IBS, Diarrhea, Anxiety. HELP!!!!!!

Lindsay · Post by **Lindsay** » Fri Feb 15, 2002 8:46 am

Hi, I'm a 64-year-old single woman who lives alone, and I just found this little corner. Normally I read, occasionally write, in the other topics. I'm glad to see this and hope it becomes more active! Gad, a LOT of people have this disorder. Maybe they don't know about it like I didn't for a long time.

Problem: I have spells (weeks/months) of diarrhea when I really cannot tolerate any food (anything I cannot see through, that is). I've had problems for eons. I know my food triggers, or I think I do. I cannot tolerate anything with milk or egg in it among others. Fiber is a bearcat.

I'm in "another funk" with my IBS right now (and boy, do I feel down and discouraged!), having tried to just eat baby type food off and on since mid-January or so and always ending up with diarrhea each "test" time. All that's left for me are diluted juices, Jello (I know the sugar is bad, something HAS to go in there; cane sugar is better than corn or fructose--I COULD now also be sensitive to fructose--I have no difficulties per se with dilute fruit juice that I can tell and none with a little cane sugar. I need a few calories!), herbal tea, fat-free broth, water-like Pedialyte flavored with a bit of juice. I have been checked inside out and had lab work. Nothing wrong (typical). My doctor says I know what's best for my IBS. Right now I'm not so sure. I can't just take Imodium or Lomotil and "get on with it." They stop the diarrhea and then I go into a LOT of pain and cramping until that is resolved in 2-3 days. It's just easier to leave solids out. I've lost over 40 pounds since 2000 (actually more if I count all of the spells added together, but I have regained a few pounds in between bouts). I needed the weight loss, but this is not exactly what I had in mind.

Beginning in late March of 2000 I started having these 3-4 month episodes of no solid foods (used to be a week or two only). I have tried things like AminoFuel, Enlive, IsoPure to get protein (and found they ALL were whey derived)! I do get a lot of vitamins and minerals with them, but I'm thinking these things MAY be slowing me from being able to return to food. And lately I notice gas with any of them so I should just leave them out. I started that two days ago.

When I have these attacks I just suddenly wake up one day and it's all over. I know it "in my gut"! <IMG SRC="http://bbs.stresscenter.com/ubb/smile.gif"> Then I can eat. Last fall I got L. glutamine, and I thought I'd found THE ANSWER. Within a month I had "healed" up and was fine except I then battled some constipation. After September 11, however, I have had to fight this stuff again off and on, and a few weeks ago I returned to "diarrheaville."

I did read something Dr. Christine Northrup wrote on this subject, and she (and many on the Internet) says to take enteric coated pure peppermint pills at 0.2 ml per pill. I found a good deal on the Internet and they should be here either today or by Monday. Supposedly this is the best way to handle IBS. I can only hope.

I'm needing some real hugs and support here! I'm getting very discouraged. I have fibromyalgia which came on after a nasty fall in 1990 which left me unable to sit on about 99% of all chairs, car seats, benches, couches, etc. I can sit a short while here on my work chair with a special lumbar support, but I don't get out much. So I'm entirely alone. I walk when I'm not sick, and I love to take photos. I get one rare visitor per month. She also calls me on occasion. I find it's hard to work the "Attacking" program when I can't do the work with socializing and getting out (and I'm starving for people contact) and "just doing it" mainly from FM flares, seating problems (sitting too much can cost me a week or more of NO sitting plus physical therapy to get me back plus I have a special exercise routine I can do to help).
The sitting problem IS getting better slowly; the FM seems to be getting worse along with the IBS. This past week I could have done more getting out but I was too ill with FM flares and IBS/diarrhea. Oy!!!

Anyone want to help? I'd love to have support. I won't write epistles each time. I promise. I tend to talk/write a lot due to my isolation. If I do too much, shush me! Okay?

Thanks so much!!!!

Sandy1 · Post by **Sandy1** » Sun Feb 17, 2002 2:00 pm

Lindsay,
I am sorry to read that you have been suffering so long with this. I have IBS also, but it only seems to give me problems when I am under alot of stress. I found a book that may be of some help to you. It is called "Eating For IBS" and by Heather Van Vorous. It basically tells you that there are two types of fiber. One is good for your digestive track and the other is not. It list which ones are good verus bad and also has recipes in it. Hope this of some help to you.

Sandy1

wolf67 · Post by **wolf67** » Sun Feb 17, 2002 2:54 pm

I too suffer with IBS. It is no fun! When I am having a flare up, the last thing I want to even think about is eating! I am kind of suprised that your doctor would let this go on for you for as long as it has without some kind of medication to help you. Typically when IBS flares up, it is due to stress. But when we feel stressed, the stomach naturally increases its production of acid and bile. Has your doctor ever suggested a drug like Prilosec? Or have you tried Pepcid? Both have worked for me in the past. I find that exercise also helps me to alleviate some of the stress. I think that a lot of people are also affected with this, but you have to admit, it is not the most pleasant topic to talk about. If you ever wish to talk, or just vent, let me know. You have a friend here. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Lindsay · Post by **Lindsay** » Sun Feb 17, 2002 3:10 pm

Sandy thanks! I'll see if the library has it. I have to count my pennies right now. Perchance do you remember which fiber is okay and which isn't? I do know that eating nuts, green leafies, apples/oranges each day, wheat fiber (not sure here, however, really) and some others not remembered tear my gut up.

