SO damn confused...!
#34835 - 01/01/04 09:46 PM
|
|
|
|
|
Claire
Reged: 01/27/03
Posts: 65
Loc: Paris, France
|
|
|
Hi all!
I am so fed up today. I recently posted a mail about colonics and enema the reason being, that after seeing a Naturopath who basically put me on a sugar, yeast free diet (obviously suspecting I have a Candida overgrowth- she said she could see it by the coating on my tongue - anyone else have that?) which means absolutely no breads, limited fruit, only barley bran- no rice or other grain). Needless to say I came away feeling thoroughly depressed and frustrated seen that my greatest problem with IBS is that I can't put on weight and am currently about 40.5kg (165cm). I have real trouble with digesting fat (due to a period of rapid weight loss and anorexia in my late teens/ early twenties when I followed the Rosemary Conley diet which was a fat-free diet).
Since this consultation, I have felt dirty and 'infested' with horrible bacteria inside and so having read about enema through my ayurvedic studies (it is reccommended for constipation, though my problem is alternating constipation/diarrhea) I decided to go ahead.
I decided to do 3 consecutive early morning ones and I must say, I did feel better after the first two and certain skin poblems cleared up (psoriasis - anyone else get this?). I continued the diet too of loads of veggies and flaxseed sprinkled in and lo and behold, today after a squash/broccoli/garlic/leef and flaxseed soup with some Rice bran sprinkled in, hey presto, HUGE cramping.
I suppose you will all say I should stick with Heather's program and I think I really could (previously, I have always faltered on omitting the dairy products but now love soya milk) but I can't stop that niggling feeling that I have a candida overgrowth and am 'dirty' inside and that adding fibre will just be feeding the candida and causing more 'sludge'.
I desperately must put on weight as I have an eighteenth month old daughter who I am presently with all day on my own (am on holiday in Australia house-sitting for 3 weeks before my husband arrives). She is demanding energy all day which I just don't have. If I am to give up fat, sugar, yeast (therfore bread), gluten grains and most fruit, how am I ever going to put on weight?
So sorry this is so long but I would so much appreciate some help.
Thanks,
Claire
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi,
I'm sorry you're not feeling well. I don't know you, so don't take this the wrong way, but it seems like from your history you have issues with food in general, beyond IBS. The eating disorders and feeling "dirty" sound like they could possibly be things you need to talk to someone about, if you aren't already. Past that, I don't know if I can be of much help. To be honest, I don't believe in "Eastern Medicine" and I also don't follow Heather's diet precisely. A lot of the things that are triggers for other people aren't for me, and after ten years of dealing with this I've figured out the right diet for me, give or take. (Lately a little more give, which is why I wandered here). The best thing I can suggest is just to do what feels right and makes you feel good. Too many cooks spoil the soup! Hope this helps a little, and sorry if it doesn't. 
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I know this doesn't have much to do with the issue at hand, but could someone tell me how to get in and do my profile? thanks!
Shireen 
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
yes it does help me. Thanks so much for your reply. You're absolutely right about me having other issues around food which I know I have to sort out but it is so hard as, now that I feel the anorexic thinking has gone and I want food to be pleasure again, I'm not able to eat the foods I deprived myself of and this is so frustrating. I sometimes feel as though the IBS is my punishment for all the abuse I did to my body. The basic issue I think I relly must deal with is getting back into contact with my body-something which I completely lost during my anorexic years when I ignored my body's signals and even worse, fought against them. IBS is one of those horrible conditions where your body seems to be almost trying to trick you all the time- sometimes accepting a food and then totally rejecting it- which is why I'm having real trouble.
Anyway, this is my challenge and I know I have to face it.
Thanks so much for your reply though- I think you told me what I probably try to deny myself all too often.
Claire
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi Claire,
I can't help you much with the Eastern medicine approach -- I'm sorry -- but are you opposed to seeing a "regular doctor? I also can't help you with the weight gain -- I certainly don't have any problems in that area -- my problem is LOSING IT!
