When Does IBS Get Better?

[Obreezy]

I'm about 8 months out from treatment (3 rounds total of antibiotics). Over the first 6 months I gradually improved, but I feel like in the past 2 months things have been slowly going downhill. I feel bloated all the time and foods that used to be "safe" are now giving me problems. I'm really frustrated and wondering if I'll ever get back to normal.

How long did it take you guys to no longer have problems with PI-IBS?

What are some things you cut out of your diet that seemed to help?

Any other advice to help with managing symptoms/recovering?

Thanks!

[beth22]

It varies from individual to individual, but my GI said 1 to 1.5 years. Sugar and gluten are things that some people cut out and it helps. I had SIBO after c diff that complicated things. Your symptoms sound similar. Ask your Gi about SIBO. There is a breath test that you can take to see if you have it.

[georgina]

The elimination diet (FODMAP diet) is often used to find out witch foods agree with you , check it out.

[D1dad]

Are you taking probiotics?

[Obreezy]

Thanks for the replies.

Beth, hopefully that means I’m about halfway there. I might cut out gluten as part of the FODMAP diet in a couple weeks. I’ll also keep SIBO in mind. Is that typically treated with more antibiotics? I’m kind of horrified of taking them again lol

Georgina, I’ve read about the FODMAP diet before and plan on trying it out next month if things don’t improve (I have a weird living situation in August that makes it hard to cook for myself). About how long do people stay on that before they start to add things back in?

D1Dad, I used to take a ton of probiotics and I think they made me feel worse. For the past few months I’ve eaten 1 greek yoghurt per day and occasionally had some Kefir. This past week I’ve cut both out hoping that would improve my symptoms.

[D1dad]

That’s where I’m going as well. My GI wanted me to take it for a month or so after and had no issues longer if they were tolerated. I was started to get bloated after taking it for going on 5 months and todays day 1 without it. I must say I’m feeling pretty well, even better without it.

[Ril]

For some people IBS can last longer and in that case there are medications that can help with it, from simple antispasmodics to more complex medications. I have taken several different medications to help me which have made my life tolerable but that hopefully may not be the case with you. My GI has cited different studies which are not conclusive as to the time it can last....
SIBO is typically treated with a 2 week course of xifaxan, which also works sometimes works with IBS also. But IBS is more likely the culprit- check with your GI in any case.

[georgina]

The elimination phase is for 6 weeks , after that you start adding the foods back into your diet one at the time. It is not advised to add more then one because if you get a reaction you won't know witch food provoked it.