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From "D" to "C"-Could use some advice
      #301529 - 03/06/07 06:50 AM
GenieG

Reged: 02/22/07
Posts: 24
Loc: Florida

I have always being "D" but since starting on the Acacia Fiber about 3 weeks ago, I have become more "C" and I'm really miserable! I have gradually upped the dose of the fiber to 3/4 tsp twice a day and started eating small amounts of IF. The painful bloating and gas especially after my evening meal is so uncomfortable, wakes me up at night too, I drink the Fennel tea, use a heating pad,helps, but is there anything else I can do? What IF foods are the best to start off on? I've battled IBS-D for many years but dealing with "C" and the awful bloating and gas is new to me. Any advice would be most appreciated. Thanks!

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Re: From "D" to "C"-Could use some advice new
      #301631 - 03/06/07 08:48 PM
atomic rose

Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)

The same thing happened to me - I think it's part of the stabilizing process, unfortunately, for a lot of us. It gets better, I promise! Hang in there!

You definitely want to get eating IF, and keep increasing it gradually. When I started adding IF in, I started with peas, green beans, and spinach - one at a time, not all at once! You'll also want to continue increasing the Acacia, and be sure you're getting a LOT of water - that will help the C as well.

Also, I don't know if you're exercising, but I found that gentle exercise - walking, and especially yoga - every day was pretty helpful.

As for the gas, I admit that I didn't have that problem, but I know that some people use Beano, and it works for them. Maybe you could try that?

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Re: From "D" to "C"-Could use some advice new
      #301649 - 03/07/07 06:41 AM
line415

Reged: 09/09/06
Posts: 976
Loc: New Jersey

I'm in the same boat right now as you. I'm trying to add more IF with every meal. (Before I wasn't consistent in having it throughout the day) And I'm lessening the amount of SF that I eat with food but keeping my acacia the same for now. How much acacia are you taking? I may increase mine like Atomic Rose suggested after I see how the IF goes. I don't want to do too much at once! Also, I am taking a calcium carbonate supplement and I may dare to try a calcium-magnesium 2:1 ratio if all of this doesn't work. It's been about 2-3 days and I'm feelng a little better..having more bms and less gas. And yes, I am taking Beano before evening meals which have more veggies. I'll keep you updated on my progress. I definitely need to excercise and drink more water. Feel better.

--------------------
Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C

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Re: From "D" to "C"-Could use some advice new
      #301651 - 03/07/07 06:49 AM
GenieG

Reged: 02/22/07
Posts: 24
Loc: Florida

Thanks "Atomic Rose" for your help, as I'm new to the Acacia Fiber I haven't known what to expect and wondering when would I become "normal" again! I increased the fiber a little before I ate last night and took a peppermint capsule too for the gas is always worse after eating dinner with IF in it. Sure enough I became bloated but at least was able to release the gas, this went on throughout the evening about 10PM I finally had a BM, it wasn't really "D" but soft and not formed. I took some more fiber around 1AM and tried to sleep, wasn't easy as I was up several more times with cramps and several more of these soft unformed BM's (sorry to be so explicit). This morning my gut feels like it was used for a punching bag but at least I'm not "C". I read about incomplete evacuation of the bowel and this is what seems to be happening to me now. I do drink a lot of water, peppermint, fennel teas and I do keep pretty active. I am thinking the SF can't really bulk me up because I'm still not eating a lot of IF foods for they make the bloating and gas worse. In the past I never had bloating and gas to this extent, I take "Culterelle" each morning which is supposed to combat the bad bacteria, maybe I need to change to something stronger, I just don't know anymore. Thanks again Atomic Rose, I feel so alone with this.

