Heather..it doesn't seem to be working
#55249 - 03/28/04 08:25 PM
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Roz
Reged: 02/29/04
Posts: 35
Loc: New York
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Hi Heather and support team:
Well, hubby( Alan)has followed the IBS diet and has taken the acacia and is still having bad IBS D attacks. He can't seem to break the cycle. Day 1 he has IBS D and cramping so he takes immodium and sometimes needs donatal as well..so now for day 2 and 3 he is in the IBS C stage until day 4 when he gets another IBS D attack and so on. It almost seems like the acacia makes the D worse; is this possible? He is only taking 2 tsp a day since he is mostly having attacks and is afraid the acacia is exacerbating the situation. Does one still take the fiber when in the throws of an attack? We have read Heather's books and followed the msg boards and intellectually understand why the fiber should work, but does it always work in every IBS case? ( we are sure this is what he has as he has been tested for everything else and has the classic IBS symptoms per the Rome 11 guidelines)
He is really not under any stress, but there doesn't seem to be much difference now in the frequency and severity of his IBS attacks from when he was eating and drinking everything. We have considered a food allergy, but I understand if that were the case, the reaction would occur within an hour or two of ingesting the suspected substance.
Any suggestions from anyone would be greatly appreciated.
Oh, also hubby wanted me to ask those of you who get attacks if they make you feel totally wiped out. ( I think I know the answer to that one)
Thanks again for listening....
Roz
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I'm sorry your hubby is so miserable! Personally, I probably would wait until he stabalized to add the fiber supplements. They can cause a lot of excess gas and bloating when you first start them, and that's exactly what you DON'T want when you're already feeling terrible. Otherwise I'd start out even more slowly... maybe 1/2 tsp twice a day! I know that sounds like nothing, but I've found that I have to increase fiber supplements at such a slow rate or they bother me. I hope that helps... and that your hubby starts to improve soon! Sometimes it can take quite a while for a person's intestines to calm down, so tell him to hang in there!
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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About being "wiped out", aside from drinking plenty of water, be sure his electrolytes are being replaced. There is a water product called SmartWater or something like that in the health food area of your grocery store or health food store. Or get pedialyte. I am not sure if Gatorade is IBS safe or not... I know this is common sense (especially if you've had kids) Just a reminder.  Stick with crackers and Rice Chex as Heather's book says when the "D" bouts happen. Hang in there!
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Kree, thanks for your kind words and encouragement. I think your advice makes good sense. I have read many success stories on this message board and am hopeful that he will be able to stabilize some time soon. His attacks usually occur in the morning ( for whatever reason) so that determines what the rest of the day will be like..it can be very disheartening. Thanks again!
Roz
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Ah....
#55256 - 03/28/04 08:55 PM
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Well...
When I take immodium i'm fine for a couple of days and then I can go the bathroom and go fine and then it's like a plug is released and it's like I have D again. Just so you know that happens.
As for the acacia powder I take 2 tablespoons a day now but when I first started out on a low dosage I could not stop going the bathroom at least 15 times in one day! I thought it made my IBS worse so I stopped taking it. Then I had a few days off a couple of weeks down the road and tried again
same thing it took my body several days to adjust to the small amount but it was worth the begining inconvience. I used to take 12 immodium a day and take one every 2 weeks maybe now.
So... lower the dosage even a bit more and see what happens over the next 4 days. It's a trial to begin with but it could really help.
I also went into Excel and made charts of days and amounts to make sure I slowly increased and took the same amount each day. I wait 2-4 weeks to increase my acacia amounts after I get steady on the previous amount taken. In other words I still get a little upset when I increase and then get used to the amount.
Good luck!!!!!
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Thanks Aunie, that's a good idea about replacing his electrolytes..I'll have to pick up some of that "smart water" or a similar product. He usually finds plain bagels and bananas helpful after a bad attack.
Be well!
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Yes i get totally wiped out. when i was still working i knew i'd have to call in sick the day after an attack because i'd feel so awful.
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Heather also suggests taking your fibre supplement right before bed if you're prone to attacks in the morning...
just a suggestion...hope your hubby feels better soon!!!
