Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hello and welcome to the boards.
First off, let me just say I'm sorry to hear that you've been feeling so bad and I hope that soon you'll be feeling in tip-top shape!

So, now, on to some suggestions. First off, it seems to me that there are a lot of things that you're eating that are GI triggers, and if you do have IBS, then they could certainly be contributing to how bad you're feeling. Bran muffins (for example) are notorious for upsetting the stomachs of IBSers, both because they're high in insoluble fiber and because they are often high in fat. It sounds like you use them as a staple, and this may be contributing to how bad you're feeling. Here's a page to read on insoluble fiber: http://www.helpforibs.com/diet/fiber2.asp
You mentioned as well that you're eating a lot of salads and bran cereal, these are also IBS triggers.
There's a ton of great information on this site and how to incorporate insoluble fiber (see the link above) with a soluble fiber base. For example, if you're going to eat a salad, you might find it easier if you have a soluble fiber meal first. Here's a link to a page of soluble fiber: http://www.helpforibs.com/diet/fiber1.asp
Finally, you mentioned that once you re-fortified yourself, you re-introduced some of your favorite foods, and a lot of them sounded like major GI irritants as well. Anything that's high in fat (burgers, steak and cheese) and dairy (chocolate bars) are really hard on the tummy. If you read through the info on Heather's site you'll see that the recommendations for things to eliminate include red meat, dairy (even chocolate

), items that are high in fat, caffeine and carbonated beverages. I noticed you said you've given up smoking and drinking which should really help, but you may also want to try following Heather's diet and see what a change that might make.
You also mentioned your increasing your fiber, which is great to help IBS, but rather than eating so much bran and what not, you may want to try a soluble fiber supplement like Citrucel, Benefiber, or Heather's Acacia, which allows you to add fiber but is much easier on the tummy.
Finally, with regards to whether or not you have IBS, I'm not a doctor but it certainly sounds like that could be a possiblity. That being said, if you have pain that is so bad it lands you in the emergency room, I would definately keep you GI appointment and get everything checked out to be sure. Have you ever had a colonoscopy? I don't believe you mentioned that.
Well, I hope I've made some suggestions that you'll find helpful and take care of yourself. Keep up posted as to how you're doing!
Kelly

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