hey digby. first of all, i think that if you're going to the bathroom without pain or too much urgency, you're already doing well. there's still a ways to go towards 'stable,' but just know that your attacks could be much worse. in fact, it sounds like they're not 'attacks' so much as your system still being off-kilter. so that's something.
i personally just take an SFS (fiberchoice - up to 9g SF/day, still working up) and follow the diet. you didn't mention if you follow the diet, how long you've been on it - it can take a while for things to kick in and regulate. (make sure to familiarize yourself with the guidelines on the website, and if you don't feel like you have a grip on the diet, buy heather's book or get it from a library.) i'd suggest making sure you're getting plenty of SF from what you're eating - to me that means beyond safe foods that don't actually have dietary fiber. so make sure that beyond things like white bread and rice, you're getting some SF vegetables or other sources of actual soluble fiber. applesauce and bananas tend to agree with most people, and if it doesn't give you gas, soy is great. in terms of veggies, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and carrots, i've found, are particularly helpful. sweet potatoes especially, and for me, they're very comforting to my stomach.
i'd also make sure, if you've already done the BTC, that you're working to balance your diet, beyond SF. protein and safely-prepared IF are vital. keeping your dietary fat low is really important, too - i'd say less that 20% of calories (per meal) from fat, but surely no more that 25%.
a lot of people here also use immodium as a preventative. especially if your problem is just consistency, and not pain/urgency, i think it could be really, really helpful. try 1 immodium, taken in the morning. if that constipates you (which i know seems like the farthest possibility right now!), go down to 1/2.
beyond that, it's just about giving your body the chance to regulate and heal. that means giving it time - it can take months and months to stabilize, even doing everything right - and being as good to it as you can: eating safely and healthily, exercising, drinking enough water, and managing stress.
hope that helps.
--------------------
jaime
ibs-a (mostly d) // vegetarian
Edited by jaime g (11/28/05 10:37 AM)
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