[18242]

I have been suffering from IBS w/ constipation for years! I finally feel ready to do something about it because I am sick of feeling bloated, gassy, tired and sick all of the time! I got Eating for IBS, by Heather Van Vorous and IBS Eliminating your Sympoms to live a pain free, drug free life, by Richard N Ash, MD. The eating plans are SO different! I don't understand!What works?Thanks!Erin

 

[Guest]

ErinCan I say something radical - dump all those books and start an Eating Diary. Note down anything that makes you feel lousy and you might very well start to build up a picture of certain food types that trigger the IBS. eg for me its dairy, wheat, acidic fruit and veg, coffee, tea and chocolate - yes, I know. Actually I paid 40 quid and went to see a food intolerance specialist who tested me with acupressure (I can give you more info about this if you wish). My symptoms are certainly better if I'm a good girl and stick to the suggested foods but you have to live don't you and I frequently fall off the food waggon. I also find a probiotic (acidophilus) very helpful in calming the bloating and wind and a good health food shop might well be a good port of call. I think what I'm saying in my 8/9 years of IBSdom is trial and error.Good luck anywaySue, Manchester

 

[Zanne]

Hi Erin,Welcome to the IBS Forum. I also suffer from IBS-C. (some 20+ years) I have found that diets are very unique to the individual. I have ready many books and been to many websites. Basically I've taken bits of information from here and there and put it into a diet that works for me. Plus IBS-C people can have quite different triggers than IBS-D people.For me, I eat what I call the High Fiber/Good Fat diet. I removed all partially hydrogenated fat (trans fat) from my diet. NO fried foods, preprocessed foods, fast foods, high saturated fat foods. That said, I still eat plenty of fat, olive oil, canola oil, nuts. Whole grain cereals, breads, pastas. No "white" bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, etc.Triggers: Garlic anytime. Juice is a trigger anytime after breakfast. Yet I can eat oranges anytime of day, just not drink the juice. Raw vegetables eaten while at work, I know this sounds strange, but I have never had good luck eating at work, and my body just doen't seem to be able to deal with raw veges and work at the same time. I eat lots of veges for dinner. I cannot eat Raw apples, pears, broccoli, cauloflower...I can eat these if they are cooked.No gum chewing. No soda/pop. No donuts/store baked goods. Ok with skim milk and nonfat yogurt, but don't put fat in it. I have to go easy on the cheese.I can go on and on, NOW will any of these things be your triggers? Who knows. Basically, you have to figure it out trial and error. Though you can try the most common triggers first. Try a real basic diet to start, using fresh fruits and veges, lean meat, whole grain, etc. I know it stinks and it takes way more of your time, but try to get away from any preprocessed foods.I don't know if any of this helps. Hang in there. I still have bad days, but I have good days now too. There are meds you can try too. I used to feel that I should be able to control it all with diet, and if that works, great, but don't be afraid to try the meds if you need to. Just remember everyone is unique, but were all going through it.Zanne