Modified IBS diet for underweight/non solid swallower?
#370766 - 01/06/14 06:33 AM
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eisdamme
Reged: 01/06/14
Posts: 5
Loc: Tampa, FL
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I'm having issues trying to figure out how best to adapt an IBS diet to my limitations. I'm 82 pounds, 4'11", (size 2.5 ring, very, very small frame and have been 'underweight' all my life, even at my normal weight of 88 lbs, which I held from ages 12-30 (before swallowing/chewing became an issue) with no care to what I ate. (Mostly whatever and whenever I wanted.) I was born at 5.5 mos and weighed 2lbs 14oz if that's a thing that influences anything - I am unsure if it is!
Because of the 7 pound(ish) drop in my weight, my eustachian tube stays open a LOT, and I really cannot afford to lose any more weight. It's been a battle to keep it on, as most of the foods rec'd are IBS triggers (subbing in heavy cream for milk, eggs in everything, gravy gravy gravy butter omg, cream cheese in mashed potatoes, etc.)
Due to other medical issues I cannot chew or swallow (two separate issues) most solids, so keeping weight on is a challenge. How can I follow an IBS compliant diet without losing weight and still keeping within a limited (a little above minimum wage) budget and range of swallowable things?
I do all right with things the consistency of pudding, smoothies, blended cream soups and blended potatoes. Texture gives me issues, as does anything that can't be turned to liquid in the mouth.
Carbonation will sometimes force semisolids down, but I don't like to do it. (I also cannot swallow any kind of pill medication unless it's a tablet that's safe to let dissolve in the mouth, so I'm really limited there, too.)
Are there any options for me?
Edited by eisdamme (01/06/14 06:53 AM)
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OMG, eisdamme!!
You really do have some serious issues!
What do your doctors say about your situation? Would a feeding tube be a good option for you?
I would go to my doctor right away, as it sounds like you may be in danger medically!!
BEST of luck to you! Let us know how you do!! Take care now.
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Originally diagnosed with IBS-C in Spring, 2008. During spring to fall of 2008, had at least 10 acupuncture treatments and Chinese herbs. IBS went into remission. IBS returned in late July 2013 after taking 2 oral contrasts for a CT scan for cancer follow up. Had more acupuncture with different practitioner in summer 2014, but received little benefit.
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That are some problems. What does your doc. Say? The best things I can think of for you are soups, purees and stuff like that. I hope you'll find good help nearby. You cannot do this on your own. Perhaps a dietist?
Good luck.
Saskia
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The diagnosis was probable LPR, but I was unable to take most of the meds (pills), and unresponsive to the ones I did take. I've basically been advised to just live with it, bulking up calories as I can and ignoring the IBS. 
I can't afford to see another nutritionist at the moment (roommate just came off a third layoff), but the one I saw in 2009 recommended a lot of un-affordable supplements and very expensive, specialized foods. (Organic, $100 a can protein powder), etc.
I know of another dietician in the area, but his specialty is weight loss.
Most of what I eat is following the dysphagia diet (levels 1-3 as needed), and recs for cancer patients, etc, to bulk up cals.
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Well, the weight doesn't seem to bother them as it's 'only 7 pounds', but the bouts of my eustachian tube opening are super annoying. Even at my healthiest I could never break 88, and it is proportional, regardless of how small it sounds.
(Took me a long time of wearing baggy clothes to cover the scrawn and endlessly trying weight gainers/wanting a boob job (lol) before I was finally okay with my weight in my late 20s.)
No one treats it as an immediate threat, or even a threat at all - I've just been advised to bulk up on fats and high cal liquids/semisolids as much as I can.
I am not a candidate for a feeding tube at all (due to other issues) - and it was determined that even if I had one, putting on more than 8-10 pounds would not be optimal for me.
None of my docs think I am in any sort of medical danger if you mean weight wise - because of how very, very small framed I am. (Teeth are smaller, jaw insanely narrow, fingernails tinier than most people's.)
I'm really just trying to figure out how best to modify what I can eat, though perhaps I can find a good nutritionist online and save the money for a consult?
Breakfast is typically a smoothie: 2 bananas, a buttload of coconut milk, some kind of nut butter, coconut oil, a little flax and some nut milk. (Used to include weight gain/protein powder but that's not affordable right now.)
Prior to trying to eat better, the smoothies would just be straight up ice cream, peanut butter, chocolate syrup, etc.
Has always been impossible for me to gain, but prior to swallowing issues it was also pretty impossible to lose. My metabolism is really, really fast and I'm very sedentary due to the PET and other issues.
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Sorry to read that. Why can't you take the meds? Is it because the pills are too big? I am thinking about what has more calories which you can have with ibs. I,l come back on it later. Take care. Saskia
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Yeah - I cannot swallow any kind of pill, I either have to let it dissolve in my mouth or crush to powder and put in applesauce/juice, etc. I was on Prevacid (dissolvable) and Zegerid (powder), but neither did anything at all.
The last time I tried to swallow a tiny tiny birth control pill it lodged in my nose and after a half hour of effort - shot out and pinged against my dresser. Left me with blue foam in my nose and a bit of blood. It's funny now, but it was scary at the time!
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