As of 9/8/03 I am the newest member to join the club. Not my most desired club to join but a big thanks to Heather for starting it and putting in all of the hard work to help us ibsers.
I am an airline pilot soon to be an out of work airline pilot if i can't get my ibs under control and fast. I am currently on medical leave after a severe bout on thursday. I had so much pain after an hour in the stall (i almost passed out) that i had my buddy call 911. I am one of the lucky ones that has IBS with the big "D". Very sporadic episodes at sometimes 1-2 times a week to once every other month with an average of once a month. Each episode lasting 1-2 hours with three trips to the bathroom (Not nearly as bad as some of you i'm learning, but when you're stuck at 41,000 feet in a small business jet the size of a minivan your career's on the line and the big "D" is coming well you all have been there.
My problem is and any help would be appreciated is that I am a pilot. I fly for 7 days straight, moving all over the country and eating daily meals in different time zones. Casual meals are rare and it's usually one meal at the end of the day. Not a good idea i'm finding out. Finding good food is hard. I just finished heather's "the first year" and am now starting "eating for ibs". grocery shopping this afternoon. I am currently on medical leave, soon to be unpaid medical leave if i can't get this under control. I am doing everything here at lightspeed before i am looking for a new career. please someone tell me that's not the case.
Any help tips with the food on the go problem? As a pilot i know how hard it is to get good food on the road let alone food for an ibser. I'm also looking for snack items to be carried for a week. I already have some of heather's ideas from her books like pretzels. Any suggestions on the herbal tea or substitutes? I live on lipton sweetened with lemon iced tea, decaf. I can't seem to stomach the taste of peppermint or chamomille, altoids i can stomach. Already started the metamucil but think fibercon tablets will be easier on the road. Any ideas on an easy to find milk substitute for cereal. Is 2% really that bad with some morning corn flakes? I guess i'm still in a bit of denial. I have become used to my morning cereal while on the road.
Thanks to all for being there for an ibser. I'm looking forward to adding a travel section as hopefully i will soon be an expert on the subject.