Scared to eat
#7192 - 04/25/03 06:35 AM
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Bread seems to make me bloated. Oatmeal too. So does sugar (plain table sugar) and honey. Vinegar is pain. Fruit is pain. Plain chicken is ok. Potatoes are ok. Rice with lite soy sauce is a problem. (I'm not sure about plain rice). Are my portions too big...could that be the prob? Typical portions: A big baked potato is one meal. It takes me about 20 mins to eat it. A piece of chicken is a different meal. I'm SO CONFUSED! I def. have IBS...I was tested for celiac, it came back negative. IBS runs in my fam. (my mom also has ulcerative colitis with it...it's in remission tho), celiac does not. My symptoms are: Constipation, bloating, cramping, major gas, sometimes I get small itchy bumps that go away in about an hour, I need gobs of sleep, gurgling noises in my tummy, burping, hiccuping, AWFUL gas if I take a nap in the afternoon 2-3 hours after eating a small snack, I was diagnosed with a hiatul hernia (sp) years ago but the doc. told me it was nothing at the time, (anyone know anything about hernias?)and my newest symptom is FEAR OF FOOD! I'm afraid to eat anything at this point! It seems EVERYTHING and ANYTHING is a trigger  PLEASE give me some ideas...help with what to say to my doctor...and encouragement to keep eating and advice on what to eat.
I feel like I come on-line every few days with more complaints lately. I'm just SO SCARED at this point! What's wrong with me? I just want to know how to help myself get well! I know that everyone on this board cares...and I am SO thankful for that! Right now, I feel alone...like I'm the only person with this particular batch of symptoms (I'm guessing we all feel this way at some point)?
I've done research on gallbladder--it doesn't sound like that's the culpirt. I'm confused by the research I've read on celiac...does it sound like I have it? There's a flood of info. I've gone through in the past several months--I can't keep it straight anymore *sigh* My doc. doesn't seem to understand the severity of what I'm going through. He usually works with older patients...I feel like he doesn't know what to make of me! He's put me on robinul forte, an anticolinergic, no results (major side effects), bentyl, dicyclomine, zelnorm...no help from any of this! He put me on MiraLax...that worked ONLY if I took it twice a day. I took myself off of it and went back to citrucel (I've also tried benefiber, fibercon, metamucil, peppermint tea, fennel tea, chamomile, and ginger tea). Citrucel kinda helps with the constipation...only if I take it three times a day...but it causes other symptoms (gas and bloating). The doc. seems to feel medication solves all...I want to work this out through diet and natural stuff as much as possible! (He knows this about me...and we worked out my going back on citrucel).
*Phew* I think this is the first time I've let it all out on the board. I think it took me lots of little posts to just put all this out here. Thanks SO MUCH for bearing with me...
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Oh Ruchie! You poor girl, that is awful!
Can I ask how long you have been taking Citrucel, and if you've tried any other fiber supplements? I just ask because when I started taking mine, I had terrible, painful gas and bloating no matter what I ate. You might try charcoal tablets too, I just mentioned them in a post to ConcreteAngel.
Have you tried peppermint and fennel teas? The warmth of the tea and the soothing herbs might relax that digestive tract...
Also, I can't drink large amounts of water right before or after a meal without trouble.
I'm not an expert, I am just trying to think of things that have given me trouble. If you want to try plain white rice, without the soy sauce, there are some nice varieties out there with subtle flavors. I make Risotto myself, and add powdered ginger to the rice as I cook it.
You take care of yourself, I am sure someone will post with better answers than mine!
**hugs**
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-h2
"Soluble fiber not included."
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H2,
I've tried benefiber, metamucil, fibercon, and now citrucel for over a month.
I'll see if I can get charcoal tablets today--thanks for the suggestion (they help with gas right)?
Thanks so much for caring! That definately helps!
