Newbie. Recently-diagnosed. Need some advice! Help!
#47808 - 03/03/04 06:49 PM
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Seahawk
Reged: 03/03/04
Posts: 43
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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Good evening to all.
I have been a ghost on these boards for over two months now; and I felt that it was about time that I took a more proactive approach to my condition. I figured that I could start by asking some questions and sharing my thoughts. My apologies if I am too graphic in my descriptions...
My symptoms seem to be the same as everyone else, although I do attribute some of my current digestive problems to a prior lack of exercise and poor diet. I used to only eat one meal a day; and I lost a significant amount of weight from a body type that clearly needs more weight, not less. The weight loss [and the concern of my wife] is what prompted my visit to the physician. Through the usual process of elimination [blood tests, colonoscopy, stool tests, etc…], I was diagnosed with IBS-D.
I make it sound routine; but, in all honesty, it took what seemed like a very long time for the various physicians to reach that conclusion. One physician swore that I was allergic to corn [Side Note: Corn is in EVERYTHING!], while an allergist eventually confirmed that I was not. I had initially removed all forms of corn from my diet; but I am now in the process of adding some back. I really missed bread...
Here is my usual daily menu:
Wake: Ultra Duo Dophilus
:30 Later: Banana
At work: Protein Shake [banana, Benefiber, rice protein, rice milk, and rice syrup]
Caltrate, Fennel
2:00 Later: 2 Homemade Pumpkin Muffins [3g of fiber each / I love my wife so...]
2:00 Later: Lunch [normally, chicken and rice, sushi, or a sandwich]
Fennel
:30 Later: Mintacin
2:00 Later: Protein Shake [Balanced Total Nutrition]
3:00 Later: Ultra Duo Dophilus
:30 Later: Dinner [normally, rice cereal w/ Benefiber and a sliced banana]
Caltrate / Fennel
Water intake falls throughout my day; and, of course, not during a meal.
I also work out at the gym four times a week.
Now to my question...
Am I doing something wrong?
I still have an extremely urgent loose movement in the morning; followed by an unsettled feeling until I eat later in the morning; and another urgent loose movement before I go home from work [Note: My place of work is approximately 45-60 minutes away from my home]; followed by yet another period of unsettled-ness. I have horrible bubbling gas on my left side under my arm from about 2pm to 7pm. I do not have diarrhea anymore [or so I have to keep telling myself]; but I cannot seem to escape from bowel movements centered around waking up or traveling to/from work/home. Help!
Thank you for taking the time to read my rant.
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-Seahawk
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Just wanted to say welcome to the boards! I was just looking over your diet and wondering what you might be doing (or not doing) that is causing you to still have problems. I tend to spend more time worrying about my stomach than actually having stomach problems and that leads to "real" stomach problems. Could there be anything in those protein shakes you are drinking that you aren't aware of and that's bothering your stomach? Just wondering if you make those or is it something you buy. I have IBS-D and was taking Immodium daily until a few months ago. The Immodium would throw me in to IBS-C and that was not fun either. Now I take it as I need it and have found myself to be feeling quite regular after taking the Acacia on a daily basis. I see you are taking Benefiber and maybe you are just not taking enough? Also I noticed lately that bananas are not always agreeing with me and were possibly causing me to have some gas pains and bloating. Hmmm not sure what else you could be doing different. But thank goodness you are eating more often than once a day and have started exercising. Sometimes it just takes a good detective to figure out what food is really bother me.
I'm sure others on here will have some other suggestions.
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Thanks for the reply!
I make the first protein shake myself and all of the products are organic [I do not know what I would do without a Whole Foods Market...]. The second shake [made from soy] seems to have ingredients that my system agrees with. It could be the bananas; but the gas/bubbling is normally centered around my leaving from work. Come to think of it, I have the same discomfort at the same time when I am not at work, too. Hmmm...
I think that you are 100% correct when you mention about worrying about having problems when you really do not have any. That seems to sum up my daily activities...
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-Seahawk
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Welcome Seahawk!
#47841 - 03/04/04 07:33 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Hi there Sewhawk! Welcome!
The first thing that hit me was your comment: "Water intake falls throughout my day; and, of course, not during a meal." You need to reverse that; water intake throughout the day should increase -- you really need it with the soluble fiber supplement. And why "not during a meal?" Working out four times a week is great -- but that means you need even MORE water.
What is "Mintacin"?
There is a total absence of insoluble fiber. We need our insolubles as well. Does your wife do the cooking, or do you? A real easy way to add veggies into your diet is in soups or stews.
