I was only diagnosed with IBS a year ago. Since keeping a food diary I have also found oranges and tomatoes and citrus based fruit aggravates me and also veg such as cauliflower and broccoli. With a fissure, as I have discovered over the past few weeks, this is difficult!! I tried fybogel (which you can get from boots) but it didn't agree with me. However I have swapped from buscopan a week ago and am using mebeverine instead which has really settled my wind and cramps! Also started taking probiotic acidophilus (which you can get from Holland & Barratt) which has helped. Stool softener, I'm using a VERY small amount of lactulose which is helping and using rectogesic ointment for the fissure. My doctor is arranging an appointment with a dietician so i will let you know if anything comes of it. Can you ask for some help? Got follow up appointment at the hospital soon hopefully about the fissure. Hope that some of this is helpful, though I know everyone is different :D

I was diagnosed with IBS years ago, I managed to control my symptoms with diet and Peppamint oil capsules. If you look at the Amazon.com reviews, a number of sufferers seem to be reporting good results with them. Has anybody tried them while recovering from fissure surgery? http://www.amazon.com/Peppermint-Gels-90-Now-Foods/dp/B000MZQQQK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308873304&sr=8-1

This is what they have to say on the Mayo Clinic site:
Herbs. Peppermint is a natural antispasmodic that relaxes smooth muscles in the intestines. Peppermint may provide short-term relief of IBS symptoms, but study results have been inconsistent. If you'd like to try peppermint, be sure to use enteric-coated capsules. Peppermint may aggravate heartburn. Before taking any herbs, check with your doctor to be sure they won't interact or interfere with other medications you may be taking.
The heartburn worries me, but it is interesting to read how many have had some relief from taking this.

Thanks have ordered some, and will report back. The other thing I'm finding that helps right now is to have Metamucil after quaker oats (with water). For some reason that seems to calm my stomuch and prevent cramps from starting. Bobcat, Totally relate to the lack of food variety that you can eat right now - I think I'd be lost without my blender.

Well tried one last night and seemed to stop my stomuch from churning with wind. I do have reflux but had no symptoms of heartburn.

Have been to the dietician and what she said was;
1)Limit fruit (which I do!)
2)Have oats (in porridge) and golden linseeds (haven't tried this yet!).
3)Have probiotics, best in activia yoghurt but must be every day for 10 days to see effect.
4)Cut down resistant starches (pulses, green bananas, undercooked potato, oven chips, crisps, potato waffles, processed foods such as biscuits and cakes, ready meals and dried pasta).
I have tried reducing the starches, including green bananas and the potato side of things, plus biscuits and have noticed a big improvement. Hope this helps!! If you need any advice on diarrhoea/constipation I have it :D

Guys, did anyone with IBS have slow healing from their surgery? Asking because I'm getting tested for Crohns tomorrow and I'm wondering if there are any other explanations...

Hey Seattle,
I don't have IBS. NG, Cherylk and a few others had IBS while healing. NG was a pretty slow healer after surgery.
There were several older post with folks who had IBS while healing from surgery. I believe Sidra and Tabby had IBS and both had surgery. You may be able to research their posts...

catnap wrote:Hi Bobcat, I also suffer from IBS. I'm pretty convinced that's why I have a fissure. I tend towards constipation. To manage I avoid wheat and try and eat healthily. Works to some degree but stress will also bring on the IBS so it's circular now - stress = IBS = fissure = more stress etc.

Pretty much my problem. It's like a vicious cycle. Stress + IBS attack and of course, the beautiful fissure re-opens.