(((((hugs)))))
Ruchie
P.S. I LOVE tea...and my heating pad! they help...but not enough to make me want to eat right now
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Ruchie,
I found one of the posts about charcoal, its here. Sounds like you are doing all the right things. I hope someone else has more insight for you, and I'll just send more caring. Hang in there!
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-h2
"Soluble fiber not included."
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H2,
THANK YOU so much! *hugs* I'll let you know if I get to buy them how they work out for me.
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Well I went through a period where even my "safe" foods were triggering me. Are you stressed? Stress can be a major trigger. I belch a lot, especially after being treated for the H.Pylori the second GI found. I am often bloated, but I can't figure out why. My stomach rumbles a lot. My IBS got so bad when the safe foods were triggering that I lost 10 lbs in a week. I started losing my appetite too, which that is a miracle I like to eat. That's when I went back to the doc. Have you spoken to your doc about all your symptoms? Are you eating only until you feel full? I've learned that if I don't eat slow, chew thoroughly, and don't stop at the full feeling I will have a flare up.
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Laurie 
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission - Eleanor Roosevelt
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Laurie,
Thanks SO MUCH for responding!  I put a call in to the doc. this morning...I speak to him about once a week these days...so I'll see what he has to say.
What is h.pylori?
Maybe I do eat more than what I need in a sitting? It's hard to say. I'll have to keep a more careful watch on that, thanks!
I haven't been so stressed lately. I haven't had work in the last two weeks because of the Passover holiday...however, my husband and I are planning a big move...which I haven't thought much about. Could be my subconscious is thinking about it tons though! I guess I'll have to give them some thought too.
Thanks for your great suggestions!
*hugs*
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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I would dividing up your portions into smaller meals, that way it won't crowd your stomach nor intestines. I've been eating smaller meals throughout the day and have seen an significant change in my habits. I drink a lot of water. I take Fibercon tablets thirty minutes before I eat anything so I have some soluble fiber, that is only when I'm at work.
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I hardly ever talk to my doc anymore. It must be nice to have a doc who will talk and listen. I am thinking of switching GI docs for the third time. A friend of mine suggested one at The Women's Hospital, which I liked because he'd be more intune with a female body.
H.Pylori is a bacteria that you can get in your stomach. It eats away at the lining of your stomach causing ulcers. It is now believed to be the major cause of stomach ulcers. My first GI doc only did a colonoscopy and then decided I had IBS. I decided to switch to a new GI, because I didn't like the "You have IBS, nothing else could be wrong" attitude. The second GI did another colonoscopy and the EG where the H.Pylori was found. I had to take these horrible super antibiotics and couple other pills twice a day, but supposedly it's all gone. 
I'm high strung so I think that stress for me is always there. Plus I have a lot of anxiety over my IBS. I swore when I was diagnosed I wouldn't let it take over my life, but from time to time I do. Right now I'm on another kick of not letting it get the best of me. I do the subconscious plays a factor in things.
I hope you start feeling better soon.
*hugs back*
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Laurie
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission - Eleanor Roosevelt
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Ruchie,
I am sooooooooo sorry that you are going through such a terrible time. You are such a great person, and you really dont deserve it! If I were you, Id keep a food journal listing the foods you eat and what specific reacion you get from that particular food. You may have a food allergy you dont know about or some kind of other intolerance. Make sure you keep in touch with your doctor to keep him updated with your symptoms. I kept a food journal for 6 straigt months to single out food triggers. Also, like I said, make sure you keep in touch with your doc. I call my doc about once a week as well to discuss different problems. Like H2 said, try to get tested for Hpylori(sp?) I got tested for that negative. Anway, I pray you get better ((HUGS)) I'll be thinking of you! 