You asked about psoriasis. I had it all over my elbows. It was gross. I felt like a fish with scales. EW. I was constantly "peeling" the scales away to relieve the itching. Finally I saw a dermatologist who prescribed Cordran tape. It looked like plain old Scotch tape. I had to keep the tape on the afflicted area ALL the time. The idea was to keep air from getting to it. After using the tape religiously, the afflicted area on my elbows reduced to just a small red patch, so I kept up the process, and when I ran out of the tape, I switched to Scotch tape. The psoriasis eventually disappeared entirely -- and, I'm happy to report, has never returned. The trick was to keep the area air-tight, constantly changing tape (because the old tape "collects" the layers of scaling). It was tough-going because it itched CONSTANTLY.
That worked for me -- but I saw a "regular" doctor and worked with him. I really can't help you with a naturopath.
Bev
--------------------
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Thanks for your comments. No I am not against seeing regular doctors- I have seen many who haven't been much help. My psoriasis sems to have responded well to skin-brushing. Is that the same kind of thing as you describe?
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
I'm glad I could be helpful. Society has completely messed up food for so many people... and you're right, the IBS makes it worse. It's not punishment though, and it's nothing you deserve, just bad luck. If you can make yourself believe that, at least your stress levels will go down, and that's good for IBS.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi Shireen - go to 'My Home' (located above), then under 'Personal information, email, password, etc.', click 'Edit'.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Psoriasis
#34882 - 01/02/04 09:37 AM
|
|
|
|
Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
|
|
|
I'm not familiar with skin brushing, but it doesn't sound like using the Cordran tape I described. The problem with Psoriasis is that it will spread. I saw a man in the grocery store once who was wearing a T-shirt, exposing his arms, and his arms were absolutely covered in layers of scales. He said it was psoriasis. It was GROSS! I asked my dermatologist about him, and he told me you really have to keep the psoriasis under control, down to its "root", or else it'll spread everywhere and cover everything. I did what he told me and kept that tape on night and day 'till I got rid of it!
Good luck.
Bev
--------------------
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi again, Claire,
It is interesting that you thought of your IBS as punishment for having abused your body with the anorexia. When I got diagnosed with IBS, I was convinced that it was old age (I'm 59) and I was going to die from it. I read all the books that told me otherwise, but I wasn't used to being sick; I was always healthy all my life and now suddenly I had this horrible ailment that I couldn't get rid of, and the cramps had me doubled over in pain every day -- oh I was sure this was how I was going to die!
This website has been a Godsend for me -- I'm sure it will be for you too.
Bev
--------------------
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Claire,
I do believe in alternative medicine and have had great luck with homeopathy in treating seasonal allergies, osteopathy and massage in treating musculoskeletal complaints, etc. But some segments of the alternative medicine community have no scientific proof behind them, and I'm afraid that I don't believe in candida overgrowth. It's a myth. If your body were really overrun by candida, you'd be deathly ill, not suffering from IBS. And you're NOT deathly ill, so don't even go there  .
There's more info here.
Amelia
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Oh, Claire, please stop being so hard on yourself.
1 Have you read all the info on this site about what IBS is and how it affects you? Have you read all the dietary advice? If not, then do so. I just don't believe IBS has been caused by abusing your body with anorexia. I suffer from IBS C&D and I've always enjoyed eating everything wholeheartedly without ever worrying about my weight.
2 Colonics/enemas - if you think about it there is nothing natural about them and certainly a way to punish yourself, if that's what you're looking for. What's natural about sticking a tube up your ass and blasting away?! You don't need to scrub your insides out after menstruation each month, or having a baby. Think of all the medical advice to avoid douching - it's actually damaging because it removes all the GOOD bacteria that we need inside us to survive. You don't need to sterilise your colon in that way either.
