Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Thoughts and suggestions, please...

Hello, everyone. After about a week on the diet, I am very discouraged because I don't seem to be getting any better; in fact, I feel worse. Before, bloating, constipation, and discomfort would take place on and off, 2-3 days here and there; of course, worse during PMS time. Over the past several days, after beginning this new regimen, I have been having terrible bouts of bloating and gas after eating anything, even a rice cake. I'm afraid to eat anything. No help in the C department, either; motility seems just about nonexistant. I am just about ready to throw in the towel, thinking that I would prefer the way I used to feel, but first, a few questions.
1. I have been pounding water per Heather's instructions, but even plain old water seems to exacerbate the bloating. Peppermint tea and fennel tea taste nice but don't really seem to help. Could there be something in the way I'm drinking (i.e., pounding rather than daintly sipping)? Or, this may seem like a stupid question, but what about a water bottle with a straw? I'm sure I'm gulping air, might that be an issue?
2. I started on a SFS; again, with no discernible improvement. Since my most troublesome symptom is gas/ bloating, what are your suggestions as to the best SFS that does not contribute to bloating?
3. Even the list of "what to eat when you can't eat anything" do not seem safe right now. Thoughts?
4. Is it common for symptoms to get worse before they get better?
I should make it clear that for me, adhering to the guidelines of this diet is not terribly difficult. I already do not eat red meat, have not done so for quite some time. Don't smoke, never did. Hardly ever drink. No refined sugar. No soda. No coffee. No candy. No desserts. Lots of whole foods, fresh vegs and fruits. Already quite healthy eating habits, actually. Do yoga every day. Have a daily meditation practice. Seemingly, I'm already doing everything right!
The big effort has been to ratchet back the whole grains, cause I had been doing lots of them; brown rice, whole grain breads, whole grain cereals, whole grain pasta, etc. Nothing "white". So the new features have been the SFS (might I be taking too much?), the increased water intake, and the decreased whole grains.
Anyhow, I'm quite frustrated. I'm at the point right now, as I say, of being afraid to eat anything. If I could go without eating at all I could because it's so unenjoyable and brings about such discomfort.
So, a bombardment of questions, for which maybe some of you wise people might have answers. Any words of suggestion or encouragement would be appreciated. My shout of discouragement: What am I doing wrong????

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