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-Angela
Healed in Jesus' Name
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Angela,
YOU JUST MADE MY DAY! Thank you so much ((((((((HUGS))))))) What kinds of things did you put in your food journal? Was this your doc's idea? I think I'll try that. How often did you write in the journal (every meal/snack/drink...how specific should I be)? Thanks Angela... (you're a very special person too...and you don't deserve any of this either! It hurts me that your rents just don't get it...not that it's their fault per say...I just wish you didn't have to suffer, esp. w/out their support)!
Take care, and thanks again!!!!!!
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Ruchie - you poor baby! What are the quantities of the foods you eat? Youu probably should eat about 1/2 c rice and maybe 2 oz of chicken at a time. Try eating your white rice without anything but s/p. I love it that way. And, DON'T eat until you feel full--that's too much. Your tummy doesn't tell your brain until about 15-20 min after you finish eating that it's had enough.
I searched and found my portion size comparison chart to anatomical parts. Search for "fist" (don't ask!) and click on my post dated 2/24/03 at 8:01 am. It'll be there.
Hope you feel better soon and figure this whole thing out. Maybe youu should go back to the stabilizing stuff by Heather before you try anything else. I don't know wht else to tell you.
(((Hugs)))
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Sharon
"Anything Chocolate"...that is all!
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awwwww thanks Ruchie, making your day makes my day!!! In fact, just seeing you type happy makes me smile
My food journal was a simple notebook that I wrote in to every night right before I went to bed. I wasnt too specific, but specific enough. Like if I had a baked potato with garlic, I would write potato w/o skin and garlic salt. It was a good idea to keep a journal because I could link specific foods to triggers. For instance, through the journal, I found out that I had a strong intolerance to fructrose. I also linked some foods to nausea and bloating. It was NOT my docs idea to keep a food journal, but my own.I was the only one who looked at the journal, but I really learned alot from it! Get Well Soon
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-Angela
Healed in Jesus' Name
Edited by ConcreteAngel (04/25/03 09:43 AM)
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Shandela,
Thank you A million times! I will def. use this chart! I can't wait until the day I know what's wrong...what to eat, etc. In the meantime, I'll keep posting, keep researching (I get as many books from the library as I can, read the board, and talk to people I know with tummy troubles). I know I'll feel best if I don't eat at all (I've been there). But it's SO unhealthy!
Thanks for the hugs! I need em'! Happy Friday Shandela!!!!!!!!!
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Ruchie - I've been keeping a journal for 1.5 yrs. If you keep it in the kitchen and record everything you eat after you eat it, you more likely not to forget anything. And, enter qty to; i.e. 1/2 c rice, 1 baked potato, 1 c green beans, etc. I usually can't remember at night what I ate all day and I inadvertently forget something, and that something might be the important key to all this.
((hugs))
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Sharon
"Anything Chocolate"...that is all!
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I totally know where you're coming from. I've struggled with foods and its effects on my system for a couple of years now ( I have migraines and skin rashes which are exacerbated by what I eat). I went on an elimination diet, which is eliminating most things from your diet for 3 weeks, only eating foods which are well tolerated by sensitive tummys, and then slowly re-introducing the questionable foods back in to see if you have a reaction.
I'm not an expert in this, and I would definitely encourage you to check with your doc, and/or check out some websites that suggest what to eat, since most western docs believe in medicating, not in examining which foods are triggers. Here in Seattle, Naturopathic docs are recognized by the state medical board and so I have had some wonderful guidance. Three years ago I realized I was getting sick from corn products, wheat, chocolate, egg yolks, dairy, and additives and preservatives. I've been on another one since March and discovered I react to yeast and soy too. I have heard of people having adverse reactions like you to honey,oatmeal and vinegar (vinegar is fermented, so it might be making your gas worse). Our bodies know which foods work best and tell us when we're not listening to them.
