I know this was posted not long ago but can't find it, how long (m)
#241982 - 01/27/06 05:46 AM
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Sandyg
Reged: 09/13/04
Posts: 403
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will it take me to become stable after doing Heather's diet? To be honest, I just started being very careful this past week...(since Monday no cheating). My bowels are still mushy, not the urgency I used to feel, but everytime I go to just pee, I could do the other too. I'm taking about 3 tsp. of acacia a day. I tend not to use my donatal unless I'm going out somewhere. Should I use it until I become more stable? Would it keep me my body from becoming stable on its own (using the medication).
Any input would be appreciated.
Sandy
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It took me almost 6 months to become stable on Heather's diet. While you are trying to become stable, do not cheat. And then once you become stable then you can have a little cheat every once in awhile. Give yourself some time and you will reach your goal. Good Luck!
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Yes, I Remember
#242037 - 01/27/06 08:38 AM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Yes, I remember this thread.
I seem to also remember telling you to focus on the program, NOT on when you can get off it. You've only started, so don't think about how long it's gonna take. That's like me focusing on when I can quit Weight Watchers instead of thinking about all the NEW and DELICIOUS recipes I can experiment with WHILE I'm losing all my weight.
I would not use the Donnatal for any reason whatsoever OTHER than a severe attack. Seriously, I have never taken it except when I was doubled over. Even for a mild attack, I only take Equalactin.
Personally, I found I could not tolerate even a tiny bit of acacia, 3t a day would have kept me on the pot 24/7! But that's just me.
I'm glad the urgency has diminished for you and that you've stuck with the program since Monday. Keep up the good work.
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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And I avoided all triggers and didn't cheat - at least not intentionally! I did forget to read a few ingredient lists and that would set me back.
Also, you'll learn that this is a lifestyle change as well - you'll be eating this way indefinitely. But once you're stable you may find that you can cheat once in a while.
Best wishes!
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you can use Imodium daily as a preventive. One or two in the morning or evening. This will help along with following the diet. Like Bev said, it's best to use Donnatal for a severe attack.
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To the best of my recolleciton, my path to stability was: first the cramping eased, then the frequency gradually subsided to 3-4 times a day, then the urgency eased, then the "incomplete evacuation" eased, then the frequency further diminished to a couple of times a day, then down to once a day. Somewhere in there, the consistency firmed up. At some point, I actually started having episodes where my body would want to use the bathroom, my mind could say, "Hey, I'm busy here. Could we do this later?", and my body would say, "Oh, okay. Catch you later." That's what I call a miracle.
I'd say it took 6-7 months of being on the diet seriously - almost no cheating, SFS, lots of fluid - to get to that last point. For me, though, it was all about progress - I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would get as well as I did. I was so sick and so miserable that when my frequency dropped to 3-4 times a day, I was beside myself with joy. Each subsequent improvement, however small, was cause for celebration. Even if I'd gotten "stuck" at no pain and only morning frequency, I would have been a million times better off than I was before.
Okay, finished with my soapbox now. I agree with the advice to try Imodium as your first line of defense - you can even try taking a tablet daily as a preventive measure - and saving Donnatol as your big gun.
HTH. Take care.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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I remember this thread as well! I take 1/2-1 Immodium Advanced daily as a preventative measure & it works very well with the "mushy" stool, "loose bm," "unformed bm," problem. Many people have success with SFS, however personally it makes the problem worse--just more stool to be mushy!
Kate, IBS-D.
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I know Bev can't handle it at all, (acacia) and that's what I've been on for over a month or so. I think I did better with fibercon. It was expensive though and I was taking a bunch of tablets a day. I'm taking 3 tsp now of Acacia. I'm going so much! Almost after each time I eat, however small amounts of food, and lots of mushy stools. I'll try the immodium as a preventive and see how that goes. Maybe I should back off of the SFS?
Thanks for all your help!
Sandy
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It's very confusing to know if it's a particular food, anxiety, a particular SFS, or the dose of SFS you are on that is making you feel poorly.  I keep going back and forth betwee trying an SFS for a while, and then going without to see if I am better off with one or without. But this takes a lot of time to get up to a decent dose, and there are a lot of SFS out there to go through too. 
I admit, I envy those who have found their tolerable SFS, dose, and know their food triggers. I get 3 F's on all of these...but I keep trying. 
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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You sound a lot like me as far as frequency of going. Today has been horrible, eating safely, going every time I eat and now I have D not just mushy stools and I'm supposed to go to work tonight for a few hours! I took 2 Immodium hoping that will help. I swear I did better when I wasn't trying to eat safely! I don't know if it's my body trying to adjust or what. I don't get it. I know I won't be stable in a few days but this is ridiculous!
What SFS were you taking? How much? Was it Acacia?
thanks!
Sandy
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Answer for Sandy
#242119 - 01/27/06 12:27 PM
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Sand
Reged: 12/13/04
Posts: 4490
Loc: West Orange, NJ (IBS-D)
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I take acacia and worked up - very, very, very slowly - to 8 teaspoons a day.
It does take time, but in the long run it was more than worth it for me.
One thing you can try is keeping track of everything you eat for a couple of days, then posting it. Sometimes the simplest little things can trip you up and another pair of eyes might spot it more easily than you can.
I hope your tummy settles down for work. If you can tolerate it, I often find hot peppermint tea helps calm me and my tummy down.
Another other questions, just ask.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Maybe I'll try to up it very slowly. I tried the Acacia because of the other benefits that aren't in regular SFS.
I did end up going to work for a little bit, (2 Immodium finally did the trick). I will try and write everything down and see what you guys think. The thing that puzzles me is I got away with a lot in the past. All of a sudden, my stomach is taking me to task for every little thing and even supposed safe things. I'm just going to have to be extra careful and see what happens.
I brought home Wendys for my family (I have two small boys) and I stopped and got a light turkey Quizno's sub with fat free Vingerette for a topping. OK right? My stomach isn't rumbly so, so far so good! And a few baked lays. In the past, I would have snuck up to 1/2 of the french fries my boys didn't eat! Not tonight!
Thanks for your help!
Sandy
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I'm glad the Imodium got things settled down. Good luck increasing the Acacia - just be sure to go up slowly.
I would think the sub should be fine, although if had stuff like lettuce and tomato, it's possible you could be super-sensitive to those. I'd say definitely track what you're eating for a couple of days, then post it. Maybe something will jump out at someone on the Board.
If your stomach is suddenly acting up a lot, it might be a good idea to see your GI again and see if some testing or retesting is in order.
Take care.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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You said somewhere that it seemed like your stomach got worse when you started watching what you ate - presumably when you started Heather's diet. If that's the case, then it's important you've been checked for wheat/gluten intolerance and/or celiac. I don't know anything about it, but you can do a Search to see what people have said.
More generally, you have had the necessary tests to rule out everything else, right?
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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IBS of course. Would someone develoop an intolerance all of a sudden? I didn't have problems before with any of that but who knows!!! Would my gastro doctor do that or a primary type doctor. Thanks!
Sandy
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You need blood work to test for antibodies and an endoscopy to take biopsies to see if your villi are flattened. A colonoscopy can not rule out celiac or gluten intolerance.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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