Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Along the college vein

Hi there!

I have tried charcoal but not bromelain. What is that exactly? I get such horrible gas, gas pains, bloating (I look pregnant almost all the time), and I have to eat small meals as well. I have to eat little bits throughout the day, otherwise I'm miserable. I have followed Heather's diet and avoid wheat/gluten, refined sugar, dairy (except I eat eggs), and most fats (canola oil and flaxseed are my main sources of fats). I live on lean meats (not red meat), fruits like berries, veggies like squash, green beans, peas, carrots, salads, and corn, and rice. It's very restricting, but it's better than if I eat whatever I want. I make my own baked goods out of gluten-free flours and honey, and I make my own soy ice milk. What do you usually eat? I usually stick to egg whites or eggs, flaxseed, the fruits and veggies I mentioned, the ice milk, homemade muffins or scones, rice cakes with jam, rice cereals, the meats I mentioned (I'm a huge protein person...I love my meat!), and rice noodles. I do keep a food journal as well as a calorie count so I can make sure I keep gaining weight. I do pilates and stretching for my fibromyalgia and IBS, and both do wonders for me.

My main symptoms are the contstant pain and bloating, both of which increase significantly after eating, and I get horrible acid reflux after eating anything. I take ranitidine for that. This affects all aspects of my life and my singing as well. I sing opera, actually, and have studied voice for almost nine years now. I hope to one day become a professional opera singer and sing abroad as well. We'll see what happens! I'm so glad you are able to use your singing to benefit others and for fun for yourself! That's wonderful! My singing is something that brings me such joy and gets my mind off of my IBS.

I've had three endoscopies, four colonoscopies, a laparoscopy for my endometriosis, a chest tube put in for when the doctors collapsed my lung from putting in a central IV line in my chest from being so dehydrated (I had to have a feeding tube as well...my IBS pain got so bad I couldn't eat at all. It was an absolute nightmare), and I've had the barium swallows/radioactive egg tests done, too. No obstructions were found, of course, but the pain is always there. It's so confusing!

Well, I have to go, but I thank you for your message - it's wonderful to write to you! I hope you're feeling better, too.

-Alisa

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