I'm sure this has been asked many, many times, but...
#83455 - 06/26/04 08:57 AM
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atomic rose
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
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At what point in the diet and supplements and such did you start to feel better? I'm not even talking 100% stable, I'm thinking... just... BETTER.
I'm not discouraged, or giving up 5 minutes before the miracle, heh, I'm just curious. I've been following Heather's diet to the letter for about a month now, but I'm only up to 3g/day of a SFS. I really don't feel all that much better. I guess my "attacks" aren't as severe, but they still happen, a couple times a week - and in between, I still feel less than spectacular. In fact, the only real difference I've noticed, so far, is that my skin is breaking out like mad, which really doesn't make me very happy, hehe. 
Anyway, like I said, I'm not discouraged, exactly, just curious... and kind of looking for a milestone or something to look forward to. 
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Are you on acacia. I am & along w/diet I feel great. I started w/ 1(baking teaspoon)in morning w/poland spring water & the same right before dinner. Cereals,graham crackers,& pretzels are morning and afternoon staples that help w/my regular meal times. Fennel tea has helped alot w/bloating-gas. I put a little soy milk vanilla & one sugar to get through taste, but it helps alot. I still think the acacia was the topper though. Feel better & good luck!
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... and quite happy with it, over all. I've had none of the problems with the inulin that some people seem to have, and the tablets taste so darn good that I almost can't wait to take more of them! But I did just start with it... it's only been a week. Before that, I was using Citrucel, and that didn't go very well.
And yup, my diet's just about the same as yours. Like I said, I'm following the diet to the letter, no cheats. I drink peppermint tea on days I'm feeling "iffy" - I've never tried the fennel because, thank goodness, I have NO problems with bloat or gas!
Thanks for your reply! I guess what I'm looking for is how many grams of fiber & how long on the diet before you noticed real improvement. I do feel a little better, I just need something to look forward to. 
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Hey girl. Unfortunately I think everyone is different, so I can't give you a day that you'll start automatically feeling better  I'm sorry you're still hurting so much. I still have a bunch of bad days too - and I've been on this diet for 4 months now. Not to discourage you - because believe me I am 95% better than I was before - but I'm still trying to figure out what I can and can't tolerate. I think I've also been getting more attacks because I got SOO bored of eating pretzals, mangos, white rice, and french bread for a month - so I've been cooking a LOT of these recipes and trying to find out what bothers me. SO - adding a lot more foods could be giving me some bad days right now.
Confused yet? I tend to ramble a lot.
Anyways, despite what everyone says - I think I increased my fiber pretty fast....I was up to 9 grams/day in 2.5 months, and I never had a big problem increasing. I'm not sure why I never had a problem with that?? I had some 'bubbling' in my stomach for about a day, but that was it. I would try to increase your fiber - but don't go too fast because everyone seems to have problems with that. If I were you, I'd add half a tablet each week or every 2 weeks or something. See how you handle the increase the first week.
It will get better - believe me. From where I was then to where I am now is unbelievable. I'm still stuggling with the whole, 'why did this happen, this is a pain in my a$$, I hate IBS' everyday. Soon I need to get over it and just accept it!
Sorry I just wrote a novel I'm bored waiting for my husband to get home from work. I hate that he works so many Saturdays! 
Have a good weekend!
~Cara
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~Cara~
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Heh.
#83497 - 06/26/04 12:52 PM
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atomic rose
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
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I'm actually increasing the fiber pretty quickly... well, compared to how I struggled with the citrucel, REALLY quickly, heh. I did 2g/day with no problem for maybe 4 days, so I bumped it up to 3g, and I'm still having no problems. I figure I'll keep increasing at that rate unless I get some kind of sign that I shouldn't, LOL!
Now that I'm thinking about it, I guess I have gotten quite a bit better already. My "bad days" aren't nearly as bad as they used to be. I still have the urgency, and I still feel shaky and weak afterwards, but I don't get straight D anymore, nor do I have the cramping. So I guess that's improvement.
And yeah, I think you're right that some of it is still because I'm getting used to things and trying to figure out what I can and can't eat. The strangest things don't sit well with me (toasted marshmallows?? huh?), so I finally broke down and started keeping a food diary. I'll get it right yet, darn it.
