How many days, weeks or months does everyone go between attacks?
#48336 - 03/05/04 02:42 PM
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I am just wondering what people's lives are like as far as their IBS goes. I have had this present attack last 2 months so far. I'm wondering when I finally get it under control (going back to see my doctor next week)if I can ever hope for months of "normal" life again? 
I am wondering if this is my IBS or something else because Heather's diet doesn't seem to be helping me. Plus, my IBS had never been this bad before and has never lasted for more than a week. Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated as I'm getting discouraged. Thanks!
Edited by Sara-Sage (03/05/04 02:54 PM)
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Sara, are you C or D? I can't remember. When you say this attack has lasted 2 months, what do you mean? D every day for 2 months?
Don't get discouraged, you sweet thing. I will get better, we promise. Don't we, everybody?!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Thanks for your response.
I used to be a 'c' but have been a 'd' lately. How do you IBS-D people do it??? Basically I have d every second day or so. I much rather being constipated because you don't have to worry about being late for work or using the washroom at work (very embarrasing).
What is worse is the abdominal pain and feeling lousy. I can deal with gas and bloating.
I'm trying not to get depressed but it's getting hard I'm worried that I might have something more serious. 
Edited by Sara-Sage (03/05/04 02:53 PM)
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If you think you might have something more serious, by all means get it checked out thoroughly. (Especially if it's treatable -- wouldn't it be ironic to have something that CAN be cured and to sit around for years thinking it was just IBS and there was nothing you could do about it?!)
So just to put your mind at ease if nothing else. And if you're worried that it might be something fatal, STOP!! Odds are strongly against it, so no need to torment yourself! The IBS does a perfectly good job of tormenting us without us making it worse!
Assuming it is just IBS, I always feel lousy the day after a D attack, so if you're having them every two days, no wonder you're always feeling lousy, you poor thing!
Do you take Imodium or the Canadian equivalent? Might need to cement things back up for a while, if you know what I mean, until you get stabilized.
Hang in there and use us all for support. That's what we're here for.
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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For Sara
#48344 - 03/05/04 03:04 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Well, since I came on board here and followed the program religiously, gave up my beloved cuppa joe every day, did the hypnotherapy program, increased my fiber, began taking probiotics, etc., etc., I've gotten SOOOOO much better! That was 3 months ago. Since then I've have 3 attacks, so on average once a month. Is that what you were asking?
While one attack a month seems like a lot, I can actually attribute each attack to something stupid I did -- so it's my own fault. I just can't be a bad girl and expect to get away with it. Bummer.
Are you doing everything you're supposed to, Sara? Taking your fiber every day, in the right amount? Following the diet exactly? Not cheating, are you?  What about keeping a food diary so you can keep a record of everything you eat and its reaction -- that helps me track down the culprit.
I'm afraid I disagree with you about the D. I'm a D, and I think it has to be much worse to be a C. Okay, it's not fun tracking down all the public bathrooms nearby, but at least with D we can "get it all out;" how horrible to have C and have it all "backed up." Really, if you've gone from a C to a D, I say at least you're getting it out now.
Having said that, it probably doesn't make you feel any better. I'm glad you're seeing your doctor; is he a GI or your primary care physician?
Have you considered the hypnotherapy? It sure has helped me.
Hope you get over this attack soon. Two months is two months too long. 
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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More For Sara
#48347 - 03/05/04 03:10 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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I just had a thought. Sara, are you taking any anti-spasmotic meds? When I have an attack -- a BAD attack -- I turn to my emergency meds (Donnatal). The Donnatal takes care of the cramping as well as the diarrhea. It's great stuff, and it works every single time.
Okay, you're not in America, so you probably don't have that same stuff -- but your doctor would know a comparable. Heather used to take Donnatal, but I see her post in here in which she says the peppermint caps do a better job than the Donnatal, believe it or not! I can't take the caps because they give me indigestion. You might think about them -- you get them from Heather. Check 'em out!
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Thanks for your nice letter.
I am follwing the diet quite well, taking probiotics, not drinking any caffeine at all and am pretty much vegan these days. You're right, I have cheated here and there with a couple of things. I have kept a food diary and foods that should be fine sometimes upset me.
Maybe it is better to get it all out! I never thought of it that way. The doctor is a new gp. I think I'll ask to see a specialist though.
I would consider hypnotherapy but don't know much about it.
Thanks for your support. 
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I think I was prescribed an anti-spasmotic years ago. I will ask my doctor about it as that's where most of my pain comes from. I just wanted to clear this up without drugs but at this point I am willing to try new things just to get back on track.
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Heather sells the hypnotherapy tapes right on this site. Click on Hypnosis for IBS on left hand side. Hypnotherapy is more of a UK term. In the US, it would be described more like guided imagery meditation, I think.
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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You're right, chances are it's nothing terrible. I don't have any symptoms of chrohn's or colitis. I think I'd feel way worse if it was cancer.
I take Pepto Bismal which always gives me c the next day. It seems to stop all digestion completely. I kinda like that as I know that day will be fairly normal.
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Re: For Sara
#48354 - 03/05/04 03:17 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Sara, be real strict with yourself for awhile -- don't cheat on anything -- until you're stable.
The hypno is incredible. It sure helped me! You might consider going onto the hypno board and checking out others' stories.
See your doctor, even get a referral to a GI. See what they have in the way of an anti-spasmodic med. Check out Heather's peppermint capsules. Then maybe consider the hypnotherapy program. At least you're DOING something for yourself. That alone will help, Girlfriend!
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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IMHO, there's nothing wrong with taking drugs when they help. Would you tell a diabetic not to take insulin?! If something makes me feel normal, then I decree it to be "natural" because not feeling normal is unnatural!! How's that for a positive way of looking at it??!!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Thanks, I have checked it out and find it too expensive. I will try meditation though. I bought a video yesterday.
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Thanks for the pep talk!
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Yes, it is a bit pricey. Heather should have a scholarship fund!!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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You're so right. I  t's true, this is a medical condition.
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You're welcome, and I love your quote!!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Ya, she should.
I have another suggestion for her. A vegan cookbook with no meat either. I'm not sure if there's a demand out there for it but I'd buy it!
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Thanks! I'm not much of a dancer so I better hope nobody is watching!!! ha, ha 
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Hi - Yes, I've thought of it, but I don't think the market is big enough for such a specialized focus. I had one helluva time just convincing the publisher that an IBS cookbook would have an audience.
Best thing to do is take IBS safe recipes and make them vegan. Most baked goods you can use vegan subs for egg whites, and most main dishes you can use soy replacements for chicken/fish, or just omit those ingredients if applicable (like leaving the shrimp out of the Thai Fried Rice).
- H
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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!
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You're probably right about the market not being big enough. Too bad though. I bought a vegan cookbook yesterday and most of the recipes seem IBS safe except for some of the ones (for example, they use whole wheat pasta or nuts and beans) and I'll just substitute.
If you come out with a new cookbook, maybe you can have a small vegan section? Anyhow, thanks for the cookbook you did write as it is helpful. 
Edited by Sara-Sage (03/05/04 03:42 PM)
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Yes, I'd buy it too! too bad there's not a market though. I also second the idea for a vegan section in the new cookbook
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--Julie
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