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Re: From "D" to "C"-Could use some advice-re Line 414 new
      #301655 - 03/07/07 07:27 AM
GenieG

Reged: 02/22/07
Posts: 24
Loc: Florida

Thanks "Line 414", after I posted to Atomic Rose I found yours and I'm sorry you are having similiar problems too but you sound as though you may be on the right track at last. I am taking 1 1/4 tsp Acacia Fiber before breakfast and dinner(last night I took an extra dose before bed)and was up several times in the night with cramps and soft unformed BM's. I haven't taken Beano but maybe I shoud try as when I eat veggies and extra IF I get lots of bloating and gas so I'm avoiding them, how many do you take, now before dinner I take the fiber plus a peppermint capsule, would it be better to take the Beano instead of the peppermint? I guess I am not eating enough regular foods-IF, so naturally I have not got that much to get rid of hence the irregularity and when I do have a BM's they are soft, unformed because I mainly only have SF in my system. I used to take Calcium D+600 in the past during "D" flare-ups it worked good for me and I'm wondering if I should start again with it, maybe it would help bulk me up more, I only used to take half the dose after I became stabilized.. I started with the Acacia Fiber after but I've had problems since I started with it, in the past I have used Citrucel and didn't have these problems but then our bodies change over the years. Please do keep me posted "Line 414" Thanks!

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Re: From "D" to "C"-Could use some advice-re Line 414-reLine 415 new
      #301656 - 03/07/07 07:30 AM
GenieG

Reged: 02/22/07
Posts: 24
Loc: Florida

Sorry "Line 415" I goofed with your title, not in the best frame of mind this morning, I feel so depressed.

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Re: From "D" to "C"-Could use some advice-re Line 414-reLine 415 new
      #301681 - 03/07/07 09:42 AM
line415

Reged: 09/09/06
Posts: 976
Loc: New Jersey

No biggie about my screen name! I'm sorry you're feeling depressed. I know...this IBS can wreak havoc on our brains and emotions. Try not to get down and remember that so many people here say it took a long time to really find their comfort zone. I feel so much better than I was when I started (end of Sept.06) but I'm still trying to work out the kinks as now I am having some gas/bloating/c problems.

If I were you, I would not take extra doses of Acacia on a rough day. Just be steady about the amount that you are taking, drink lots of water, and slowly introduce the IF. Start with less gas producing fruits and veggies (for you...we're all different but blueberries/banana smoothie was what I started with). Make sure your veggies are REALLY soft...at least for now. I steam my veggies so that my two year old can eat them without even being cut up! That will be gentlest on your belly. I just started with Beano but I take 2 and sometimes 3 (like the other night with green beans).

I think the key at least for me though is that I really NEED to have daily bms to feel good. I had a great one this morning (yippee ) and it's the first time I felt "empty" in a while. I had eaten lots of IF yesterday. Now normally after that I would be afraid to eat more IF b/c I already had a bm, but I was brave and I just ate a plain bagel with LOTS of cantaloupe (maybe 1/2 cup or so). It used to give me d before but so far so good!!! Mabye that is the trick to do the same at dinner tonight and hopefully I'll wake up tomorrow with a regular bm again. I'll keep you posted. Just be sure you are having SF with your IF..not on an empty stomach.

Maybe someone else can answer your question about the peppermint capsules. I don't take them but I think I read that they should be taken one hour before a meal.

Hang in there and try not to let the IBS get you down. Everyone is here for you to vent whenever you need to. (Also...keep a journal of how your body is reacting to everything). Try to have a great day!

--------------------
Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C

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Re: From "D" to "C"-Re Line 415 with thanks. new
      #301717 - 03/07/07 03:04 PM
GenieG

