IBS Messageboards posts from today

Re: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (Eating for IBS Diet Discussion Board)

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:39:03 -0700

I have been on PPIs off and on almost since they came out. As much as I hate having to take it, it's the only thing that controls my GERD.

MY personal experience: I have not had any adverse GI effects from Prilosec - this is the one I continue to take and it works for me about 95% of the time (I'll occasionally have to take an evening dose of Zantac for that other 5%). No side effects from Prevacid, either, but it doesn't work for me. Nexium, on the other hand, worked great but gave me horrible abdominal pain and cramping. HTH!

Re: Brown Rice, Soluble or Insoluble (Eating for IBS Diet Discussion Board)

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:52:21 -0700

If you look at the bottom of each of my posting you will see a signature with a bit of information about me and the title of three articles about IBS and diet. If you click on the title you will be presented with the article as found on the web.

The FODMAP approach has it roots in Australian clinical research on the role of diet to manage functional bowel disorders like IBS. The investigators found that individuals like us avoid certain foods even though many GI doctors tell us that food doesn't make a difference to IBS symptoms. They found that the problem foods are rapidly fermented by colonic bacteria producing gas and other things that can trigger IBS symptoms. These foods also fall into 5 general categories collectively called FODMAPs which is an abbreviation of a complicated scientific name of the food groups.

Since the announcing their findings from large clinical trials and other trials such as a recent one in the UK found similar results i.e. 70-80% reduction in GI symptoms.

Unfortunately, most authors who are translating the research findings into information for public consumption ignored the warnings of the Austrilian investigators. They say the FODMAP approach works best if common stimulants like caffeine, alcohol, high fat and high insoluble fiber foods are reduced or eliminated and soluble fiber foods increased. Heather's diet does an excellent job of dealing with these fundamentals.

Anyway - ask lots of questions. There are many knowledgeable individuals on the board

Re: Brown Rice, Soluble or Insoluble (Eating for IBS Diet Discussion Board)

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:21:50 -0700

Hi - hang in there, the hypno program should work wonders. Take that with you on your trip and listen to it whenever you feel stressed. Check the travel chapter in the First Year for additional tips and tricks.

I'd start with the general Eating for IBS guidelines and see how you do. It's a faster, easier way to begin and ideally you won't need to get any more complicated than that.

Do make sure you get a firm diagnosis. Have them check you for celiac, which is often overlooked. Full diagnostic info is here http://www.helpforibs.com/footer/ibs.asp

Avoid the trigger foods for sure. Be careful with insoluble fiber, and have a soluble fiber foundation. You don't have to avoid whole grains but be careful. Whole wheat is a tough one - sourdough is much safer. Check here for wheat info http://www.helpforibs.com/diet/faq.asp#wheat

You can still eat healthy and keep IBS under control. It's as much about how you eat as what you eat.

Benefiber is wheat dextrin - should be okay. It's not organic and I don't know if it is prebiotic. Start at a low dose and increase gradually. There's full info about fiber supplements for IBS here http://www.helpforibs.com/supplements/sol_fiber1.asp

XXOO
Heather

Re: Brown Rice, Soluble or Insoluble (Eating for IBS Diet Discussion Board)

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:13:59 -0700

Thank you so much for responding to my post! And an extra thanks for answering the Almond Milk question... That has been difficult for me to find on my own I apologize though, I don't understand what you are mean.. "FODMAP diet discussed in the first two links in my signature"... Haha, no idea what that means but it is interesting that you mention FODMAP because I just replied to Heather's post on my issue of brown rice, where I mentioned reading another book, "IBS Free at Last" & the FODMAP elimination diet... Needless to say I'm confused about what I should be eating but I am writing everything down & hope to see a pattern emerge.

I think I really need to read Heather's Eating for IBS book!

Thank you so much for your input!

Re: Brown Rice, Soluble or Insoluble (Eating for IBS Diet Discussion Board)

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:05:38 -0700

Wow! Heather! Thank you for responding... I certainly never thought I would get a reply from you but I am so grateful. I must say that I am starting to get a little overwhelmed. I have always had stomach issues & only realized recently when talking with my husband (who is a medical doctor) that what I experience is not "normal"... I never talked about it & unfortunately only started connecting the dots once I could no longer hide my anxiety attacks. I can't determine if they were being caused by my stomach issues or were my stomach issues causing the anxiety?? I still don't know but I can say a few years ago I started to question if IBS was in fact a possibility & came across your wonderful site. It took me a long time to address what I've been experiencing but since I've had no success on my own, I became very interested in the diet you suggest. I just ordered the hypnosis cd's that came with the "The First Year" book & I haven't been able to put it down. I have not received an official diagnosis but am working on seeing a Gastrointerologist asap. We are traveling outside of the US this summer & I am a complete mess at the thought that I may have an issue while either stuck on a long flight or riding a tour bus that doesn't stop often for bathroom breaks. Back to the diet, I was afraid if I ordered your diet book, I may not get it as quickly as I would like so I went on Amazon.com to see if they offered your book in a Kindle version. They do not But I did come across another book on IBS diet that I did download... It's called "IBS Free at Last" & talks about FODMAPS...? I'm learning but I can honestly say I'm more overwhelmed than ever. Some of the things you recommend avoiding, her book recommends during the "elimination phase. I honestly don't know what I should eat... It is so tough, I am very willing to give up what is suggested just to see if my symptoms calm down but I'm so used to eating whole grains, & lots of healthy choices that it almost seems wrong to eat a turkey sandwich on sourdough bread...Is that a source of soluble or insoluble fiber? Or neither? Also, is Benefiber a good choice?

Re: Brown Rice, Soluble or Insoluble (Eating for IBS Diet Discussion Board)

Wed, 16 May 2012 11:01:46 -0700

Hi - brown rice does have the bran (that's the brown part) which is insoluble fiber. But it tends to be one of the most tolerable whole grains for IBS (cornmeal, oatmeal, and quinoa are some others). Try it cautiously and see how you do. If you're not sure, stick to white rice. That is simply brown rice with the bran, and thus the insoluble fiber, removed.

You can also cook white/brown rice together for a mix. Wild rice is higher in insoluble fiber, and not as tolerable. You can mix that with white rice too, though, and see how you do.

If you're uncertain, stick to white rice. If you're stable, try adding in a bit of brown rice and see how you do. IBS has lots of shades of gray, and your tolerance to foods will vary depending on how your IBS is doing at the time. Be more careful when you're touchy, or traveling, or stressed out, etc. When you've been stable a while, and life is calm and happy, you will likely have more flexibility.

XXOO
Heather

Re: Food Intolerances (Eating for IBS Diet Discussion Board)

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:24:26 -0700

Syl, I will

Already I am seeing benefits.

I have stopped eating apple, dropped the bread I used to eat, cut the chocolate powder I used to mix with rice milk. For porridge I drink rice milk with sago � quite tasty! I have also reduced my fruit intake from about 4 servings to 2. Also I eat every 2 hours smaller portions. My waistline has reduced and the motions are not very loose except if I choose the wrong foods.

My wife has a tough time keeping up with my demands, but as she is a good cook, I am among the lucky few Till she takes a vacation without me Then also, she packs food in small plastic bags in the freezer!!

I take soluble fibre before a restaurant meal. I drink peppermint teas when required or take immodium when it is too much.
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IBS-D, Over 50+