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Hi,

I had been doing well with the diet up until last weekend, when I had the worst D attack I've had in months. Since I'm pretty sure it was mainly due to too much IF, I have backed off the IF a lot and been basing my eating mainly around SF foods. However, I feel like I am completely off track. So I figured I would ask a few questions to try and determine what I'm doing wrong (or not doing).

My gas and bloating has increased HUGELY. Does anyone else find that if they don't have enough IF this occurs? I'm really scared to add in the IF more so due to the possibility of D, but at the same time I'm more constipated now and perhaps that's causing the extra gas? zYes, I get more constipated now too and notice more gas when that happens. Are you drinking enough water? I also get D if I add in too much IF at once, but it is important to include in your diet. I do find it's easier to digest if the IF foods are well-cooked and mashed and I do well eating pureed bean dips and mushy vegetables. I have a harder time with fruit though.

Has gas-x helped anyone in relieving bloating and gas? And if so, how do you take it? The box says 1-2 tablets after meals, so I'm not sure if I should take 2 tablets. Are you taking one tablet already? I haven't used these in a long time (I used to use Phazyme), so I'm not sure what's in them or how well they work. Maybe someone else will have an answer...

How often should I drink fennel tea? I drink a cup in the morning, and one in the evening. I don't really have the capabilities to drink any in the afternoon because I'm a teacher and have limited time as it is for lunch and stuff. Any recommendations for this afternoon time? Can't you keep tea in a thermos and sip on it throughout the day? It doesn't have to be fennel (if you want some variety). How about peppermint tea? This will help with the pain you're having too. You know what else helps me with the gas and cramping? Those disposable heat patches! I think the heat relaxes the muscles so my colon doesn't spasm as much. They're a bit spendy, but SO worth using until you're stable again. I've noticed that later on in the afternoon is when my gas and bloating is at its worst, and this can get really uncomfortable I wonder if it's the stress and fatigue of being at school/work all day that is making this worse in the afternoon.

Has anyone else used Bio-K non-dairy yogurt for a probiotic? I've been using it for about 3 weeks now, slowly increasing my dosage. It seemed to be really helping last week, but this week nothing seems to be working. I'm just wondering the best time of day to take it -- I currently take it in the morning, but am wondering if it was would be more beneficial in the afternoon/evening?

I'm sorry for all the specific questions, but this week has been one of my most uncomfortable so far. Thank goodness the D hasn't returned, but I have back problems and the cramping and bloating has really caused it to flare and I'm in a lot of pain. So any advice/comments would be extremely appreciated. Thanks thanks thanks! I hope this helps. It's great that you're not having D, but I understand the pain from the cramping and gas. So sorry you're going through this right now! Hope you get it resolved. Take care.

Julie
IBS-D, GERD, lactose intolerant

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