Hello fellow IBS sufferers!

After having doubts over the last almost 5 years about whether or not I have IBS, I have decided I need to at least try to resolve it by following the guidelines for IBS...specifically IBS-C type, which is the alternating loose stools (diarrhea?) and constipation kind.

Does anyone here have the same issue and have managed to control the symptoms by following a careful diet?....I really do hate to follow diets of any kind, but I really need to eliminate just one more anxiety giving issue in my life, especially now that hubby left for Iraq 2 days ago.....as my anxiety and insomnia need to be resolved too, and I believe that if I can control the bowel habits, then I may reduce my anxiety etc., etc.,

I just need some basic rules to follow to see if it is any help.

Thanks!!

Caz

It is most likely that you have food allergies. It's odd, but whatever we are allergic to...we seem to crave?

The only way that you can figure this out is by an "elimination" diet.

First cut out all bread. No Wheat. Next cut out milk products, except yogurt. Try the SCD diet. I would not follow it completely at first, because usually you can figure out what is causing problems. It is fairly restrictive. Breaking the Viscous Cycle is a great book, which is easily found online or at your local library. Here is a site that will give you all of the information that you need. http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/index.htm

Also, please invest in a bottle of Primal Defense probiotics. They are expensive, but for a "test run" it will be well worth it.
Do not and I repeat...do not take a whole one your first day. Only use 1/2 cap at first. By the end of the week, take one each day. I have tried many probiotics, but this one is different. It will heal your gut.

(Garden Of Life products are very good, but they are too expensive for me.)

Hope this information helps a bit,
Shebee

I took a little pill called "colon health" they sell bottles of it at the local grocery store .. seems to settle things down and make these more even flowing

Shebee..

I have cut out wheat/gluten........and am now trying a 'lactose free' milk - but I have read that you can still be aggitated by the casein or whey...

I am surprised not more people are having an issue with this....maybe there isn't anyone on here today that has the same problem?!

I'm quite sure I do have food intols, but have not found exactly what they are yet - that is, apart from the gluten. (clearly isn't the only thing).

Caz

I think that is the tough part...figuring out what is adding to the problem. The only way that I know how to track down a food allergy is to carry a note book with you. No kidding. Take it everywhere. Write down EVERY thing that you put into your mouth. It is necessary to write down ingredients, too. This seems like an almost impossible task, and I don't envy anyone trying to do this; however, it does yield great rewards. Soon you will see a pattern. It could even be a common food substance? Even doing this for 3-4 days will make a difference. (you will also probably lose a pound or two! LOL! When you have to write everything down on a label, you tend to just start using vinegar & oil on your salads.)

Keep us posted, and I am looking forward to all of the replies on this post!

Shebee

Hi Caz

Sorry to hear you are still suffering with this.
I am too,just seems no sense to this does there?????

I keep thinking it,s got to be hormonal??

And anxiety??

How are you otherwise hope well

Kath

Hi Caz

I have had IBS for years but it has definately flared up more during peri. I spend most of my time in high anxiety and this aggravates it more. I haven't found anything that works to make things completely better, however wheat seems to irritate me and I am much better if I cut down or eliminate carbs.

Hope you get some relief soon.

Jackie

I was diagnosed with IBS years ago but given no instruction whatsoever on dealing with it. Several years past and for reasons not associated with IBS, I went gluten free (wheat, barley, rye & oats) and dairy free... no more IBS. So I'd suggest giving these two items up first.

From having accidental doses of gluten, I've determined that it doesn't affect my IBS but dairy does, big time. Usually I can have a slice of cheese and be ok, but if I have prepared cheese (laughing cow baby bell cheese), not OK. I'll stay bloated and miserable for at least a day. Milk is out of the question, even yogurt unless it's fage will give me a problem. Crumbled cheese in salads don't bother me. It's a matter of how much your body can handle so once you re-introduce it, go slow and gage for yourself.

