Thanks so much for your reply.
I, too, know that I need a long-term solution.
Of course, I've been addressing my depression, anxiety, and other psychological issues since my nervous breakdown eight years ago. Even if psychiatry a psychotherapy hadn't been crucial to my survival, and even if being on Social Security Disability didn't require me to be in treatment, my recovery (physical, mental, and spiritual) is my own top priority.
"I personally tried every kind of sol fiber supplement and had to finally determine they don't work for me. I am thin like you and they bloated my belly like a huge balloon, I just couldn't take that."
Even the caplets, like Fibercon? Citrucel powder bothered me that way, I didn't like Benefiber powder, and I won't try Metamucil. (And although I think it's terrible that so many others on this board have experienced bloating like I have, I find it somewhat comforting to know that I am not freakishly alone with the problem that has frustrated and embarrassed me since puberty.)
"Wake up and ... magnesium/calcium supplement."
My psychiatrist told me to take my calcium at night, when it's supposedly better-absorbed. Has anyone heard the same?
"And I confess I still drink ONE cup of hot, caffinated coffee - I'm down to ONLY one cup a day but have to have that one cup or I get bad headaches and need the 'pick me up' with 3 little ones offering me little sleep."
Caffeine is often suggested for headaches (it's even a key ingredient in "headache medicines"), but fortunately, I don't suffer from them. I CAN relate to the sleep deprivation often associated with being the primary caretaker of a "little one" -- but I've actually never had a cup of coffee in my life! I became a sort of "purist" at sixteen (converted to Vegetarianism, never took a sip of alcohol, never took a puff from a cigarette, never tried a recreational drug, etc.).
"Also important, I drink water all day long, I don't know how much I just drink it like crazy. Now if I don't have it I crave it!"
I've increased my water intake, and have since taken up a new hobby: peeing. Does anyone else experience decreased bladder capacity, urgency to urinate, and even bladder cramping (!) with constipation?
"Also, I eat small meals every 3 hours like clockwork whether I feel hungry or not."
I've been doing this, too, alternating every couple of hours between a soluble-fiber-based food, and then a couple of Fibercon tablets:
small "breakfast" at home
supplements
"snack"
supplements
"snack"
small "dinner" at home
small "supper" at home.
"One red flag is pain that is not relieved by a BM."
ALWAYS makes me feel better.
"I had unrelenting left side pain and it turns out I had gynological problems that have been relieved since I had a hysterectomy."
I'm so sorry. My own back and side pain is always associated with my IBS, particularly constipation and/or intestinal cramping/spasms.
"And if you haven't ordered Heather's books yet, you really should, they are a MUST! She explained things doctors NEVER did!"
Yep! I had already found her website, then bought *The First Year* the day before my initial consult with the GI doctor, and I'm glad I did! I had already started a diet based on soluble fiber, and had begun taking supplements, but when I asked him about soluble versus insoluble fiber, he didn't seem to know or care. Then, he handed me Metamucil, which I had already read caused some people bloating and gas (which I had reported to him as symptoms of mine – I don't know how much attention he was paying me) – so I just threw them away when I left the office, and stuck with the Fibercon. I'm trying to get a referral to another GI specialist (hopefully someone who seems more interested in a "functional disorder" that isn't a fatal disease but can still be disabling!).
Thanks again!
Alisha
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Re: A long response!
