I DID IT!! 7 MONTHS NO D!!
#96716 - 08/09/04 08:52 AM
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LauraSue
Reged: 01/14/04
Posts: 4812
Loc: New York City
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As of today, I have officially been stable, no D, for 7 whole months!! It's been over three years since that's happened (my IBS got much worse around that time.) How did I do it? I got serious about Heather's diet. Specifically for me, it was a combination of three things, any two of which were not enough -- it took ALL THREE!
1. Heather's diet, especially no alcohol, no red meat, low fat, not too many calories at each meal, and most importantly making soluble fiber foods the basis of each meal. (Love my starches!!)
2. Soluble fiber supplement, full recommended dose. Metamucil works for me although it gives some people gas. I had to work up to the full dose very gradually, but now if I miss a dose my tummy lets me know right away!!
3. Meds, both Rx and OTC. I had been prescribed Bentyl but was only taking it when I felt an attack coming on. When I checked with my doctor he said to try taking it every day. BINGO!! That's when I finally got stable. I also take a generic version of Gas-X every day, plus acidophilus probiotic twice a day. AND whenever I feel even a teensy bit iffy, I take Imodium, which thank goodness does NOT make me C in the amounts I take. In addition, some of the meds I take for other health issues also help with the D, for example Elavil (amitryptiline sp?) and Xanax (alprazolam).
I don't mind taking meds if they help. I figure they're like SFS for the brain!! If I had penicillin or diabetes I wouldn't hesitate to take my meds. IBS is no different. Okay, maybe if I followed Heather's diet EXACTLY, I wouldn't need meds. I do cheat in some areas for various reasons (some health related). But I KNOW I'm cheating and I'm NOT in denial about it, thinking "Oh, it's okay, I can eat this with no problem." It's a trade off that I can live with, but I would NOT recommend that anyone else cheat in the areas I do. In fact I refuse to even say what they are because I don't want to encourage anyone and then have a problem. So when asked I will always say, "Do what I say (follow Heather's diet EXACTLY), not what I do."
Cheers and here's to an IBS free week for all of us.
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Christine
Those who can do; those who want it done better teach.
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I knew you'd do it!
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Quote:
As of today, I have officially been stable, no D, for 7 whole months!! wwwwwwwwoooooohhhhhhhoooooo It's been over three years since that's happened (my IBS got much worse around that time.) How did I do it? I got serious about Heather's diet. Specifically for me, it was a combination of three things, any two of which were not enough -- it took ALL THREE!
1. Heather's diet, especially no alcohol, no red meat, low fat, not too many calories at each meal, and most importantly making soluble fiber foods the basis of each meal. (Love my starches!!) I hear ya girlfiend!! 
2. Soluble fiber supplement, full recommended dose. Metamucil works for me although it gives some people gas. I had to work up to the full dose very gradually, but now if I miss a dose my tummy lets me know right away!! Yes, SFS is very important....I don't know how I ever lived without it....oh wait, yes I do....in pain!
3. Meds, both Rx and OTC. I had been prescribed Bentyl but was only taking it when I felt an attack coming on. When I checked with my doctor he said to try taking it every day. BINGO!! That's when I finally got stable. I also take a generic version of Gas-X every day, plus acidophilus probiotic twice a day. AND whenever I feel even a teensy bit iffy, I take Imodium, which thank goodness does NOT make me C in the amounts I take. In addition, some of the meds I take for other health issues also help with the D, for example Elavil (amitryptiline sp?) and Xanax (alprazolam).
I don't mind taking meds if they help. I figure they're like SFS for the brain!! If I had penicillin or diabetes I wouldn't hesitate to take my meds. IBS is no different. Okay, maybe if I followed Heather's diet EXACTLY, I wouldn't need meds. I do cheat in some areas for various reasons (some health related). But I KNOW I'm cheating and I'm NOT in denial about it, thinking "Oh, it's okay, I can eat this with no problem." It's a trade off that I can live with, but I would NOT recommend that anyone else cheat in the areas I do. In fact I refuse to even say what they are because I don't want to encourage anyone and then have a problem. So when asked I will always say, "Do what I say (follow Heather's diet EXACTLY), not what I do." Amen!
Cheers and here's to an IBS free week for all of us. Cheers! (I'm holding up my water bottle) 
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Melissa
Friendship is thicker than blood. ~Rent
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Hey LS,
WOW, what an achievement! I'm so proud of you.
I have a couple of questions for you? Do you take the Elavil everyday (my mom takes it to sleep) for sleep or something else? Does it help?
Also, I have taken Xanax (which worked great) for my anxiety & panic attacks. I only take it rarely, though. The Librax that I take everyday seems to help under normal stress circumstances. But for the big stress times I need something stronger...You know what I mean???? I ran out of it the other day and had not refilled it for a long time and called my doc to get some more. The nurse called me back and said that doc no longer likes to give out Xanax and would call in Serax (she said it was like Xanax) Do you know anything about Serax? I got the prescription filled and now I have it and have "fear of taking something new". I really don't need it today but I know I will probably with the grandbaby coming and having to take a plane trip soon.. Both which stress me out big time.
I looked Serax up and it does say it is in the same family as Xanax. Then.....why not just give me the Xanax???
Barbie
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~ Rachel (IBS-C)
If life hands you lemons, make lemonade!!
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I am so happy for you! It's amazing what determination and a good game plan can do!
The combination of Heather's diet, SFS, digestive enzymes, exercise and meds when I need them works best for me.
Here's hoping we all find the combination that works!!!
Have a great day!
Kim
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IBS-D
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-Sheri
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