You know, it's funny... I've had this for so long, and I don't think I've accepted it yet, either. I keep thinking I'll find the right combination of things and never have a problem again as long as I live, and I know how unrealistic that is... but I'm not accepting it yet, either.
Sorry to hear you've still been having some bad days. Hope you're feeling a bit better & enjoy the rest of your weekend. And don't apologize for rambling... that's what we're all here for, isn't it? Heh.
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My SFS was Benefiber, made me sick, didn't realize it until I read Bev's post in the LR this morning. Since I am an A, predominately C, I have let myself become so confused. I have to start over, I am going back to Heathers post about the SFS and start all over again.
I am doing ok with the diet, its just the supplement that I am having a hard time getting the right one and regulated. I hope that day comes soon!!
Of course, being only human, I have been enjoying things that make me feel bad. Just a few things though, not totally overboard.
I am having grilled seafood for dinner, dry baked potato, and at the end, if I have any room, a little salad !! The best thing about this meal is that I am not cooking it, we are going out. Thank goodness for a restaurant that doesn't serve everything fried !!!!
I also love vintage clothing, garage sales,and road trips. I think we would have a blast together !!!!
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Hey, Just to throw in a little tip. My Dr. said fiber tablets are not as good as the powder. I tend to do better with a big scoop of powdered citrucel clear with water at bedtime. Sorry you mentioned you couldn't take citrucel. But any powder fiber is better then pills. I guess it makes us drink more water with it. Hope you feel better soon. Marilyn
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-----Marilyn-----
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This is of no importance...but I LOVE GARAGE SALES too I get so excited when I see one - my husband thinks it's funny. Hmmm...now you got me in the mood to go look for some
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~Cara~
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Hey Casey, hope you get to feeling better soon. I started on Heather's diet and the SFS at the same time so I can't say that either one was the deciding factor, but I can say that within a month I could tell the difference. But I had to do two weeks of nothing but chicken and rice in order for my gut to settle down first. At four months I was stabilizing nicely and now at 10 months I'm feeling pretty good.
I'm glad that you're doing the food diary because that will show you what may be triggering an attack for you. It did for me, plus it had another advantage for me - some 'safe' foods were making me really sick and I went to my allergist and he ran bloodwork and discovered that I am allergic to yeast, vinegar, malt, and fungus...so the 'safe' french and sourdough bread that I was eating was making me sick. Also discovered after that I'm allergic to carrots too, thanks to the food diary.
Hang in there, girl, it will get better. Some people take longer than others to settle down. I was having 3 - 4 attacks a week prior to the diet and I've had only two major attacks (not of my own doing, hee hee) in 10 months so I can tell you that the diet does work. I have my days when I feel horrible, so tired I can barely move, and I wonder how in the world I'm going to live the rest of my life with this crappy IBS. But I just eat something safe, take my fiber, and wait it out, knowing that it will pass and I'll be able to get on with my life. ((HUGS))
Shari
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Well...
#83532 - 06/26/04 03:15 PM
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atomic rose
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
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I definitely drink plenty of water, both with the tablets and otherwise... I get roughly 120oz a day. No joke. It's all I drink. So if that's the logic behind taking a powder, I've got that one covered. I do take each dose of my chewables with a 12oz glass of water.
I was really, incredibly miserable taking a powder supplement. I just don't like them - even tiny doses made my stomach hurt, I think from the volume of water all at once (relatively speaking). I appreciate the tip, for sure, but unless I see the FiberChoice making me SICKER (or not making a positive difference at a higher dose), I'm definitely not going back. Call me a baby, but I like my chewables!
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Aww!
#83537 - 06/26/04 03:19 PM
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atomic rose
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
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That's it! I'm rounding up you and Cara and the 3 of us are gonna go terrorize the garage sales! Tee hee.
Anyway, don't feel bad... I had to start all over with the FiberChoice when the Citrucel didn't work out. I think that's the trial-and-error most of us have to deal with!
Hope you get un-discombobulated (and feeling better) soon!
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Hey there,
I just wanted to stick my nose in for a minute to say that I totally know how you feel, with the frustration of the diet not being the miracle cure I really, _really_ wanted it to be. I started on the diet before Christmas, and stuck to it really well after the first month or so of adjusting to supplements and stuff, and I just got continuously more ill. Even just 3 weeks ago, I had liquid D most of the time with bad cramping and everything.
