Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hi there,
First of all, I just wanted to say Welcome to the boards. I'm sure you will be able to find helpful information on this site that will hopefully help your daughter out quite a bit. I also wanted to say how great I think it is that you are out there trying to do stuff to help your daughter. I got IBS when I was really young, and never got taken seriously at all about 'tummy aches' and was told for years on end that 'it'll pass', the thought of which makes me hurt and frustrated today still!

Anyway, I was going to say also that I think it's understandable that your daughter is so scared of food. If she is having severe attacks, and has found a system that seemingly stops the attacks I can understand it being difficult for her to add more things into her diet. Especially with her being so young.. I think it is even harder for children/teens because they have to go to school every day and getting sick at school is not such a nice experience!
One of my suggestions would be, if you haven't already, is to show her this site and different posts from different people so she knows how many of us there are on here who are suffering in a similar way to the way she is. It might be especially helpful to then show posts by the same people made up on the Recipe Exchange board. There are so many recipes posted there that are IBS safe and she might be able to pick and try a few that she thinks seem safe enough for her poor tummy.
As for the fiber supplement, she might also want to read posts from people here who have done so well on them, that swear by them. Additionally, especially because she is so scared, if she is willing to start on it, I would start at the tiniest amount and keep adding gradually. You are supposed to do that anyway, but if she just has to take things in little incriments it might be easier. It also might make the side effects that some people have for the first few days on SFS less, or even non-existent.
For trying her on new foods, I would offer to her to do it on a weekend, or a day when she doesn't have anything she needs to worry about going to the next day. I know one of my fears with food is that if I have _anything_ I absolutely need to do the next day, I won't risk it. I usually will try things on a Friday night at supper or something, so that if i do have a bad reaction, at least I have Saturday and Sunday to recover, before it's back to work on Monday!
If you don't already have Heather's books, those might be a good idea too. I know there are sections in "The First Year" that talk about Children with IBS, and if she has something to actually read right in front of her, it might make more sense and convince her that she can probably try and add in a few more things without problems.
I also think the panicking when her sister got a tummy ache and went to the bathroom is no surpise either. I am 21, but if anyone in the house used to go into the bathroom, I used to go into quite the anxiety attack. As soon as I heard the door shut, I all of a sudden thought I had to go and would freak out. The hypnotherapy program and some anti-anxiety meds I am on helped me with such panic attacks, but I don't know what to suggest for someone so young.
I just think you are a terrific mom! I imagine being the mom of someone who is constantly feeling ill is very stressful and must take a lot out of you at times. As if moms of kids who aren't sick all the time don't worry enough! If you can be patient, you are a better person than I.. but your daughter is very lucky to have you!
--Steph

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~~I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell-I know right now you can't tell~~Matchbox 20
IBS-D,pain.

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