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Yes to being wiped out. If I have 1-2 hrs of cramping after dinner then I'm pretty much okay the next day. If I have a 3-6 hr attack I'm pretty much in bed the next day as my intestines are just too sore to even walk around. As far as supplments I'm still working on what is right for me so not ready to give advise. Hang in there hubby! 
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For Roz
#55751 - 03/29/04 06:45 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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How long has Alan been following the program? And how long has he been taking the acacia? 2 teaspoons a day isn't very much. However, if it seems to be making the D worse, try a different soluble fiber -- what about Citrucel powder?
I am a D also, and I have been on the acacia for several months now. I love it; I've actually increased my dosage from 2 teaspoons a day to 2-1/2 TABLEspoons a day (over 3 months time).
But what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. I'd try a different kind and see if the D gets better; if not, then you know it's not the acacia.
About those awful cramps -- yes, VERY debilitating! I also take Donnatal, but ONLY in emergencies, when the cramps are excruciating (otherwise, I take other meds). Donnatal is very dangerous stuff. Here's what I read about it:
Quote:
"Warning: special mental and physical adverse effects. Older adults are especially sensitive to the harmful anticholinergic effects of a family of drugs called belladonna alkaloids. Atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine are all in this family. Drugs in this family should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Mental effects: confusion, delirium, short-term memory problems, disorientation, and impaired attention. Physical effects: dry mouth, constipation, difficulty urinating (especially for a man with an enlarged prostate), blurred vision, decreased sweating with increased body temperature, sexual dysfunction, and worsening of glaucoma."
It's a combination of Atropine, Hyoscyamine, Scopolamine, and PHENOBARBITAL. Not good, not good.
Has Alan given any thought to Heather's peppermint caps? Heather used to take Donnatal, but she says the peppermint caps actually work better as an anti-spasmodic! You might think about it.
Another thing I take when the attack is really bad is Equalactin. It works better for me than Fibercon or Citrucel (other soluble fiber supplements I've tried) for some reason. Heather first introduced me to Equalactin when I placed my first order with her; if you order the peppermint caps -- or anything -- she'll probably include a small box of the stuff.
Tell hubby that the best thing of all is "sleeping it off." I take my Equalactin and my meds, soak in a hot bath, then take a cup of peppermint tea with me to bed, get my mind off it by watching TV (or reading a trashy novel -- if hubby is into that kind of thing), and letting myself fall asleep. By the time I wake up, I'm fine.
Hope this helps.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Re: Ah....
#55762 - 03/29/04 06:55 PM
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Roz
Reged: 02/29/04
Posts: 35
Loc: New York
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Thanks, if you can go from 12 immodium a day to 1, then there's hope for hubby  That's amazing that you've come such a long way! We'll cut back to 1/2 tsp 2x day and increase it much more slowly.
Keep up the good work!
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Thanks for the suggestion..we'll try it 
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Re: For Roz
#55789 - 03/29/04 07:25 PM
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Roz
Reged: 02/29/04
Posts: 35
Loc: New York
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Hi Bev,
I guess Alan has been on the program close to a month now and has been on and off the acacia. He'll take it a few days and then when he gets D, he stops as he feels it makes it worse. He was taking metamucil before but it did not seem to help either. That's great that you are able to tolerate so much acacia and it seems to be working so well for you. I told him to try taking 1/2 tsp 2x day as I believe his system must be extremely sensitive to fiber and then perhaps try increasing it very slowly.
He also only takes donnatal occasionally when the cramps are really bad. ( thanks for the warning though...unfortunately most meds have so many side affects that it makes one afraid to take anything) He has found peppermint tea to be helpful but not so when he gets one of his bad attacks. Perhaps we'll give the peppermint caps and equalactin a try.
Yes, Alan has figured out that a good book and sleep are the best remedy when he gets totally wiped. After he sleeps, he usually does feel somewhat better.
We thank you so much for your post...and your concern..it is very much appreciated as is all the terrific feedback we've received from the wonderful folks on the board.
Hope everyone has a good IBS day tomorrow!
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You may have to go even lower to start if he is sensitive like me. Plus I get up around 2am and take one dosage. It goes down on an empty stomach and seems to do well with me.
E-mail me if you have any questions!
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