Bananas are great, but they give me a lot of gas. I have one in my fruit smoothie (so I can get more fruit in my diet), but I can't have one every day because of the gas.
I'm also a D, and I have my urgent bathrooms runs every morning too -- I have more than one though. I look on it as a blessing; how terrible for all the people here who have C and don't go at all!
I note that you have dophilus first thing in the morning, but you don't have your fiber supplement until you get to work, after you've had your banana. Why not have your fiber supplement first thing in the morning, before any food? I take my probiotic in the middle of the night -- usually around midnight -- then my acacia in my tea when I first get up. Then breakfast comes about a half hour later.
Have you thought about trying a different supplement? I used to take Citrucel but switched to Heather's acacia, which worked so much better (although I really wasn't taking enough of the Citrucel). I had to gradually increase my dosage, but really GRADUALLY. How much fiber are you taking?
If what you're doing isn't working for you, you need to change it. I'd check on my dosage of fiber, drink a lot more water, and work some veggies into my diet. And of course I'd come back here to the Boards for all kinds of help and support! 
Again, welcome, Seahawk!
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Hello and Welcome. The others already said what I was thinking...maybe the protien shakes-sometimes too much protien gives me D. And maybe try to increase your soluble fiber supplement and maybe try to switch to a different fruit a couple days a week in your shakes. My hubby makes smoothies with bags of frozen organic berries(Isn't Whole Foods GREAT!)
Keep up the exercise and double your water!!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Thanks, Bev!
Sorry 'bout the confusion...
What I actually meant to write was that I drink water throughout the day. I do not drink any during a meal, rather before or after.
Mintacin is a supplement that contains Simethicone and Peppermint Oil. It really helps with the uncomfortable gas/bubbling I seem to get.
You are right about the insoluble fiber. Every time I have any of significance, I feel absolutely horrible. I also considered changing my soluble supplement to Heather's Acacia. Do you know how many servings there are in one package? If I am taking 2tbsp a day, how quickly will I use her product?
I always assumed that my "one" urgent morning trip to the restroom was far better than others I have read about; but, interestingly enough, I now have had to use the restroom twice a morning recently. I do not think that I will ever figure this thing out. Could it be my dophilus? It does have the controversial FOS in it. Is there a better time to take it? It really gives me such horrible stomach cramps...
Thanks again for all your help!
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-Seahawk
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Thanks!
Before I purchased Heather's books and found her board, I was going absolutely crazy. Just writing about our issues seems to help so very much...
After I drink my shake, I seem to be just fine. I assume that the gas/bubbling comes from digesting all of the fiber I have taken in throughout the morning/early afternoon. Changing up my fruit is a good idea, though. Would I have to take something soluble with it? I thought that Heather mentioned that you could not take fresh fruit by itself.
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-Seahawk
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Acacia and Jarrow
#47851 - 03/04/04 08:10 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Here you go Seahawk: Acacia Fiber
Also, check out the link Heather has here for her acacia. She sends it to you in one-pound bags, and that's a 2-month supply (for me). However, I believe she now can ship larger bags as well. She is also working on a system whereby she can ship to us on a regular schedule. You can e-mail her or call her to order it, and she can tell you exactly how much you should be taking to start off. (Also, she sends you a little free sample of Equalactin with your order! I love the stuff!)
Do a search here for "simethicone" -- I know it's been discussed, I just don't recall what was said about it.
If your probiotic gives you "horrible stomach cramps," I wouldn't take it! Have you considered Jarro? Check it out: Jarro Several of us here take it and like it. It doesn't bother my tummy at all, and I am very satisfied with my poops now. I have a smile on my face every time I leave the bathroom.
Good luck -- and keep us posted.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Thanks once more, Bev!
Simethicone is a gas-reducer. It is found in Gas-X, Phazyme, etc... I use the Mintacin because it is enteric-coated; and it breaks up the gas in your intestines, not your stomach. The peppermint oil adds a nice soothing effect.
Two months sound good to me. I will order some after my Benefiber runs out.
So, I should probably drink my fiber/protein shake [I am trying to gain weight...] first thing in the morning; and take my new probiotic before I go to sleep. My fiber intake, including food, is close to 25g. I just love those pumpkin muffins my wife has made for me...
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-Seahawk
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Hi Seahawk,
Welcome to the boards. I just wanted to say that I was having trouble figuring out how to add insoluble fiber to my diet and Bevrs told me to try some soup. So, I bought some IBS safe broth and some canned mixed vegetables. I cooked them til they were extra super tender. Then, I added some no yolk noodles and served it with fat free crackers. OH MY GOSH, it was delicious! At least now I don't have to worry about not getting the insoluble in, like before.
Terri
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