Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Hi sweetie...hang in there

Things will get better, though I know it's really hard to believe that when you're in so much pain. I'm sorry your docs haven't been more helpful. I'd make sure they have checked you for inflammatory bowel diseases and celiac - those are overlooked sometimes.

You don't have to make the fortune cookies, bagels, soda crackers, etc. The ones you can buy should be okay - just check the ingredients. Anything that has less than 20% of the total calories from fat, and has no dairy, should be good. Just get plain white bread of any kind if that's all you can find, or make some plain white rice or plain pasta.

I'm going to give you a link on breaking the cycle - the info is at http://www.eatingforibs.com/faq.htm

Definitely start taking a soluble fiber supplement (in Canada, look at health food store for something called Fiberrific). If you can't find that locally, you can order Equalactin from hardtofindbrands.com. Both of these fibers are a safer bet than Metamucil or psyllium, which can cause bloating. Drink lots of water, too.

Try fennel tea as well as peppermint - it's great for bloating. And even though it's hard, try to be gently active somehow. Just stretch out on the floor, do a gentle yoga routine to a videotape, walk up and down some stairs slowly, if you can go for a walk around the block. You need the activity to get the muscles in your colon back on track and to help the constipation.

The good news is that once you are stable (and you honestly should stabilize if you follow the breaking the cycle info) it is much easier to stay that way. Please hang in there - we're all thinking of you.

Best,
Heather

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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!

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