I know many people fear giving up these foods but it truly isn't that difficult. Once you feel better these foods lose their appeal. Even the smell of flour is repulsive to me now. The best part is that it doesn't take long at all to notice the results. For me it was only a matter of 3 days but I have heard for others it takes up to several weeks so don't give up too early.

Hi Carol,

what do you drink to substitute for milk?....I have tried rice and almond milk, but hate the taste.....I can tolerate soymilk as long as it is unsweetened, but it doesn't work well in my morning cup of tea!

Do you know if Kefir is OK?......I've read that inulin is bad for IBS sufferers, and Kefir has inulin in it.

Fage is the greek yoghurt, right?...I do like that. Which type of cheeses are OK?

As I write this I have a bloated and trapped windy tummy!.....so I have obviously digested something that wasn't good for it...probably a piece of halloween chocolate!

any advice is good advice!

Caz

I had a "delicate digestion" as my mother put it, since I was a newborn. I don't remember the symptoms as a child but I remember in the 4th grade the doctor telling my mother if she didn't get some weight on me they were going to have to hospitalize me as I was skin & bones with every rib showing. I somehow managed to put on a few pounds during early puberty, I had to stay on a bland diet - nothing acidic, nothing greasy or fatty, nothing spicy, nothing sugary and no dairy. By the time I was a teenager I decided I was going to eat what I wanted like all my friends could and just live with the pain. Those years I definitely remember the symptoms! Basically I had "dumping syndrome"...the first meal each day caused severe cramping exactly 20 minutes after having my first bite...I would break out in a cold sweat, feel like I was going to pass out and then would have explosive diarrhea. After that first meal of the day anything I ate still went right through me in 20 minutes but it didn't cause the severe symptoms. The good thing was I could eat whatever I wanted and never gain an ounce because it didn't stay in me long enough! The bad thing of course, was getting through that first episode each day. Hubby & I could never go anywhere early in the day or I would have to wait to eat until after all of our activities...we would go shopping and eat last, then race home so I could at least not be in a public bathroom for my daily event! Then I got pregnant and in my 4th month it suddenly stopped...I gained a lot of weight during that pregnancy too! Within weeks after delivery it was right back as before. Next pregnancy, same thing...stopped in the 4th month, and returned after delivery. And my final pregnancy...stopped in the 4th month...but never came back. Only thing I can think of that was different is that I had my tubes tied during the c-section, but I don't know if that had anything to do with it. I did discover in reading over the years that the GI tract slows way down during pregnancy due to high progesterone. The only thing that bothers me now is dairy. I don't touch milk and only have a scoop of ice cream once or twice a year. Cheese causes bloating and cramping but I love it so I take prescription Anaspaz to stop the cramping if I have more than a few bites. Unfortunately, it is very easy to gain weight now...I don't miss the pain but I sure miss being able to eat whatever I want!

Coffee I don't drink at all nor do I take calcium tablets because I find they don't do well for me either. I do take Vitamin D and a multi vitamin each day.

As for Kefir, I would test it. I have drank it before but decided against it, it's just such a delicate balance to find that place where you feel good that I'm learning not to take chances. Same with cheese, any processed cheese is a no, but real cheese I can take in small quantities and I don't ever eat cheese in the morning, only later when it won't matter so much if I feel bad and I don't have it on a daily basis. More often it's one slice of cheese once every 2-3 weeks but on a salad, I'll have crumbled blue cheese or feta and do ok. (most blue cheeses no longer use molded bread for processing but you want to be sure if you are trying to go gluten free).

My staple is natural peanut butter on rice cakes... I wish I could find something else that is friendly and easy but packed with more protein. For breakfast this am I scrambled 4 egg whites with onions and spinach with a drop of hot sauce. Very good. For lunch I'll have my PB & rice cake w/ banana and for after work, I'll have another w/ apple slices then for dinner I'll have sweet potato w/ baked chicken breast and maybe some green beans. Not difficult at all.

