The IBS Card - Continued

The IBS Card - Continued

Last week we posted a blog regarding the use of IBS cards (Cards such as the 'Can't Wait' card which helps IBS and IBD sufferers to gain access to a toilet, in a store or similar).   Sadly this post did not fully explain our perspective, hence this weeks blog explands upon the original post.

The post was intended to discuss the relative merits of the card, however it was very clear that we had a strong bias and it ended up being a piece that really did not achieve its objective.  So this weeks blog will be a more open explanation of our feelings towards the card, without the pretence of balance.

Valuable 

We received a couple of very well considered comments regarding last weeks post which we feel we should reply to before posting our repost.  One of the comments stated that surely it was better to have the card than to not.  We could not agree more with this sentiment.  The very point of last weeks blog was meant to be about the unique physical and psychological ways that we deal with IBS.  The variation in opinion regarding the card is a case in point.  For some that card will be of great comfort and assistance, therefore its validity is not for us to demean.

We must also say that we have no personal experience of using the card, and therefore are in no position to judge whether or not it works.  We are sure it must do as many people have these cards for IBD, however we have never tried to use the card and therefore can not comment on just how useful it is in a practical setting.

IBS and IBD

The main thrust of the blog came form a discussion with fellow sufferers who did not like the idea.  It must be stated at this point, that IBD sufferers, in particular Crohn's sufferers felt the card to be a great help, there was a big gulf in opinion between IBD and IBS sufferers.  The dislike of the idea came from a small group of IBS sufferers, that does not mean that it in any way represents all IBS sufferers.

It must also be stated that the card was bought up initially in a negative context, and it would be reasonable to assume that some in the group may have simply followed the argument proposed.

Off the fence

The following passage is an entirely personal perspective and goes some way to explaining the bias shown in last weeks post.   This is not derived from any other sufferers, this is my own personal perspective.

The primary motive behind last weeks blog was to highlight the gulf in difference between what works for some and what works for others.  I have suffered IBS from birth with it completely dominating large chunks of my life.  In the last few years I have overcome it, however what has driven me to distraction is the vast levels of poor advice I have read and received over the years.  The advice has been well intentioned, however none of it acknowledged that my IBS may differ from someone else's IBS.

IBS is not one thing.  It is an excessively broad term for a cluster of symptoms, so for any site, or product to claim to cure it, is in my opinion nonsense.  IBS still covers symptoms such as diahorea and constipation, which by and large should not be treated the same way.  As a result of all the years of frustration I can be quite hostile towards anything that does not sit with my world view.

To the card

The IBS card drew my ire, as it instantly made me think that who ever created it, did not understand me or my symptoms.  They did not understand how I felt about my IBS, nor did they understand about the practical reality of my IBS, it put me off the website entirely.  I repeat again here that this is my personal opinion and that the validity or use of the card is not in question, this is my own personal reaction.

When I look for help with IBS or I am looking for comfort, I am looking for empathy and understanding.  I have never been impressed by the medical professions attempts to deal with IBS, Doctors always mean well, however this is a very complex condition.  Therefore I look for the help of fellow sufferers who understand.  

The condition is generally intensely private, I know of few sufferers who broadcast their condition.  This is the key area for me, whilst some may be happy to brandish the card, I would rather spend the time taken to explain the card to locate facilities elsewhere.  The mere thought of having to explain the situation generates anxiety, and when time is the essence a conversation is best avoided.

On a more general level,  I am a private person who shares my condition with few.  I dislike moaning and complaining, I like to get on with life and my IBS is something that I just have to live with.  The card represents a submission of my privacy, few people who do not have the condition truly understand the nature of it, so why should I expect them to.  Whilst I acknowledge that is wrong of me to be embarrassed about my condition, I am, therefore this card does not sit well with me.

On a practical level, as an ex store manager, I would like to know how many companies know about this card and would circumvent their strict security procedures to allow a customer with a card that few would recognise into their staff areas ?  Whilst I understand that some may, I'd be interested to find out how widespread the knowledge is about the card amongst store staff.

Pavlovs Dog

After a life of struggle I can happily say that for the last few years I have been in control of my IBS.  I have not cured it I have managed it.  Not for one second would I say that as a result I have the answers, I have simply found the answer for me.  With help from fellow sufferers I created the IBS-Health.com website as a free resource for sufferers.  Some articles may help, some may not, however hopefully you may discover something that helps amongst all the various opinions featured.

The site was a reaction to the IBS card, for those who felt that it was not right for them either.  The site is written by sufferers for sufferers and the content looks at everything from diet to psychology.  The whole point of this blog, of the website, of everything is to help people to find the best way of living with IBS, if the IBS card works for you, then that is fantastic, if it helps one person or thousands that is wonderful.

