Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Heather,

I just want to say thank you! What you have done to give us a diet that really works for IBS is amazing. I was first diagnosed with IBS when I was 22, although I think I've really had it since I was about 13. (I have a somewhat milder form than others so was able to live with it for so many years.) I pretty much self-diagnosed myself and the doctor agreed with me, although she did run all the tests to rule out anything else. I had figured it out from my studies in dietetics when I was in college.

It's interesting to note that while IBS is a condition that dietitians know of, we really learned little on the treatment for it. It was very basic, like avoid alcohol and caffeine, get your rest, etc. Once I got a fact sheet on it and it said to avoid bananas, so I pretty much gave up bananas for years. I was so surprised when I stumbled onto your website a year ago, ordered your book, and found out I could eat bananas again!

I attended a nutrition conference in Chicago about 5 years ago and even went to a workshop on IBS. They had no clue of your diet then Heather. Hopefully things have changed since then. I don't know because I left my job as a dietitian almost 5 years ago and have been out of the dietetics world since then, but hopefully dietitians and other medical professionals can better help those who suffer from this condition than they could 5 years ago when I worked in the field.

Your diet has helped me so much! I feel like I can finally enjoy eating again and even have the courage to tell more people that I have IBS because I know that I am not alone. Thank you for taking the time to research this condition, making awesome recipes for us to use and enjoy, creating a website where we can connect with others, and above all, giving us hope! I thought that I was going to go through life fighting and suffering from this condition, and I have now been given hope. Words can not express what you have done for me and for all those who have IBS. Thank you again!

Kat

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