Still not Stable need help
#292772 - 12/07/06 06:44 AM
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bbgem1
Reged: 11/27/06
Posts: 18
Loc: Pennsylvania
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I have IBS-C and have been using Heather's Tummy fiber 6 tsp daily for weeks now along with 4-6 benenfiber a day. 2 Zelnorm, 2 stool softener 1.5 mg Lexapro. I've been following Heathers diet with minimal deviation sometimes I have a cup of coffee or an iced tea not decaf daily. I still need to use suppositories or laxitives leaving me feeling whiped out when I use them. Especially the laxative because after I take a laxative I get horrible diarrhea not to mention the worst gas ever imaginable! This is a terrible terrible disease no one should have to live with this daily suffering. Please help! Be honest if it's the coffee or tea I'll quit it. I just can't believe that one or 2 drinks daily of coffee or tea reek that much havoic on my system. When I'm 41 years old and have been drinking them most of my life.
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You won't know if the caffeine is bothering you that much unless you try going without it. Sorry.
The other thing is to be sure that you're getting enough IF along with the SF to cushion it. The SF will keep things calm, the IF will help get them moving.
More importantly, if you're taking Zelnorm and stool softeners and still need additional help from laxatives and suppositories, you might want to talk to your doctor. That seems like an awful lot of medicine to be giving you so little help.
HTH.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Thank you I appreciate your thoughts.
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Are you getting enough IF? I'm C, too, and really have to watch the amount of IF I eat. It's so much easier to stick with safe, SF foods, but those don't get things moving.
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IBS-C, D and nausea with acute attacks, stable on EFI for 3 years
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I'm not sure if I'm getting enough IF what would be considered enough?
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Yes, it really can be the coffee and/or tea. Quit both IMMEDIATELY.
Don't use laxatives. I know, you're thinking that's easy for me to say, but seriously... more harm than good, I tell you. You can get dependent on laxatives VERY quickly - if you aren't already, which you might well be - and then it's very, very difficult to get your system right again.
If you have anxiety or depression, and you're only on 1.5mg Lexapro, you might need a serious increase. I'm on 20mg Lexapro daily, and anxiety is such a huge trigger for me that I'm not stable without the daily pill.
I'm assuming you're following the diet otherwise... you should definitely be increasing insoluble fiber on a regular and steady basis. I know the emphasis of the diet is on soluble fiber, but you also need to work towards eating as much insoluble as you can on a daily basis - important for good health, especially for C'ers. It's also important that you avoid other triggers, such as red meat, dairy, and high-fat foods. It doesn't matter how old you are, or how long you ate them without problems prior to this - they ARE a problem now.
What else... oh yes. It takes patience. I followed the diet for over a year *religiously*, no cheats, before I was stable. Don't get discouraged, though - the end result is well worth the effort, I promise. 
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You might take a look at the June 7, 2005, and June 22, 2005, IBS Newsletters. Heather has advice specifically for IBS-Cs including tips on getting yourself off laxatives and getting enough IF.
HTH.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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***********************
If you're not dead, you've still got time.
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Thank you for all your help!
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Yes there are so many problems here! I quit the coffee and tea as of today. I have a headache but that is mild compared to the IBS-C symptoms. I also talked to the Dr. this morning he switched me to another IBS-C pill something beginning with an A he told me to stay on the fiber, stool softners and probotic along with drinking plenty of fluids I appreciate your help hopefully I'll be feeling better soon
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It's amazing how quickly you come to love your peppermint tea in the morning...coming from someone who loves coffee and used to drink it non-stop all day!
My doc gave me some samples of that drug for IBS-C that starts with an A (I can't remember the full name either)  but I haven't tried it yet. I take Miralax and that seems to be helping. Have you talked to your doctor about this option???
what fiber and probiotic are you taking?
Keep us updated...and vent whenever you need to! You are not alone!
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IBS-C with pain and bloat
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I hear your pain, I, too, am IBS-C, pain predominent, and 58 years old. Only diagnoised for sure in September, 2006 after test to rule out other things. I ordered Heather's Big Kahuna Kit in August, and the hypnotherapy tapes a week later. Here it is December and I am finally seeing results. As my GI Dr. said, " It took time for your body to get in the shape it is in, and will take time to improve it", so hang in there. If I can improve, so can you.
Everyone here is very supportive, and committed to helping you get through this.
Snookie, IBS-C
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Snookie, IBS-C
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I don't know how attached you are to that cup of joe, but for me, giving up coffee (even ranking before dairy) was the hardest thing for me to do. I only drank one small cup per day, sometimes not even finishing it so I didn't think it made that much of a difference b/c on days when I had to go out, I would skip it and still have d. I guess it was still in my system throwing things off. When I gave it up, it took a full week of headaches and then they dissipated and now I have none. Once in a while I will crave some caffiene for a sinus headache but for the most part, they're gone.
I cannot comment or relate to your c problems, but I just wanted to suggest that you try Soyfee (if you can tolerate soy) which you can order online at soyfee.com. I have it every morning, nice and hot and mix my acacia right in it. It is not the real thing...I'm not going to kid you...HOWEVER, it really is a very close second and psychologically, it does the trick. Even, this morning, I was especially tired, and just needed a 1/3 of a hot cup to help me open my eyes. You said you drink tea too so going that route with all the peppermint, chamomile tea, etc. that other posters drink would probably be even better for you but I really dislike tea...won't touch the stuff. If you have any other questions about the soyfee, let me know.
You can do it! I have only been doing this for 3 months and I realize that you just can't cheat...it's sooo hard, but stop those triggers and see what happens. You'll feel so much better physically and more confident mentally. (I'm not stable AT ALL...I just ordered the hypno tapes, but I do see the biggest changes at least that I've ever seen in my life.) Hope that helps.
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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Teechino is also very good ofr those trying to quit coffee. I've tried most of the different flavors..with a touch of soy creamer...works for me. You can get it at any HFS or online.
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