Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Oatmeal?/Fiber? and Constipation

Sounds like you have a lot going on! I'm fairly new to all of this too, just been on Heather's diet for about two months. But I feel SO much better. I would really recommend going back and trying it again. It's not a quick fix; it really does take time. I'm still not "stable", but I'm getting there. I tried the nutritionist route, but she just told me to eat more fiber. Yeah, right. Does the nutritionist you're working with really understand IBS?

So, I follow Heather's diet RELIGIOUSLY, and I don't eat any meat except fish. I exercise EVERY day, and I use acacia. I have also found that Natural Calm works wonders for constipation. It's a type of magnesium supplement, and is gentler than milk of magnesia because you can safely use it every night. I would highly recommend that if C is a big issue for you. Are you taking a calcium supplement or vitamin that contains magnesium? If so, you might need to do some math to figure out how much more magnesium to take. This is some info my doctor gave me:

"The recommended daily allowance of elemental magnesium for women is:
19-30yo: 310mg/d elemental Mg
If pregnant: 350mg/d elemental Mg
There is not an upper limit, but most patients do not need more than these recommended daily allowances which are generally obtained through the diet. Most calcium products come with magnesium. Contain magnesium oxide. Generally 130-160mg of magnesium oxide per tablet. This is roughly 75-95mg of elemental magnesium per tablet."

I'm currently stable on about 1.5 teaspoons of Natural Calm each night, and I take a calcium/magnesium supplement every day. But I started with about 1/2 teaspoon and increased a little each day until the C improved.

While you're waiting for all of your tests, I would really try the "Break the Cycle" diet and Natural Calm for a few days, until your BMs start becoming regular, then slowly add in IF. The safest way I've found to get IF is to make a smoothie every morning for breakfast with a banana and either a peach, pluot, or berries. Unfortunately, being C, that means we need MORE IF than those with D. But, start slow.

Good luck!

Lisa, IBS-C

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Lisa, IBS-C (Vegan)
Stable since July 2007!
Mommy to Rhiannon Marie (Dec. 13, 2008)

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