HTH

NiteOwl, that is so interesting. The human body is complex and baffling..... interesting about the progetsterone. I'm glad for you that your IBS didn't return.

not difficult, but awfully boring Carol!......ah yes.....bless the rice cakes...these have become my bread alternative.

Rice chex/corn chex/chocolate chex are all now gluten free....so I had those this morning with my lactose free milk. I now realise that the egg yolk is a no, no.....but why eat just the whites, that is so tasteless!

There have been times that I have said 'sod it' and eaten anything (especially when I have been away from home) and have had better bowel movements...sometimes I just wonder

I am off out to get some Aloe Vera juice and a supply of garden of life 'primal defense' today.

I do feel awfully constipated this morning though........I'm trying to do a 'poo' dance here to get things moving!!!!

Caz

lol Primal defense, is that an enzyme blend? I was taking enzymes on a reg basis and they helped a lot. I ran out and haven't replaced them though.. your post reminded me that I need to pick some up. Hope you feel better!

Actually I now realise I meant to say IBS-A.......I think?.....IBS-C is just constiptation, but mine is the alternating type....just to clear that up.

Nope...no better either....so much for the Benefiber and expensive probiotics.

I am now trying out a IBS 'cleanse' and elimination diet for the next 2 weeks...somethings gotta give!

I am so glad that you are going to try Primal Defense. It is a probiotic It contains containing 14 species of Homeostatic Soil Organisms. Either a product works or it doesn't. This one works. ( I might add that I think that many do not.) I do not exactly know why this product works, but I know that it does. My guess would be that soil bacteria competes with fungus, bad bacteria, & etc., and it eventually kills out the bad stuff. (simple version...LOL)




As everyone probably knows, I read everything. I read all of the time. Even when I watch tv, I read. LOL! Therefore, I have an odd mix of information. I seem to have a knack of drawing on past information and merging it with any new information that I find.

Have you ever heard of MAP bacteria? (Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis) MAP may be transmitted to humans through foods derived from cattle with MAP infection, known as Johne's Disease. In America, we do not really test for MAP bacteria. Our pasteurization process DOES NOT KILL this bacteria in our milk.


I believe that this is why many people have cronhn's disease and IBS. The medical community does not recognize this, nor do they have a clue how to cure it. Doctors treat the symptoms, but never find the root of the problem. I think that you want the cure? After not being able to tolerate wheat/gluten or milk products, I now eat both. (It take a long time to heal your guts. LOL!...yes, I said GUTS!) I once had a doctor who told me that she would treat my symptoms, but she was going to find the ROOT cause of the problem. They she boldly stated, " If you find the root cause, the symptoms will go away." She was right.

http://www.crohns.org/

http://search.mercola.com/Results.aspx?k=MAP%20crohn




I have tried many products, and have only found a handful that are truly effective. (Another product that is amazing is D-Mannose for urinary tract infections. It works better than anti-biotics.)

Hope this points you in the right direction.

Shebee

an update on my detoxing.......

nothing is still moving....day 4 now...when I say nothing is moving.....I actually mean nothing normal is happening, yesterday I began the day with diarrhea...today I did not have ANY urge to have a BM....nope nothing....I actually got worried and forced one.....but that is my problem, I cannot settle this monster.

I did get the 'garden of life' primal defense' probiotics...day 3 of those, so I gues its early to see if they have any effect.

I cannot believe that I am consuming all these veggies, drinking plenty of water and fluids, but my bowels won't work normally, still makes me worry that something more sinister is at work (there goes my anxiety!).

Caz-art, when you find the key to this mystery-I do hope you share. In the meantime I hope this clears up for you so you aren't so uncomfortable. I get the anxiety part too, it's what I'm about these days. Guess we just have to keep plugging along and things will get better.
Senecaguns

Did yours start with peri?Mine did and I've been struggling ever since.It was so good for a while then was late on my period and wham!loose again Ahhh.My husband says he's loose all the time but it does'nt slow him down.

