NOT ALLOWED TO FOLLOW HEATHER'S DIET so need help...
#311457 - 07/18/07 07:50 AM
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welshsarah
Reged: 06/30/07
Posts: 297
Loc: England, UK
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Hey there, my dietitian has referred me to a gastro specialist to sort out what could be IBS but the problem is that i'm not allowed to cut any foods out of my diet and have to eat "normally" until i see the specialist. So, i can't follow Heather's diet nor can i follow a gluten-free diet which i know has worked for me in the past. This wouldn't be so bad but my appointment isn't for another few months. What am i going to do? I suffer from IBS-C and the thought of being bloated and blocked up for the next 3 months is depressing. Also, i don't want to rely on laxatives because they're harmful and i feel i have already used them excessively. Any ideas what i should do to stop these next few months being horrendous?
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Sarah
IBS-C
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Following Heather's diet would not be considered usually. Generally speaking other than using the guidelines for SF and IF, the elimination of high fat foods, dairy and some of triggers such as coffee, tea and alcohol it is a fairly normal diet. Many 'normal' people eat a similar diet to Heather's diet. In fact, using most dietary guidelines it would be considered to be very wholesome 
I would follow the diet until you have had your appointment. However, for sure I would not go on a gluten free diet until after your GI doc does the proper tests.
Good luck.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Hi Syl, many thanks for your reply. I think you're right and i'd happily follow Heather's diet... I'm just worried about cutting out dairy in case they test for lactose intolerance as wouldn't my cutting it out effect the result? Plus, my dietitian gave me a very similar diet to Heather's except i was allowed to eat dairy and it didn't help (it even made things worse). I'm confused; sorry to be annoying.
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Sarah
IBS-C
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Don't worry about eliminating dairy. A lactose test involves you consuming some lactose and then they do a breath test to see if you are absorbing it poorly. Not eat dairy products will not affect the outcome of the test.
Gluten intolerance is a different story. If you stop eating gluten then the signs that a GI doc looks for in the bowel when a colonoscopy is performed can be inconclusive. So I would not stay on a gluten free diet until you doc has done a colonoscopy.
Generally speaking Heather's diet follows recommended dietary guidelines and is very healthy even for non-IBSers
Good Luck
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Ah, ok. I shall pursue Heather's diet then. Quite glad it's ok to cut out dairy because i always feel sick after it anyway. Will definitely not cut out gluten. Thanks for getting back to me. Plus, i trust your advice as from what i've seen on the message boards you seem to be the fountain of all knowlegde when it comes to IBS
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Sarah
IBS-C
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... in terms of my constipation will the diet sort it out without my having to take laxatives?
Also, I'm in the UK and can't afford to order Heather's Acacia for the time being so would adding flaxseeds to my diet suffice until finances are better (in a couple of months time)?
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Sarah
IBS-C
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Hello, I would say that Heather's eating food plan is very healthy and nothing abnormal about it. It includes all the nutrients that someone needs and I would have no concern with someone without IBS eating with this food plan. Lots of people cut out dairy or red meat for ethical or enviornmental reasons not even linked to their health. Debbie IBS pain, bloating, spasms
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p.s. I feel that someone has to do what is right for themselves. Nobody lives with your pain and bloating but you and that is what matters. Debbie
IBS-spasms, bloating, pain
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I am IBS-D. I don't have a lot of experience with IBS-C. However, I believe that while keeping your SF high you will want to include a reasonable amount of IF. Flax seed should be fine.
I don't take acacia or any other SFS. I get all of my SF from my meals. I eat oatmeal for breakfast and about 1/2 cup of rice, pasta or potatoes with my lunch and supper meals. I eat these because they contain a significant amount of resistant starch - that is starch that is not digested until it reaches the large bowel and then it is digested by the colonic bacteria. Reistant starch acts just like SF. I eat white rice but since you are IBS-C you may want to try brown rice and don't peel your potatoes.
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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I agree with Syl on the tests. For lactose you drink a solution and then they measure the amount of gases in your breath. For gluten, however, you need to be eating gluten.
So I wouldn't worry about it too much and would follow Heather's diet. Just make sure you eat enough gluten for the tests and all the results should be accurate.
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IBS-C, bloating, cramps
pregnant
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Can you get Miralax over there? It is a stool softener that works wonders. I use a capful mixed with a glass of water and cranberry juice each night. Since using I've had a bm every morning. It's not like a regular laxative and is very mild.
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Susan
IBS-A, Gas, Pain, Reflux
"The first in time and the first in importance of the influences upon the mind is that of nature. Every day, the sun; and after sunset, night and her stars. Ever the winds blow; ever the grass grows."
Emerson, August 31, 1837
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You can drink the fennel and mint teas, and the acacia fiber, and I have found Miralax to be a great relief for C. It is not a stimulant laxative, but works more like a very efficient stool softener that allows the bowel to move better on its own.
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Dont start too soon with brown rice! First start adding some vegetables and if that isnt enough, then switch to half white half brown. Though brown rice is one of the products us IBS-C can have quite well it is still IF and you need to be sure you can handle that. Since having vegetables in your diet is of course very important i would rather start adding in those before switching to brown rice and other sorts.
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