Re: I can't stand this. - HelpForIBS.com Message Boards

I'm sorry you're feeling so bad! It is frustrating, trying to learn how to manage your IBS, especially because it can take a lot of trial and error and time. Since you have IBS-D, you should try taking Imodium until you get stable. A lot of us have used it as a preventive, taking it before an attack. For example, I would take half a dose (1 caplet) in the evenings OR in the morning. If I had an attack, then I'd take another caplet.

You mention this: "I read on this site that if you need to just get your body back into regularity, just eat bread for 3 days and drink water." That's INCORRECT. Actually, that's not Heather's recommendation at all. Breaking the Cycle (aka What to Eat When You Can't Eat Anything) recommends eating soluble fiber foods -- not just bread -- for a few days. So, you could be eating mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, bananas, and (there's a list of soluble fiber foods under IBS Diet FAQs, link is to the left). Chicken broth or chicken breast is also a safe way to get protein during this time. You'll just want to make sure your meals are small and maybe have five small meals a day. For me, when I was starting out, a good meal to have was chicken breast w/ white rice and some cooked carrots. It's not the most flavorful dish, but it was a very soothing, easy to digest meal, especially for someone with IBS-D.

Have you looked at the information on the main site or checked out Heather's The First Year: IBS? These are much better ways to understand the IBS Diet. The boards can be helpful too, but I really feel it's more important to understand IBS and the diet by following one set of guidelines or one "guru" (as some people call her) -- for me, that's Heather.

In the meantime, what kind of fiber are you taking? How were you diagnosed with IBS? If the peppermint tea is not working for you, then just stop taking it. Maybe you can try it later (it really does help with cramping) or a different kind of tea. If you're not using Imodium right now, you should get some. Many GI doctors have recommended that we IBSers use Imodium as a maintenance drug to help control our D symptoms. You don't have to take it forever, but having it and taking it will give you some more confidence to get out or try new foods.

Post Extras

IBS Fitness & Lifestyle

IBS Fitness & Lifestyle