Protocol is not working, doing badly, advice requested
#372105 - 05/10/15 11:51 AM
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Hello all,
I recently ordered the full IBS help kit with all the books, tea, capsules, fiber, etc. I've been dealing with IBS for 16 years and it continues to get worse. I have chronic constipation, bloating, and pain. I have tried every medication and supplement I can find but only had luck with an herbal laxative that I now take daily.
Out of desperation, I ordered the kit and I have followed the recommendations religiously, but I feel worse now than I did before. My bloating, pain, and constipation are all much worse despite avoiding all the trigger foods listed in the books and taking all the supplements. I have started slow with the fiber but to no avail.
I recently found myself thinking that perhaps starch and all fiber in general was an issue, as when I avoid it, I do seem to have much less bloating.
Any advice would be helpful. I have resigned myself to a life of constant suffering. I was really hoping this kit would be an answer, but I am disappointed.
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Hi,
More water, less protein or calcium, a little more magnesium, stretching exercises, massaging your colon with hands. More insoluble foods added to diet. Have you recently added too much probios that initially can cause extra gas. I know it irritated my colon, causing and trapping gas. Also the acacia acts like a prebiotic which could cause a quicker increase of the probios driving out any excess bad bacteria causing die-off. I would add some brown rice, eaten after white rice. Rice has little soluble fiber and the brown should help move things through better I hope. Have you ever been able to go once/day? I know laxatives can weaken the colon. Hoping you feel better:)
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Did you doctor tell you about the clinically proven FODMAP elimination/re-introduction diet shown to reduce symptoms in 70-80% of IBS suffers? I use it along with Heather's Eating for IBS diet
Kate Scarlata - a dietitian with IBS - has written an excellent overview article on the FODMAP diet
FODMAP: A roadmap for IBS
And here is a site with good overview information on how to follow it and some useful recipes and a blog
A Little Bit Yummy
-------------------- STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Thanks, this advice is all very accurate for my system and I find myself following these suggestions naturally, although brown rice has proven difficult. I do very well with oatmeal however. When I was a child I was able to go 1/day, but i cannot anymore without some kind of supplementation. My goal is to get off of laxatives once and for all.
thanks!
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I've looked into the fodmap diet before and it is effective for the most part, although there are a number of low fodmap foods that are also difficult. It can be a challenge to follow such a limited diet, but I have since compiled a "safe list" that I adhere to almost religiously. The acacia fiber turned out to be problematic and once I cut that out things calmed down quite a bit. Now to find a way to ease constipation without the horrifying effects of fiber.
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especially if you've been dependent on laxatives - it will take time, and a verrrrry gradual increase of a soluble fiber supplement to make a transition off the laxatives.
Five constipation frustrations
Getting off laxatives
Best, Heather
-------------------- Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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I'm surprised laxatives don't require a prescription;Seem to cause too much dependency, as with someone in my family.
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