A new IBS -D reader
#48473 - 03/06/04 11:52 AM
|
|
|
|
|
crc
Reged: 03/01/04
Posts: 161
Loc: Maine
|
|
|
Hi,
I have had IBS-D for about 10 years. Went through all the neccesary tests to rule out other problems. I did have my gall bladder out in 2000 but the D started 5 years before that and still continues. The doctors were not too helpful in the treatment of IBS. In fact after I woke up from my endoscopy to test for celiac disease (which I had because I did possess some of the antibodies for celiac) the doctor said "Good news, we ruled out Celiac so it looks like it is IBS so you can eat whatever you want." Which I did and was quite miserable and lost again. I can't tell you how many new ways of eating that I tried in these past years. I was so thrilled with this website and the books that Heather wrote as finally I felt I was finally being heard and helped which has worked wonders for me. I am now getting organized and starting to follow the diet. I do have some questions though...
First: How soon do you notice an improvement in the D and cramps?( I have spent way too many times hunched over pretending to look at the lowest shelf in the grocery store and then rushing to the bathroom with two kids in tow!)
Second: I found Benefiber but it does say sugar free on it but they did not have one at this store that did not say sugar free. The only ingredient listed is Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum, no mention of artidicial sweeteners on the bottle or on their website). Is this OK?
Third: How is this syndrome affecting mothers out there? I really try to not let it interfere with their lives but they know about it and some activities (those not near a bathroom ) are just not doable for me.
Thanks Heather and all for making me fell as though I can get better!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hello and welcome, I am also an IBS-D person but not so much any more since I found this website! I have found some immediate relief by following the diet guidelines. Then I added in Acacia and am not up to 2T a day and I am off of Immodium (I used to take that daily and now it's just occasionally). I have had IBS for about 13 years and until I read Heather's books I had no idea what to eat and what not to eat. It was overwelming at first thinking I had so much to learn and having to change what I buy but once you get going it's just so nice to be able to eat without constant stomach pain that the work is all worth it. The recipes are pretty easy to follow. I'm currently addicted to the peppermint tea and I love to drink that loaded with some sugar.
I think that if Benefiber would have to list all the ingredients if it had artificial sugar but can you call their 1-800 number on the box and double check?
I am not a mom but plan to be some day and I also worry about how my stomach issues will affect my life. How will I be able to handle all that responsibility when if I am feeling sick? Well I guess I spend more time worrying about being sick these days than actually having any problems. I ask my husband all the time "are you gonna be one of those dad's that expects me to do all the work?". He laughs and so do I because he's not that kind of guy and I have to remember that he's a good support system for me when I am feeling sick.
Well I hope you do start feeling better and if you follow the advice here I'm sure you will. Good luck and let us know how you are doing. I was also so relieved to find Heather!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Welcome to the boards! The great news is that if you're D predominant, you should feel better really quickly (within a few days). We recommend lots of peppermint tea, fennel tea for bloating.
Benefiber is a good product from what I hear and lots of people on this board use it. The guar gum is the soluble fiber used in this. As for the sugar free thing - sugar is NOT a problem for us - sugar is not a trigger so don't go out of your way to find a sugar free one. The regular one should be just fine.
As for the kids, don't worry. Once you get stable, you'll have the freedom to do whatever you please. (I have a 2 1/2 year old and a 7 month old - believe me I know what you mean).
--------------------
Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
HI
I followed the "What to Eat When You Can't Eat Anything" and slowly started added food back into my diet. I think it took about 5 days before the D cleared up and no more cramps.
As a mom of three boys (ages 16, 14 and 11), all I can say is that I try my best and usually that is enough. I drive the oldest to school in another town every morning (1 1/4 hr RT trip) and if I'm feeling iffy, I take an imodium to make sure I can last for the drive.
I have noticed that I rarely sign up for field trips. My kids don't seem to care whether I go or not, but I just can't fathom driving in a school bus with no escape. Also, the teacher usually assigns each parent 4 or 5 kids and I would just feel awkward if I had an attack and had to leave 5 little kids sitting outside the women's restroom (this is when they were little)! I usually volunteer at the school for things that have some flexibility or things I can do at home.
Fortunately, my kids' sporting activities are usually near a bathroom (soccer and baseball). I usually don't go if they are going camping, skiing, fishing (I don't like those activities anyway).
On occasion, the kids will say that I don't do anything fun with them. That used to hurt a little, but I can only do what I can do and I have learned to accept that.
This morning, my oldest son was practicing his bassoon and I was knitting, just enjoying the music and being near him. I so much enjoy my kids.
Janet
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
HI CRC. WELCOME TO THE BOARD. WE ARE ALL HERE TO HELP YOU.
CRC HAVE YOU TRIED CALTRATE, ITS A CALCIUM PILL. IT CAN CAUSE SOMETIMES CONSTIPATION. BUT THEY DO WORK FOR D. ALSO TRY TAKEING PRELIEF ITS FOR ACID FOOD. IT HELPS A LITTLE BIT
FOR ME. JASPER
--------------------
ive had ibs for 8 years now. im learning alot on this web board. thanks again everyone
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
GRRRRRR
#48546 - 03/07/04 09:25 AM
|
|
|
|
Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
|
|
|
(Quote) "Good news, we ruled out Celiac so it looks like it is IBS so you can eat whatever you want." (Unquote) OMG! Did a doctor REALLY say that?!? Good Godmother!  I am constantly amazed at how useless doctors are when it comes to IBS -- in this case, not only useless but harmful.
I am so sorry you went through that. Find another doctor!
How soon I notice an improvement in my D and cramps depends on how severe they are. I take an anti-spasmotic (Donnatal), which ALWAYS works for me, but it takes at least an hour for it to "kick in," so I take it with Equalactin (which works immediately). My cramps and D go away pretty fast. But that's just for those occasions when I have severe cramping and D.
Have you thought about peppermint caps? Heather says they work better for her than my Donnatal! WOW! You might consider trying them because you can get them from Heather, whereas Donnatal is by prescription only (and especially if they work better than Donnatal).
I'm not a mother, so I can't answer your last question. But I will say that I've had anxiety over this so badly that I was completely home-bound until 3 months ago when Heather turned me onto Michael's hypnotherapy. I am so grateful to her and Michael -- and this board -- for my "recovery."
Keep posting, keep asking those questions, follow the program, and I guarantee you will get better.
A prior Mainer,
Bev
P.S.: Where abouts in Maine are you?
--------------------
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Posts
