My Symptoms
#248177 - 02/23/06 03:18 PM
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MaxB
Reged: 02/19/06
Posts: 7
Loc: London, UK
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Thanks Snorkie for directing me to the right area.
OK - I've pretty much had the worst 9 days I can remember (and I'm now 40). I have and have not been diagnosed with IBS (if that makes sense!). In the past, I've had mildish bloating and difficulty going to the toilet (constipation). I went to the doctor and he basically said it was IBS and to eat a sandwich or salad for lunch! Anyway, I ploughed on and I had to go to Nairobi with my work for 2 weeks. The night I arrived it started and was quite uncomfortable - I would get a feeling of discomfort just above my pelvis with intermitant stabbing pains and very muscousy stools. One morning in the hotel, it woke me up and I went to the toilet - but on the way back to my bed, I fainted. So to the hospital the next day to see a gastroenterologist who said I didn't have IBS! I had blood tests, stool tests and an x-ray - all clear. By that time, it was time to come back to the UK where I showed my results to my doctor who sent me for more blood tests and stool tests - again clear. He was no help after that. Went to see a different doctor, and more or less the same thing. Anway, I went to see the duty doctor last week and he gave me some peppermint capsules, and 2 lots of constipation medication - which haven't really helped. He also said to make another appointment which I have and will be going to the doctor tomorrow to demand some action. Anyway, it's been bad. Some days have been better than others. But to summerise, a feeling of bloatedness, stabbing pains which lead me to the toilet, more stabbing pains on the toilet with hardly anything coming out (sometimes some mucousy stuff, sometimes just gas and sometimes little lumps and sometimes thinish strands), also I sometimes feel sick at this point, and the pain doesn't stop straight away - but does after a few minutes after being on the toilet. As for diet, I've been on soluble fibre all week and have not had any coffee or alcohol. But it still hurts! Anway, sorry to go on, but I'd be interested to hear what other people think of this. I'd do anything to stop it - it's driving my mad!! 
Thanks very much for listening,
Steve
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Hi Steve. If your doctors have done tests and nothing else showed up it sounds like your problems could very possibly be IBS. Those horrible, stabbing cramps are the worst part about the IBS for me. Have you started following Heather's diet? It takes time, but it's seriously the best solution for so many of us. Especially cutting out the dairy. Usually as your body adjusts to the diet you'll start having less and less of those horrible, painful attacks. It's limiting at times, yes, but for me it's worth it to not feel like I'm going to die on a regular basis. Let us know what else we can do! Please make sure to read Heather's dietary guidelines... they should be your roadmap! Good luck.
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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Hi Kree - thanks very much for replying to my post. The last 10 days I've been restricting myself to soluble fibre but i'm still very very constipated and haven't passed anything in 3 days. Do you know if there's anything that I should be eating during this period to help? I'm really lost as to what I can and cannot eat at the moment. Heather suggests soluble for 2 days but I've done that. I'm also taking laxatives, peppermint and mebeverine which don't help. I would really appreciate some dietry advice to help me get though this - I don't want to spend another week off work!
Many thanks,
Steve
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Quote:
The last 10 days I've been restricting myself to soluble fibre but i'm still very very constipated and haven't passed anything in 3 days.
The all-soluble fiber Break The Cycle Diet is for 3 days MAXIMUM. Everyone needs insoluble fiber for health and IBS-Cs must have it in order to get things moving. Read the information on the BTC Diet about what to do when you're coming off it. You need to begin adding IF back in slowly and safely, but you must add it.
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Do you know if there's anything that I should be eating during this period to help? I'm really lost as to what I can and cannot eat at the moment.
At this point you should be able to eat anything that isn't on the trigger/irritant foods list, but do so safely. If it's IF, peel it, chop it, cook it, puree it to minimize the impact on your gut. Remember to get a solid SF base for every meal and snack.
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Heather suggests soluble for 2 days but I've done that.
I'm not sure what you mean by this - you said earlier you've eaten only soluble fiber for 10 days now.
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I'm also taking laxatives, peppermint and mebeverine which don't help.
Laxatives may help in the short run, but will cause more problems in the long run, although if you've been on them for a while you may need to wean yourself off gradually (see my reference to the Newsletters below). Peppermint will help with the spasms, but won't overcome the lack of IF. I don't know what mebeverine is.
I think you need to take a more thorough look at Heather's EFI guidelines. In addition to the link Kree gave you, here are some more places to look:
Heather's book "The First Year - IBS" is a good overview of the diet presented in step by step fashion. It also talks about what IBS is, how to be sure you have an accurate diagnosis, stress management, and available meds. You might be able to find it in the library or you can order it from Barnes & Noble or Amazon. Much of the first part of the book - the part that deals with diagnosis and diet - is available on the Website for free. You can start reading it here.
Heather's two June 2005 Newsletters dealt with constipation. I think you'd find them very helpful.
HTH.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Sand, thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. I will start again with the diet and see what happens. BTW, mebeverine is a muscle relaxent used for IBS relief - I did read somewhere that is wasn't available in the US but I wasn't sure as the article I read wasn't dated.
Many thanks again.
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Veggie Soup
#248574 - 02/25/06 07:29 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Sand has done an excellent job helping you out here, so I can't offer much else.
One thing that always worked for me is home made veggie soup. Just get some chicken stock at the grocery store and your favorite veggies. Chop up the veggies real fine and throw 'em in the stock. Simmer it for hours until the veggies are WELL DONE.
Guaranteed to make you poop!
Also, I've mentioned this ad nauseum in here, but it bears repeating. Blueberries are DEFINITE POOP FOOD! You can buy them frozen. Just throw 'em in a blender with some soy yogurt or soy "ice cream", a banana and some honey, and blend it together to make a smoothie.
That should do it! 
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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