Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking for about ten days here and constantly thanking God that I finally found some help.

I've suffered from IBS for 15 years - it began after having my gallbladder removed, although whether there is a connection I'm not sure. At different times I've been a borderline shut-in from it. We're talking The Big D....the "no Immodium will hold me" kind of D.

Anyway, about five years ago I began to follow a mostly vegetarian diet: no red meat or poultry, but occasionally I eat shellfish. For a while this resulted in a drastic improvement, but over the years my dairy intake increased, and, well, you know how *that* story always ends.

My father, being a Sugar Busters/Atkins devotee, has always insisted that "white carbs" were the root of my bowel problems. I made the switch to whole grain pasta, etc, and stock in toilet paper skyrocketed. I was soley responsible for any known TP shortages, thanks to whole wheat spaghetti.

I also have PCOS and am trying to lose weight, so I put myself on a raw veggie diet about a month ago. This brought on The Mother Of All Attacks. It was like my intestines were waging a shock and awe campaign against me for subjecting them to salad, cheese, and oily dressings. This went on for three weeks. Then I found this site.

I am now *stable* thanks to soluable fiber, no dairy, no eggs, and no raw veggies. I've given up my addiction to diet soda and replaced it with water. I can't even begin to convey with mere words what it's like to be out of pain and to feel normal. I'm essentially eating a vegan diet at this point, with allowances made for shellfish. I don't seem to have a problem tolerating the Veggie Shreds cheeses, although I know they're not 100% strictly dairy free. I plan to make Kree's mac 'n cheese for dinner tonight with some of their chedder shreds.

Long post, huh? Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks to all of you for sharing your tips and ideas and suggestions. It saved me from taking up permanent residence in the bathroom.

-- Aletha
Age 30, Houston TX

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