Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

I know it's sooo hard. It sounds like you really need to stock up your house with IBS safe foods so that you won't be able to cheat. I know for me I am terrible when the real stuff is "around." For example, I had the first set back in many many months yesterday/today b/c I think I just started getting too comfortable trying a little of this and a little of that (the real stuff) which was sitting right in front of me at home. I have awful willpower and b/c I am much more stable, I guess I got kind of cocky like "oh maybe I'm normal." Then my body said, "Hey...don't forget and overdo it or I will retaliate." I didn't get d, just a few looser bms and then anxiety to go with it.

I'm actually glad that this happened to me b/c it is an eye opener that I HAVE TO be diligent and if I am going to have a smidgen of something, it has to be few and far between. Besides the physical piece, which wasn't even bad relatively speaking, it's the anxiety that I don't want to drudge up again. If I eat safe, then I know I'll be fine. That's the point that you want to get yourself to.

With that said, remember that I have been consistently on this diet since Sept/Oct whereas you have not had as many consistent months and each time you have a bite of a trigger, you are holding yourself back from stability.

My suggestions are:

The food you have at home should be easy on your will...make sure DH is supportive and doesn't request too many non-ibs things for the pantry that you'll be tempted to eat.

Try to avoid restaurants for at least a little while if possible b/c it is quite difficult to figure out what to order that is safe.

As for situations like the teacher's party, well, you can keep some safe sweet treats in your purse or desk for times like that or just say no thank you and then don't dwell on it....start a conversation with someone, leave the room for awhile, go get a glass of ice water, etc....anything to keep yourself from feeling down and focusing on the stupid piece of cake!

I know that if I sit and watch someone eating something that I can't have, I am like a drooling dog...it's ridiculous

...it's best to just distract yourself and before you know it the party will be over and you can go home and treat yourself to a delicious ibs food that you like. You'll also feel proud and you'll also feel great physically.

Hang in there...and THROW THE SPRITE AWAY! Can you replace it with something safe that you can turn to when the urge hits? I'm sorry...I can't think of any more suggestions except to make a full-fledge decision now that you are going to go at this thing full force. It will all be worth it in the end...especially when you have so many busy and exciting things coming up this summer. You want to enjoy them, not fear them.

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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C

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