Right now I do have big issues: I MUST work within a few months and here at home as I cannot work outside anymore (I lose $1,000/mo in income by June 20 which is 3/4ths of my monthly income!). Other stressors are being alone AND the way my kids are behaving (i.e., neglecting me which I just don't understand coming from my background).

I just need to be able to get back out and make new friends. It's harder when you're older and don't feel tip top much of the time! Sigh. <IMG SRC="http://bbs.stresscenter.com/ubb/wink.gif">

Lindsay

Lindsay · Post by **Lindsay** » Sun Feb 17, 2002 3:58 pm

Originally posted by wolf67:
I too suffer with IBS. It is no fun! When I am having a flare up, the last thing I want to even think about is eating! I am kind of suprised that your doctor would let this go on for you for as long as it has without some kind of medication to help you. Typically when IBS flares up, it is due to stress. But when we feel stressed, the stomach naturally increases its production of acid and bile. Has your doctor ever suggested a drug like Prilosec? Or have you tried Pepcid? Both have worked for me in the past. I find that exercise also helps me to alleviate some of the stress. I think that a lot of people are also affected with this, but you have to admit, it is not the most pleasant topic to talk about. If you ever wish to talk, or just vent, let me know. You have a friend here. {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Wolf, thanks so much! My internist feels I know best. It's a crapshoot no matter what! I've worked with it for most of my life and heavily since the 1970s. If I can't eat solids, I can't eat them. I will go back on Ross's Enlive if I can't pull out this time soon. I'm testing right now. Ate a salmon patty sandwich last night and had some tofu in Jello. It got me, but it's not terrible. I think I'm slowly starting to get the rhythm of the gut muscles to straighten out and fly right again.

I have no disease at all. It's ridiculous, but FMS and IBS are neurological (betcha money on this) and functional. Slice and dice us, and NO disease is there!

I've gone over some of my stressors elsewhere here so I won't repeat. Getting ME centered and doing for ME will help the best. I have enjoyed today and chatting with all of you!

I won't take new meds (unless I'm dying and maybe not even then). I'm coming OFF drugs. There can be great dangers to some in the newer tummy drugs and tranquilizers/antidepressants. I grew up in medicine, it was my first degree (as a clinic manager/transcriptionist/billing clerk) so I read EVERYTHING, and there are drugs being taken by people that scare me to even think about. I have no acid stomach; it's just perfect (cast iron--one of my better points). I will work with enzymes and amino acids. Even herbs can harm me.

We need tummy acid to digest B12 which can keep us from going batty in old age (dementia). It's only absorbed in the stomach (not anywhere else), and that takes acid. The word on this is that stopping acid stops its absorption. I have a family history of this vitamin being GONE (i.e., my mom, my grandmother, and her sisters). I have mine checked every other year. Now I find folic acid, B1 and B6 are the other pieces to keeping a fine mind. Hey, when your mom gets B12 deficiency dementia, and your dad gets Alzheimer's you start watching your P&Qs or Bs or whatever. <IMG SRC="http://bbs.stresscenter.com/ubb/wink.gif"> I was my parents' caregiver most of the time they were "dingy." Meanwhile I worried about kids acting out up with their shrink of a father, going to the university (graduated again at 49), helping a sister who emotionally backhanded me constantly, starting another home business out of necessity (broke a bone in my foot). Then I fell in 1990 and killed my tush.

We are now working on special stretches to align the two sides of the pelvis FINALLY. I went undiagnosed for almost ten years! So this takes time, not to mention MOTIVATION!!!! <IMG SRC="http://bbs.stresscenter.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif"> I'm short on that one a lot of the time. But my brain still works well. I might live to 105 or more (family history both sides) so I must be sharp cuz I'll be workin' when others are golfin'! <IMG SRC="http://bbs.stresscenter.com/ubb/wink.gif"> You can't work if you're batty! <IMG SRC="http://bbs.stresscenter.com/ubb/cool.gif">

Thanks again!!!

Orygun Lindsay

Sandy1 · Post by **Sandy1** » Sun Feb 17, 2002 5:13 pm

Lindsay,
In the book it says the most difficult foods to digest is fats,meats and dairy products. They are the foods that are most likely to trigger an IBS attack. It also says that you must limit your intake of these foods or elimate them all together.
The two types of fiber are known as Insoluble fiber and soluble fiber.
The insoluble fiber is the kind that will mess you up.
Foods that are high in soluble fiber include oatmeal, pasta, rice,potatoes, french or sourdough bread,soy and barley. Nuts and beans and lentils are also a good source.
You should always eat soluble fiber on an empty stomach and as a snack.
I hope this of some help.

