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Like Syl I too used to think that I was IBS-C due to the symptoms you described which were similar to mine but in terms of number of BMs per day I too usually qualify as IBS-D. Most importantly, for me it's too much fat that's causing me those symptoms. So take care of your fat intake. For me that is the biggest challenge, I have to be extra careful.
In terms of fructose malabsorption, I've noticed that whereas I am not as sensitive to fructose as to lactose, even a tiny amount of fructose causes me symptoms and immediately. Somewhere I read (may not be a wholly good source), lactose intolerance and fructose malabsorption cause instantenous D. That's what I have from even tiny amounts of lactose. Fructose, small amounts I just have immediate bloating, large amounts same as lactose instant D. Now this again used to confuse me back in the day when I knew nothing about either fat or IF or FODMAPs. So I quite often used both lactose (milk and yoghurt) and fructose (apples) as a laxative cos I was longing for relief. (Even today I'd rather have D (which I have from a good fat but too high IF intake diet) than the symptoms I get from too much fat (needing to go but not being able to, elimination urge but no result and spasms and pain)).
As for IF, it's not a good idea to eat IF for IF's sake in my opinion, but there are so many incredibly healthy foods that have excess IF in them that I recommend eating those with a SF supplement.
As for other FODMAPs, fructans for me cause large amounts of bloating, I am now not eating wheat or onions or garlic. I do well with polyols, and I do eat broccoli and beans, Beano is good for making the gas odour-free, but has not helped me with distention. Still, it's not something I couldn't live with, as I said I personally (and may be the case with you too) have different symptoms from different foods and some (like fat) are vicious, whereas others (like bloating) are not tragic and benefits are outweighed by the healthy-ness of such foods as broccoli and beans and apricots so I'd rather have a certain amount of bloating than not eat those foods. But it all comes down to what you feel comfortable with! Best of luck!
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now: stable through EFI+FODMAP dieting (no lactose/no fructose/some fructans and some polyols)
before: IBS-D(pseudo-diarrhoea), bloating, often unbearable pain esp from too much fat: Apr 2007- Dec 2010
FODMAPs: http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/072710p30.shtml
[I've tried VSL#3 -> I could tolerate v good amounts of IF (even with less SF), it worked great (but overall I find it too expensive)]
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Thank you for your responses. Yes, if we are counting number of BMs per day, I would be considered D, however, it's hard for me to wrap my head around being D as when I am in a bad time as I am currently, the BMs are smaller and I can still feel more poop inside me but just won't come out. and my stool is not watery. The strange thing with me is I never bloat nor do I have a lot of gas. I just feel backed up. I always eat very, very healthy, however, do know that if I eat broccoli or steamed cabbage I may end up in big trouble. I was doing really good for a while and having large well-formed BMs when I took a dose of Citrucel in afernoon and a dose of psyllim husk in the PM. Not sure what happened, but something tripped me up and I changed that up for a while. I don't use laxatives except an occasional dose of MOM, which does a pretty good job of cleaning me out. I have been absolutely miserable the last week. Didn't sleep much due to feeling so backed up so at 3:30AM made some lemon water..sipped for about an hour, then a couple T. of blackstrap molasses and shortly thereafter had a decent BM. Had breakfast about 7:30 then another BM, but I new I still felt so full of it I could not function. I ended up taking an enema (not the fleet, the old fashioned way with the bag) 'cuz I just couldn't stand it any more.....I just wanted to get myself cleansed. Sorry to go on and on, but I am just exhausted from dealing with this. I get so sick I get headaches and dry heaves. The enema doesn't make me feel great, but at least I can function. I am going to post my diet and if you could look it over with any suggestions???
Also, on a good day this is how my body works: bowels wake me up around 5:00 AM. They actually will not move until I drink some hot tea or lemon water... within an hour, a good BM. I then dose off until around 7:30 AM and bowels start working again so I have breakfast and then another BM maybe within 1/2 hour.
So here is my usual diet:
Breakfast:
Oatmeal with blueberries and almond milk and about 1/3 cup of Coffee (I know that is a no-no, but went for months without coffee and no difference)
Mid-morning - apple
Lunch
1. Hummus on Ezekiel bread with fresh zucchini slices and a tablespoon sauerkraut (the sauerkraut I eat is made by someone who does not process it, so I get all the digestive enzymes from it) I am all right with a little sauerkraut, but not cooked cabbage.
