Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Athletic Musician trying to gain weight back

Hello, I am new to the boards, but not to IBS. I have had it for years, but wasn't diagnosed until a particularly nasty bout last January which put me in the hospital for 4 days. I was unable to eat without extreme pain and so they gave me every test under the sun and kept me under supervision. Finally, they concluded there was no other way to explain what was ailing me other than IBS. I immediately got several books from the library upon my release from the hospital and learned all I could about IBS and how it would affect my life.

Since then, I have made several lifestyle changes and have also been following an IBS diet very closely and I still have bouts with it, but it's under much better control than it was a year ago. My doctor even put me on Bentyl 4 times a day and I have gradually trimmed it down to 2 a day and am hoping to soon be down to none.

My point to all of this is that when I got so sick last year, I weighed 160 lbs. I am a 5 11 male with an athletic/slim build, so when my weight down to 140 lbs (and at one of my sickest points I was even down to 135) it was very concerning. Since then, I have wavered between 140 and 150, but have not been able to regain my former weight/build.

My catch 22 is that I am a drummer in a professional punk rock band. While it may not be your favorite music, you must admit that it is a very athletic style of music and I burn calories like a Chia Pet grows grass and it's very hard to keep any weight on to begin with. I feel that I had more stamina, energy, and strength before my hospitalization and haven't really found a good way to get back to that level.

I have tried several things, including Clif Bars (a lifesaver in many situations), Boost Plus energy shakes (with added fat and calories), and eating a high protein diet with as much fat as my guts can handle. I eat a lot of the Morningstar Farms line of soy burgers/chicken, lots of bread, pasta, potatoes, and other carbs, but it just doesn't seem to add up to where I used to be.

So, long story short, does anyone have any tips for IBS safe things I can eat to try to bring my weight up and have more energy?

Also, since my band does a lot of touring, I do have a hard time eating on the road. Does anyone have any tips for that, as well? I have discovered Burger King's veggie burger, which has helped a lot, but I'm looking into ways to somehow get a small fridge and microwave put into our tour van so I can bring my own food along.

Thanks for your time and I hope you are all having a good symptom free day!!

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Respect the ROCK
www.renodivorceonline.com

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