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new to board - question re soluble fiber reaction and diet
      #87222 - 07/07/04 08:03 AM
raindew01

Reged: 07/07/04
Posts: 75
Loc: Toronto, Ontario - Canada.

Hi all,

I'm new to this site--and so very glad I found it! The great information (written so hopefully and in such an easy-to-understand manner) has given me the first hope about IBS-D in four months. (I actually have a name now for what I think I have. Constant diarrehea for 4 months, foods that seem to trigger me sometimes not triggering me other times, etc.)

After reading info on this site, I am on the third day of the breaking the cycle diet. The D hasn't gone away yet. I'm willing to wait and see it through...I just wish I knew it was getting better. How long did it take others to get to a point of not having D, starting on the breaking the cycle diet? I think, from what I read here, it can take a week or more...and that's kind of reassuring because the D for me hasn't stopped yet.

I'm in Toronto, Canada, and I couldn't find any soluble fiber supplements that don't have psyllium, except one that had inulin. So I bought that one. And I noticed I get gas from it immediately--and also D right away, whereas if I don't take it, I seem to go okay for a while. (I don't know completely...because I took the SF supplement in the am, had instant D. Then ate some more of the soluble foods...just a bit of french bread, bit of corn pops, tons of strong peppermint tea, and a pepperment enteric-coated cap before I ate...and was fine right up until the late evening, when, minutes after having the SF supplement, I had gas and diarrhea again. I think that's a pretty clear sign I'm having a reaction to the supplement...but I know it's supposed to be really important to have a supplement.)

I was wondering if anyone else has had such a reaction to a soluble fiber supplement? I know that the gas can be normal (coupled with bloating); I'm wondering about the D. (And, I think, maybe I just want reassurance that this diet will work, that I will finally have an end to D and be able to eat something real. I'm looking forward to making a bunch of the recipies here! I'm a vegetarian, so I already incorporate a lot of the foods.)

I'm going to order the Acacia Tummy Fiber from this site, as it seems to be the best for the GI tract...I just wish I could know for sure that it will all help.

I hope I didn't blather on too long here. I'm so relieved to find an answer to this, relieved to find this board...and trying not to slip into the hopelessness I can slip into. (I can't wait to be able to eat chocolate again. And just...food.

Thank you for listening.

raindew



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Welcome! new
      #87223 - 07/07/04 08:14 AM
atomic rose

Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)

I'm sorry you're feeling so crappy (pun intended... I know, I'm awful...), but it's nice to have you on board. You've come to the right place. Ask any questions you might have!

First of all, yes, you can definitely have a reaction to the soluble fiber supplement. And yes, everyone's different. There are people here on the board who take psyllium with no problems. There are people (like me) who take inulin with no problems. But I couldn't take Citrucel (methylcellulose) to save my life... I had the same problem, gas and D, from even a teeny tiny dose. Unfortunately, it's totally trial and error. A lot of people really love the acacia, though, so definitely give it a try. I would probably back off on the inulin for now! (Although, I do have to ask what kind of a dosage you were trying to take... I take FiberChoice tablets, 2g apiece, and I actually had to start at 1/2 tablet twice a day, not the 2 tablets a day they recommend.)

It took me a long time to see improvements, also. I have to ask, you're not drinking anything caffeinated or carbonated, are you? For me, that was what REALLY made a huge difference. I insisted on sipping on Coke ("it settles my stomach!"), but when I finally gave it ALL up, for good, the D settled down significantly. But if you're not - and that's great! - yes, the diet will work. It does take time. I'm still not even close to being 100% "stable", after 6 weeks on the diet, but I'm seeing a LOT of improvement... and you will too!

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Re: Welcome! new
      #87232 - 07/07/04 08:43 AM
raindew01

Reged: 07/07/04
Posts: 75
Loc: Toronto, Ontario - Canada.

Thanks for the fast response (that was amazing!), the warm welcome, and the great information, Atomic Rose.

>>I'm sorry you're feeling so crappy
LOL! Very fitting.

It helps so much to hear that you had problems with D, too, with a soluble fiber. It always helps to know you're not alone. (at least, for me it does.) I got to the point where I felt I just couldn't stand living with this any more...so now I want solutions, fast, and I know I have to be patient.

I just feel so washed out and energyless...I'm not even writing (I write teen fiction.) So I'm hoping to feel better, soon.

The dose I took was one level teaspoon of FIBERrific (100% natural from chicory root, but is inulin) in a tall glass of water, once in the am, once in the pm. I don't know how much fiber is in it; it doesn't say (though it does say it's 97% fiber, so I guess if I knew how many grams are in a teaspoon, I'd know??) Maybe I should try half a teaspoon (though I'm scared to try now, but maybe I will.)

