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[distressed]

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Ok,I basically have found that if i eat any carbs i get severe gas....Ive more or less just given up eating during the day period....its just less difficult and no I don't get hungry at all.I have a very small breakfast...20grams of oats and a little bit of fruit....that seems to be ok...dinner i have a very small amount of meat and veg...I am getting some headaches and dizzy every now and then which is probably lack of calories....but what the hell am i supposed to do...eat and feel sick??I just dont know where to go from here....not much seems to help...ive tried all the standard stuff...ive given probiotics a very good try... and sacharromyces boulardii does help a littleactivated charcoal is good too...but i just know it cant be good to have been taking it every day for the last few months.Basically i feel like my body is just becoming more and more incapable of processing anything really....suggestions?? cause i really am at a loss....

[Kathleen M.]

If you can eat low carb food during the day wouldn't that help? There are lots of low carb diet books that have lots of low carb meals and snacks. You don't have to eat carbs or eat nothing. You will feel really bad if you don't fuel your body. Sometimes you gotta pick what bad thing you want to deal with. I want to breathe, but my allergy shots make me feel really bad. I'd rather breathe so I put up with the headaches and itching and feeling like I was hit by a truck most of the time.

[distressed]

during the day eating anything can be a bit difficult...carbs just cause heaps of gas...I agree with what you said about the allergy shots....guess thats why im not eating...its easier, and doesnt feel as bad as the alternative....so yeh i guess im picking the lesser of two evils...I am trying to get back in to see my dr....but the waiting list is a bit long.

[Kathleen M.]

Can you eat any of they myriad of zero carb things lots of people eat for lunch?Really go to the library and check out a book on the South Beach Diet (which tends to limit fat that can bother some IBSers) and see what they have people eat during the first phase.Heck you could even just have a can of tuna packed in water, or a plain broiled chicken breast? you don't have to eat carbs to eat.

[BQ]

And how about trying some digestive enzymes and using an anti-gas agent?? They could help.BQ

[amanda8]

I'm prone to gas and used to aviod eating all day, too, while I was at work. It's definitely not good. You crash so early in the day, your energy goes kaput and it screws with your metabolism. I felt awful and lethartgic and had terrible headaches. I know you feel. It's definitely a coping mechanism and, I'm sure you feel as I did, that's it's the lesser of two evils.But, with that being said, you have to try to eat something during the day. It's just not good for your body to go without eating while you're trying to think, carry out activities, or just function.Rice products are usually quite tolerable and don't cause much gas production, if any, for most people. Try bringing some plain white rice with you and eat it in very small amounts throught out the day. Keeping your tummy somewhat "full" all day by snacking helps cut down on some gas production.My standbys for bad days are: white rice, rice crackers, cream of rice and rice cakes. Make sure they're plain or just salted. Anything with dairy or high fats can possibly cause more gas.Also, I agree with BQ - try some beano, simethicone and/or digestive enzymes. They have helped me a great deal.Please give it a try! Hang in there!

[classypinky]

Wow!I do not feel alone anymore!!! I am beginning to feel like I should just stop eating too. But, I can't really do that because if I don't eat every 2 hours I will feel faint. Neither should you! Like the others say, you've got to eat something. You've just got to figure out what foods work best for you. Trust me, there are some things that you can eat. It seems to be different for everyone. I do really well with oatmeal for breakfast, a plain chicken or turkey sandwich on wheat bread, crackers, and applesause for lunch, and a baked or grilled chicken or fish for dinner with plain rice, a veggie, and a roll. I too suffer from having a lot of gas though. I do eat a lot of carbs, especially crackers and rolls. I may need to cut down on them. I didn't know that eating too many carbs caused gas and this sounds like this could be my part of my problem . For me I have to stay away from alcohol, chocolate, sugary drinks, or fried foods. Otherwise, I'll be in the bathroom camped out....kind of like how I am today, except for the fact that I'm at work and I am very uncomofortable ! I cheated on my diet yesterday and ate french fries and now I'm paying for it. I hate the fact that if I slip up and eat something other than the norm for me, I extremely have to pay for it the next day, although the fries were delicious.Maybe this will help. Try eating smaller meals 5-6 times a day and taking a fiber supplement like Fiber Choice once to twice a day. This helps me when I behave.