IBS can condition you over the course of your life and dominate your day to day thinking.  I let it dictate so much of my life that I am very angry about those lost years, however I am absolutely loving the life I have now that I have it under control, I am evangelical about this.   Whether you use our site, or the IBS card, start making the changes everyday is precious.

 Click here....www.IBS-Health.com

The IBS Card

The IBS Card   -   Good or Bad Concept ?

Whilst researching IBS sites, I chanced upon one which offered an IBS card.  This is a card which can be used when an IBS sufferer needs the bathroom and is intended to move the sufferer to the front of the queue or to ensure that facilities are made available.  Before proceeding, please note that this is not an attack on the website in question, it is more a discussion on the nature of IBS and how sufferers perceive the condition.  The first thing to ask is whether you would carry such a card ?

Given that the card came from a well respected site, I was very surprised.  IBS is generally a very personal and embarrassing condition, thus advertising it with a card seems peculiar.  It is also questionable whether someone in a queue would submit their position in a queue on the basis of such a card.  If you need the bathroom, you need the bathroom, and who is to say that someone else's need is greater than yours.

Whilst IBS is nothing to be ashamed of, it is interesting how we as sufferers feel about the condition.  Without doubt many people would think the IBS card a good idea, although it does sound as though it was created by people who thought it would be a good idea, but did not consult sufferers.  This whole issue really encapsulates the lack of understanding of IBS and what is best for IBS. It also highlights the different needs of sufferers and that it is nigh on impossible to find a standard solution to to the trials and tribulations of IBS sufferers.  It does however reinforce our assertion throughout our website regarding the individual nature of IBS, from the condition itself through to the way we perceive it.

Great Article

IBS- Health.com - Resource Pages

Along with our own guide to IBS, we publish the best articles we discover from around the internet, such as the one seen below here.  we feel it is vital that any sufferer gains as much information as possible as there is so much variation in terms of symptoms that whilst one article may now work for one it certainly will for someone else.  This article comes from the excellent bodykind.com who have many excellent products for IBS.

A new way to manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

A new way to manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is quickly gaining support amongst the medical community, and many IBS sufferers are seeing positive results.

Dr Susan Shepherd, an Australian dietician and researcher, led a presentation on the low-FODMAPs diet last month at the American College of Gastroenterology conference in Washington.

A low FODMAPs diet has been shown to help those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

The theory is that people with IBS have difficulty digesting certain types of carbohydrate, leading to symptoms such as gas, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhoea.

Small studies in the UK and Australia have shown that the diet reduced symptoms in around 75% of IBS sufferers, which makes it a more successful approach than many other dietary or medical interventions. In a controlled study published some weeks ago in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, the low-FODMAP diet improved IBS symptoms in more than 80% of the adults tested (1).

FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligo-, Di- and Mono-saccharides and Polyols. These are a group of short-chain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols present in food. They comprise fructose, lactose, fructans, galactans and polyols.

Certain foods are particularly high in FODMAPs. These include milk and unripened cheeses, which are rich sources of lactose, and wheat and rye which are high in fructans. Sources of galactans and polyols include legumes, some fruits, and sweeteners such as sorbitol and xylitol.

FODMAPS have a number of characteristics which can make them troublesome for those with IBS and other digestive problems.

They are poorly absorbed in the small intestine.

They tend to draw liquid into the gut, affecting movement in the gut.

They are quickly fermented by bacteria in the gut, producing gas and bloating.

The low-FODMAPs diet recommends eliminating all suspect foods for 6-8 weeks, and then gradually reintroducing these foods in order to identify which ones are causing digestive problems.

As the low-FODMAPs diet is rather restrictive, it is advised that those with IBS should only follow the diet under the guidance of a qualified health practitioner.

There are some potential drawbacks to the low-FODMAPs diet, which can be overcome with a little careful planning. For example, those restricting FODMAP foods should be sure to include other sources of fibre in their diet. Fibre is an important nutrient for bowel health, and this can be provided by grains such as quinoa and rice, as well as well-tolerated fruits and vegetables.

The FODMAP diet also excludes many ‘prebiotic’ foods, which help to feed good bacteria in the gut. Good bacteria help to produce vitamins, support the immune system and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. It may therefore be helpful to include probiotic supplements or probiotic foods in order to help boost levels of good bacteria in the gut.

Written by Nadia Mason, BSc MBANT NTCC CNHC

References

1. Staudacher HM et al. Comparison of symptom response following advice for a diet low in fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPs) versus standard dietary advice in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. October 2011. 24(5):487-495


http://www.ibs-health.com/new%20way%20to%20manage.html