I'm not drinking anything carbonated or caffeinated. I'm literally just having water, strong peppermint tea, and some of either pretzels, french bread, corn pops, or white rice. hat's it. No sugar (except what's on the corn pops), no butter, nothing else except a bit of salt on the rice.

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I feel like I can't wait until I stabilize, until I can start making other things, like the zucchini or banana bread.

I have another question. If you're not quite stable, and it's been six weeks, are you on other food besides the basic break the cycle of IBS? Like, have you done the first next steps, like the zucchini bread, or incorporated anything else? (I invision a month of this diet, and shudder.)

Thanks again,

raindew







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Re: Welcome! new
      #87235 - 07/07/04 09:00 AM
atomic rose

Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)

I'm so glad you didn't immediately hate me for the bad pun.

I'm definitely eating foods beyond the "what to eat when you can't eat anything" diet, although I do find myself going back to it now and then when I'm feeling kind of sketchy. I think I was probably on the break-the-cycle menu for 2 weeks before I got brave and started eating other things. For me, not being stable is because I'm actually (most likely... I don't have a formal diagnosis yet) an A - alternating between C and D. For the longest time, I was always a D, but I started having problems with C when I gave up caffeine. (But honestly? After months of daily D, it's *almost* a relief to go a week without, heh.) I also still have problems with D around my period, which is pretty common.

And on top of that, there's always the possibility of food sensitivities that you might not know you have - I just recently found out that egg products, even the whites, give me D. Great! I've also found that rice, crackers, and potatoes are great, but my body doesn't like pasta and bread as much... and that I can eat things like salads that a lot of IBSers can't. Trial and error. It takes a while. By the way, if you're not already doing it, I'd suggest a food diary, especially once you start incorporating a better variety of foods... then, when you have bad days, you can look back and figure out what *might* have caused it. That's how I caught the egg whites.

I think if you ask anyone, they'll tell you that while they may have felt better almost immediately, it does take quite a while to get fully stable. I know that's not exactly encouraging, but it's worth the hassle. (That's my new mantra, heh.)

By the way, your energy level will pick up. The first week, I think I felt like someone had drained all the life out of me. You might go ahead and have some sugar in your peppermint tea, and maybe try a little bit of poached chicken breast (don't over do it, and eat rice first). Also, check the corn pops - do they have high fructose corn syrup? That's a trigger for a lot of people.

Have you been to a doctor yet, and had all the tests, etc? It is pretty important to rule out more serious disorders, especially if it gets to be much longer and you're not responding to the break-the-cycle diet.

Whew, I'm long-winded, aren't I? Sheesh...

By the way, that's so neat that you write teen fiction. Once upon a time, I had grand aspirations of writing a book or two. Then I realized I stink at fiction, and I'm even worse at sitting down and focusing on writing. So I guess that's out. LOL!

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Hey Raindew! new
      #87243 - 07/07/04 09:11 AM
ibsgrl

Reged: 04/18/04
Posts: 1060
Loc: Canada

Firstly, welcome! I really like your name, too. I am a C'er so unfortunately I'm not the best one to give you advice about your D but Casey already has given you some good advice and there are lots of others who will have a lot more to share with you.
I am also near Toronto so I thought that was pretty cool - and very cool that you write teen fiction. Have you ever published anything. I wrote a children's story in my last year of high school, so 2 yrs ago and was encouraged to get it published. However its a long process - I think I ended up sending it to two places - one at a time of course. The one wasn't looking for that "at this time" and the other said they had just published a story that was quite similar and didn't want to have two of the same! Ah well, I just thought that was pretty cool! How old are you btw?

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welcome! new
      #87245 - 07/07/04 09:29 AM
jenX

Reged: 08/11/03
Posts: 3252
Loc: Richmond, VA

i am glad you found us.

i just thought i'd mention to you that usually the gas and diarrhea go hand in hand for me when it comes to fiber and such. for me, at least (and i apologize for my blunt speech), when i was on other soluble fiber supplements and when i adjust my acacia or miss it for a while, i get gassy and bloaty and some loose, "airy" poops that aren't quite diarrhea. now, if i already have diarrhea, this stuff just makes it worse!

maybe it will help just to know that you're not the only one?

ps: my advice would be to stop the supplement if you think it's aggravating you and just wait to get acacia or another type of SF. stick with the heavy SF diet in the meantime. no point in doing something that's compounding the issue!

*j

--------------------



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Re: Welcome! new
      #87248 - 07/07/04 09:41 AM
raindew01

Reged: 07/07/04
Posts: 75
Loc: Toronto, Ontario - Canada.

Atomic Rose - Of course I wouldn't hate you for a pun! Humour is good, in any way we can find it.

