Hi Folks,

I have had IBS for a good few years now and, although not painful, it is very unpleasant. It has been suggested that the IBS may be the result of my anxiety disorders. But, I am also concerned that alcohol may aggravate the problem. What I'm hoping to do here is to explore the link (if any) between alcohol and IBS. Having just done a quick trawl of the internet, it appears that the medical establishment is not in agreement with there being a link between the two. If you're interested, please take a look at this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/chat_ibs.shtml

It's not made easy for the layperson as there are those doctors that imply the opposite:

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/fac ... ecolon.htm

I fully appreciate that this is not a subject for discussion at a dinner party - but, I would be interested in hearing from other members on this subject. I'd also be interested to hear of any treatments that have been shown to be effective against IBS. For the record, I have found that peppermint oil can be beneficial. I have also just begun a course of treatment with Buscopan.

Anyone care to contribute?

V.

Hi Virgil. I can only offer anecdotal evidence. My sister has terrible IBS - to the point some days that she can't leave the house. Her medical team are divided on it - as usual. Some say anxiety, some general stress, some say diet. She's been taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds for years and this has had no effect on the IBS. Of course she drinks a lot and refuses to experiment with food to see how different things effect her. By her experience I would say that what goes in effects what comes out. Food and drink are KEY IMO. So many people have sensitivities to wheat, soy, milk and all dairy, eggs, nuts etc. that it really is worth while to experiment.

Have you thought of doing white rice for 3 days to calm your gut, then adding foods in single doses? It's not so bad!! Of course the alcohol is going to screw this up...but but but.

Homemade chicken broth - strong enough that it jells is very very very good for the gut. Drinking aloe vera juice (pure) is also a gut healer. Eating very small portions often throughout the day can also help. Sipping a glass of 2 tbs organic apple cider vinegar in 2/3 cup of water after meals is also helpful. Good luck!

Hi Virgil
There is evidence of a link between irritable bowel and trauma/PTSD and given that often people who are traumatised self medicate using alcohol then one can see the link. Google 'Trauma and irritable bowel' and you will find interesting stuff -including a study on its prevalence amongst gulf veterans. I'm afraid i tried to post the link but couldn't manage it.
SBTS

Hi BGH and SBTS,

Well, it's looking like I'm the only member of this community who suffers with IBS! Oh, well.

I value your feedback and I'm interested in the link between IBS and trauma - will check it out.

Best regards.

V.

A very interesting thread, I had been considering starting one a week or two ago about how alcohol affects digestion, because it seems to mess mine up so very much.

Looking at the list of symptoms of IBS, I seem to have quite a few of them. When I was abstinent everything was much, much better, so I'm certain it's the alcohol. In particular, the stronger (more acidic?) the alcohol the worse the symptoms the next day. Lager doesn't seem to make things too bad, but wine really affects me.

Hi 8,

Thanks for the feedback. I am particularly interested in your comment relating alcohol strength with next-day symptoms. And, of course, your comment about wine is pertinent as I am primarily a wine-drinker. Although I love a cold glass of lager on a warm, summer's day (!), white wine is my all-round favourite. I hardly touch red wine as, for me, it's the stuff that hangovers are made of. And, canned/bottled beer is inclined to inflate me like a hot-air balloon if I have too much. But, then again, I like a good pint of bitter at a pub - no gas, so it's easier on the stomach. There's a place near to where I live that has Gale's HSB - I never turn that down!

Regarding your first sentence, that's one of the reasons why I am now starting to take supplements seriously.

All my best.

V.

Virgil, we seem to be having more and more in common. Wine is my drink of choice and I too have IBS. If I drink too much I have many gastro symptoms and that is basically my hangover, horrible. I have tried everything and haven't a clue as to what helps and what doesn't. I get gastritis at the drop of a hat and especially when I take vitamins without enough food.