re: very confused
#35012 - 01/03/04 05:24 PM
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zingirl
Reged: 01/03/04
Posts: 31
Loc: Northern CA
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I'm just finding out that I may have irritable bowel syndrome. I have had numerous tests, all negative. I don't have "spasming" or "cramping" alot, but I am extremely bloated, feel very full when I try to eat, and am very weak. I only go to the bathroom in the morning and it fluctuates between hard and loose stool. I just feel "sick." My symptoms have gone on since October. I'm trying to do Heather's Diet. I don't know if it's ok to have a little sugar on your oatmeal? or if you can have soy sauce on your rice? If it's ok to have SILK vanilla even though there is fat in it? My symptoms have not subsided. I mostly feel nauseated, and at first, back in October, my symptoms were actually alot worse with gnawing and burning and they thought I had an ulcer. (I do not)
I just want to "feel" better. I feel like my gut is actually rotting. That's exactly how I feel. Today I ate shakes with soy powerer and silk, english muffin with a little seedless jam, and oatmeal with organic sugar and Silk. I've been trying to drink Chamomile tea and I tried Peppermint to but I'm scared of the burning coming back.
I'm so low in weight and I have not been able to put any on. I've stopped exercising due to the fact that I just can't afford to drop any weight. I used to be an exercise junkie, loved it. Now with the nausea and upset stomach, finding something for my stomach has been quite challenging (food wise). The doctor had me on Ensure , but I stopped those yesterday. I also started benefiber yesterday. I know it takes a few weeks for things to kick , I'm reading a ton on the website, but it's almost too much information.
I'm just looking for advice. This is so scary. I'm trying to be brave.
Thanks for listening,
zingirl
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Hi zingirl! Welcome!
Don't worry - you'll find lots of great info & support here. 
Try Breaking the Cycle for a few days to get stable. Then gradually start adding things back in.
Sugar is not a trigger, so it's fine on oatmeal, or anything else. Of course, it has no nutritional value or benefit to IBS, so don't go overboard.  Silk soy milks are ok.
I used to have a lot of burning & nausea too. It eventually subsided after following the diet for a few months & also using the IBS hypno CD's. It still comes back every once in awhile, but usually if I drink some tea, it works wonders. Try using Celestial Seasonsing Tummy Mint. It combines peppermint, chamomile, & fennel tea. It worked great for me! I've now moved up to Heather's Tummy Teas (I combine the peppermint & fennel), so the Tummy Mint seems too weak for me.
It's good you gave up the Ensure. That stuff is bad news for IBS. It contains dairy. 
Don't give up the exercise. Even gentle exercise, such as walking, is good for IBS. Check out the yoga board of ideas too. Exercise helps regulate the bowels.
As you start to feel better, you will eat more & gain weight. Keep reading, & rereading. I read Heather's books a few times, and each time more sunk in. If you have any questions, just ask.
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You know funny thing is I feel like that a lot too, oh the sick feeling in my gut, I never want to eat because I feel full, it feels like some thing is very wrong inside most of the time. Did you get checked for acid reflux disease? You know it could be as simple as needing some medicine to help your body digest food. They have pills at your local pharmacy that over the counter that adds healthy bacteria to your body and it helps you digest food too. You can email me if you want, sweetnsazzy1@yahoo.com I bought the book first year with IBS, I could try and give you some info from that if you want. Every one here is soooo nice and will be there for you if you need them, I am on the diet too and yes sugar is ok, soy sauce is to. Just know that even though it can be very overwhelming at times you are in no way alone in this. I am here for you if you want to talk! Oh, I just posted on new years eve, I was about to have another break down, I was so discouraged because I had an attack again and I just did not feel well at all, I wanted to give up but I made it my couple of days and all we can really do is take it one day at a time. Try to make it through today and worry about tomorrow when it comes.
Take care
Jenn
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HI, I'm sorry you are feeling so sick. I know there is a lot of info on this website so try not to overwelm yourself and just take your time trying to learn it all. Heather's books are sooo helpful and easy to read you might want to start off by buying them or trying your library for her books.
It's okay to have sugar just don't eat the sugar free stuff because there's something in there that will bother your stomach. Also fat is okay to have and this diet is not fat free it's only low fat. Soy sauce is great over rice and I eat that all the time.
More importantly have you been diagnosed with IBS from your doctor? You need to make sure it's not something else. Are you eating enough and maybe that's why you are feeling weak? Although I have some of your symptoms I remember feeling very weak and tired when I was underweight. I used to skip meals all the time to avoid stomach attacks and that was just no good for me. I actually started feeling better once I started eating small meals more frequently. I do hope you feel better soon and take your time reading the info on this sight.