That's why I think that for some people, the diet alone isn't enough to calm down troublesome tummies. I know my doctor was probably not entirely right on his theory, but he said that IBS is about the way your body moves food through.. I think the diet part will help make it easier to move, etc. but sometimes you need that something more to make it stable.
I have ONLY felt better since seeing my new doctor and getting new meds and stuff. I take Celevac tablets twice a day (they are fiber), and then I am on a really low dose anti-depressant at nighttimes. I think I remember you saying before that getting medical treatment is hard for you because of.. insurance, was it? But then your mom said she would help you out, right? I can't remember, did you say you are waiting for your first visit already? Oh, now I'm getting myself all confused..
Anyway, don't fret, I had a terrible time trying to get stable on the diet and it just wasn't enough for me. I'd tried 3 different anti-spasmodics to help as well, and none of them did the trick either. Even with meds, I think you have to trial and error to see what works for you.
Good luck!
--Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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i think i got better bit by bit almost daily until one day i thought "hey! i haven't had one of those double-me-over pains in so long i can't count back. and when was the last time i cried in the bathroom!?"
but i did notice the progress a little more obviously when i started my acacia and my outside stress dropped (i'm just getting that correlation right now).
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Getting Stable
#83694 - 06/27/04 08:30 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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It took me several months before I noticed any significant change. But I went through Michael's program, which made a significant difference.
I got immeasurably better when I got real and stopped cheating. I was in denial, thinking I could get away with having just a few "no-nos" if I was good with everything else, and especially if those "no-nos" were only ever-so-often. Once I woke up to reality, I got better almost instantly.
However, my problems have stemmed from playing around with the SFS. It really does a number on my system. I have had extreme reactions to various kinds and quantities -- I still don't have it right!
I don't ever think about "going back" to eating the old way because I believe the program is healthy and the best way for me to eat. When I see others eating things I cannot, I don't envy them in the least; in fact, just the opposite -- my tummy will churn just a little, knowing what that food would do to me. That cheesecake is just SOOOO not worth it! And if I have to give up my ADBs because for some stupid reason they give me indigestion, then so be it; I'll stick with my Luna Bars.
And I believe I will get stable once and for all. It's been a long time for me, but I've had some good months. I know it can happen; I just have to be patient with myself and stop cheating.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Hey Sis,
I see you are up and around this morning. Hope that's a good sign. How ya doin???? Did not taking the fiber help?
Hope so.
I agree with you. If I know something will make me sick I will not eat it. I don't care how tempting it is. Like chocolate brownie with hot fudge sauce dripping down and mounds of ice cream & whipped cream & nuts. My husband thinks I have a lot of willpower. He just doesn't know that when something makes you so sick no matter how good it tastes you will not eat it. If he isn't supposed to eat something because of his diet and he eats it anyway, he just says "oh well, I'll just start my diet tomorrow" and that's the end of it. If I eat something I am not supposed to eat I get very sick.  That's the difference. It's not really willpower, I don't think. If anything, it is fear of getting sick. Anyway, in spite of all this, I still have a happy life...especially when my stomach feels good.
Hope you have a great day
Barbie
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...your "saga" over in the Living Room... I'm SO glad you're feeling better today! And WITH your Soyfee! (I'm sorry to hear you were feeling so horrible, and that the SFS was to blame, but better it be that than the Soyfee!)
Patience isn't easy, is it?
We got word a couple days ago that the financing for our house is going through a-ok. Halleluia! Talk about a relief! So although the date for the closing hasn't been determined yet, I'm thinking it'll be in early August, so the countdown has begun: __ weeks till I can afford to buy Michael's program! Tee hee. The more I read the stories and feedback in the hypnosis forum, the more sure I am about giving it a shot... I think it's going to help.
I'm with you - I don't believe there's any going back, anymore. The first time I ate like this, years ago, I couldn't believe how good I felt... but I was younger (22), and a party girl, and I was dead-set on being "normal". It may have taken a few years to catch up with me, but catch up it did. And ya know, looking at people around me, and the shape they're in... well... "normal" doesn't seem to be such a good thing anymore.
Anyway. Thanks for your response.
PS - I believe you will get stable once and for all too, Bev! Go you!
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