OK I'm ready
#81032 - 06/19/04 09:15 AM
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littleone24
Reged: 05/30/04
Posts: 50
Loc: London, Ontario
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After my episode and breakdown thismorning, I think I'm ready to try the diet and be serious about it. I am so stubborn I didn't wan't to admit this is a "real" problem. I wanted to believe it would just go away. It's not and I'm learning the hard way. I had a whole wheat bagel with butter and a coffee with milk and sugar thismorning. Then I was stuck in bed for 3 hours with major cramps. This sucks so bad...but if I don't do something to make myself feel better that I am going to kill myself!
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I know that stubbornness thing. I've put up with this since I was 12. I had a really bad flareup when I was 25, and you'd think that would have taught me the lesson, to eat well and behave myself - but no, here I am again. Heh. I figure that if I can change the way I eat, ANYONE can. 
Coffee is killer. I couldn't believe how much better I felt - by the next day! - when I gave up coffee. (And tea, and soda.) Seriously. It might take a few weeks to really notice yourself feeling better, but you will. 
Anyway, I'm just rambling. Good luck! After the first week or so, it really does get easier.
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When you get to the point where you realize you have to get real, and accept the fact that you have this horrible condition, you WILL begin the road of "healing."
Now, first thing you HAVE to do, lose the coffee! That was the toughest part for me. Heather totally got me to go cold turkey with her post on 12/10/03:
Quote:
Here's what Heather told me that got me to quit cold turkey:
". . . decaf doesn't matter - there's an enzyme in coffee beans that's a GI irritant) would wreak havoc on anyone with IBS. I don't think any dietary measures, or hypnosis, or anything else would overcome that (it sure wouldn't for me). You're just constantly, and seriously, irritating your digestive tract. All of your other efforts may help mitigate this, but I don't think they'll be much more than a band-aid.
I would stop drinking coffee asap, and cold turkey. Since you're not having the caffeine, you shouldn't have any withdrawal symptoms. Try Rocamojo, a roasted soy bean "coffee" that folks on the board love. Do search on the boards for coffee and you'll find lots of good substitutes. . . . coffee is right up there with red meat, dairy, and soda pop. No benefits, many dangers.
I think you're going to be shocked by how much better you feel, almost immediately, if you give up the joe."
As soon as I gave it up, my symptoms went away. No more cramps! Yaaay! You CAN find a substitute, though -- and I did. It's SoyFee, and it's fabulous! It's very healthy for you, and even aids in digestion! Here's the website: The World's Best Tasting Coffee That Isn't Coffee Web Page
Like you, I was originally in total denial as well, which is a shame -- because I lost several years of my life, suffering so badly. Even when I first contacted Heather, I still didn't want to believe it, and I wouldn't follow the advice in her books. Finally, I had no choice. BUT -- and it's a big butt -- I DID eventually get stable when I stuck with the program and STOPPED CHEATING. Now, I haven't had an attack in several months, and I feel GREAT!
You can too, Little One. (And never, NEVER talk about "killing yourself.") We are all here, in the same boat, and what we do is help each other. That includes you. We'll help you with this.
First, after tossing out that horrible coffee, check out the links to your left. Get Heather's book, "The First Year." If you can afford it, go for her other book, "Eating for IBS." The latter contains fabulous recipes, but if you can't afford it AND the other book, get "The First Year" because it's our bible. We follow it TO THE LETTER. You also might consider some of Heather's supplements: you need a good SFS, and Acacia is excellent. Also, her peppermint capsules are great as an anti-spasmodic, if you don't already have a prescription for Nu-Lev, Hyoscyamine, or Donnatal. Her tummy teas are good (although I confess I ain't no tea person!), but you might want to invest in some Ginger Aid tea (at the supermarket) for those times when your tummy is "down-and-out."
Also, be sure to run down to Wal-Mart's or Walgreens and get yourself some Equalactin tablets that you keep in your purse for emergencies. They'll calm your tummy down in stressful situations or when you go out to a restaurant to eat.
Little One, don't despair. We've ALL been there, and some of us still are. You've come to the right place for help, and you've taken the biggest step of all -- acceptance.
Welcome to the Boards!
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Yes, I think you were definitely off the diet this morning. The "whole wheat bagel" itself would have done me in. Coffee is not good, either.
I think if you follow Heather's advice and stay away from trigger foods and eat things like pasta, rice, potatoes and baked or grilled white chicken you will start feeling better. Also, watch out for sorbitol in sugar-free foods and vitamins, gum, mints, etc. Keep a food diary. That will help you figure out what your triggers are. Everybody is a little different and sometimes you have to be a food detective to figure it out. There may be good days and some bad days while you try to figure this out...but don't despair...you will get better.
You will get tons of good advice on this board. We are all here to help and please don't ever get so down that you are thinking about killing yourself.
Barbie
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Stubbornness!
#81059 - 06/19/04 11:46 AM
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Kree
Reged: 10/08/03
Posts: 3748
Loc: Northern NY
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Good for you, littleone. I bet you'll start feeling a LOT better. As for your stubbornness, I hear you. I'm pretty stubborn myself. But... you can put it to good use! You can start becoming stubborn about NOT eating trigger foods. That's the way I am now... I'm too stubborn to let myself cheat most of the time. Best of luck to you and let us know how your transition goes!
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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Denial ain't just a river in Egypt!
(And call me Cleopatra cause I'm de queen of de Nile!!)
Denial is also the shock absorber of the soul, helping us get through hard times until we're ready to face things. I'm glad you're ready. And you're right on schedule, right where you're supposed to be! Good luck and we'll be cheering for you, girlfriend!!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Hej Whoever, First time user. I'm interested in talking to someone who has IBS and also has had rectal cancer. That's me, no clostomy, just problems.
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Hi and welcome! The best way to make contact is to start your own post. See the link at the top of the page that says Post? Click there and type your message. Then more people will see it.
Glad you found us, sorry you have to be here!!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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