It's a real pain in the butt doing this sort of "body" work: reintroducing foods, only to get sick sometimes, but it's been worth it. I feel better overall, knowing what to avoid. It sounds like you already know or suspect what foods are making you sick too. I also keep a food journal writing down everything I eat and how I feel. It helps me see some patterns. I find many of the foods advocated for folks like us who have IBS do not work for my body and I'm having to create my own food map. Good luck Ruchie. I'm sorry you're in so much discomfort.
p.s. keep trying to eat, even if they're are little things, stick with what feels safe right now, and you might want to take some vitamins to help keep you healthy.
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Thanks!!!!!!! It's good to know that vinegar is fermented and can give you gas (do you know how this works)? I've heard of neuropathics...what exactly do they do? How did this person help you? Can they diagnose you like a regular physician can? Thanks for the well wishes...they really help! (((hugs)))
Happy Friday!
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Ruchie - not neuropathic--naturopathic...big difference! Just helping out. Don't want you going to the wrong kind of doc!! ((hugs))
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Sharon
"Anything Chocolate"...that is all!
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LOL It's been a rough day...thanks for the tip! Sharon...what would we do w/out you.....!
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Ruchie - wanna try??? I need another vacation! LOL ((hugs))
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Sharon
"Anything Chocolate"...that is all!
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Ruchie - Maybe watching a funny movie would help. Dan and I went to the movies yesterday and saw Anger Management. It sure was funny!
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Sharon
"Anything Chocolate"...that is all!
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Shandela,
I'm going for a walk in a little bit and then cooking for Shabbos. Feel like visiting the "east side"?
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Sharon
"Anything Chocolate"...that is all!
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I remember all too well the feeling of being scared of food! ((((hugs)))) I KNOW how you feel.
Its this fear that prevents me from eating too much because I always worry that if I eat just a little too much, I'll get an attack (overeating can trigger IBS attacks for some, and I know it does for me.)
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"A waist is a terrible thing to mind".
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East Coast, USA!!!!!!!!!!
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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I understand that vinegar is made from fermented wine, beer or ale and its most commonly used as a condiment but can be used as a preservative too. With regards to the Naturopaths, they are doctors just like MD's but their approach is more holistic i.e. what' going on in a person's entire body and life affects their health. They believe the body possesses the ability to heal just as effectively with herbs, vitamins, foods etc, as with traditional medicine. I use both western medical docs and naturopaths because I think they compliment each other nicely.
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Sharon
"Anything Chocolate"...that is all!
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Sharon - We saw that movie last weekend also! I thought it was hilarious. I love Adam Sandler.
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Hi Ruchie! Anything I might have suggested has already been said, so I just wanted to at least tell you I hope you find the answer & get to feeling better soon. Also, I don't know if you have a PDA or not, but I do and I keep EVERYTHING in there. I never used this, but I remembered seeing it. It's a PDA program for tracking food for IBS. web page Of course you could always use pen & paper, but just in case you do use a PDA (I made a spreadsheet for mine to track my hypnotherapy tapes--I'm so organized, sometimes I get on my own nerves!  ) Like I said, I don't know how well it works, but I had to put something out there for ya!
Anyway, hope you get to feeling better soon.
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My sister and her husband are going to see that movie tonight as part of their annaversary night out without their 3 kids. I think she needs it. I watched them at my house today and I had to handel my anger. They left my house looking like a tornado went through. My mom picked them up and I was not about to tell them to pick up just go over to grammie's now please! I am seriouly reconcidering another child. What a little monster my 3 year old nephew can be. Who knew?
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I saw Anger Management too! Im not a huge Adam Sandler fan, but i am a huge fan of Jack Nicholson, and boy was he funny! He got so much on my nerves though in the movie, I just wanted to go into the screen and slap him three times over
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-Angela
Healed in Jesus' Name
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I use a PDA too! You can never be too organized (well, I try to be........I actually have LD's...so I HAVE to stay organized or I drown) I'm gonna have to check this out...thnx!!!!!!!!! You're so sweet! I'm glad you brought this up...I'm def. gonna check it out!
((((hugs))))
Ruchie
P.S. Happy Friday!!!
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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