scared to add too much IF, but not having regular BMs
#287218 - 10/20/06 10:11 AM
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line415
Reged: 09/09/06
Posts: 976
Loc: New Jersey
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Okay, sorry for asking detail for detail, but since I'm new to this, I feel like I'm constantly questioning and analyzing what I've eaten, the supplements, and my BMs on a daily basis. Over the weekend I had a horrific d flare-up so I took 2 pepto bismol and two immodium (Monday morning). Then I didn't go to the bathroom at all until yesterday morning (Thursday). I tried to eat normal, following the EFI diet and I did have some IF, but I started to get panicked when I wasn't "going." I am also taking Acacia (3/4 teaspoon twice/day and now I'm trying a teaspoon in the evening...instead of just 3/4). This morning I felt fine but did not have BM until lunch time (before eating). "Not going" is making me nervous too b/c in my past IBS experiences, that would result in IBS-A, where I wouldn't go for a few days and then...BAM...disaster d!!  Because I am taking the Acacia now, should I just relax and realize that some days I may not have a BM? In other words, does the Acacia and the diet ensure (to some degree of course) that I shouldn't have a d flare up just because I haven't gone in a few days or b/c I haven't gone yet that day? It is so difficult to trial and error wtih adding in the IF as I increase my Acacia because I always have something to do, somewhere to go, etc...and I can't take the chance of getting d. Do all of you IBS-D people have a BM every day and is it usually within an hour of waking up? And if you don't have a BM, do you eventually get a little d because things have backed up? I know...that's a lot of info. and confusion I just typed. Someone please clear up! Thanks 
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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Normal bowel movement frequency may range from three bowel movements per day to three bowel movements per week. Constipation is therefore defined by most authorities as less than three bowel movements a week. Perhaps this information may help put things into perspective.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
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I am mostly an IBS-D but I started taking immodium and I have taken Acacia for the last year or so and I usually have 1 BM a week. I do not consume any IF though. I am going to start adding it in so I know how you feel. I can't afford to have D right either but I know I have to do it.
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Courtney (IBS-D)
"Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible." Romans 12:18
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Heather says on the website and in her book that we need IF too. Start slow and don't be afraid.
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Thanks everyone for your responses. Yes, I know...technically I might not be "constipated" but compared to my usual frequency of BMS or D, I guess I can't conceive that I could go let's say once every couple of days and be alright. In the past, I always seemed to get D or many, many BMs after a few days of not going. Is it just different now b/c of the Acacia? What about stress? Because stress is a trigger for me, I feel like a stressful situation days after not having a BM could be a disaster. Am I making sense? I can't believe that an IBS-D person can go just once a week...good for you!! Could it really be true that I just might not go as often now with no ill side effects?
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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"I can't believe that an IBS-D person can go just once a week...good for you!!"
Once a week I don't think is healthy. Going 3 days without a BM is considered constipated.
I'm IBS-D and I go once a day, rarely twice a day. If I take 1 Imodium it doesn't tend to throw me off my usual routine. However taking 2 will make me C for a few days. As for when I go during the day, sometimes I'm consistent every morning, but sometimes I'll have a few days of going at different times.
I would continue to bump up your SFS intake, and try to 'spread out' your Imodium. You said you take 2 after an attack? Try taking one right away next time and wait a bit. If you still need another (I think waiting 30 mins or so should be fine) then take another. I also find that chewable Imodium work faster than caps, so you can better judge how many you need to take.
I don't get bad attacks after not going for a few days. The only time I would is if I had something bad to eat or was really stressed. If you haven't gone for a few days, make sure to eat safely.
And get more IF!! Do it in a safe way, small amounts of IF, buffer of SF, spread out through the day, soft cooked veggies, purreed fruits, you'll be fine. Wheat and grain products I find harder to tolerate.
Good luck!