3 You talk about feeling dirty and unclean inside. I suspect this may have more to do with your body image or self-esteem than any physical condition. Have you been under pressure recently? If you have IBS, all that is wrong with you is that your gut is much more sensitive than other peoples. For me that makes sense. I have over sensitive skin, an over sensitive gut and, well, I'm a sensitive soul generally. I'm emotionally sensitive. Your body is NOT punishing you for who you are and what you have done. Your body is asking you to avoid punishing or abusing yourself - it's asking you to treat yourself as gently and as well as you can in this life. In some ways, you can learn to think of this as a blessing. I (or my body) just won't tolerate the kind of abuse that others throw at theirs on a daily basis. With the right lifestyle and by listening to yourself (instead of paying to listen to other 'experts') and your body, you can learn to feel so much better - inside and out.
4 Candida - this is such an easy cop-out for people to say. I was told by someone who gave me 'food-intolerance tests' that this was my problem. Eventually, after loads of blood tests and a stool test it was confirmed by the leading medical experts in the UK there was no way I had candida overgrowth, or anything other than IBS.
If you have been properly diagnosed as IBS, please trust this and learn what IBS is and how to deal with it. I have lots of info now from official health web sites in the UK that support the information Heather provides on this site.
I hope this is not too ranting and is, in some way helpful to you. Take care
Shellsbells
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Sensitivity
#34899 - 01/02/04 11:27 AM
|
|
|
|
|
Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
|
|
|
Michelle, this isn't ranting at all -- it's GREAT stuff! Terrific information in here.
By the way, I too am very sensitive. Everything about me is sensitive -- not only my behavior, but everything inside me and outside as well. My skin, for example -- I can't stand labels on shirts, they all have to be removed. If you touch me, I'll bruise. My hearing is so intense, I can't stand the noises around me and oftentimes have to use my ear plugs -- especially at the supermarket where they play that horribly loud "rock" music! It's an assault on my ears. My smell -- last night I made pizza, and I'm still smelling it! When my dog poops, my hubby has to pick it up because if I pick it up I'll smell it on me the rest of the day! (Anyway, that's a good excuse, ain't it?  )
With all this sensitivity, why should I wonder, then, about having a sensitive gut as well?
You make a LOT of sense, Girlfriend!
Bev
--------------------
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Bevrs,
Like you, I couldn't figure out why I developed IBS in my middle years (55), when I'd been as healthy as a horse (except for a few minor controllable things) all of my life. Because my pains are high up I convinced myself, at first, I had liver cancer. I went through a battery of doctors and a million tests, some very unpleasant, only to find out I now had IBS, FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE! Next question, what caused it? I've tried to sort it out but have resigned myself to the fact that I likely could make a million speculations but what good would it do? I now get on with getting on, or so they say.
I think I ordered EVERY book that Amazon had on the subject of IBS and it wasn't until I read Heather's 1st Year did it all start to make sense. I tried some of her recommended foods and wa-lah, no pains. With that I knew she (and now me as one of her followers) was on to something that worked. The only down side is that I've now started to put weight on. I WAS overweight when it all started and got down below what I weighed in High School. That's what eating only rice and bananas (the only things I could tolerate) will do. Nice thought to be skinny and I was happy with that but parts were starting to atrophy and well, you know what happens to the skin………………yuck, elephant skin. Now with a year of intense exercise it's all firmed up, but I still would like to take the 12 lbs. off I gained. Just to feel good (most of the time) is well worth the payment of a few extra pounds. And like you, Michael's hypno tapes has helped with the reduction of stress levels.
Kandee
--------------------
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
All so well said I'm not sure any one of us could have said it better. Thank you for your wisdom, Shells!!!
Kandee
--------------------
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
but this can be a really wonderful tool to help your body and mind accept that you did not ask for IBS, that you did not bring it on yourself, or that it is somehow a punishment you deserve. It's simply an illness, and for reasons that are still mostly unknown some people simply develop it at different points in their lives. There is no one and nothing to blame here - certainly not yourself! You didn't ask for IBS, and you don't deserve to have it - but you do, and simply accepting that can actually be one of the biggest steps towards starting to truly manage and overcome it.
Mike's hypno tapes specifically address these issues right off the bat, and this is a huge, huge relief for so many people with IBS. If you haven't tried these, check out the hypno board here and see what folks have to say about this.
Best,
Heather
--------------------
Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
Posts