[distressed]

im already taking a strong dose of digestive enzymes.....and i take activated charcoal away from everything else to help with the gas (which it does...but the effect only lasts a few hrs....cant take it all day as it would absorb medication)Im allergic to seafood....Yes i could probably try eating a small piece of plain meat or something but as i said...eating anything can be uncomfortable.I never used to be like this...it is only in the last few months....and its not that i have a few bad days and can then be ok...its everyday...i basically feel like ive never gotten over the stomach bug i had in december (even though pathology was clear)Its not like i am eating nothing ever...i eat a small amount morning and night....No way in the world will i take a fibre supplement....everytime i have tried one it makes me really ill, and it either goes straight through me, or gives me terrible wind.I have tried plain white rice....its not different to bread, potato etc...which is why i said all carbs! it also happens with anything high in sugar...so im thinking sugars (as that is what carbs break down to anyway) is a problem.anyway...thanks for the suggestions...but ive already thought of that stuff...

[BQ]

Well then.. here's a link for a book about the South Beach Diethttp://www.amazon.co...d/dp/1579546463You can use it for some meal ideas that are either no carb or low carb.BQ

[distressed]

Ive ordered it and i'll give it a try....but its not the only low carb diet i will have tried without success...Carbs is just one of the problems.... i sound defeatist, but honestly, i feel as though my body is just having more and more trouble with everything....i really hate food at this point...I have not eaten anythign really since decemeber without it causing me discomfort or pain or wind or something....not one meal! and ive tried a lot of stuff in the last few months.

[IanRamsay]

Hi Mateif rice sets you off as well im at a loss as that is generally one of teh safest foods to eat for any kind of stomach complaint. did you find out what exactly the bug was you had in december? also have you had teh camera down teh throat and up teh bum? as any fod seems to be causing you trouble, you need to find a doctor that will test you for everything ASAP. chenge doctors every week if you have to. look up patman75. he is full of good stuff about diets, im sure he will be able to hook you up.cheersIan

[distressed]

no i never found otu what the bug was...but at the time the dr said that a huge number of people in the local area had had a bad case of gastro and it was going around.I am at a loss as for me historically carbs have always been the safe food...you know eat a dry cracker or have rice etc....I havent had a scope since the bug....i think the dr is just putting it down to bugs...and they want me to just try different antibiotics but theres no pathology result and having reacted badly to the vancomycin they gave me in january i just am very hesitant to go there.....specially when probitoics have helped a tiny bit...thing is they arent stabilising me by any means... and im taking atleast 40billion a day since december....some weeks i had even more than that....which should after months atleast stabilise me or have a significant impact at any rate.It almost seems as though my system just isnt able to handle the strain of food...least ways not in any kind of normal amounts even if they are spaced out in small bits etc.I do intend to se the dr as soon as i can....but im trying to get fitted in and not wait months for the specialist appointment.

[IanRamsay]

hi mateHave you tried different strains of probiotic? as it seems that teh one that you are on isnt doing teh trick, it may be time to change to a different strain or set of strains. 40 billion a day is a lot, and if teh strains that you are taking where the ones that you needed you would certainly have seen a big difference by now. can i ask which strains you have tried and which products that you have used?the following strains have the most research behind them in IBS studies and with good positive outcomes in studies.L. bulgaricus, L. reuteri, L. plantarum, L. casei, B. bifidus, S. salivarius, and S. thermophilus and the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii. THERE ARE MANY MANY OTHERS though! have you tried any of teh above? if so which ones.as this came on after a bug, although it is not a certainty, it is logoical that teh bacteria in teh gut has been severely disturbed, and it is possible that teh bacteria that you where struck with is still in your gut in quantity. The vanco that you reacted badly to is quite common as it is very strong. it is a shame that you couldent complete teh course because it really really would clean out the bacteria, in a very complete and totally uncompramising way! but you should take probiotics with any course of antibiotics that you take so teh good guys get a running head start.can you handle meal replacement drinks?CHeersIan

[IanRamsay]

Hialso it sounds like you had a norwalk virus as it fits with teh time of year, specifically christmas time. its a vicous sod i gather.

