I’m just over halfway through my second Symprove trial and so far, apart from an incident where I inhaled a whole Aero bar in one sitting, I’ve been fine. It’s a miracle.
Actually, I’d say more than fine. For the first time in ages I haven’t been constantly bloated. Sure, my stomach still balloons if I eat a trigger food, go OTT on the booze or totally pig out, but for once I kinda feel like I’m control. Which I can tell you makes such a change. It’s nice to be able to eat a meal without the need to unbutton your jeans after. The one thing I will say is that my stomach always tends to get worse just before and then during ‘that time of the month’, but at least I know to expect it.
Diet wise, I’m finally in a good place. I swerve dairy (except a smidgen of butter), gluten and wheat and stick to oats, fresh veg, rice and potatoes – I’m a vegetarian during work hours. I stick fairly close to the FODMAP diet but am pushing it with some veg that I can’t say no to, garlic, peas and mushrooms being just three of them. Every now and then I’m tempted to order a juicy takeaway pizza but refrain. I’m finally at a place where I no longer feel like I’m missing out because the reality of my IBS kicking off for one slice of pizza is just not worth it.
What I hadn’t realised until recently is that the medication I’m on as a migraine preventative, Amitriptyline, is also meant to help IBS symptoms. And that’s one thing I definitely need to look into some more.
One other thing I’m loving at the moment is Samantha’s blog, The Beautiful Mouth, in particular her first vlog where she candidly talks all things IBS, you can watch it here. She’s a regular commenter in the Symprove community Facebook group and has inspired me to want to help break the taboo and join the IBS wellness resolution. I’m ready.
This post is written in collaboration with Symprove.
Read More About My Struggle with IBS:
My IBS Update: Back on Symprove
What to Do When an IBS Attack Strikes
Everything You Wanted to Know About IBS But Didn’t Want to Ask
How to Make the Best Tasting Water Kefir Probiotic
The Reality of Making Your Own Probiotic
Making My Own Probiotics: The Brew Factor
IBS Then and Now: My 12 Week Symprove Review
IBS: A Quarter of the Way Through My Symprove Trial and Feeling Tickety Boo
How I Deal with My IBS on a Daily Basis
8 Reasons Why Living with IBS Sucks Big Time
3 IBS-Friendly Breakfast Recipes to Try This Weekend
Read More in the Living With IBS Series:
Living with IBS: Laura’s Story
Hi Jo! I am on about week 15 of Symprove and had seen so much improvement over the 12 weeks it made me really happy. For some reason the bloating has got really bad again so I am sticking to the full dose for the foreseeable future!! My fingers are crossed for you that you continue to feel good on it x