I've been feeling a bit superstitious lately, so I was afraid to post the good news, but then I realized that I NEEDED to share in order to make sure I stick to the diet. Usually when I reach the six week mark of feeling relatively normal, I get over-confident and risky and eat something bad. It's been two months--I don't want to ruin this!
I'm IBS-D with pain as well as lactose intolerant. I was first diagnosed almost exactly 10 years ago! I've been following the IBS diet since Sept 04, when I found the book at our library, but I've been COMMITTED to it since Christmas Day '04, when I found the site and message boards. Between 12/25/04 and 2/28/05 I had three attacks which, because of food journaling and strictly following the IBS diet, I was able to trace back to casein as a trigger. Those three attacks were extremely mild compared to ones in the past, and I was able to recover from them quickly thanks to the diet and to the support of people on these boards.
As some of you may know, I've also been dealing with anxiety and panic disorders. I started Buspar near the end of February, which, together with the diet and using immodium as needed (usually as a preventative), has practically eliminated my abdominal pain and general anxiety. I was totally against taking medication, but now I wonder why? Sometimes you need a little help.
However, I'm still working on the panic attacks; they're getting to be fewer and fewer. I recently made a nine hour car trip and was away from home for 10 days in order to visit my amazingly strong grandfather, who's dying of cancer. I couldn't have imagined taking such a trip a couple of months ago...I'm glad I went. It was good to see my grandfather and remember how important family is (there was never less than 12 people at his house). My father (who I stayed with) and grandmother have known about my IBS for the last ten years and they always prepared something safe for me to eat whenever they cooked. My mother even asked for a list of what I couldn't eat! I did have a couple of panic attacks, but my doctor had given me some lorazepam just in case (which I used twice). My favorite cousin, who has overcome his own issues with anxiety and now plans on being a counselor, was really supportive. I'm a difficult person to take care of, so it was a big step for me to open up to him and ask for his help.
Anyway! Sorry for the chattiness, but I just wanted to thank Heather and everyone on the boards for their tips, suggestions, gentle reminders, and sharing their stories. You're all amazing and wonderful people! Even though I'm stable, I know that stability is an ongoing process not a cure--so I'm sticking around here! It's not that easy to get rid of me! 
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9 weeks attack free!
