Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

I have been bulimic for 13 years and struggle with it on a daily basis. When I had my son I weighed 160 pounds and I am only 5 feet tall. Within 2 months I had lost 62 pounds and was still feeling fat. I have been diagnosed with IBS since I was pregnant with him...14 years...I was 3 months pregnant and I guess most of the reason why I didn't have attacks from my IBS was because I threw everything up as soon as I ate it...a cracker or binge attacks. It didn't matter. What my doctor (my gyno) told me was that I had to get a handle on the eating disorder before he would even refer me to another doctor for colonoscopy or any other test to confirm my IBS and not colon cancer or Crohns (it is within my family). So here I am 14 years later...I still struggle with my eating disorder but have become more aware of it and talk to people openly about it. I bought Heather's book "Eating for IBS" and learned through it that this diet is a thinning diet but you have to be aware of what you are buying. For one thing I buy low fat or light crackers, cereals, and etc...and I eat in moderation. Yes, I have gained weight (not because of the IBS diet) but because I have come to grips with if I kept on with the binging or just not eating, I was slowly killing myself...and not learning to cope with my IBS. Learn to read the labels on everything you buy and do some research on the ingredients in the products. You can eat healthy, maintain a heathly weight, and control your IBS all at the same time. It is not going to be easy, but with determination, you can do it. I just think of my children without a mother if I didn't get a handle on my eating disorder. I thought of my new husband without a wife...and was being thin really being happy? Only you can make that decision, but without sounding harsh...those models in the magazines are all air brushed and have their own problems. I wish you all the luck in the world because I know it is difficult. Good luck keep us posted.

--------------------
Angela
IBS-D and C

Print Remind Me Notify Moderator