Almost forgot! Today is 9 months no D!!!!
#111761 - 10/09/04 07:04 PM
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LauraSue
Reged: 01/14/04
Posts: 4812
Loc: New York City
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I have now made it a full 9 months since my last attack of D! I've had some rumbling and GERD since then but none of the debilitating D so bad I'd be wiped out the whole next day that I was getting once every 2-3 weeks.
How'd I do it? Easy as 123!
1. Heather's diet
2. Soluble fiber supplement
3. Meds
Eating frequent small meals is key. Having a soluble fiber food with EVERY meal or snack is key (no I haven't gained weight).
My meds are a prescription antispasmodic called Bentyl (generic name dicyclomine) that I take EVERY day. The prescription said as needed so I was just taking it when I felt my tummy going bad. When I told my doctor that in a follow up visit, he told me to take it every day. That has made all the difference. Second med is over the counter antigas like Gas-X or Phazyme. Again every day as preventive. And the final piece to the puzzle was learning to take Imodium at the first sign of the teenseyist gurgle, aggressively rather than reluctantly.
But I can't stress enough how important Heather's diet is. All the SFS and meds in the world wouldn't help if I still were doing things like:
eating pizza
eating red meat
skipping meals
eating salads with no bread
drinking alcohol
eating raw veggies
eating ice cream
eating whole grain foods with no cushion
eating beans without Bean-O
eating what I'm served to avoid hurt feelings
eating an appetizer AND dessert when we go out to dinner
telling myself oh I'll be okay just this once
eating popcorn by itself
eating fried foods
and many many more. So it works if you work it! Come on, everybody, if I can do it, so can you! Oh, BTW, it took me since 1999 to get stable, so don't get discouraged if you don't get there overnight, but don't give up either. I didn't find this website until January of this year (coincidently when I got stable) or I would have got the D under control much sooner. And I could have an attack tomorrow out of the blue. But that's okay because now I know how to get back on track right away.
Bless everybody's heart that lives with this darn disease every day. I hope we all get our just rewards in the next life cause we sure do deserve them!!
SMOOCHES to all!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Congrats Laura! It took me 15 yrs to get stable! I'm in my 7th month of no attacks doing pretty much what you are doing but no bentyl needed. 
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You have it all figured out. It is perfect! You are soooo good. I also took Bentyl off and on for years until I figured it all out. Now I don't take any meds.
I play-I pay.
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Laura, that is MOST impressive! I hope to make it to 9 months one day. Thanks for the tips too.
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LS, congratulations! You are a beacon of hope! You really hit all the excuses on the head, there. I saw myself in a few of them and it's made me reflect. It helps to know that what's hard for me is hard for you too. It helps me to know also that you've plowed through all of that and are doing the Right Thing for your body!!! You give me hope!!
Good job!! Happy 9 months!!!!!!!
All my best,
~nelly~
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Heather7476
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You are an inspiration to all of us....Thank you for your constant compassion and wisdom.
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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ALRIGHT LAURASUE - YOU ARE MAKING IT EASIER FOR ME TO SEE DAYLIGHT!
CONGRATS!
Lene 
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God never promised life would be easy, but he did promise to provide a way out!
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Congratulations on 9 months!!! 
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~ Rachel (IBS-C)
If life hands you lemons, make lemonade!!
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What kind of soluble fiber do you take with meals? I usually pop two fibercons.
Also...do you find that Immodium keeps you from going the next day regularly? I am a reluctant immodium taker but lately when I know my stomach is going to be "nervous", like going to work or the stress of leaving my son at daycare, I pop one. IT just gives me a cushion and helps me feel better. The D is under the control but I stil go a lot. I have to get it in my mind that going once or twice is enough and NORMAL. I'm so used to going so much that I think that's normal.
Congrats by the way...that's great and you have a lot more resolve than me. I will get it eventually!
Sandy
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Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom.
I was bad tonight. It's Canadian thanksgiving so I had turkey loaded with mashed potatoes made with milk and lots of gravy!!! I may regret it but man it was TASTY!!!!!!
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Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Hi, Sandy! I'm one of the lucky ones that likes Metamucil! I take three rounded teaspoons a day, one before each meal, mixed in 8 oz of water, and chugged immediately before it gets goopy!
As far as Imodium and regularity, my doctor said that "normal" is anything in a range from twice a day to once every three days. And that exactly describes my experience with Imodium. Sometimes it stops me up for two or three days but with no discomfort. Sometimes I go right on schedule the next morning despite the Imodium. For me the important thing is no D (meaning three in a row each one looser than the last!). Those attacks used to leave me wiped out for 24 hours feeling like you know what!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Laura will you email me? I just found this site and began yaking the fiber and just recieved the books but am a little overwhelmed and confused. Please help me if you can.
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Mary(MiMiLu) I have ibs,diverticulosis,diabetes,
HBP, and a lot of weight to lose.
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Mary, I'd be happy to help you! But I don't always check my email every day, but I do come here every day. So just post a message with my name in the subject line and I'll see it within 24 hours. Besides that way other people can help me help you too!! I get a little fuzzy headed sometimes!!
We were all overwhelmed and confused once! Don't worry, we'll get you on track, no problem!!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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