Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Help and Reassurance needed desperately!

Jenny,

I'm so sorry you feel cruddy right now. It's perfectly understandable to feel completely overwhelmed with this disfunction...like your body is betraying you and you don't know why. Particularly if you remember being FINE in the past.

You've done the right thing by a) Picking up Heather's book, and b) signing on to this board. This shows that you really want to move out of this current state you're in. So truly, be proud of the fact that you took the initial steps to get help and support!

I know it can be overwhelming to take in all the info that Heather lists in that book, and the info that we share here on the Boards, and try to make sense of it all at once. It's a COMPLETE lifestyle change for most folks, and that's jarring to anyone who tries to make complete changes of any kind.

Since you're in such a bad place (or so it sounds), just concentrate on learning about your diet, and simple supplements (soluble fiber supplements) and start breaking your cycle of discomfort. Start small & build on this once you're more comfortable again. You can worry about exercising and all the other issues when you're not miserable.

Use Heather's "The First Week" (maybe the "Second Week" section too) from the book to get started on food since this will really help you - truly! - get things under control, and use the Boards' "Search" link at the top of page to find specific info from other folks who have posted in the past. I know the thought of eating can really deter you - it does for me too - but things only get worse if you DON'T eat.

Start eating the "What You Eat When You Can't Eat Anything" foods for the next couple days ONLY - unsafe to continue this for any longer length of time since it's very unbalanced with no veggies & fruits. Info on this particular food is found on this website here and in Heather's other book "Eating for IBS". This basically is fresh-baked WHITE bread (like italian, crusty bread), white rice, plain bagels, plain pastas, plain chicken, ANGEL FOOD CAKE (no dairy, or additives! Be careful! But this is my go-to as it's sweet AND safe), LOTS of water and LOTS of peppermint tea. Try Starbucks "Refresh" tea for a good taste. Sweeten the tea with Sugar in the Raw if it's too bitter. Pure sugar shouldn't mess up your system.

Seriously, you CAN get this under control. It's NOT HOPELESS, even as hard as it can be in the midst of feeling so bad. It may take some time and work, but you can do this! Many people here will attest to the success of heather's plan. Take baby steps and get started immediately...

Hope this helps. Feel free to respond with more questions.

~ Emily

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East Palo Alto, CA (San Francisco Bay Area/Silicon Valley)

IBS-C, pain, nausea

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