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Thank you Stephie.
But you know, I've done all of that.
Hrm, you have done ALL of that stuff I suggested? I understand if you FEEL like you've done so much that there isn't anything left to try, but I find it a little hard to believe that you've tried everything that's been suggested to you on here. I know it sucks and it takes patience and time... but giving up is going to affect you more than it does anyone else, and you owe it to yourself to be open to trying new things. Right now I'm just eating Chicken and Rice. Yesterday I was doing just fine, everything going good, had a little trip to walmart, watched Hot Fuzz at night. I also ate chicken and rice for dinner.
I just want to point out that I know you feel limited, but I'm not suggesting that you eat only chicken and rice. And of course, the day I'm supposed to go to the faire, I have problems. And its a different kind of problem. I haven't gone to the bathroom one time today. But every single second I feel like I need to, and that any moment I'm going to seriously need to. I'm so afraid to get in that car. I have no choice, I have to go. I have medicine from the doctors, and I'm taking Immodium. I'm already loaded up on it, and I have to stay up all night to leave. If I go to sleep, I will wake up with some hefty problems. I still can't go to the bathroom, but I know that the moment I get into that car, I'm going to have to. You said that thing about remembering all the 15 minutes I've gone without having to go. Yes, I've done that so many times, expecially today. I mean if I get an attack really early in the trip, there will be no stops for me. Ugh! why couldn't I have just gone yesterday, or even earlier today? But no, everything seems to conspire to make my life worse and worse and worse.
This sounds to me like a typical STRESS reaction to the IBS. You feel fine one day, but the minute you have something important to do, you get sick right? Think about where you are mentally. Are you worked up because you are thinking about going? Are you telling yourself over and over that you're going to get sick? I'm not suggesting these things are your fault, but they are behaviours that could easily trigger an IBS attack and you need to consider getting a handle on that.
And what is wrong with groceries?! I went to every health food section in that store, every single one of them, EVER SINGLE ONE! had wheat, milk, and or nuts.
This really, really suprises me because of all the vegans and people with severe nut allergies, etc out there. Where do you live?
So you know what I got? Grapes, and plain chicken...MMM MMM! I don't even think I can have grapes. I lost 50 pounds in one year.
Grapes might be hard to digest, but it's all down to you. Maybe they don't bother you. That's where the food diary comes in handy. You said you have tried everything, have you tried journalling everything you eat and drink and your reactions, etc?
last year at this exact same time, I weighed 220 pounds, now at this very moment, I weigh 163. That came from not eating, and eating like I have to now. by the way I stopped eating bread. I've been taking fiber every day now, the one from this website. I believe it helps but...who knows.
And are you using it every day in really small amounts and verrrrry gradually increasing it? It hurts so much every time I see someone just up and go and have fun, they can just go out and have a great time, they can leave at any moment, wake up and just go, they can do whatever they want at any time. Every...single...freaking thing Is hell for me. Any fun activity is just a terrible trap for me, full of suffering, anger, depression, fear. Hey you want to go to my lan party? NO, I can't go, because my life sucks. Anyone can tell me to just "not worry" but thats impossible, you can't just not worry, expecially when the reason your worrying is because you are actually having the problem right at the moment. There is no way around it.
It does suck. You are absolutely right. But I really think that you will feel better if you try to have the best attitude you can about it. Sure, there will be times that you get really bummed out but take some "power" back in your life and decide you are going to do whatever you can to get yourself healthier. Focus on the positive things in your life and try to recognise when you begin to spiral down in negative thoughts, accept them for what they are, and then let them go!
I've had a colonoscpy, endoscopy, that ridiculously long 5 hour x-ray, blood tests, stool tests, THEY EVEN WANT ME TO REDO MY X-RAY BECAUSE THEY LOST MY RECORDS! I've gone in for countless little assessments, and pointless talks. Its stupid that I had to go through hell just for them to tell me what they want to do to me some other time.
Like Sand said, if you don't like your doctor than find another one. Once you find one that you trust, really trust them. If he/she says to redo a test, do it.
I don't believe in Hypnotherapy, I don't believe yoga would do a thing, and I'm pretty sure I've made just about any adjustment to my life that I can.
Tell me something, why don't you "believe" in these things? Have you tried them for an extended period of time and had them not give you any benefits? An open mind is the best tool you have to solve a difficult problem. You know I'm atleast 2 years behind in High school because I had to drop out of regular high school to do this computer program...even then I still have to go in to a school building atleast once a week. Everyone my age has long graduated and I'm still in it...Any and all foods I love have wheat in it...I swear its like some sadistic freak is up their making sure I have the worst time possible.