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Kat
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Thanks K2. How much Acacia do you take? Is it possible that maybe I might be stabilizing at a lower dosage? (I'm just taking 3/4 tsp twice/day and 1 tsp in the evening, all before meals.) I have been eating IF...not too much...but enough I would think. For example, last night I had chicken, rice, and broccoli for dinner...a considerable amount of broccoli. Then this morning, I made some wheat/gluten free pancakes and used maple syrup...haven't had BM yet but I have some gas pain/bloating so I'm drinking water and I took Gas-x. I didn't want to add IF first thing in the morning but now I will try some fruit to get things going. The problem is that I need to go somewhere in 2 hours and since this is so new to me, I feel it's risky! I was considering taking Immodium today anyway since I was going out, but now I haven't "gone" but feel like I have to so I don't know what to do! Thanks for your input. You're right...I should just add the IF and I guess deal with the consequences if it turns out bad. (It's not like I'm not used to muddling through somehow with activities and running to the bathroom  ) I know the IF and SF are supposed to work together. It's just so hard to trial and error while trying to live your life too!! (I've tried the chewable immodiums before too but never realized that they'd be quicker at going through my system...thanks)
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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It is hard to find your balance with IF/SF and it can really only be done by trial and error. But it is best to start small and work your way up with that. Try a few (even just 5 or so) blueberries in your pancakes in the morning. The fact that you had gas after eating broccolli the night before is not surprising. I usually take a Beano when I have broccoli to prevent it.
I currently am at 2tbsp of acacia per day. 1tbsp in the morning with my oatmeal and water. 1tbsp in some tea in the evening. I've been at 2tbsp for a few months now, but I'm going to actualy increase to 3tbsp per day. The more SFS I take, the more IF I find I can tolerate without any pain at all. And the more veggies/fruit I eat, the more vitamins and nutrients I get, so I want to eat as much as I can of it.
One safe thing you can do to try and 'go' when you haven't gone in a while is exercise. Even just doing 20 situps sometimes gets things moving.
I understand how you think about Imodium. It's such an easy 'fix' in the short term when you have to be somewhere and don't want to have to deal with having to go to the bathroom. If you haven't gone in a few days, and you won't be totally restricted from using a bathroom, I would suggest holding off on the Imodium until you really need it.
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Kat
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Thank you for your advice. I'm not really sure what's going on with my body today. I don't really think it was the broccoli that gave me gas though (for some reason I can usually tolerate it)...also the thing is...I woke up fine, ate breakfast fine, and didn't start getting the gas until about 2 hours after breakfast (the homemade pancakes...totally safe)...I was keeled over in pain and forced myself to eat a slice of honeydew around noon...I figured that better do something! Anyhow, I finally wound up going and the gas subsided, but then I had to go again and felt very vulnerable while I was out (could have been my anxiety too). By the way, I quickly took my afternoon dose of Acacia with about a swig of soy choc. milk as I walked out the door. Didn't have time or the appetite to eat anything. At dinner I tried to eat a mix of SF/IF like you suggested. It's so scary to figure out how many mouthfuls of each I can tolerate!! But yes, I'm really glad I resisted taking the Immodium. The only way I'll be able to figure this out is without throwing my system off, etc...however, tomorrow I have to go to a soccer field with my two kids alone...ugh!! at 12:30. I'm going to try really hard to just relax, take the Acacia, and eat a safe breakfast, and maybe just one immodium if necessary. (Oh..and I actually had blueberries today...but maybe too many...a whole bunch!...5 or so sounds like a good idea to throw in oatmeal in the morning since it's my risky time.) It's funny b/c before I was stressed and having d so much that I couldn't leave the house...and now I'm stressed about c before I leave the house! IBS is the worst!!!! (Incidentally, I started taking the GNC Multi-Enzymes last night and this morning...you don't think they could have anything to do with the gas/indigestion, do you?)
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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Water
#287408 - 10/21/06 08:53 PM
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Gracie
Reged: 11/25/05
Posts: 1967
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Are you drinking enough water and liquids? When taking acacia or and fibre, we need a minimum of 8 cups a day.
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