I'm relieved that you're beyond the "what to eat when you can't eat anything" diet. That gives me hope.

That's interesting that you went from D to A after giving up caffeine. And I can believe it, that it would *almost* be a relief to experience C for a little while.

Thanks so much for the idea of a food diary, and the possibility of discovering food sensitivities. That's a very good idea; I will start a diary today. I hope I can figure stuff out. I know in the past I've had a reaction to having too much sugar or chocolate...but I'm holding out for the hope that, like Heather and others here, I can have a small amount after a SF meal...after I get stabilized.

I find it interesting (and good to know) that you have trouble with bread and pasta; I didn't even think to look at those things. I hope I won't, though; I love that stuff.

So, too, that's a good point about the corn pops. I did wonder that, myself, if I could be having a reaction to that, too...but I feel so washed out I wanted something. Maybe I'll lay off the corn pops for the next couple days, and just use some Stevia in my tea. (Stevia is good for stabilizing blood sugar, and I've never had a problem with it.)

And again, it's really good to know that it takes people a while to stabilize. It's reassuring; IBS-D really does seem to fit me. And having a context for things helps me so much.

Yes, feeling like someone had drained the life out of you for the first week--I so relate to that! I'm glad the energy will come back.

Your question about doctors...I have a kind of avoidance thing with doctors, but I finally went three or four months ago. THey did some ultrasounds, some blood tests, stool sample, nothing. Then went to another doctor, and am seeing a specialist in the middle of the month, just because I felt so desperate and wanted an answer. But I'm hoping that I'll stabilize before this next appointment, as I really want to avoid any invasive tests.... I prefer natural medicine.

You're not long-winded; I like your responses.

I'm glad you think writing teen fiction is neat. I love writing! (and reading.) I think it's pretty neat you wanted to write, too. As for "stinking" at it...there are techniques you can learn (through books, and some great websites) if it's something you really want to do. (though it sounds like you might not want to, and it's good to know what you want--and don't want!) I know my writing has dramatically improved over the last four years as a direct result of pouring myself into learning technique...and also a writing critique group.

And, if it's not what you want to do any more, that's cool, too. There's lots of ways to be creative. Or you can write for yourself, when you feel like it. I think writing can show us so much about ourselves....




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Re: Hey Raindew! new
      #87251 - 07/07/04 09:48 AM
raindew01

Reged: 07/07/04
Posts: 75
Loc: Toronto, Ontario - Canada.

Thanks for the welcome, ibsgrl, and the liking my name. I like your name, too; I just got it!

That is cool you're near Toronto, too.

You asked if I'd published anything. I have a short teen story coming out in an anthology in Sept 2005. Other than that, I just had some non-fiction published years ago. I'm focusing right now on getting my novels published. I currently have two novels sitting with an agent, and she's given me some good feedback...so I'm hoping she'll take me on! Being published--that's been my lifelong dream.

I'm 31. Will be 32 in August. I don't feel like the age of my body, though. Never have. I have a lot of much younger and much older parts of myself.

It sounds like people *really* liked your story, and thought it was publishable. That's a great compliment! Keep sending the story out, Ibsgrl. Some day it'll find a publisher. (And maybe consider editing it at some point.) (Of course, if you don't want to, that's fine, too.) It sounds like you have talent. Cool!




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Re: Dairy new
      #87255 - 07/07/04 09:56 AM
Wookie

Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 247
Loc: n/a

Welcome! I am IBS-C and and it took me a while to become stable. My GI says it takes a lot of patience. So don't give up! It WILL get better. I suffered for about 6 months before I got to a GI dr. Once I got to see the GI, it took me about a month to get stable. Then I discovered this site and have honestly learned more here than I have from my GI. Also, dairy is a big trigger for most folks. Do you use milk with your corn flakes? A lot of people use soy or rice milk. My GI says there is also lactose free milk. I havne't tried any of the substitues yet because I am afraid they may taste bad. Anywho, welcome again and good luck!

--------------------
~Wookie

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Re: welcome! new
      #87256 - 07/07/04 09:59 AM
raindew01

Reged: 07/07/04
Posts: 75
Loc: Toronto, Ontario - Canada.

JenX, thanks for your reply and sharing of information. No need to appologize for being blunt; we're all experiencing something similar here, right? Who better to understand (or listen)? And I found what you said really helpful. I experienced the same reaction with that particular SF supplement I tried...so that's reassuring.

It *does* help to know I'm not alone.

I am definitely stopping this particular supplement, and waiting until I get the Acacia. (I wish they sold Acacia here; then I could have it right away! Blub.) And absolutely, a high soluble diet.

thanks for your suggestions.

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