Yep, lumz...mine began EXACTLY when peri hit......so i wonder what the issue is??????

I eat activia every morning and take benefiber every day. This helps alot. I had double hyrnia surgery last year and if I don't keep things going, I get abdominal pain from where the staples hit nerves. I also find that if I eat a salad every other day or so I cleans me out without going into diarrhea. I also completely decaffinated myself for the anxiety. It is still there but no more panic attacks.

can't eat activia as I am trying to eliminate dairy right now....also tried benefiber with no success!

Update.......well I was doing well last week on my 2 week cleanse....well, up until Friday and Saturday when I consumed chocolate, wine and a very syrupy pecan pie with ice cream...so had to start again yesterday!

I think the 'garden of life - primal defense' is taking effect...I am up to 5 a day now (have to work up to 8-12 a day!) and I am not having morning diarrhea anymore, although it is still hard to push out a bowel movement, but am going a few times a day in small amounts, and boy is it dark stuff! (sorry if its too graphic!) and I do have to drink WAY more water than I am used to, but it seems when I do, it helps a lot.....we'll see how it goes along with this detox/cleanse I am doing.

I am more hopeful though.....anyone read Jordan Rubin's books ' The Makers Diet' or 'Patient Heal Thyself' (and there is another one about digestive health)??????.......I am thinking of ordering the 'Patient Heal Thyself' off Amazon. (Jordan Rubin's story is quite amazing....he began the 'Garden of Life' products).

Caz

Hi Caz

I have been on a Candida cleanse diet for almost 7 months now (no wheat, dairy, yeast, alcohol, sugar, caffine) I also was told I have IBS about 5 years ago.
I have lost 45 lbs! Good news eh!
It was really hard at the beginning but it's old hat now. I did try chocolate and boy was I bloated!
So that is one trigger for my IBS.
I take probiotics, vit d, vit B12 and sacch B (for the yeast).
My IBS seems more pronounced before my period (I tend toward constipation), the cramps are more intense.
Good luck with the cleanse..it's tough but doable.
Maura

WOW!...7 months.....good for you....but bad for me....don't think I could do that at all!

I have no idea if I have a candida issue or not...I just know that I have awful bowel habits (5 years now) and bloating and gas (depending on what and how much I eat)... some sleep issues, erstwhile anxiety issues and some depression (which is mainly about getting old and dying!!!), which could well mean I have some, but this cleanse and new regime may help me see that.

I'll keep you updated....at least for my own sanity!

Caz

The Primal Defense is wonderful stuff, and believe me, I have tried it all. LOL! You are not the first person that has used it with excellent results. I am glad that you are trying it. Soon, I bet, you will be singing it's praises, too. LOL! I find that it is very difficult to find things that really work.

The dark stuff is probably odd gunk in your intestines. Once cleared out, everything should work better, plus you will start absorbing nutrients better. At one time I could not eat any milk products or grain/gluten products. I can eat both now with no problems.

I do think that Primal Defense cost too much. I am wondering if you could use it in a yogurt culture when making yogurt with out poisoning yourself? LOL! I might get brave someday and try it. I Make yogurt a few times a month. I don't know if I could eat grainy black yogurt or not?


...and I like Rueben's books; they make sense. I went to the library and got them. Amazon.com always has a wonderful supply of cheap used books.

If you are not familiar with The Specific Carbohydrate Diet or Elaine Gottschall, -- Breaking The Vicious Cycle, I would point you that way, too. I tried to combine both books and took what I could from each of them.

Also....don't forget to research MAP bacteria. In cattle and deer, there is a disease that is known as "wasting disease." I think that this is what many people have, too. Although the main-stream docs don't have a clue. When they get this disease, farmers kill them.


The primal defense replaces the bad bacteria and eventually kills it out and helps your gut to heal.

