overall energy level. I STRONGLY advise sufferers to investigate this model of testing.