Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

Well, the 1st thing I did was get so sick with fibro and migraines and live in constant pain that the IBS didn't matter anymore

I was in so much pain with everything else that the IBS felt like a minor cut instead of, say, a broken bone!

Now they all take tunrs btw

Sometimes deciding to come on all at once. The days that are ilent are truly TANGARINE-GREEN

The other thing I do? Look to folks that are worse off than I am. There are LOTS.

I go to therapy. I take meds. I do the best I can.

I take time out to take care of ME! I make sure I get enough water and sleep--those are my biggest triggers--oh, and I don't eat too much at one time! I eat safe foods. I stop worrying about it. I was at my worst when I worried about every bite I was putting in my mouth.

I do yoga when I'm hurting. It is the best to move trapped gas. In fact it works better than GasX for that-for me at least!

I wash dishes and move around after a meal.

Basically...everything Heather says to.

I listen to my body. It really DOES talk to us. We just have to relax and calm down enough to listen. Sounds silly I know LOL but it's the truth! I know now when to stop eating cause I've had enough. I know if my body needs something it isn't getting Ex. I was feeling really nauseous this am. Couldn't figure out why. Dizzy too. Instinctively I ate some pita with cheese (I know, I know...it's not IBS safe...but I have to eat somehing. Yes, I'm gassy now...and bloated...BUT I have to eat or I get a lot worse than just gassy and bloated...). I figured out why I've been eating cheese...SODIUM! It has SODIUM! The tegretol I take makes my sodium levels low. I can't have powerade (corn syrup AND citric acid...double whammy!) and propel isn't Kosher...yadda yadda...point is when I listen it guides me

Another thing I do with IBS as well as IC is: I take chances. I eat a few bites. I have gotten to a point where I can tell within several bites of eating if something I ate upset my IBS OR my IC as well! And I say "Ok, Ruchily, no more of that for a while".

Then I try again in a few weeks...

Sometimes, a food I take out of my diet for a year is eatable again. Like gluten. (But this is an intolerance NOT an IBS thing...just to keep that in mind).

Am I helping?

I listen. I follow what I hear. I look around me and see people suffering more than me. I make peace, let go, and accept.

I cry. I get angry. I talk to G-d and say "WHY"!!!

Then I remember everyone in this world suffers. EVERYONE! There is a saying "If everyone put their troubles in the middle of the room and grabbed someone else's trouble...they would put the other person's trouble back and recliam their own." WHY? It was tailormade for me. My troubles were that is. I cannot handle your trouble Beth. It isn't my job. But I can learn how to handle mine with acceptance, love, and peace.....and it is my life's goal...

Thank G-d I am live, I have my husband, I have the boards, I was not abused this morning, etc. Make gratitude lists!

It's NOT easy. I will work on this the rest of my life. Some are good days and others not so good days and others lousy days. I want so desperately to be ok. To be able to go to the store without a fight. To be able to function without meds. To be a mom. To be a better wife, etc. But if I focus on what I can't do I will not be able to add to the list of "can-do's" as easily/readily.

Make sense?

Love you...you're doing GREAT!!! *hugs*

One more thing that is REALLY helping me: Check out flylady.net It's about cleaning on the surface...but it's about FLYing down deep (FLY...finally loving yourself) Shining my sink every day is something I CAN DO and it makes me smile *big hugs*

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Formerly known as Ruchie

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