Need some advice
#170344 - 04/16/05 12:03 PM
|
|
|
|
|
madeline
Reged: 04/14/05
Posts: 9
Loc: New Jersey
|
|
|
HI, it's Barbara again, I sent my first post yesterday and I just can't figure out to see if anyone is responding to me  ... I think I should just do the Heather diet, and no trigger foods, before I give in to my "give up" attitude. Yesterday afternoon I had ONE bite of an apple turnover and had gas and pain for hours!! I just have to ignore my "sweet" cravings.I alreadt know I can not eat red meat. When I was making roast beef Sunday's dinner, with two veggies and buscuits, I was so bloated and full of gas!! This has been 8 months, and since I just can not find a decent dr, I must do the right thing and watch everything that I eat and give it a chance. I am still too afraid to eat during the day. Maybe starting next week I will eat a small bowl of oatmeal at work for lunch. How has everyone else managed thier IBS?? I am sure I have it, but the last dr told me you have IBS told me to take anti depressents and he walked out of the room. I will never take those pills. This is the second dr that,for some reason, won't tell me what to do !! I know its very unhealthy to only eat at night when I am done with work, but, I seem to not need the bathroom during the day anymore. Please, someone, give me some advice! thanks 
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
One more question that I really need answered, if anyone knows the answer  For many, many, years I have not been able to have dairy and chocolate, well, I could have a bit of half and half in my coffee and a tiny of ice cream. Now that I have IBS I can never have dairy or chocolate. Is the usual? I had said that I needed advice to start the IBS diet, but, during the work week I don't eat any trigger foods, sorry, I am just confused on what to do !!!I guess on weekends at night is when I may eat the trigger foods. Sorry, for sounding so dumb 
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
You do not sound dumb! All are valid questions! You cannot tolerate red meat, dairy, coffee, because they are major IBS triggers. Here is a list of how to eat for IBS: web page
Most importantly, you need to get to a doctor that will order a colonoscopy done. It is the only way to tell whehter you have IBS or not. IBS can mimic a lot of other ailments. It is critical that you get a proper diagnosis. Push for it from your Doc. Get a referral to a GI specialist.
--------------------
Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi,I had an colonoscopy in late Sept, as I was waking up the dr said, your fine, have a nice day and she left. I went to a colon specialist in late Dec and late Jan,he was a jerk, told me I had IBS, but wouldnt even talk about food. He said there was no reason to and he wanted me to take anti depressents, which I WONT, then he left the room!! It was my fault for not speaking up!!! I dont know what else to do ,except try the "Heather"diet.It sounds like IBS, food gives me gas and gas pain, need the bathroom, but never had diharrea or consipation. If I ate a bigger meal then I am used to,then of course I suffer.It is 8pm and I haven't eaten since 9am, I am starting to get afraid to eat!!! Thanks for answering, even though I have to e-mail someone to help me find the posts after I post them
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I also must add I went to a second colon specialist about 3 weeks ago, this time my husband came in the room with me. She told me I may have IBS but it could be hormones, which I doubt. She told me to go to a nurtraitionlist, don't think that is my answer. What should I do, try a third doctor????  I know that starving myself is not the answer, but, lately I feel a bit better, well, not that much, but haven't needed the bathroom during the day in about 1 and 1/2 months
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Madeline,
Don't give up just yet....you've come to the right place. Heather is a salvation for all of us with IBS!! Doctor's don't know much about it and don't care to because it is not a curable condition. I would suggest reading Heather's books, especially "IBS-your first year". She has researched IBS for several years and has a world of information about it.
I strongly suggest following her diet to a tee! The last thing you want to do is starve yourself. I know the diet sounds so harsh and like you cannot ever enjoy anything good again, but you need to be strict about it for a few months until you can stabilize yourself. The most important thing to remember is to make sure you have plenty of soluble fiber. Once you stabilize and understand what your body will accept, then you can sneak in only a small amount of trigger foods, but only after you've had enough soluble fiber.
You also mentioned you cannot have milk. I haven't been able to have milk long before I knew I had IBS. I use Silk Soy milk and it is just fine for me. It comes in Vanilla and chocolate flavors. I also buy soy yogurts because I cannot tolerate regular yogurts.
I wish you well Madeline and hope you will overcome your depression. I think once you follow the diet and begin to stabilize, you will feel so much better!!
Keep your chin up 
Carol
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi Madeline,
Welcome to this website, I hope that you find some helpful information here.
