Feeling Sad-Does anyone ever fully heal from IBS?
#30842 - 12/09/03 04:21 PM
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Chelsea22
Reged: 10/20/03
Posts: 54
Loc: Virginia
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I had given up the masking of my IBS-D problem with Immodium, back in September, and have been trying my darndest to stay positive, follow Heathers diet, taking Probiotics, going to meditation, exercising, seeing a therapist etc. etc. And then an attack happens. My coping skills are running thin now and I'm finding myself a little sad today. It seems I haven't been able to go more than 6 days without something triggering an attack.
Trust me, I am usually quite a good cheerleader for myself but my motivation is running low. Is there any hope for an IBS person to fully recover from this condition? I try to look at things from a healthier perspective, that I should count my blessings that I don't have a deadly disease, and to stop feeling sorry for myself, but sometimes it just makes me want to cry that this condition is taking so much work emotionally and physically to deal with. I would love to hear how some you cope with this chronic condition.
Thanks for letting me vent. By the way, I do know that all of you are a true blessing in my life...funny that we are all truly strangers.
Alicia
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I understand your frustration totally! It's frustrating that you're doing all of these things and STILL having problems! The bad news is that IBS is a lifetime thing, and you will likely NEVER be able to go back to the way you were before.
The GOOD news is that you WILL get to a point where you can control your IBS and not let it control you. You WILL get stable and feel better. You will learn your triggers and how to avoid them. You will learn that substitution is really not as horrible as you first thought and that this low fat healthy diet is in a way a blessing in disguise. - It helps me keep on track - nothing like the threat of attack to keep me away from the french fries and ice cream cones!
So in short, it will get better. Stick with us - we all support each other here. You are not alone feeling this way.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Please don't be downhearted! Continue with your diet and, as you learn to control your IBS better, you will feel better!
I've lived with IBS all of my life. I am on a very boring diet and I can't eat out at restaurants. On the other hand, I have virtually no pain these days and only occasional D.
Really, IBS doesn't stop me from leading a normal, happy life. I have a busy career and I travel a lot. I just work around my IBS by doing things like pre-cooking my meals on the weekends for the rest of the week and bringing IBS-safe sandwiches in a special container with ice packs when I travel.
Please don't be discouraged. Just think of IBS as a special challenge that you will DEFINITELY conquer!
Belinda
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Belinda and/or board friends,
You mentioned that you never go to restaurants and I'm curious as to what your personal experience is with them. I seem only to do well at restaurants 50% of the time. The other 50% ends up with IBS-D attacks a couple hours after I've eaten.
It's such a frustrating puzzle because I always seem to make smart choices at restaurants, and I still end up sick. I can go and have a big plate of pasta bolognese and do fine, and then another time order grilled fish and do poorly! What's with that? LOL!
I feel like pulling my hair out, and wonder if I'm ever going to get better odds when I dine out.
Alicia
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Did they use oil in the fish? Spices? Often restaurants will use oil/butter or heavy sauce with grilled fish. Even the bread can have oil...so you have to make sure and ask for the ingredients before you order. I've made that mistake myself! I asked if there was oil with the fish, but I didn't ask about the pasta. So, I left with a big tummy-ache!  So I totaly hear ya!
HTH!
-<3-
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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I find that my usual problem with eating out is that I tend to eat too much and so have an attack. It's sooo hard to say no to all that nice food, but is an attack worth it...?
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Yeah, restaurants are one of those things. Totally unpredictable. Do a board search - there was a topic on our favourite and SAFE IBS restaurant dishes. Even chain ones were listed. IE I like Swiss Chalet's quarter chicken with baked potato. Dip all in an extra Chalet sauce (no butter or sr cream) and I find it quite safe.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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That's why I divide my plate in half right away and put half in a "doggie bag" to take home. That way I'm not tempted. My tummy always thanks me and I have something to eat for lunch the next day. 
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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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I take my favorite pal with me when I go out to eat -- my hubbie -- who's SO supportive, a great guy, and who likes anything. He's so easy-going -- I order what I like, and he eats half of it. That way I don't eat enough to have an attack. When we go to ihop, I eat the scrambled eggs and toast (with no butter), he eats the sausage and hash browns. Now that I'm not having coffee, he'll get all of it. It works out so well, especially at the check-out counter; our bill is half what anyone else's is. Today we went out for lunch, ordered sweet-n-sour chicken with fresh veggies and egg roll, and split it all (I had one slice of plain white bread, no butter, beforehand, thank you very much); it was great -- I left there still a little bit hungry, but with a happy tummy.  Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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