[distressed]

could have been (bear in mind im in australia which is hot in december)...at the time the most pronounced symptoms were the tiredness, lethargy, dizziness, hot and cold flushes etc...not the gastro symptoms (which was just basically the runs 5 times in a row in like one hr)... it was bad for about 3 days and then i was left feeling the way i do now....generally run down, nausea, and i get a feeling like my bowel is full and a lot of wind. I have also been putting on weight....even when i eat less and i am pretty sure that my calorie intake is maybe 1000-1500 which is nothing for a 6 foot tall 32 year old male....either my body has gone into a starvation mode, or something else is going on with everything i eat being stacked on the outside of my body....the dr was emphatic i had a stomach bug thought as my pulse went really high for several days even when i was lying down with my eyes closed....which he said is typical of a bad virus.as far as strains go i did post a topic somewhere on here once what i had tried but it did include multiple types from the ones you listed by various manufacturers.... (obviously not all since december but i cant bring myself to just go over and over the same stuff everytime i have a problem and all the waiting while u spend a fortune on supplements and see no difference).I have certainly tried quite a few strains since decemeber for a week or two at a time in fairly strong doses.The dr now wants me to take flagyll.....not sure thats a good idea...in the past i have tolerated it just fine though, unlike vanco....but it will kill everything...which seems to be a cycle im repeating.When i took vanco i did take probiotics but it didnt matter....in 5 days i just couldnt bring myself to take another dose of the vanco.and yeh i could have a meal replacement drink probably...i drink lactose free milk sometimes, and tea and coffee also seem fine.

[classypinky]

Distressed,My ibs became really bad too after I had the stomach flu in 2007. Before then, I don't even think I really had it. I've read that some times this can happen and getting sick like that can bring it on for some people. I haven't quite been the same myself since then. For almost 8 or 9 months after I had it, I would wake up and be nauseaous and feel sick for the entire day, no matter what I did or ate. I was completely and utterly miserable. I was tested by my doctor and was referred to a gastroenterologist and they couldn't find anything wrong with me either. It finally just went away on its on one day. But, I had to change my eating habits since then. I had to give up many of the foods that I loved to eat like fried foods, sauces, gravies, and alcohol. From time to time, I still feel sick. Like today, was just one of those days for me where as I just felt bad. Don't give up hope though.! Just a thought-Have you ever tried xango juice? If you've never heard of it, it's a natural healing juice with no side effects if you drink it. Look it up! It supposed to heal all types of conditions with ibs being one of them. I drink it myself and it does help some. It is very expensive though so I can't drink as much as I should. It costs too much. But, you may want to look into it.You probably just need to get a full evaluation and try some new meds. I think I know I how you feel though.

[distressed]

well,Ive been back to the dr...he's given me phenergan to hep with nausea, and Im to have another HPI (human probiotic infusion).Now i just have to wait until i can actually spare a whole two weeks to have it.... which probably wont be till june unfortunatelyIve cut out so much of my diet it ridiculous....hasnt helped....but...some stuff can exacerbate things.

[distressed]

anyone know how long it takes for phenergen to work? should it make a difference immediately or is it a take for a few weeks kinda deal??so far all it seems to have done is make me more tired.....hasnt done much for the nausea at all.went to the loo last night and it was very normal...but about a metre long.....been feeling sick as a dog since.

[JoanneHB]

Hi, sorry to hear you are in such a bad way I feel for you...Notice you are also in Australia - I am in New Zealand (the real end of the line) I am having a lot of trouble getting any real action over here with my situation. Are you seeing a specialist GI doctor - I was just interested that you spoke about a HPI - where would you get that done?Hoping you get some real relief for your situation soon..J

[distressed]

HPI is done at the centre for digestive diseases in sydney,and yeh i am seeing a specialist there.