Reged: 02/22/07
Posts: 24
Loc: Florida

Thanks again, I'll give what you are doing a try, can't make me feel much worse, right? My Granddaughter is coming on Sunday to stay with us for 5 days(Spring Break) and I want to feel better than this. This morning after the several small BM's, I've had the feeling all day that I need to have a big one along with being very bloated, I sit trying but only teeny bits come out so obviously I'm backed up in there,it is so uncomfortable, I even had 1/2 cup of coffee hoping this would move it but no. Gosh how I enjoyed that coffe though,I drink lots of fennel, peppermint chamomile teas but I miss my coffe! I think tomorrow I'm going to buy some baby food veggies and see if they do any good. I did that years ago when I was having problems, cooked regular for my family and I ate baby or junior foods which did help me get back to a regular diet. This has gone on now since the New Year, I am beginning to wonder if I have a Bacterial problem in my intestines, last summer I had food poisoning whilst visiting family in England,we ate out in restaurants a lot and it was during their terrific heatwave, they aren't equipped to deal with such high temperatures as we are over here. I started with the gas and bloating then but it subsided, then at the beginning of this year I had another food poisoning bout or maybe it was a bug, which triggered the "D" cycle big time. So I decided to try Heather's "cures and diet", the explosive "D" has stopped and the doubling over cramps but now I have bloating, gas and irregular unformed BM's. Of course being anxious and depressed doesn't help, this Board is a tremendous help, none of my children live near me. Thanks "Line415" for listening and the good advice, I'll let you know how I do.

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update on progress new
      #301906 - 03/09/07 11:06 AM
line415

Reged: 09/09/06
Posts: 976
Loc: New Jersey

Just wanted to update that increasing my IF has helped me to have a bm regularly for the past 4 days!!! Yippee! I also REDUCED my acacia again...1/2 tsp with each meal. This may not work for everyone, but like I said in another post, I don't view myself as being a true "c"...I am a recovered "d" so now that I am relatively stable, perhaps that's all I need of the acacia. Plus the lexapro and the Caltrate are probably adding to my c so it balances out. I am going to remain here (I definitely will not go any lower with Acacia b/c I feel safe having it as a buffer for each meal). I am not going to change my calcium supplement to a cal-mag ratio unless I need to. For now, I am having a happy week! How much IF if anyone wants to know? Here's a sample of yesterday's food:
Breakfast: Oatmeal with raisins (I went back to eating them b/c I don't think it was the raisins that was giving me gas afterall...it was that I wasn't having bms I think)

Snack: cantaloupe, pineapple

Lunch: 1/2 PB and jelly on WW bread (yes, I can handle this along with the acacia and 1/2 banana

Snack: graham crackers, few pieces of pineapple

Dinner: Fish with risotto, broccoli

Dessert: Rice dream ice cream

--------------------
Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C

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And to add...taking beano more religiously with dinner...definitely helps with gas n/t new
      #301907 - 03/09/07 11:07 AM
line415

Reged: 09/09/06
Posts: 976
Loc: New Jersey



--------------------
Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C

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Re: update on progress new
      #301932 - 03/09/07 07:09 PM
GenieG

Reged: 02/22/07
Posts: 24
Loc: Florida

Hi "Line 415"
I'm so happy to hear you seem to have found the right dosage of fiber for you and are doing much better and able to eat more IF. I haven't stopped taking the fiber but I did decrease it back to 1 tsp twice a day. I bought the Beano but have'nt taken it yet, a friend rather put me off it telling me it made her feel sick. My husband came home today with a packet of Digestive Advantage-Gas formula which I'll start taking tomorrow morning, supposedly only one a day is needed. I did eat a litle more IF today, of course I got the gas and bloat but know I need to eat it to have a decent BM. I just don't believe this is happening to me it is the complete opposite to what I am used to deaing with.
I wish you continued success.

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Re: update on progress new
      #301941 - 03/09/07 10:14 PM
Gracie

Reged: 11/25/05
Posts: 1967


A lot of people on here do very well with Beano. Everyone is different so don't be afraid to try it.


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Re: update on progress new
      #301963 - 03/10/07 10:56 AM
line415

Reged: 09/09/06
Posts: 976
Loc: New Jersey

I know what you mean Genie about being on the other side of the fence. It feels totally bizarre doesn't it when normally you can't "stop" having bms. The good news is that your d has subsided. Hooray!!! The c/gas is quite uncomfortable, but at least you are on your way. I know it's scary but you really have to be daring to try more IF. Try when you don't have to go out somewhere or don't have a busy day. I kept thinking it would give me d, but it just made me go normal so I hope that will be the same for you. And I agree with Gracie...give the Beano a try. I still have some gas but it is sooo much better...not sure if it's the Beano helping or the better bm schedule...probably both. How did your friend feel sick? Nauseous?