Debby
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Overwhelming
#35021 - 01/03/04 06:38 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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ZinGirl, welcome to the Boards. I know how you feel about it all being a little overwhelming. It was for me too. (Actually, it still IS!) But it's amazing how much of the stuff thats in here was in Heather's book. I read it twice and I need to read it again. I remember the first time I read it, it made sense. I marked pages, I highlighted portions, I copied the lists of soluble fiber foods and insoluble fiber foods and posted them on my refrigerator door -- I did it all. It was overwhelming to me then, and IT STILL IS -- but I'm learning.
Gee, I hope this helps more than hinders? I guess what I'm trying to say is don't get frustrated and don't hesitate to ask. I admit I'm a little gunshy about asking stuff -- because whatever I ask has already been posted! Learn to use the "Search" (I'm still having problems with it.)
There's little I can add to what others have already advised you -- except to say you should really check with your doctor before stopping anything he's prescribed for you. If you don't think the stuff he's prescribed is right, then tell him -- and tell him why. More importantly, you need to have a colonoscopy to confirm the IBS diagnosis.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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I don't know if you have Heather's book or not, but the first 36 pages are full of VERY IMPORTANT information to know. It was a life saver for me. I suggest reading that as soon as you can.
GOOD LUCK!!
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Natalie
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You need to get some weight on you, girl!  What have you got in your cupboards right now? I'm not asking you to jump into the wide world of tofu--that's for later. I'm talking about trying to find something good to eat that's safe and appealing right now. Here are some suggestions:
Cook rice with fat-free, MSG-free chicken broth instead of water.
Or cook the rice with salted water like normal, and when it's done pour over a can of MSG-free vegetarian vegetable soup. It's filling, cheap, and the insoluble fiber in the vegies has been thoroughly broken down by long cooking.
Cook carrots thoroughly and make Lemon-Basil Carrots (search the recipe archives).
Eat a baked potato with butter-flavored spray, seasoned salt, and pepper.
Or eat a baked sweet potato with butter-flavored spray and cinnamon-sugar.
Oatmeal is great if you can tolerate it. I can't, but I love grits. I eat them with sugar and soy milk like hot cereal (don't shoot me--I'm a Northerner!).
White bread, English muffins, and crumpets (in the refrigerator case, if you're lucky) are all good toasted and spread with seedless jam.
Try to include a little bit of good fat consistently to help you put on some weight, but just a little bit, so you don't trigger an attack.
For protein, try mixing tuna with low-fat mayo, mustard, pickle relish if you like it, and maybe VERY FINELY CHOPPED celery and/or onion and eating it with crackers.
Or you could do the same with canned white-meat chicken.
Hummus is another source of protein, good fat (olive oil), and soluble fiber. Eat it with white pita bread. And you don't have to make your own--the deli case at the grocery should carry a couple of different brands. I like Tribe of Two Sheiks.
Additive-free turkey, such as the lunch meat available at a health food store, would make a safe sandwich with mustard and low-fat mayo. Skip the lettuce and tomato for now. Maybe add some hummus to your sandwich, though.
I hope this helps and isn't just more overwhelming material to absorb. I know how it feels to be nauseated all the time (in my case, it was an "acid condition")--I didn't eat anything for a looong time till that cleared up. And I felt so bad from not eating, it was just a vicious cycle.
Here's hoping you'll feel much better soon!
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I'm so sorry you have not been feeling well. I was just diag. 12/11/03. I know how you feel, except for the losing weight part. I've had a prob. with losing weight. since I have been on heather's diet about 2 weeks I have lost about 8lbs. It's exciting for me, but you need to be careful. It is easier said than done when you are neauseated all the time. I get that a lot. I've lived on Phenergan for over 8 yrs to take the edge off. I sure hope you feel better. If you ever need to talk here is my e-mail: jamesshireen@networld.com
Shireen
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Thank you for your response. I really appreciate it. I have not had a colonoscopy yet. I had a small-bowel follow through and talk to the doctor about that tomorrow. I just wish I knew that everything I was doing was "ok" or going to make me feel better.
Thanks again. If you ever have new information, please send it my way.
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Thank you for your information. I really appreciate it. I'm trying to find the special tea today. I will take your advice about exercising. I did about 10 minutes today. I don't want to push it because I've been trying to gain weight. Any food suggestions for weight? Why would the ensure have dairy in it when it says "lactose" free?
Have you ever heard of taking extra magnesium and Vitamin C to counteract constipation? I was wondering if taking C would hurt my stomach. If you know anything let me know.
All my best,
Cristy
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