Sandy1

Lindsay · Post by **Lindsay** » Sun Feb 17, 2002 9:28 pm

Originally posted by Sandy1:
Lindsay,
In the book it says the most difficult foods to digest is fats,meats and dairy products. They are the foods that are most likely to trigger an IBS attack. It also says that you must limit your intake of these foods or elimate them all together.
The two types of fiber are known as Insoluble fiber and soluble fiber.
The insoluble fiber is the kind that will mess you up.
Foods that are high in soluble fiber include oatmeal, pasta, rice,potatoes, french or sourdough bread,soy and barley. Nuts and beans and lentils are also a good source.
You should always eat soluble fiber on an empty stomach and as a snack.
I hope this of some help.

Sandy1

Hi Sandy, okay, I know that. That's great. I do have Dr. Gibbons' book on that and more. I have to eliminate anything milk (even soy cheese due to casein), eggs, high fiber. Unfortunately, I can't tolerate any lentils or beans except occasional kidney beans or refried beans and VERY sparingly and never twice in a row. I'm a big tofu and soy milk lover. I wonder how soybeans cooked would be. ???

When I get into full diarrhea I have to cut out anything that is not totally clear when you hold it up to the light. When I'm back to where I should be I can do the oats, barley, pastas, rice et al. okay among others. I can eat salmon and other fish. I do not do much fat (even with my cholesterol too high and HDLs upside down every other blood test. But my total choles. is coming down, and I'm sure my beta blocker got the HDLs screwed up.

I'm still not real sure I can do bread made with wheat which would eliminate wheat pastas. Must test it soon again. I can get a lovely corn pasta, however. Once I went ten years w/o any wheat, eggs, sugar, milk, etc. I learned to make up quick breads using rice, barley, oat, soy flours. Got good at it too. I avoid all sorbitol, mannitol and other artificial sweeteners too. Pepto Bismal is very bad for IBS usually. Sometimes we get stuff in our toothpaste or mouthwash and things like that. I read labels like crazy. I hate the time it takes to shop! I stick fairly closely to a mix of safe veges, fish or white chicken, potatoes, few apples/oranges, carrots and celery, etc.

Guess I just have to hope my body will stay strong on a less than perfect diet. My elderly aunt died at 96 years of age, and she had survived most of her life with maybe three or four foods consisting of milk, Wheaties, chewed up carrots (spit out after that). She was healthy and energetic but osteo got her in her late 80s. It amazed me how little one could eat and be healthy! Good genes in the family I guess. <IMG SRC="http://bbs.stresscenter.com/ubb/wink.gif"> I should be okay toughing out this current spell of IBS and then I'll return to 'safe' foods and be careful to rotate those that "get me."

Thanks again!

Lindsay

I really want to eat everything I love (which is a great diet), but alas, I cannot. <IMG SRC="http://bbs.stresscenter.com/ubb/frown.gif">

nicholeadele · Post by **nicholeadele** » Mon Feb 18, 2002 7:50 am

Hey Lindsay,

There's a great book on the subject of IBs and a natural healing process. It's called Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Natural Approach written by Rosemary Nicol. It has helped me considerably. My IBS is caused almost exclusively by stress but I also have intolerance to dairy and wheat.

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Fate favors the bold.

Lindsay · Post by **Lindsay** » Mon Feb 18, 2002 9:17 am

Originally posted by nicholeadele:
Hey Lindsay,

There's a great book on the subject of IBs and a natural healing process. It's called Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Natural Approach written by Rosemary Nicol. It has helped me considerably. My IBS is caused almost exclusively by stress but I also have intolerance to dairy and wheat.

Hi and thanks. I'll check with the library. I have four books coming now. I tend to go into a "research mode" on whatever now and then. I KNOW my IBS is 80% or more foods and the rest stress, at least in the past. I've been stressed out of my gourd and absolutely no IBS OR the other way around. But now I think it's a lot stress plus once a "seige" begins and it just takes time for the messages from the brain to the colon muscles to get it "right" again. Oy!!! I'm also older which may account for longer bouts. I come from a family (both sides) with colon problems!). I tried food again two days ago and had to come off due to being "hit." But I think it's a wee bit better so I'll continue testing every few days. Taking anti-diarrheals usually causes me more pain than not. Sometimes I have to take them to get to an appointment, but I do pay for that often. This IBS stuff is a riddle IMHO!

Lindsay

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 18, 2002 3:07 pm

Hi Lindsay, I'm glad you've gotten all these great replies. As I mentioned before, I'm using Aloe Vera juice to soothe my insides. It helps.

Have you ever been tested for food allergies. Perhaps that would narrow it down and help you not to feel like you have to avoid everything. Just a thought...

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~~Lovefear
"There is no fear in love." (1John 4:18)