You can adjust. It sucks and it's hard. But you adjust and you move on. And you are far happier, because you are healthier. That is, IF you don't have a tolerance for wheat. And that will take time to figure out. And have you ever ate a plain potato or plain white rice? I can't stomach it, its gross. It needs something in it. Are you kidding? I have lived for days upon days upon weeks on bland food and sure, it's not very yummy but... seriously? A plain baked sweet potato is not the worst thing in the world and you need to try to remember that. It's your attitude that it holding you back here. I know it sucks, but you have to pull yourself up for your own good. Seriously, after this whole faire thing is over, I don't even care, I'm eating a whole freaking ton of Chinese food...and I'll just live in my room and play harvest moon.
What I planned on doing to make this trip easier is after the 8 minute drive to the fork in the road that starts the 15 minute road leading to the 10 minute road to the gas station 5-10 minutes away from the faire grounds, is to take a movie (the grinch) and play it at the moment we go down that road so hopefully time will pass by very quickly. The reason I'm so afraid of this road is because of my brothers wedding. On my trip back, it was terrible, and it seemed like the longest road ever.
Hurmpf...I have no idea what to do.
Good luck, and keep us posted. Reply to this post if you can and want to answer any of the questions I have put to you. And try to focus on as much positive in your life as you can, it will help you get through rough times. You are young, and rough times will come and you need to figure out a way to get through them for your own health and future happiness.
We are all pulling for you!
Steph
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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.
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Stumbled upon this site looking for help after a hellish week. just read this post and felt like i could've written it myself. thats my life, in a nutshell. fear of getting in the car. completely reasonable fear, as just yesterday i was praying to god at the top of my lungs to please let me make it to the gas station please spare me the humiliation of what it would mean to not make it two more miles down the road to the nearest bathroom. four times i had to pull into gas stations/rest stops in what should've been a half-hour trip. read the previous post and have to say, i would trade the breakfast at dennys that triggered this attack for plain chicken and rice any day of the week. tasty foods are so tempting and so not worth it. wanted to say i understand and sympathize and its nice to know im not alone in this.
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I hope you post again soon. I'm concerned about how you're doing. I know IBS is so much harder when you're younger. When you're sick so much that nothing seems worthwhile. You are letting the condition control your life. I know there's only so much we can do with diet and other factors. However, one big area that we can work on is stress and trying to keep a positive attitude. Try to continue to follow the diet. I've been doing this diet for about 3-4 months now. Still no where stable, but some days are clearly better than others.
Last week, my brother (who is only 45) had two strokes. I had to drive hours up to see him (they were on vacation) and then hours driving my mom back to where they were staying, followed by hours the next day driving home. I can't tell you how scared I was to have a full-blown attack. I did the first day, well, not full-blown but moderately bad. And then my concern over him and my mother allowed me to push away my personal stress and I was actually pretty good. Big surprise. Part of that is the new diet, but a big part is not letting the stress overwhelm me. I actually got sick when I got home and it all hit me.
what I'm trying to say, is don't give up. It's not easy, it sucks, it's completely unfair and horrible. It can be very difficult finding things are that truly vegan (no dairy) and there are so many different sections of the grocery store for gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, vegetarian but we can have issues in so many areas there's no one place for us to look. I've had best luck in the organic section (if your grocery store has one). My first few trips to the store were long and infuriating. Just when I thought I found something, no, wait it has caisen (?). Once you get up a list of things that are safe for you and where to find them, it will get easier. You have to accept your IBS and stop fighting against it. Some of the best ways to do that is through hypnotherapy, yoga and acupunture. and if you think hypnotherapy is like when people get hypnotized on stage in Las Vegas, it's not. It's mainly a way of controlling your breathing and focusing your mind to reduce stress and help your body heal. At least try a relaxation CD. Whatever works for you, nature sounds, ocean, classical music and try listening to it as you go to sleep. It might help. At least have an open mind.
There are plenty of people that understand how you feel. Vent your anger and get it out of your system. Learn to accept your new lifestyle. It's not that bad. There are people who have to suffer through a lot worse. Be grateful you don't have Chrons. Be grateful you don't have cancer. IBS is horrible and embarassing, but you can deal with it and learn to live with it. Have faith in yourself.
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Hi,
I just wanted to put in my two-cents. Much of what I have to say is things everyone else who has posted had said, but I figured it would be nice for you to know that there's another person who completely understands how you feel. I remember when I first found this website and how overwhelmed I felt, particularly about the diet and how restrictive it seemed. But I also remember how thankful and hopeful I felt when people would reply to my posts -- to offer suggestions, hints, or to just express that they had been there too. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. That's what I thought when I was finally diagnosed with IBS about 5 months ago. This website made me realize that was not the truth.
Like yourself, I'm relatively young (24) and I remember thinking how unfair it was at this time in my life to be going through all this [censored] (no pun intended). I had the moments of "why me?" and depression and swearing at God and every other deity out there. In fact, right after I was diagnosed I seriously considered suicide. It was scary. It was particularly hard for me because I had moved away from home a year previously, so my support system was not strong. Luckily for me, I have very nosy parents who basically told me that life would get better. Did I believe them? Not really, and I even told my father straight out that I didn't think it would. Well, as what happens with most older people, he was right.
