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alcohol as a trigger?

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 2/6/2007 2:19 PM (GMT -7)
I gotta be honest here folks, my recent cycle from c to d has been pretty horrible. I gave up the coffee right off the bat for obvious reason, and I really haven't drank a whole lot of alcohol lately, just a glass of wine here and there. But the stress of it all is really getting me thirsty. As far as triggers go, is this one of the worst ones? I know this all depends on your own symptoms and chemistry and such, but, any thoughts?
Posted 2/6/2007 2:49 PM (GMT -7)
You're right about each one's symptoms and chemistry.... BUT, in general alcohol is a trigger (like caffeine).  I think it also depends on the alcohol.  I can handle small amounts of hard liquor, whereas others can only do wine.  Wine gives me heartburn and beer is a huge no-no as it has too much carbonation and would make me blow up like a blimp.  Others can't handle any type of alcohol.
I guess it's just trial and error.  confused
Posted 2/6/2007 3:08 PM (GMT -7)
A few lucky people find that alcohol actually IMPROVES their IBS symtpoms. As Lil mentioned, though, in general, most people have problems with alcohol. Beer is pretty much a universal no-no as the carbonation gets people, in addition to the alcohol. Wines are kind of iffy, with most people being able to tolerate hard liquors the best (for whatever reason).

Did you give up all coffee, or only "leaded"? De-caf coffee, I have read, actually still has caffeine in it, although considerably less than regular coffee. That can be a source of problems for caffeine-sensitive people, such as myself. Also, while I find that herbal teas and chocolates are tolerable, regular black tea, like Lipton or Luizianne, are too much. The de-caf versions of them, however, are caffeine free and are tolerable to me.
Posted 2/6/2007 6:37 PM (GMT -7)
Alcohol is particularly hard on the colon from everything I've heard and read.

:)
Posted 2/7/2007 7:25 AM (GMT -7)
Thank you everyone, I agree. Wine I think is how I'll go at it for a while but just in moderation. I'm trying out a combo of fiber/calcium pills/actvia to see of my stomach can't start to get back on track. Its just crazy how this latest bout started, it came out of nowhere and is just not going away. I almost miss the constipation because I' was more functioning that way and exercise like yoga and walking always used to help. Right now I'm nervous about being away from the toilet too long. Its not a fun way to be as you all probably know.

Thanks for the support.
Posted 2/7/2007 12:45 PM (GMT -7)
Annabelle :)

If you find you're getting gassy and/or bloated from taking fibre supplements, it's totally normal, stick with it, it will pass it's just your system adjusting to it...I suffered with extra bloat and gas when I first started taking fibre supplements (with plenty of water!!!!) and it lasted about 3 months, but was well worth it because after that 3 months, no more bloat and just regular gas now compared to before I was taking the fibre supplement.

Just start out with a small amount and increase slowly (as in once the initial gas and bloat subsides), that's when you increase in small amounts if necessary.

:)

Posted 2/7/2007 8:28 PM (GMT -7)
Alcohol is definitely a digestive stimulant; when I drink more than a glass or two of wine or beer or whatever alcohol, my rate of diarrhea will double the next day...generally speaking.  Have you tried abstaining completely for two weeks or so? 

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