Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Seoulman69]

I've been in Korea for 5 years and in the last 2 years I have started suffering from IBS. I can't eat any spicy food any more because it upsets my stomach.
Is there any body else out there suffering?

[soomin]

I have IBS, too... too spicy or greasy or cheesy, or any alcohol makes me really sick... ;.; Have you gone to an internal medicine doctor (내과)? They are way cheaper than in the States and can give you medicine that is much better than in the pharmacies... You can also get checked out to make sure you don't have a more serious problem. I got a colonoscopy/endoscopy and it was less than 200,000won. In the States when I had them, it was well into the thousands, even with health insurance x.x; Especially if you have any bleeding, they will really push you to get this procedure done. It's not as bad as it is in the States, but it is never fun T.T Also, they say you don't need anyone to take you to/from the procedure, and this is true. You will feel really, really sick going and coming, but after a day or two of rest, you'll be fine. I had my appt. on a Saturday afternoon so Saturday morning was prep time (bleh, the absolute worst part), and Saturday afternoon/evening and Sunday I could rest and be whiny, lol. The procedure only takes... 20 minutes to an hour, depending on if there's a problem, so a friend would probably be easily bribed to come with you~ ^.^


I've tried a lot of medicines for IBS and I use 로페리드 for stomach upset, and heartburn medicine that comes in greenish-black pouches. I don't really recommend the Gaviscon liquid packs... they're expensive and don't really work, at least, not for serious heartburn problems like acid reflux.

The best thing is to go on a detox for a week or two... Eat bland foods like white potatoes (no cream/milk/butter) and chicken breasts(no skin), bananas, white rice, toast, and such. Remove all potential trigger foods:greasy foods, whole grains, spicy foods, dairy products, raw fruits and vegetables, caffeine, nuts and seeds, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners, and chocolate until your system is back to normal. Then you can slowly add these things back in, one at a time. You can find what your trigger foods are and avoid them in the future ^.^

It's a lot of work to begin with, but it's so much better than being sick all the time T.T Feel better!!

[Seoulman69]

Hi Soomin. Thanks for the reply. I have Iberogast which I use to ease any stomach pains. Today I missed work because of an upset stomach. It's actually rather depressing. I don't have any bleeding but I will keep in mind your advice about a colonoscopy.
I try to avoid spicy and greasy food as much as possible but sometimes I feel a bit rude refusing food from people.
I will try your detox suggestion and see how it goes.
Out of interest are you Korean/Gyopo? I have a lot of Korean friends but they don't really know about IBS. Iron stomachs I guess.

[roguefishfood]

My bizarre experience: My GI issues have gotten much, much better since I came to Korea. I don't eat any healthier, in fact I eat more sugary, greasy, fatty, spicy food... so sadly I can't tell you what I am doing right or why. Certain symptoms aren't going anywhere, but the worst of it vanished within about two weeks of arrival and what's left may be annoying, but is harmless.

I wish you the best of luck.

[soomin]

[FMPJ]

Fecal transplants have been proven effective.

People have successfully done this at home, even.

[Steelrails]

I love how right below this thread is one about Japanese scientists making food from poop...

[Kuros]

I had problems with eating Kimchi, which I found delicious but hard on the intestines. But the worst problems I had were with the alcohol. Stay away from Korean beers.

[Swampfox10mm]

Can't hear about IBS without a chuckle and thoughts about, "The Ladykillers."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpuZ_dmFX14