I need help, I don't know what to do
#53378 - 03/23/04 11:30 AM
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Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Ok, I'm really hoping to get some helpful suggestions here because I'm getting a little beside myself.
I've been following Heather's diet and all the suggestions from Eating for IBS for almost a month now. prior to that I was trying to get stable by eating only the foods listed on the "what to eat when you can't eat anything." Basically after my most recent really bad attack, I went one week without eating (I know now that was bad) and then started eating only the safe foods.
I felt stable, no more gut trouble...so I started to incorporate food and recipes from this site and the books. I've still been keeping it fairly simple, but I seem to keep having problems. For example, I'll feel fine for a few days, and then I'll get C and then after a few days of that I'll have a few days really bad cramping and D and then I go back to the safe foods, get things under control but it always seems to start again! I'm going to the doctor on Thursday so hopefully he'll be able to help me, but I'm just getting really annoyed and upset because I can't keep eating just rice and breads!
So, my question is, since I keep having flare-ups does that mean that I'm not stable and should stick with the safe foods indefinately? Or could I be doing something wrong when I start eating other foods? I suppose the other option is that I have another problem other than IBS, but that's why I'm going to the doctor.
Just to give you an idea, I'll let you know what I ate yesterday before my really bad bout of D:
Half bagel with Honey
Fennel Tea (2 cups)
Tuna Macaroni Salad (from Kree's site)
I slice Chocolate Applesauce Bread
Few Handfuls of Crunchy Pizza Party Mix
Peppermint Tea
I also have 2 1/2 teaspoons of Acacia.
I'm being really diligent about following the diet, I've cut out all dairy, red meat, caffeine, carbonated beverages etc. so I can't figure out why I only seem to be able to have a few good days before I'm back with full blown attacks.
Ok, sorry, I know I'm rambling...any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Kelly
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Kelly, how long have you been on the acacia?
How do you take your doses? How often in the day, how much at a time?
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I've been on the Acacia for almost two weeks now, and I know to go really slow because I have always had trouble with fiber supplements even in small amounts. I take 1/2 teaspoon first thing in the morning and then 1/2 later at night. I'm hoping to add another 1/2 teaspoon in the middle of the day sometime this week.
Kelly
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Oh!
#53384 - 03/23/04 11:40 AM
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jenX
Reged: 08/11/03
Posts: 3252
Loc: Richmond, VA
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I thought you said 2 1/2 meaning two and a half! That's what surprised me! We probably started about the same time with the acacia. I was shocked you were up to 2 + 1/2! But 2 half-teaspoons... now THAT makes sense! It may be possible that when you up it to adding the noon dose you'll get a little more stable (though it took me 2 days to make the adjustment. Lotsa gassy pain, but it went away).
OK, back to the drawing board.... Lemme look at your list again. 
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Geez...
#53385 - 03/23/04 11:43 AM
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jenX
Reged: 08/11/03
Posts: 3252
Loc: Richmond, VA
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I don't know, Kelly. It looks ok to me. Maybe increasing the fiber will help??? 
I wish I had more to offer...
Maybe the doc will have some great suggestions. (hee hee! that's a joke!  )
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Kelly,
Don't get discouraged. My tummy sometimes just decides to go bad for no reason at all that I can figure out. Your list of food looks fine to me. I think you're doing GREAT!!!
As I've said before, sometimes when I can't figure out anyother cause, I just blame it on ....sunspots!!
Keep up the good work and don't give up five minutes before the miracle!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Hi Kelly,
Are you getting enough water? It doesn't seem like you have that much insoluble, so I'm wondering if you don't have enough, then you end up C, then your bowel gets fed up with it, then forces the D on you. I'm sure there's a better way to explain that, but that's in my terms.
Anyway, maybe try a smoothie with some pureed fruits in the am. Or maybe some veggie soup for lunch.
Then again, you may be getting more insoluble in on a different day.
Hope you get it figured out soon. Let us know how your appt goes Thursday.
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Food diary?
#53552 - 03/23/04 06:28 PM
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Kree
Reged: 10/08/03
Posts: 3748
Loc: Northern NY
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Kelly, I'm sorry you're having so many problems! Have you been keeping a food diary? Because even if you're incorprating things that are supposed to be "safe", that doesn't necessarily mean they're safe for everyone. You could have an intolerance to some kind of veggie that is okay for most IBSers. For example, I seem to have problems with mushrooms, even though they're supposed to be a good soluble fiber veggie. A diary could help you rule out the possibility that it's some particular foods that are giving you problems.
Good luck, and I hope you get things figured out! 
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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A food diary is a really good idea. Also, Kree, my gastroenterologist (sp?) says that mushrooms contain the same byproducts as beer, wine, and aged or smoked cheese and meat. All of these things make me VERY sick. It has something to do with the aging of the last ones, and the mushrooms just contain the same chemicals. Are the rest of them triggers for you?
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Interesting...
#53567 - 03/23/04 07:33 PM
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Kree
Reged: 10/08/03
Posts: 3748
Loc: Northern NY
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Wow, that's interesting. I don't know if they're triggers or not, because other than very carefully drinking a small glass of wine with dinner I don't eat any of them anymore! I do know that beer ALWAYS bothered me, and that I got very sick off it several times without having very much. I thought I was allergic to the hops or something, but that would certainly go along with your theory. Thanks for the info!
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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No, I haven't done that yet. I really probably should...what do you do exactly? Just write down exactly what you've eaten and how you feel? I think that would be a good idea, but I'm never sure what I'm supposed to be writing down
Thanks!
Kelly
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Yeah, I just wrote down anything I thought might be helpful, like what I ate and when I was feeling gassy, crampy, etc. The important thing is that you put in enough info that it will let you see if any patterns emerge... like if you get sick the day after you eat a certain food. That's something you might not think about otherwise!
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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Thanks Kree!
One more thing, do you have any suggestions for what I should eat now? According to Heather's diet, because I've just had a such a bad batch of "D" should I go back to eating just rice and bread and stuff for awhile, or just until the D goes away...or does it make a difference? That's what confuses me...I'm never sure how long I should go back to "what to eat when you can't eat anything." Thanks again!
Kelly
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A friend of mine has a reaction like this running in his family, but they grow out of it when they get to middle age! He can't wait - being allergic to beer and being a student is just silly.
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Watch... he'll be the first one to never outgrow it.
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Looks to me like the list of fermented foods and other molds and fungi that I avoid. I am allergic to mold and mildew and that carries over into a food allergy to almost every food you mention there. Very interesting.
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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