--------------------
Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C

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Re: update on progress to Line 415 new
      #301970 - 03/10/07 01:57 PM
GenieG

Reged: 02/22/07
Posts: 24
Loc: Florida

Hi Again!
Yes "Line415", my friend said she felt real nauseous and it happened more than once. Today I actually felt a little better, last night I had pasta tossed in a lttle olive oil and garlic powder, herb chicken and green pureed green beans. An hour after that I had a slice of gingerbread(Heather's recipe with a small cup of coffee). I had had a headache all day and my youngest son told me I was having coffee withdrawal, sure enough my headache went after the coffee and actually the gas wasn't as bad as usual. When I thought I needed to "Go" it was just gas but not a burst, gradual, like I was squeezing it out of a place it had been stuck-sorry to be so graphic, this happened several times and, the bloat was almost gone,I actually slept prety good and this morning I felt fine. I had oatmeal with a weetabix again, a little honey and rice milk, then later when my husband got up I had an English Muffin with a scraping of English marmalade and a small cup of coffee, no gas just a little cramping that went away after drinking some fennel tea. I am still taking the fiber, 3/4 tsp before meals but still not had a decent BM, at least my gut seems to be adjusting to the fiber, you think?. For lunch I made us Turkey Bacon BLT's on pumpernickel, I only had 1/2 a sandwich, no mayo and a tsp shredded lettuce a and a sliver of fresh tomato, with a glass of pure papaya juice and equal amount of water. I am still drinking the Fennel tea a lot, I ordered the loose kind but find it more bitter so prefer the tea bags, more convenient too. I have just has a small piece of Heather's Applesauce bread/cake, I made two of those also, my husband practically ate up the first one on his own, I put a little Blackcurrant jam on it, delicious,when living in England, I used to get Blackcurrant juice from the Ante-natal clinic along with OJ concentrate, free, for expectant mothers before and after the birth. Blackcurrant juice is great for constipation. The jam though is my favorite, I make little tartlets with it too, my 4 kids couldn't get enough of them. I've had so much energy today, I'm afraid to hope that I'm on the road to a normal live again! Yes, "Line 415" "C" sure has it's own misery and just as bad as "D" in it's own way, I never realized what it was like before and to be praying for a BM is just unbelievable for someone who lived in the bathroom at times. My Mom suffered with "C" all of her life , gosh she used to drink Mineral Oil in OJ every morning, gross, one of my sisters' has had it for years too, when she comes to visit here she is much better cos I make sure she is getting a better balance of fibers, I always had to be careful not to eat too much IF.. Dealing with IBS taught me to try to eat healthy but this episode of "C" has really thrown me for a loop. I always read and research everything, especially about IBS. I am going to increase the IF gradually, I am probably over cautious after the horrendous "D" episodes I had before taking the fiber. Thanks again "Line 415" for your support and to everyone else, hopefully the improvement will go on!

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Re: update on progress to Line 415 new
      #301985 - 03/10/07 08:05 PM
Gracie

Reged: 11/25/05
Posts: 1967


Are you going to quit the coffee? It is very bad for IBS because it's a GI irritant/trigger. It could be playing havoc with your C and D.

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Re: update on progress to Line 415 new
      #302007 - 03/11/07 11:03 AM
line415

Reged: 09/09/06
Posts: 976
Loc: New Jersey

Hi Genie. I don't know how much you've read about the EFI diet, but I would caution against the coffee. I LOVE coffee..believe me...I had horrible caffeine withdrawal for an entire week after giving it up. But I do think that stopping the coffee drinking has helped tremendously with the IBS. Now I know it is so tempting to have some coffee to get a bm going, but according to others who are traditionally C, it might work to make you go but then halt things and screw up your system afterwards. It sounds like you have Heather's recipe book based on the recipes you mentioned...she has info in there on this. Otherwise, keep trying with the IF and keep me updated. Have a good weekend. (by the way, I drink Soyfee daily and it doesn't bother me b/c of the soy, plus it TOTALLY satisfies my coffee craving when I wake up...minus the caffeine)

--------------------
Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C

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