New to this forum and in need of some help
#323340 - 01/27/08 03:51 PM
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ianb
Reged: 01/27/08
Posts: 13
Loc: Belgium
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Hello everyone  I'm not sure if I'm posting this is the correct section. Apologize in advance if I messed up
I have IBS D for about 5 years now ( currently 22). It started when I stopped smoking. I always was the nervous person. Constantly moving, not being able to sit down. I suspect ADHD.
I was eating very unhealthy for years. I practicly lived of fast food 7days/7 hamburgers,pizza, no fruits, veggies etc.
After I quit smoking the pain began but faded away. This didn't stop me from eating fast food however. It only caused diareah in the beginning years, I could eat what I wanted, just had to run to the toilet afterwards. A few months ago however I started getting severe pains when I ate a hamburger for a while. I got medication for it and it helped with the pains after I ate, but only for a few weeks because then I had to eat a hamburger again  and ever since then I been in pretty much constant pain and ended up finding this forum . It's not easy to figure out trigger foods cause it seems everything bothers me. I read sometimes it takes a while for food to bother you and also if you get bothered instantly it's not always because of the current food your eating. I avoid the triggers like the plague, I can't deal with the pain no longer. I replaced milk with rice milk, eat mainly chicken and white bread, potatoes and pasta, white rice. Sometimes I eat fishsticks am I'm not sure if that is something I should keep doing. I lost 22lbs in a month, kinda scary, I'm afraid to eat. I ordered basicly everything for Heather her store XD, hopefully it will help me when it arrives. I'm going on a vacation I had planned a year ago in 2 weeks. It's a trip to SF and LA for 1 week each. It's business related. Obviously I'm terrified to be around people and especially going out to dinner. There is a planned dinner schedualed after a meeting, I asked for the menu and got http://www.picarotapasrestaurant.com/menu.html . I post this in the hope maybe someone here can help me figure out something on there I can eat because as far as I can tell it's nothing. I apologize for the long story, I just had to get some stuff off my chest after being to so many GI doctors and having taken so many medications. I really hope I can find a stable diet. Maybe I'll just eat white rice and grilled chickenbreast for a week. Not sure if I can even have salt and pepper anymore.
Anyways I read alot of stories on here. I really hope there will be a solution for us in the future. I try to remain hopefull.
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Hi there!
I also have IBS-D, and am young like you (25). So I totally understand where you are coming from. Personally, I am in the middle of a flare-up with my IBS and it isn't fun. Trying to figure out triggers is one of the hardest parts. And sometimes even food that I have had multiple times and consider "safe" can cause symptoms for me if I'm not in the right frame of mind (stress can be a big trigger for some of us). Anyway, I checked out that menu you posted and there are a lot of possibilities, especially if you like/can tolerate seafood. Here would be my suggestions:
Gambas a la Plancha (shrimp)
Mejillones a la Plancha (grilled mussels)
Calamaries a la Plancha (grilled calamari)
Paella de Mariscos (seafood paella)
Grilled Salmon Combination Platter (choose rice/potatoes and stewed zucchini)
On all these, make sure you emphasize no butter and also not a lot of oil due to the fat. I hope this helps -- I know eating out is a virtual nightmare for those of us with IBS, especially because it causes so much anxiety. I hardly ever eat out, and it really is hard. Hang in there and continue to ask as many questions as you want here -- people are really friendly and helpful on this forum
Julie
IBS-D, GERD, lactose intolerant
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"We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it."
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First, welcome. Second, I sincerely hope your supplies arrive from Heather very very soon. Read the book "Eating for IBS" cover to cover and it would also help to read "IBS the First Year". I can tell you that I waited way too long to go the doctor, then it took about 3 months to get a diagnosis and when I got it neither my internist nor my GI could tell me anything except to try not to be so nervous and they recommended fiber and antispasmotics. Helpful but certainly not enough relief for a normal life. I too take business trips and am in long meetings that I cannot just get up at will and leave for a bathroom break. I spent most of the time embarassed and worried. I can tell you that after two weeks of following Heather's diet with the acacia powder twice a day things began to improve greatly. It took about 3 more months for me to begin to figure out my individual triggers. Pretty much I can't eat out but when I have to go to a Mexican or Spanish restaurant the only hope is to get something grilled and to tell them you are allergic to lactose and CAN'T have butter. Also ask for plain white rice. Lots of places have it. If you can't get these then just don't eat. Make whatever excuse you need to make and sip on water. Afterward go back to your hotel and order rice, baked potato (plain) with grilled fish or chicken (no butter). BTW you didn't mention whether you'd ruled out all other possibilities with tests like abdominal ultrasound, blood tests, colonoscopy, etc. Those are essential since other very serious problems can mascarade as IBS. Good luck to you and remember you are NOT alone.
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IBS-D, Gas & Bloating
Barbara50
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Thanks so much for the warm welcome *virtual hugs*
I will try the grilled calamari I always loved calamari don't ask me why XD. Also I did get a colonoscopy and several abdominal ultrasound. There was no inflamation and the specialist said it was a case of severe IBS.Apperently my colon did not like the "intruder" and started spasming like crazy. I recently had a blood test taken because I'm going to go to another specialist soon. CT scan(first) shedualed on the 30th and they send me to a professor who appereantly has been dealing with several cases like me. Sadly it won't be untill the end of Feb. It's good to know I'm not alone. I'm really glad I posted on the forum
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Hi,
I just want to welcome you (even though I'm very, very new, too). I can certainly identify with having eating tons of fastfood over the years. I hate to cook, so my husband and I would too often pick up fastfood for the kids, too. Unfortunately (fortunately?), I'm not at the point that the fastfood/rich cookies, cake, candy/diet soda regimine just no longer works for me. I hope you have a good trip. I'm still trying to figure out what to eat and not eat - like you - but I'm sure people here will help the both of us.
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