If you have not been diagnosed with IBS yet, you should make sure you get a proper diagnosis. You'll have to get a series of tests for them to be able to rule out anything else and confirm that you have IBS.
Okay, so it sounds to me like you are not stable right now so I can understand why even a bite of something would cause your tummy to panic. All of us cheat from time to time, but we definitely need to be at least stable before we can even think about it.
If I were you, I would try starting out on the "What to Eat When You Can't Eat Anything" diet until your tummy is nice and calm, then try adding in some more foods that are safe. If you are bloated, try drinking strong fennel and peppermint tea. Probiotics can also help.
I would definitely try to start eating in the day. Try having small amounts of rice or boiled potatoes or pretzels or something. Drink plenty of water, and herbal teas. Eating smaller amounts of foods frequently will be easier on your stomach.
Also, taking a Souble Fiber Supplement (like Heather's Acacia, or Metamucil, etc) should help with your symptoms. You have to very gradually increase your amount of fiber intake, and your tummy might react a bit at first but it will help in the long-term.
You should eliminate all trigger foods, but that does not mean you can't give in to your sweet cravings every now and again. There are lots of safe deserts that make the diet easier to cope with sometimes like Angel Food Cake, Arrowroot Cookies, Rice Crispy Squares, some candies if you can tolerate them are usually okay in small amounts, sweet breads (see the recipe exchange), canned fruits... There are lots of things we can have that still have sugar in them.
Regarding anti-depressants, that is totally your choice. It's not true that having IBS means you _have_ to go on IBS, the doctor probably meant that MANY people do go on anti-depressants because they have done very well on them. Usually, what will happen is a doctor will put you on an anti-depressant at a _very_ low doseage. Like the doseage for depression on a medication that I got put on was 175mgs, and I got put on 20mgs.. so there is a huge difference. At that level, it responds to a sensor in your stomach and can help with your symptoms. A lot of people with IBS do have problems with anxiety and depression linked to the illness, so your doctor might address that with you as well. It is, however, a personal choice and if you don't want to be on that type of medication it is completely understandable. There are other prescription medications that people have found very effective, and some that haven't so you should ask your doctor about anti-spasmodics or other prescription meds used for IBS.
Good luck, don't hesitate if you have any other questions.
Cheers,
--Steph
--------------------
~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Just so you know, you DID get responses to your first post. Here's the link to what you posted and you can see the replies right below it:
your post
I didn't want you to think nobody heard you! 
--------------------
[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
THANK YOU everyone for answering me. I have another question, and can use the answer today, I have been online often since I was out of work, once I go back tomorrow I hardly will be here  I mentioned that I dont eat during the day, but, at 7:30am (every morning)I have a plain bowl of oatmeal and seem fine, BUT, today and yesterday had it for lunch, and within one hour, gas and gas pain!!! Does anyone know why safe oatmeal is hurting me??? For dinner I am going to have plain flounder, and maybe some carrots. Now that the oatmeal hurts me I am confused During the work week I do not eat trigger foods, so don't understand why I get gas! Any other tests I can talk to my family dr about?? Thank you and I will check later tonight. Barbara
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Barbara!
Hi! I am glad that you found out how to work the site. I sent you an e-mail back but thought I might try and answer this for you. Some people are bothered by oatmeal. You might try some toast with a little bit of apple butter on it. Or a bagel with all fruit jelly spread. At least until you get stable. I will sometimes take Gas-X for the terrible gas that I get. Also when trying to get stable I suffered for awhile with gas and bloating. Just hang in there! Drinks lots of water or peppermint tea. That helps my tummy also. Lipton makes a brand that is pretty good. Also Celestial Seasonings makes one as well. Take care!!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Madeline,
Oatmeal causes gas for alot of us, me included. Everyone is different, and it takes some trial and error before you know what "safe" foods are good for you. So for now, I would avoid oatmeal and try a different safe breakfast food. I have a toasted bagel every morning and don't have problems with it. Keep trying, it is worth it. Also, sometimes it takes a little while for our bodies to react to what we eat. So if you are eating trigger foods on the weekend, you will feel badly during the week. As hard as it is, you really need to stick to the diet all week, even on the weekends for awhile and give your body a chance to stabalize. I find that gas stays with me for a few days and once I get it, it takes very little to trigger it for the next few days. Good luck. We have all been there and are here for you.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
HI everyone! Great to see replys!! When I eat oatmeal every morning at 7:30 am, I am fine all day!! Until dinner at 7:00 pm. (or 7:30pm) When I try to anything, even a tiny bite during the day, I get gas quick. So that is why I stopped eating during the day. It is so much better for me, even though it doesn not make sense. The only trigger foods I seem to eat with pain is all cakes and cookies, but NO MORE FOR ME! Also, I can not drink peppermint tea, I can't believe the gas pain I got from it!! Also, I can't drink any herbal tea!! I guess I am strange!! I also read that cofee is a trigger, but for me, decaf is fine for me. Is that unusual? . Like I said the afternoon oatmeal hurt me so bad, for dinner I had plain flounder, and carrots and was fine. Until I figure out what to do next, I will not eat anything high in fat. I will go back to my food journal too. I really need a dr to listen to me, it is so hard having 2 jerk doctors. THANK YOU AGAIN EVERYONE
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I must add that I am so happy that I have friends here It is so nice to have someone listen to me!!! Also, my name is Barbara, I just do not understand why Madeline comes up! I will check again this week, I go back to work tomorrow and won't have much time to check. THANKS AGAIN
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hey Barbara!