2. home-made veggie soup
mid-afternoon
grapes or pineapple and carrots
dinner
1. some sort of protein and veggies, small potato or pasta
2. veggie burritos using whole wheat tortillas
3. romaine lettuce or spinach mixed with some sort of bean, peas, carrots, and whatever veggies I have in house
I rarely eat red meat, occasionally have a small amount of Stoneyfield plain yogurt, occasionally have a glass of wine, occasional piece of Edam or Gouda cheese. The only thing I really snack on are pretzels and sometimes I will dip them in refried beans for the protein.
So that is my basic diet and I eat almost the same thing every day. Once again, sorry for going on and on, but I'm just not sure where to turn any more. I plan on doing another round of hypno in six weeks, and am hoping for better results. This last week I have been almost totally debilitated. I try to get in at least a short walk or bike ride and do a few things around the house, in an attempt to at least try to keep things moving. I am not one of these people who can go for even two days without pooping. I get unbelievably sick and experience pain all over in my body. I also get very scared when I'm in one of these bad episodes, especially since I know the medical community is absolutely at a loss at to what to do with a person like me.
Thanks for taking the time to read and I welcome any help at all.
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Re: Syl-Susie
#365913 - 08/25/11 10:02 AM
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Syl
Reged: 03/13/05
Posts: 5499
Loc: SK, CANADA
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It sure does sound like your IBS is out of control.  The number of BM is a good indicator of your IBS subtype. Sounds like you are more IBS-D than IBS-C.
It is quite possible that the high insoluble fiber content in such things as whole wheat tortillas, sauerkraut, pineapple, lettuce, spinach and apples (if you leave the skin on) are exacerbating your IBS symptoms. Insoluble fiber, particularly insoluble fiber in the form on bran found in things like whole wheat tortillas is well known from clinical trials to make IBS symptoms worse.
If I lived on your diet I would be in constant discomfort and pain. 
It is important to remember that the IBS symptoms might not flare-up from a trigger food until 24-48 hours after you have eaten them. And the small and frequent number of BMs is indicative of too much GI stimulating foods. Have you ever tried Heather's break the cycle diet for 3-7 days? If yes, did you notice if you symptoms decreased? I see you eat dairy products. Have you had a lactose intolerance test?
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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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Re: Syl
#365914 - 08/25/11 12:15 PM
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Thanks you again Syl. Yes, things are very out of control....more so than ever before. I did do the break the cycle diet a few years ago and to be honest, don't remember, I just thought I was truly constipated then. I am however, going to make another attempt. My question is since I have been taking Citrucel consistently every day, should I keep the dosage the same, or maybe up it a little. What about a little psyllim husk or is that a no-no?? When I look at this diet it freaks me out due to the fact there are no fruit or veggies for a few days and I am scared to death of C. All the white bread, pasta rice...Yikes!!! Should I continue to take magnesium supplements to keep things soft or possibly a couple of stool softeners?
No, I never have had a lactose intolerance test....would a physician be able to administer this as well as a fructose malabsorption??
I just don't get it.....why is it I had gone weeks at a time eating like this and having great BMs, yes, there was always some abdominal discomfort, but at least my BMs were emptying me out....then it changed basically overnite?
I am truly appreciative for taking the time in helping me figure this out.
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Re: Syl
#365916 - 08/25/11 02:06 PM
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Syl
Reged: 03/13/05
Posts: 5499
Loc: SK, CANADA
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It cannot hurt to stick with the Citrucel. Not sure psyllium husk is a good idea. It is 1/3 insoluble fiber and 2/3 soluble fiber. Citrucel on the other hand is 100% soluble fiber. How much Citrucel are you taking?
Yes - a physician can order both the lactose intolerance and fructose malabsorption tests. Both are non-invasive breath tests.
A stool softener at night should be fine. You may find when things are more under control you don't need them.
The purpose of the diet is to reduce GI stimulation from foods that can cause bowel muscle spasms and changes in fluid content in the GI tract resulting in more natural bowel motility, BM frequency and less C or D. The foods on the diet are very low in insoluble fiber which is well known to be a powerful GI stimulant.
The neat thing about foods like rice, non-whole grain wheat bread and pasta is that they are low insoluble fiber and higher in soluble fiber both of which are indigestible. Insoluble fiber swells with water putting pressure on the GI wall stimulating it. The swollen insoluble fiber also increases stool mass. Soluble fiber on the other hand forms a gel and does not put pressure on the GI wall.
