I owe my success in staying D free for a full year to the following things (in no particular order):
-Soluble Fiber Supplement taken religiously three times a day. I take Metamucil but I built up to the full dose VERY slowly, starting with 1/4 tsp every 3 days!
-Heather's diet -- no red meat, low fat, ALWAYS build meal around a soluble fiber food such as bread or rice or pasta or potato
-NO ALCOHOL!!!
-Bentyl antispasmodic twice a day, 2 Gas-X every morning, 2 acidophilus tablets every day, Imodium as often as needed as a PREVENTIVE, not after I've already had the D.
-Meditation or relaxation exercises, such as yoga or the hypnotherapy tapes.
-Regular meals, meaning at as close to exactly the same time every day as possible.
-Small snacks in between so my tummy is never empty.
-Not too many calories in any one meal. Triggering the gastrocolic reflex can be done even by soluble fiber food alone if you eat too much at once.
-NO soda (pop to you midwesterners).
-Getting enough sleep every night. I'm talking 8 to 10 hours here. If you can't get at least 8 hours sleep everynight, CHANGE something so you can.
-I also take Elavil and Effexor and Xanax, not for the IBS, but I'm sure they help.
-Getting regular exercise, even just walking 1/4 mile slowly.
-Not taking Motrin or Aleve or any of the other NSAIDs without taking an Imodium with it.
-NO COFFEE!!
-Hmmm, I'm sure I'm forgetting something.
If this sounds like too much to you or sounds like not having a life, let me assure you I'm happier than I've ever been, I go out to dinner and movies and theater with my husband. I meet friends for lunch or tea. I go to the gym. I travel to see my family. I read, play the piano, go to museums, watch TV, play computer games, keep up an active email correspondence with family and friends. It's just a matter of that old, old saying, "Moderation in all things."
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|