I've had the IBS-A diagnosis for over 30 years but within the last 2 years I have become IBS-D almost exclusively. The shift was not sudden but gradual and that shift began whenever we went out to dinner. So you could say I was becoming IBS-D several times a month and over the years it became IBS-D every day. The diarrhea got so bad that I lost 15 pounds. It was alarming. The 3 different GI docs I saw had no explanation for this and just gave me stronger meds with more side effects. I was awakened nightly at about 2 am with explosive diarrhea. I was totally dependent on Imodium, bentyl and not eating much. I tried Acupuncture, meditation, counseling. I don't know anyone this has happen to but there may be others. I find that I'm better when I prepare food myself but not always. I returned with the help of new holistic doctors to keeping a food diary and trying new strategies, and now I've improved a lot. Here's what was discovered in my case that may account for the IBS shift. My serum levels of Magnesium are too low and I cannot digest most Calcium/Magnesium supplements, so I will need to receive Magnesium by IV. The supplements with Magnesium and foods high in Mg run right through me. Also, I'm fructose intolerant along with the lactose intolerance plus I have gurgling/ spasms when I eat foods high in histamine. When I shop for food, I read all labels looking for HFCS ( High Fructose Corn Syrup) and avoid it like the plague. HFCS is used by almost all American food producers because it is the cheapest form of sweetener. HFCS is made from corn and all the corn in this country is genetically modified. So much had been changed in our food supply over the years by companies selling us genetically modified corn and many other modified foods that we don't know about. Last week I read an article about giving growth hormone to farmed Atlantic salmon to produce larger fish in shorter time. I will not purchase anything but wild caught salmon. If you have a sensitive GI to start with, it's a good idea to explore the possibility that you many need to be more vigilant when marketing. I read all the labels on foods in prepared packaging and removed foods in my home pantry that are offends for fructose, lactose & histamine. They are donated to our local food for the needy pantry. Eating is still a challenge but I'm able to have a more normal life and enjoy foods without worrying so much. Restaurants are becoming aware of these issues.
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The Challenges of Shopping for Food & Eating Out!