You might find that is you shift your focus from thinking about stool consistency and amount to thinking about BM frequency without considering being C or D you might have a clear view of the result you are looking for. A faster or slower than normal GI tract causes D and C, respectively. A normal person has 1-2 BMs per day or at least 1 BM every other day. So that could be your target. 
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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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Re: Syl
#365919 - 08/25/11 02:48 PM
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I take either 2 scoops of Citrucel or 1 scoop of Citrucel and 1 T of psyllium. I will continue to take the 2 scoops of Citrucel and zero psyllium for a few days. I started the "break the cycle" today so we'll see how it goes for the next few days.
I also have a call in to the doctor's office for the breath tests.....just hope she doesn't want me coming in to her office first. Don't really want to sit and try to explain all this to her.....just want the results. She loves, loves, loves to prescribe pills for everything and that is not where I want to go.
Thanks again Syl.
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Re: Syl
#365920 - 08/25/11 03:34 PM
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Syl
Reged: 03/13/05
Posts: 5499
Loc: SK, CANADA
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Print out a copy of the second article in my signature soo that you can give it to her if she asks questions.
Tell us how it goes.
Good luck
--------------------
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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can only echo what Syl said, with adding that you may too be just as sensitive to fat as me then almond milk, hummus, cheese... check just how much fat there is in there. blueberries are v low in kcal and oatmeal itself has fat, and all nuts are extremely high in fat. 1g of fat contains 9kcal, whereas carbs and protein each have 4kcal per gram, annoyingly enough
lactose intolerance is something that you can get tested on everywhere, so I'd do that and if it's positive then go off yoghurt and cheese.
If I were you I would not ever eat wholewheat. Unless you have weight problems I don't see the point of whole grains, your body cannot extract the goodness from them and their only purpose is to make you fuller longer.
Beans I'd definitely keep but most beans again, are high in IF, so balance it out with a SFS perhaps?
v helpful:
http://huhs.harvard.edu/assets/File/OurServices/Service_Nutrition_Fiber.pdf
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now: stable through EFI+FODMAP dieting (no lactose/no fructose/some fructans and some polyols)
before: IBS-D(pseudo-diarrhoea), bloating, often unbearable pain esp from too much fat: Apr 2007- Dec 2010
FODMAPs: http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/072710p30.shtml
[I've tried VSL#3 -> I could tolerate v good amounts of IF (even with less SF), it worked great (but overall I find it too expensive)]
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I only ever get this from too much fat. And its effects linger for days and for me even the tiniest deviation is instantly problematic (by instantly I mean a couple of hours/1day max (not instant like lactose intolerance)). You may be different, but I used to blame IF for the symptoms I got from fat...
(not that I'd ever encourage you to eat a lot of IF. eat healthy foods... beans and blueberries and broccoli are all so extremely healthy and full of antioxidants etc. but healthy foods are unfortunately high in IF so use a SFS in the same meal. they are a godsend, saved my life anyhow. I use Benefiber, in Britain there is nothing added, it's pure soluble fibre, easily dissolves, tasteless. Just great.)
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now: stable through EFI+FODMAP dieting (no lactose/no fructose/some fructans and some polyols)
before: IBS-D(pseudo-diarrhoea), bloating, often unbearable pain esp from too much fat: Apr 2007- Dec 2010
FODMAPs: http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/072710p30.shtml
[I've tried VSL#3 -> I could tolerate v good amounts of IF (even with less SF), it worked great (but overall I find it too expensive)]
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You sound so much like me in so many respects. Anyway I too used to be physically sick when I had no BM for an entire day. So you'd rather strain and then have more pain and spasms and haemorrhoids cos you fear that you're gonna be even more clogged up if you do not have a BM every day. Now I never ever strain and know and can tell you from experience that nature will eventually take its course and nothing will happen if you go without a BM for two days. you are much better off not straining and trying to calm yourself down over this and accepting this. I found that for me this mindset was causing me all those physical symptoms you described.
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now: stable through EFI+FODMAP dieting (no lactose/no fructose/some fructans and some polyols)
before: IBS-D(pseudo-diarrhoea), bloating, often unbearable pain esp from too much fat: Apr 2007- Dec 2010
FODMAPs: http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/072710p30.shtml
[I've tried VSL#3 -> I could tolerate v good amounts of IF (even with less SF), it worked great (but overall I find it too expensive)]
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