Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

I love being optimistic--it's what I'm good at

But IBS is really taking its toll on me.......

Passover was always my favorite Jewish Holiday. I actually LOVE Matzah! I used to anxiously await eating Matzah pizza, Matzah with cream cheese and strawberry jam, and especially all the yummy deserts! This year will b different...there's no substitute for Matzah...On Passover we can't eat anything with flour, rice, peas, soybeans, nuts, legumes.....so I'll be eating potatoes and plain chicken for a week. I'm freaking out!

Lately I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster ride and no one will let me get off. I finally get my C under control (tons of water and citrucel seem to be doing the trick there--I took myself off the MiraLax laxative and I'm so glad I did!)....and now I have worse cramps and bloating (gas stayed the same), than before. My doc thinks if I go to the bathroom the other symptoms should go away. Sometimes I feel like he just doesn't know anything about IBS!!!

My energy is sapped these days. I'm always tired! I take my vitamins, I'm doing hypnotherapy (which I'm not expecting to work just yet--it takes a while...), trying to follow the diet, I'm blowing up like a balloon, (I weigh very little for my height--but my clothes barely fit I'm so bloated--and I feel sluggish from the bloating and I feel unattractive). I just feel so unhealthy!

I also find things difficult because I can't tolerate mustard, or anything with vinegar in it, spicy spices, ketchup (vinegar), and I'm not completely sure--but it seems garlic and onions, even processed/finely chopped, are a problem as well. I find this terribly frustrating! And to top it all off, soy doesn't sit too well with me.

I'm SO THANKFUL for this board! I don't know what I'd do or where I'd turn to just let it all out--safely! Thanks to anyone who reads this long one all the way through--and thanks in advance for your support! I don't have anyone in person that I can discuss this with (except my husband--and he tries to understand but he doesn't. He feels so helpless when I have an attack! I had one in the car yesterday while I was driving--HORRIBLE cramps--and as you can imagine, the driving wasn't too smooth. No major mishaps, thank G-d, but a little spat insued because of a silly miscommunication and almost wrong turn...and he had no idea I was in pain...I've been having a lot of out-of-nowhere cramps lately, a new symptom for me, they used to happen before or after a bowel movement). He prays for me everyday that it should get better--and he listens--but he doesn't GET IT! (He's wonderful for trying...and his support means more than I can say...but sometimes we just need someone who understands what we're going through...especially women).

I just want the IBS rollercoaster to stop!!! I'm ready to get off.

If you have advice, suggestions how to get through, or if you've been here...I'd appreciate any thoughts!!!!

Thanks for listening! Hope everyone's feeling good today--happy Tuesday!

*hugs*

Ruchie

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Formerly known as Ruchie

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