What are your trigger foods, everyone?
#47149 - 02/29/04 08:02 AM
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I have been having constant IBS attacks for the past 2 months now. I sometimes have a day or two with no symptoms but they keep coming back. I'm getting VERY frustrated. I can only eat rice, bread and potatoes for so long.
What are people's triggers (besides the obvious, dairy, fatty foods, choclolate and caffeine)? I ate tacos one night (it had been 3 days of feeling great)with sour cream, cheese and refried beans and felt just fine the next day.
So the next night, I had a buritto with the same ingredients and spent all of yesterday with awful stomach cramps and pains, as well as d. Was it th salsa? Cheese? Sour cream? Why could I tolerate it one day but not the next? This IBS is so confusing???
Any suggestions as what to avoid would be much appreaciated! : )
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Keep At It
#47159 - 02/29/04 08:38 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Sara, it sounds to me like you had an "accumulation" problem with the cheese and sour cream. If I have too much of my fave Mocha Fudge one day, and get away with it, I have to make sure to be good the next day, or else I'll pay BIG time; it's too much fat over a short period of time for my body to tolerate.
I'm amazed you could have sour cream and cheese AT ALL; they would made me terribly sick, with D and cramps -- just like you had the second day. I think you were just lucky. It sounds like you can tolerate dairy in a very small amount and for only a short time. That's the good news. Having it again the next day will make you sick -- that's the bad.
I also think what triggers one person doesn't necessarily trigger another. For example, I eat dark poultry meat all the time with no problem, but if I went anywhere near anything pork I'd explode.
I'm also lucky in that I have no problem with whole wheat bread or flour, so I have a lot of it; it's good for me. Isn't there something you can have that's also good for you besides rice, bread and potatoes? How do you handle salads and veggies? Fruit?
I think it's pretty much trial and error. I went without whole wheat for a very long time, then tried it again, very slowly, and discovered I'm fine with it. But when I have salad -- even with a soluble fiber first -- I get terrible D and cramps, so I just can't have salads anymore. It's okay, because I make a great soup stock so I have my veggies in my soup instead of salads.
Have you tried Amy's frozen bean and rice burritos? They're pretty good, and you could add shredded soy cheese and soy sour cream; how well do you tolerate soy?
Don't be discouraged, Sara; I understand your frustration, but there are a lot of substitutes for our faves. I never knew I could have chocolate until just recently; what a great discovery for me! You'll find some great discoveries too, I'm sure.
Keep at it -- Bev
-------------------- <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Hi, thanks for your resposne. 
I think you're right about accumulation. I can tolerate dairy in small amount and must have overdid it. I sometimes try to force things on my stomach because I still can't believe how many things have become triggers.
I can tolerate fruits and vegeatbles and I do eat them often. I can't tolerate wheat and whole grains at all. I miss them too. : (
It's funny that you mention Amy's burritos because that's exactly what I ate! But I loaded it with sour cream and salsa. I have yet to find a soy cheese that I like. They have all tasted gross. I love soy milk though. I am fine with soy products in general which is great since I am a vegetarian.
Thanks for the pep talk. I just find this difficult. I've had IBS for about 7 years now but it used to be very mild. I used to have an attack that would last no more than 5 and then nothing for months. And, as I said, this one's lasted for 2 months so far. I'm ready for it to end!!! 
On a different topic, have you tried the peppermint caps? I am considering trying them for my pain and cramps.
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I agree about accumulation. Other than soluble fiber foods, I make it a rule not to eat the same thing two days in a row or more than twice a week.
-------------------- Laura
Keep it simple!
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Peppermint Caps
#47177 - 02/29/04 10:55 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Yes, Sara, I was on Heather's peppermint caps for about a month, and they did seem to help; however, I began developing terrible indigestion which I couldn't attribute to anything, and no amount of Pepcid AC, Tums, or acid reducer would help. Finally, I tried quitting the peppermint caps, and the indigestion went away. I don't think I'll be doing the caps anymore.
Have you tried Equalactin? I love the stuff; it really helps me with my cramps. I also take it often as a preventative measure.
Are you on any prescription meds? If not, you might consider talking to your doc or your GI about Donnatal. When my cramps are really bad, that's what I turn to, and it works every time.
Bev
-------------------- <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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I'm hesitant to try them because I generally don't like peppermint tea. I don't have a bad reaction or anything , I just don't like the taste. I realize I wouldn't taste anything with the caps.
What is Equalactin? I have never been given anything for my cramps. (Just things for other symptoms). Since this attack has lasted for so long I'm considering going back to my doctor and asking for a medication to help control my pain/cramps. I can deal with gas, bloating and constipation but not the pain.
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I wanted to second the question about equalatin...is it available in Canada? As for talking to your doctor, I definately would, there are some things they can give you. Some things that have helped me is some sort of tranqualizer for the pain (Valium, Ativan etc) and Lomotil when the D is really bad...but I need to see a GI guy specifically to talk other options, my doc is hesitant to give me much else yet. I hope your feeling better soon!
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Really, I never would have thought of that? Does that apply just for possible trigger foods, or meals in general? I'm a creature of habit and usually eat the same things for breakfast and bring the same snack in my work lunches most days.
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I just don't like doctors and presciption drugs. Doctors run ten million tests and drugs usually have annoying side effects.
But hey, if this continues for another couple of days, I will force myself to go.
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Meds for Sara
#47186 - 02/29/04 12:11 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Here you go, Sara: Equalactin
I haven't had an attack severe enough for me to turn to Donnatal in almost 2 months now -- a record for me -- but I'm really glad to have it when I need it. On those occasions when I'm in a lot of pain, I take an Equalactin WITH a Donnatal. It takes about an hour for the Donnatal to kick in, while the Equalactin works immediately. You can buy Equalactin over-the-counter, but you have to get a prescription from your regular doctor for the Donnatal.
I think it's a good idea to return to your doc and tell him how you're feeling; let him know you want to try some meds for your IBS. You shouldn't be in constant pain without some help.
Bev
-------------------- <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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