Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | I really need some help!

Hello Everyone! I'm brand new to this so forgive if I make any mistakes. I was diagnosed with IBS in 1999 but stupidly believed there was nothing i could do to control it or to help myself. I suffered in silence. In 2000, my husband and I moved to Japan. Since I can't speak, read or write the language, I had to depend on McDonald's or food products with pictures. Since then I have been trying to control my condition. On our short journeys back to Canada, we would bring back non-perishables to supplement the fresh veggies and meat we bought in Japan. Such things as Betty Crocker instant mashed potatoes, Chicken Helper, spices, soups...

Currently, I am struggling to control everything but I keep swinging from constipation to diaherra. I don't get the horribly severe attacks as often - that much I have been able to control. But the constipation is driving me crazy. I feel as if I have to accept one or the other - that I have no choice. I feel so helpless because I don't have access to things I normally would in Canada (we're not scheduled to move back until the end of this year) While I'm trying to ease the pain with the staples I have, I can't find soy milk and tofu scares me. We eat mostly chicken, veggies, soups, salads, french bread, pasta, oatmeal, toast, peanut butter, egg salad, white rice, potatoes, etc. After consulting the diet guide and diet FAQ...it seems we're doing almost everything right (my husband has ulcerative colitis). But why am I struggling with severe constipation? I find myself eating the wrong stuff just so that I will have diaherra and can clear my system. (I know this is bad - but I'm desperate) I can't consult doctors here because they don't believe this is a real syndrome.

Could someone please take me under their wing and give me guidance?

Do you have any basic recipe's (containing ingredients I might be able to find here?)

Do you know of any good import companies that have a website? (I need to find more metamucil)

Thank you for taking the time to read my plea, I look forward to any help you can offer me.

Kim

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