Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Not sure what "stabilized" really is....

First off....what a resource this site and Heather's books have been. I've had IBS-D since childhood, but was only diagnosed last year (I'll be 40 this year). Even since that diagnosis, I had no idea what I was really dealing with. 5 weeks ago my system went totally bonkers...and I realized the full brunt of what I need to deal with. Found this site, ordered books and acacia and teas. All have really been wonderful....but....I'm not quite sure I'm approaching "stablization" correctly. Last week I went to a strict soluble fiber focused diet (mostly typical "BRAT" diet) to try to settle my system. By Wednesday, I was feeling on top of the world, but by Friday, I realized I hadn't had a BM in 3 days, and was starting to feel a bit painful in the gut, and even was getting back pains -- started to think I was too "backed up". Feeling this was a sign of "stabilization", I decided to both increase my acacia, and also had a couple of "normal" foods yesterday, still taking acacia and following soluble fiber guidelines. Today, woke to colon loudly sloshing its contents! Had very loose BM, bloating, painful gas, discomfort all day. Was I not "stable" yet? Is there such a thing as trying to stabilize for "too long", and getting too constipated? Should I go back to strict rice, pasta, bread, acacia, water, tea for several more days? Will the soluble fiber eventually do its thing and relieve whatever constipation I feel. Trying to end the yo-yo here - does stable mean no D, or no C, or no both? Dying to get this under control....

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