I am certainly not stable now after being on the diet and following Heather's guidelines for 3 months, but I feel a lot better. Like you, I was skeptical about everything -- it seemed to go against everything I had learned about so-called "healthy eating." But it gradually got better. It takes TIME, which is the most frustrating part of all. At first, you wish for a miracle drug to cure everything, but unfortunately we don't live in the world of Harry Potter.
Stress is a huge trigger for me, and I didn't even realize it because I was internalizing all my stress and my stomach was paying for it. I know you are skeptical about hypnotherapy, but honestly it has been one of the BEST things for my stress level. Even when I do have attacks (like right now because its my time of the month), because of the hypno I don't stress nearly as much and make myself even more sick. I also started yoga two months ago and I love it. Yes, accepting IBS as part of your life means making changes, many of which seem really difficult. But, as my mother says, "every little bit helps" and all the small things will start making you feel better.
Get a good doctor -- one you can trust who will truly listen to how you are feeling and will make sure that he/she is doing the best they can to give you options to improve your symptoms. There are a lot of prescription drugs out there that can help. My doctor is wonderful, mainly because he takes everything I say at face value and never ever acuses me of "imagining it." You deserve the best care to make you feel better -- insist upon it.
Does it suck to have IBS? Hell yes. I would be lying to you if I said no. But can you get better? Yes. A lot of it depends upon your attitude, and your willingness to not give up. That's what I decided -- this condition is not going to beat me. I know it can be uncomfortable, but tell the people in your life about your condition. I don't mean get graphic, but explain how it makes you feel and why it means there might be some days when you really need support. People are a lot more understanding and sympathetic than most of us realize. I know its overwhelming, but try and take it one day, one moment at a time. We are here for you, and whenever you need to come back and get advice or to vent, please do. We've all been there. I hope something I said helped, even in the smallest way. Take care.
Julie
IBS-D, GERD, lactose intolerant
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"We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it."
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Dear Caputsky, thanks so much for your informative post. This is my first time on this site and to tell you the truth I am at the end of my rope. I purchased Heather's books and am just trying the diet, but I guess i just have to be patient. My problem is that I suffer from anxiety which i try to get a handle on but is also difficult to manage. This of course brings on the diarrhea, etc. Sorry to go on and on. I just really need some support right now. I find that people that don't have IBS try to help but really do not understand what I am trying to explain. I love my doctor, and I have been through many tests but I often worry that they are missing something. Thanks again for sharing. 
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No thanks are necessary, I'm just glad that my post helped a bit. I understand about the anxiety, so I would recommend the hypnotherapy if you can afford it. You might want to talk to your doctor about any anti-anxiety medication that can help also. I believe on this website there is a list that Heather has where she states every other condition that needs to be ruled out before someone can be diagnosed with IBS. It's also in her "The First Year" book -- I think you mentioned you bought that? Anyway, I know what you mean about others without IBS not understanding. However, a lot more people have heard of the condition nowadays, and its great for that awareness to increase. Like I said before, feel free to post about anything -- at first I was asking a million questions and nobody here told me to stop or made me feel like I was asking too much...hey, the only stupid question is the one not asked Good luck with the diet and keep us posted!
Julie
IBS-D, GERD, lactose intolerant
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"We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it."
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I just wanted to add my thoughts to this post. I am only 25 and know how bad it sucks to deal with IBS at such a young age. It makes everything worse from school to work to dating. I live in a small-ish town so I know that it can be very hard to find all the great thing that people suggest on here. The internet has been alifesaver being able to order things. Also for me the acacia fiber on this website has done wonders for me. All the tips found on here to help with bloating and gas have been absolutely fabulous. I really thought that this was just the worst hing ever to have because everyone else can eat normally and not worry about bathroom breaks or going on vacations.
BUT THEN (and this is not meant at all to sound like well you could have it much worse, I am just trying to tell my story) I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 months ago and had to have 2 different surgery so far. My IBS has been severely awful since then and I cannot do the normal things I would such as yoga poses or the massages that I use on my stomache. Now I remember how truly awful it was to have IBS in the begnning with no help from anyone. At least I can still take my fiber, that helps a little just not with the bloating and constipation that the surgeries slowing down my system caused. The other awful thing is that all pain meds have constipation as a side effect which is the last thing that i need! Anyways I just wanted to reming people to be very thankful for this website because it truly is a lifesaver. I cannot follow a lot of the guidelines right now due to the cancer and what my other doctor's are telling me. But when I was able to I felt almost normal after a while, so really stick with it!
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Melinda
IBS-A but leans toward C mostly
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