Physician heal thyself,
Shebee

of course I said that yesterday...today I began with loose/diarrhea like BM......what?

It does say in the info that came with my order that BM's will look dark for a while...so I guess all is well there anyway!

can't wait for it to 'clean me out'...I really need it!

thanks for the support Shebee.

not a good update......

I am still on the 'detox'.....that is, none of the famous five - wheat/dairy/caffeine/alcohol/sugar.......

One minute I think I can see results in the BM dept., but the next NOTHING is happening and moving! I thought this 'Garden of Life - Primal Defense' was going to get things moving...I am up to 9 a day now and really don't see any changes...my mood is still low, especially in the evenings, and my energy and sleep have not improved immensely, or even at all - well, it's certainly not noticable anyway!

Is it too early to tell I wonder?......It is now only day 10 (albeit with a 2 day break last weekend!) so maybe I am impatient?

Shebee....I am doing what the info said with my order, that is increasing the load each day...I know you said to take one a day, but that isn't what G of L say to do (and the book 'Patient Heal Thyself').....how long after taking them did you see a difference?

Oh, I do hope I can report something good here soon....and sustainably good, not just one day good the next day not!

thanks for 'listening'!

Caz

Morning....With the Garden of Life, it was not a "quick" cure. It took a long time for my gut to heal. It could be because I never took the amount that was recommended on the bottle. (It was just too expensive.) I wish I would have taken more at that time. Did you get a chance to check out the SCD diet? The web site has lots of good information.


What is your typical diet for a day? I know it must be restrictive because you are eliminating certain foods.

Shebee

typical diet day: breakfast - sauteed egg white/spinach/goats cheese wrapped in a rice bran tortilla a cup of decaf tea with goats milk.

lunch: homemade chicken/veg soup a couple of rice cakes

dinner: chicken or fish with veggies and either rice or a potato

For snacks I have had veggie chips or a rice cake with almond butter.

I am not eating fruit because of the sugar content...but want to eat something sweet DESPERATELY!!

Caz

You food intake looks great...do you eat nuts, too?



Wow....I am comin' over for lunch! LOL! For a sweet taste in your tea, try stevia.

I grow it in my garden, but have yet to make a tincture out of it. Next year I am going to grow 8 plants and try to do something with it. You can buy it online in powdered form. You can find it on Amazon for $13.00 for a 16oz. jar. Get the powder. It only takes 1/4t. or less for your tea and etc. You can bake with it, too. Nutricity (through Amazon.com) sells it cheap. In the health-food store it is $20.00.


I have tried many brands, but only the stevita brand is really good. The swansonsvitamins taste bitter. YUK!




If you are getting goats milk, have you tried making feta cheese? It is very easy, but you have to acquire a taste for it.
I recently mastered the art of making it. I still can't believe how easy it is to make. At the store it cost $5.00 for a chunk.
I spent $5.00 on milk and made at least $30.00 worth of feta. However, I used cows milk. Goats milk will make a more pungent, stinky cheese. I wish that I owned a goat....and had someone else willing to milk it.

(I am a funny mix of city and country.)


Ok...Now you have to share some great products with me. LOL! Tag...your it!

Shebee

no problem!

I do like the gluten free pancake and waffle mix from Trader Joes...I add chopped walnuts, cinnamon and sliced bananas to it (although right now I can't eat it, because no egg yolk, nuts or bananas!

There is a great comprehensive list of gluten free and vegan products at Trader Joes...they gave me the lists, they are great (can you tell I love that store!?) that is where I get the rice bran tortillas from.

Rice chex and chocolate chex are now gluten free too.

There is a really tasty yoghurt made with coconut milk in mango flavour....I think it is made by 'so delicious' or something?
I don't own a smoothie maker or the like else I would be making a lot of green drinks...maybe that is a good xmas/birthday idea!

Are you staying off gluten and dairy?....tell me your typical food day too!

thanks Shebee!

Caz