Quote:

---

Hi Stephie, thanks for the welcome, and thoughts.
I suppose I just bristled a bit when Linz basically said that I shouldn't post what works for me, just because it doesn't work for her. Especially, since I have been through EXACTLY what Justin is going through, so I really know where he is coming from, and what he is trying to do with his diet. I wasn't posting for others, when I was giving my suggestions to Justin.

And I think that is absolutely fine. It's not like we are selling anything, we just want to help people feel better. And if the things you suggest work for him, I say power to you.

Fruit: This to me is a major trigger of IBS. It is due to a frequently undiagnosed Fructose Malabsorption problem, of which I have posted links above to back up this view. I find that fruit will give my D every time. I know many other IBS'rs that have the same issue. According to the guidelines on this site, fruit is fine.

Well, not all fruit is safe. And most often, it is something to be eaten after something else is already in your belly. But I too have problems with fruit. Like, even if I peeled it, if I ate an apple I'd be in loads of pain. This is where I think the food diary recommended by loads of people comes in handy. That way, you set your own guidelines according to what you can see written down. "I ate this, and got sick. I ate it again, got sick again. I won't eat this anymore". So for me, apples are out.
Just out of curiosity, is it all fruit that you can't digest? Can you have things like applesauce or anything like that? I am just curious.

Olive Oil: Another recomended item on this site, that will immediately give me an attack of IBS. Even very small amounts of this will do it. I have no problem with Rice oil.
Olive oil is not recommended for people trying to get stable, no oils are. It is the better of a few evils for a lot of people, though. I can handle it fine, but while I was getting stable I avoided it completely.
Potatoes: This is a huge IBS trigger for me, and will give my IBS every time. I suspect it is a Nightshade allergy, and is probably a personal issue that will not apply to to many people.
NO POTATOES? HOW do you live??

As you can see, if I decided to follow the guidelines blindly, and not experiment to find what works for me, I would certainly be on medication.
Maybe this is where you and I will disagree the most - I feel that handling IBS is down to the individual. These guidelines, not just about food but about alternative therapies, yoga, soothing teas, medication, tips on eating out, etc, are only that - A rough guide. It took me over a year to understand not what "IBS" meant, but what "my IBS" meant. That means diaries of all your food, all your medication, all the stresses going on in your life,all your symptoms. That means learning stress management techniques and relaxation that work for ME. So, if you did the same as me, you could follow a lot of the advice whilst still being able to recognise that you, for example, cannot tolerate potatoes and that you can tolerate some vegetables others can't. As it is, I am totally stable (as long as I don't eat the offending foods) and I take ABSOLUTELY NO MEDICATION. I feel this last point is crucial, because IMO there is no medication that does not have long term negative effects. I take the personal view that food is not entertainment. I eat only what is necessary for my health. I do not hold the view that I am deprived and need to take medicine so that I can have a party in my mouth
Party in your mouth, LOL, that's funny. I can't remember the last time I had a "party" in my mouth. For me, medication is important. I cut out everything except rice and water and was still sick, so I needed the medication to get stable. I have had no ill effects from it as yet. Like you, I am not a medication fan. If I could go without, I would. But I was unemployed and broke and needed to be able to leave the house, so there we go!

Anyway, I appreciate the thoughts, and hope that I can continue to contribute my experiences on this site, without being censored. Of course, if Heather wishes me to not post any of my experiences that are contrary to the guidelines, I will respect her wishes.
Oh psh, I don't think anyone wants to sensor you or have you kicked off the boards just for telling someone to try eating lettuce! For the love of Pete, it's not like you're telling him to eat McDonalds every day and see how he does. I think you might have the wrong idea here, we are here to support and help people.. not force something onto unsuspecting people who are suffering.
Anywho, I'm at work now so I best look busy and.. type something.. or something.
Nice to talk to you... I like you, you're chatty!
--Steph

---