Help-Can't seem to stabilize!
#64765 - 04/26/04 09:49 AM
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adobemoes
Reged: 02/23/04
Posts: 118
Loc: Connecticut
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I've been using Heather's diet for about 2 months now. I have less pain and D than in a long time. However, I seem to always lean the other way now (C) but when I try and introduce more insoluables to move things along, then the D comes back with a vengeance.
To get stabilized, do you have to eat the SAME things for a few weeks? Maybe I'm trying too much variety- I'm up to almost 2 tbsp of acacia a day- (although every once in a while I forget..)
I try to drink as much water as I can- but when I get to working, I just forget that too.- I probably have 40-50 oz of water and herbal tea a day- that shouldn't be too bad, right?
A "normal" day usually consists of:
oatmeal with berries and acacia
herbal tea and a piece of banana bread or sourdough with jelly
tuna or chicken sandwich with mustard and a mango
banana or soy chips
rice and seafood for dinner- sometimes with vegetables
tea with acacia
Can anyone see a big problem with what I'm doing? Or haven't I given it enough time yet?
I'm leaving on a cruise at the end of the week and I'm starting to panick a bit.
Any help would be appreciated.
KAL
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Your diet looks good, but do try to introduce a little more insoluble, this will help with the C. Maybe steamed veggies with dinner, or a couple pieces of lettuce on your sandwich? Hummus is good and generally well tolerated because its ground, maybe try some with pita bread for a snack? Be sure your getting some exercise also!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Hi, Kal,
Your diet sounds terrific. I don't think that's to blame.
You've only given it two months; that's not very long. It took me twice that much time to get stable. Over how long of a period of time did you increase your acacia? You're up to 2T/day, but what did you start at, and when? I'm just thinking maybe your body is trying to adjust to the fiber. If you are very sensitive, then you might have increased it a little too quickly. If that's the case, it's an easy fix; just cut that dosage down a tiny bit and see if you don't do better.
If that's NOT the case, then I'd begin to think about the stress. Going on a cruise is really exciting, but it also brings a lot of anxiety. Are you worried about anything? You're starting to panic -- but is it because of the cruise or because of your tummy?
Run out to Walmart Pharmacy and get yourself some Equalactin. I'm sure you've read all the posts in here about how marvelous this stuff is -- well, it's all true. Seriously, it does calm down the tummy. And it's very portable too; you just keep it in your purse and chew up a tablet when you feel those "rumblings."
Let us know how it goes -- and how you enjoyed the cruise! It's okay, we can take it. (Sigh....)
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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I agree with Bev. She's brought up several great points.
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Bev:
I actually took about a month and a half to get from 2 tsp a day to 2 tbsp a day- I don't think that's it.
I just ordered some equalactin off the 'net- I can't seem to find it around here at the drug store. Will that help with C too? or just with rumblings and D?
I know you guys are right- I am not being patient enough and I (sigh) am not exercising enough. As you know, it's so hard to try and incorporate new diet, lots of water, new life style, exercise and all this stuff we need to do at once- Sometimes I'm so overwhelmed that I'd like to just crawl into bed and hide.
My husband keeps telling me that they'll bend over backwards for us foodwise on the cruise, so I'm trying not to worry, but of course, you worry about going on the excusions, being trapped on a bus with no facilities, etc. What about drinking? Can you get away with any alcohol at all? I'm not a big drinker, but pina coladas and daquiris do sound good when you're by the pool.
Don't be too jealous of my cruise, I'm actually headed to your area! We're cruising from San Diego to Oregon, San Fran and then onto Victoria and Vancouver. It's not as exciting as the Caribbean, but I hear your neck of the woods is beautiful!
Thanks for your responses. I don't want to speak for everyone, but you make it so easy to come to the boards and ask for help! Thanks so much!
KAL
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Do you notice you don't feel well after eating your oatmeal in the morning? Oatmeal has been known to give some IBS-ers problems - myself included! 
- Jennifer
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- Jennifer
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i was reacting adversely to oatmeal way before i was even an official IBSer....
bloaty, gassy, painful... the whole shebang.
i avoid oatmeal like the plague.
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I'm not sure that I can be of much help but I found that whenI started the diet it took me a while to really stabilize (keep your fingers crossed that it keeps going so well!). You might already be doing this but....Something that helped me A LOT was a suggestion that I think Dalia made earlier on to not drink your water with your meal. I've learned to drink my water between meals and to drink a lot of it at once. That way I can have a better idea of when I'll have to pee - okay, I pee all the time but when I drink my water it is ALL THE TIME! That helped me a lot!
I realized that before I did this I thought I was drinking a lot of water because I always had my water bottle with me and I was always peeing. When I started my food diary I ralized that I wasn't drinking nearly as much as I should have been...
Ana
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That is so interesting? I thought oatmeal was a great staple for us. I'll have to pay more attention to when I start to feel yucky- if it's anywhere near where I eat the oatmeal.
What do you guys do for breakfast if you don't eat oatmeal?
KAL
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adobemoes,
I eat a banana for breakfast...sometimes strawberries or another fruit, too. That's usually fine on my stomach. There's a million things you could eat for breakfast...cereal with soy or rice milk, biscuits, pancakes, a bread that you baked, fruit,...tons! 
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Most IBSers can tolerate oatmeal with the exception of a few. Instead of oatmeal, I enjoy Cream of Rice mixed with brown sugar. I also eat a lot of dry cereal in a baggie that I can munch on my way to work.
- Jennifer
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- Jennifer
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I'm with you there. Oatmeal has always been trouble for me, especially the flavored kind in the little packets. Maybe a lot of fructose? I really love Cream of Rice. It is super cheap, and I sometimes add a tablespoon of Jelly or maybe a few apricots, or some honey. Mmmm so yummy.
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Amanda
I live in the Big Apple, but I don't eat the skin
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Cream of Rice??
#65145 - 04/27/04 10:25 AM
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Kimm
Reged: 03/10/04
Posts: 1171
Loc: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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I've looked everywhere in the grocery store for this stuff and can't find it...
Maybe it's not available in Canada?? What brand names do you guys buy...maybe I can find it that way.
Thanks 
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Hi, I'm from the Northeast and the brand of cream of rice we have here is Nabisco. Has a picture of a chef on the front of the package the same as the cream of wheat does. This one is not instant but has to be cooked for a few minutes. We purchased it at Stop & Shop. Can't remember if I've even seen any of those stores up in that part of Canada but you can check with the manager of the store where you shop and if they carry Nabisco foods he can probably order some for you. Hope this helps! 
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I just found it a month ago after searching everywhere for it: Cream of Rice.
- Jennifer
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- Jennifer
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Sorry, didn't mean to sound like a dork... I meant what do people eat for breakfast that's quick- like before or at work. I almost always eat my breakfast at work, that's why those little oatmeal packets are so convenient. Cream of Rice does sound good though- thanks for the advice.
KAL
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I use the same one, Nabisco. I don't know if this is just because NYC has so many latin-americans, but sometimes, in the smaller markets, I only find it by the ethnic foods ... and then it's in an identical box but it says Crema de Arroz.
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Amanda
I live in the Big Apple, but I don't eat the skin
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I live in VA and also found the Nabisco brand, (just like Cream of Wheat) in a chain we have here called Martins. I looked in Food Lion, but couldn't find it there. Someone even suggested I try the Gerber baby Rice cereal if I couldn't find anything else. Good luck.
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