Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Article on Health.com

Hi Susanna!
How great that you're doing an article on this subject, I'll try to help you out to answer some of your questions.
My name is Natasja Bom, I'm 26 years old and I live in the Netherlands. I don't have Crohn's disease but I'll tell you about my experience with IBS. I found Heather's site about a year ago and it really saved my life. When I read the symptoms of IBS I really knew that this was exactly how I felt, those were all my problems! When I think back, I think I have this problem with my intestine from the age of 13. It went with ups and downs, better and worse. About a year and a half ago things got really worse again, I think the worsted I've ever experienced. Things got really busy in my life then (stress) and because I also have a kind of asthma, I had troubles with breathing especially when I want to go to sleep, so I really didn't sleep well (also a great stress factor). I think that was the trigger for getting things real bad. I went back to my physician and she run some tests on me, which were all negative, everything seemed to be normal. She gave me fiber supplement from the psyllium husk, I had to take it twice a day and that worked so good that when I was half way drinking it, I had to run to the bathroom and it all came out with no problems!

In the beginning I had problems by going to the bathroom, I don't think you can call it constipation because I went every day at least once. Later, and still, I got diarrhea when I eat something wrong. And going about 8 times a day, I don't have those days anymore, at least not as bad as in the beginning luckilly. On a bad day I can go about 4 or 5 times but most of the time it's ok, and I go once or twice. I have more good than bad days now.
When I found Heather's site, I was really relieved. The fibers did help, but it still wasn't enough. I ordered both of her books and read it over and over again. I went back to my physician to run some other tests that were on the list in Heather's book, to make really sure that it was IBS. She did the tests and everything was normal.
Although she did all the tests, I didn't got the feeling that she really understands me. I knew for myself that I had to go on with the IBS guidelines and put all my energy in that. And I'm feeling much better by doing that!

So, about your question what dietary suggestions a patient couldn't get from their doctor, well, for me she wasn't much help. She was right about eating not to to fat, but there is so much more. She recommended to eat more fiber, but she never mentioned the 2 kinds of fibers and that one of them can hurt you. I think that when a doctor would know Heather's book (I told mine, but she didn't do anything with it) then he or she could give all the right dietary suggestions. I think what is also really important: listen to your own body, not everyone reacts the same on certain foods, if your body says "no", then don't eat it.

The absolute best advice: it's the whole picture. But if I have to choose something: the soluble fiber intake by the breads out of Heather's book, really works for me. I even take some with me on a holiday. Put it in a freezer there and I still have my soluble fibers!

Favorite recipe: that's a hard one, I like a lot of recipes. The best breakfast I ever ate is the blueberry-brown sugar scottish oatmeal, I make it with apple, pear or peach: delicious! The spaghetti with spanish almond romesco sauce is also really good (I make it with cashew nuts, I like that better). And also one of my favorites is the blueberry pecan french toast, but with strawberry's instead of blueberry's (I don't think the recipe is in the book). Ok, those were my 3 favorite recipes, but there are a lot more things I really, really like.
It's great to still have things to eat that I really like and that won't hurt me. Thanks to Heather!

I know it has become a long story but I hope it can help you a bit with your article. Good luck and looking forward to read your article when it's finished!
Lots of love, Natasja

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