What to do next?
#212261 - 09/10/05 03:10 PM
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Thanks to those who answered questions for me. I'm new and grateful to have a board like this to post on, yet somehow it still seems hard to write about this gross illness (like who wants to hear about my bowels!). I think I am getting desperate, as someone else posted earlier. My life has been difficult with constant IBS-D for so many years and forcing myself to function at school and jobs. Then it got better due to an anti-anxiety pill, though I still had it occasionally if I got very stressed. I knew there were certain foods/drinks that bothered me, such as coffee or spicey foods, yet I never felt food was the biggie here. Then I began having something I never had before: Constipation. For the past year it has been a battle of a week of C and then an attack of D. During that week, I felt like every minute I had to go to the bathroom - as if I were about to explode - yet it didn't happen until a week or so most of the time. It has been extra hard to function at all, even going out to a store, let alone trying to work. I've been off for a month now and trying to get back some form of healing. Recently I found this website and decided I wanted to give the diet and ideas a try. I've spent 5 days now on the bland diet you're supposed to go on, and only added a couple of items in the past 2 days. The problem is that nothing has happened - I still am in a C state and feel like a D attack is imminent at any second. If only I could break this cycle and have some normalcy. I was taking Metamucil for the year before this, which did not help at all, and now am taking Benefiber, but that's not working either. I tried enemas and Glycolax, but that was a disaster and caused me months of problems. If anyone has been through anything like this, please tell me what you would suggest. I can't get any further with the GI Specialist. I guess I'm walking a fine line. Any further help is very much appreciated.
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Hi Christine
#212295 - 09/10/05 07:36 PM
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atomic rose
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
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It takes time. If you've been on the diet for only 5 days, and you've only just started adding foods back in, you're probably still a long way from stabilizing. Hang in there, though - stick with it and don't give up. I don't know how much Benefiber you're taking, but keep taking that too, working up gradually to the 12g-15g a day dosage that Heather recommends. Also be sure that you avoid all trigger foods and beverages, and drink plenty of water and herbal teas.
I can totally sympathize with you, by the way. I was IBS-D most of my life, with very few episodes of constipation EVER... about a year ago, I suddenly had C all the time along with my D. It's awful, and I won't lie - when you alternate between the two like that, finding the balance that makes you feel better can be really tricky. But please just hang in there, and don't give up on the diet and supplements yet! It all takes time. Some people might feel better quickly on the diet, but a lot of us don't - you just have to think of it as a solution for the long term, not a quick fix.
Definitely avoid the enemas and laxatives - I'm not surprised they caused you months of problems, they're harsh and can really screw you up. I know it's hard to be patient, but both the C and the D *will* start to get better as you increase your soluble fiber supplement and insoluble fiber foods. Just remember to take it gradually.
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...that you need to be adding safe IF back in now! Try Heather's Cinnamon Zucchini bread for the safest IF starter I know -plus it's yummy. 
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Your reply means so much to me. I hate to give the impression that I'm giving up, because I really am patient and will continue the diet. It's so good to have someone who can identify with me. People just don't understand when you are continually sick. Most of all, I'm desperate because I have to work and have been off for 4 weeks now - with no pay. Life is hard, but God is faithful. I will do as you said and thank you so very much for caring enough to write so much.
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Thanks!
#212384 - 09/11/05 12:56 PM
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Appreciate the interesting tip. I'll have to try that bread. It's kind of you to tell me!
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