Glad to see you finally were able to post to the boards. 
Have you tried the fennel tea yet? I remember someone a long time ago that peppermint caused her stomach pain, so maybe it is the same for you?
Oatmeal is also one of those things. Some people are okay, others not. How are you with fresh white bread (like French)? Maybe try a little that toasted instead? Or saltines. You really need to get your body used to eating during the day. It's not healthy to only eat 1x a day.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi Barbara,
It sounds like you are now listening to your body and that is the first step. You know now that oatmeal irritates you at certain times during the day. Just avoid it altogether until you stabilize and feel better. Maybe then you can try to eat it again. I notice that if I don't eat or drink anything for a while, I start to feel gas coming on. It is very important that you stay hydrated with water throughout the day. If you do not eat anything for most of the day, your body will take a shock to any food that finally hits the stomach and colon. Maybe try munching on graham crackers throughout the day if you can eat them with no problem. Since your colon is so sensitive, try just a few bites every half hour or so. At least you are getting something in your stomach throughout the day. IBS is better taken care of with small meals and snacks throughout the day then trying to eat only three times a day. I eat every hour and a half or so.
Secondly, I noticed that you are not able to handle some of the things that Heather says are good for IBS. I guess that everyone is different and maybe you are just more sensitive than others. Just keep on trying and don't give up hope and remember to avoid those trigger foods completely.
Take care and keep your chin up
Carol
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I am so afraid to eat anything during the day, even a bite of a cracker. Last time I had a bite of a pretzel, too much gas pain!! I am a nanny and I work long hours and have to drive kids around, do their food shopping, get older one from school, then activies. I just can not stop for the bathroom and I hate that gas pain!! I just know that a bite will hurt me, so, I just don't eat, but I drink water. One week after I stopped eating lunch, my husand and I went to the Bahamas, eating three meals, almost killed me, and that is when I only stopped eating lunch for one week! So, it wasn't from having an empty tummy for a long time. Maybe now I have made it worse. For dinner I had chicken with bread crumbs, carrots, and a few plain potatoes, and feel horrible. Did I eat wrong for dinner?? Things that are suppose to be helpful for IBS seem to be things that are bad for me. We are going out for dinner Wed to celebrate my daughter getting an award at college for the highest GPA, all I can think about is, what will happen to me after dinner. I must say that Sept to Feb was the worse, I had the bathroom urge often and after dinner needed the bathroom, that all has slowed down. But the pain is more often and fairly new to me.
Thanks again everyone Hope I am making sense, I am better at talking then writing stuff down.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Barbara,
I'm sorry to hear you cannot bear eating anything without pain. It might be a good idea to get another opinion. The last doctor you saw said it "may" be IBS or hormones, which sounds to me like that doctor is not sure themselves. I'm wondering if you have something other than IBS, like colitas or even celiac sprue. I'm sorry to sound so disappointing, but you may have to keep trying until you positively find out.
I know it stinks just to go to another doctor and try again and see what they say. Try researching this website for anything you can find that may resemble your symptons. Heather does a great job of researching not only IBS, but many other conditions that may be related to them. Check out some other conditions based on her research. She has so many links to other websites as well. Another good website is webmd.com.
Good luck to you
Carol
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
Posts
