Answer Summary

Members shared widely varying experiences with how quickly food triggers a flare, with some reporting symptoms within 10 to 20 minutes while... Read more

Members shared widely varying experiences with how quickly food triggers a flare, with some reporting symptoms within 10 to 20 minutes while others experienced a delayed buildup over weeks before a flare hit. Several members emphasized that triggers can be unpredictable and often aren't what you expect, recommending tools like the low FODMAP diet, food diaries, and the Monash University app to identify hidden culprits such as onions, garlic, dairy, or how food is prepared rather than the food itself. A recurring theme was that hormonal changes, especially menstrual cycles, significantly worsen bowel symptoms for many members, and stress remains a powerful trigger even decades after diagnosis.