I think the depression is pretty understandable, and I'd say all of us have experienced just what you're feeling.
When I finally figured out what this was, and what my triggers are (fat, artificial sweeteners, red meat, stress... oy, vey, the stress, milk...), I was bummed. I LOVE food, love to cook it and love to eat it. And my favorites? Naturally those foods (the Thai aside) were the ones giving me the most problems.
But... quite honestly.... I'd rather give up foods I like (for now) to get to a point where I'm not hitting the can 10 times a day or more. They're ALL adaptable to this diet. All of them.
The simple fact is... you're going to have to cut out the dairy. It sounds like it's a major, major trigger for you. You also have to remember that not every brand of rice/soy/almond milk is equal. Some are better than others (some are down right awful IMO), and it's all about your taste preferences. I started my soymilk consumption with Chocolate silk long before I really even knew what was going on in my gut. It was a great way to get into soymilk for me (and chocolate isn't a trigger for me... thank GOD!!!!!).
Which would you rather deal with, the relatively short amount of time it will take to get adjusted to life without milk (it's not as bad as it seems), or dealing with painful IBS everyday for the rest of your life?
Personally, I'll take the soy milk over running to the can 10 times a day or more (course, there are times when I think I'd rather have IBS-C over hitting the can so much... and then I slap myself  ).
I also can understand the limited access to safe foods. I live in a small town of about 1000, where people look at ya funny when you start talking about soy milk, and the produce section at the one grocery store is woefully lacking. The town where I do my grocery shopping isn't much better. The Wal-Mart at least has organic soymilk, and some soy cheeses. The Kroger on the West Side has lots of products, but they're so spread out you have to know where to look.
It can be daunting, and yes, it can be pricey. But if you take your time while you're shopping, you can do it affordably. Bread and rice aren't that expensive - you don't have to go with fancy names. Hell, I get my 20 pound bag (Yes, 20 pounds, I do a lot of thai cooking) of rice at wal-mart for $8 or $9 (I think....). That damn thing's lasted me six months.
The adjustments aren't really that bad. You can make your own snacks (you end up getting more for the same amount you'd spend on buying the snacks premade), breads, and desserts. Most of the adjustments really don't mean spending that much more money than you did before.
It sucks. I know it sucks. I can't tell you how many times I cover an event where people are (almost litterally) throwing food my way and I can't eat ANY of it... and all I want to do is cry - because I want to eat those things but I know damn well I'll hate myself for it later if I do.
It can be depressing. But once you grab this sucker by the horns and you're controlling it (instead of the other way around) life is SOOOOO much better. It's worth the sacrifice and a little bit of experimentation.
Okay, I'll get off my little soap box now. 
I really do hope you get to feeling better... and you will. Just have a little faith. 
--------------------
Jonna, IBS-D
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Posts
Re: very depressed about this whole thing
