Hi and welcome to the Board!
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Can't say I have the answer you need, but I can tell you some of the things that have helped me. From the posts on this board, it seems that each person has a unique way of coping with his/her symptoms.High fiber, low fat foods/meals are best for me. I also had alot of acid stomach, which is less when I do not eat acidic foods. I don't eat oranges or drink orange juice, and I am careful about when and where I eat anything with tomatoes in it! I really like Italian food, so I've had to develop other tastes that don't have tomato sauces. I can sometimes handle a couple of pieces of pizza, but I try that only at home. I can handle a slice or two of tomatoes on a sandwich, but not much else.I also keep two meds handy: lomotil (for D) and librax (for muscle cramps). I've gotten to where I can tell when my stomach is "jumping" and if I'm going out or to work, I take 1 (generic) librax. It calms my stomach (and probably my intestines), and the D doesn't hit as quickly or as hard. Lately, I've increased the total daily fiber, and that seems to have put me on a more predictable "schedule." Most days I take two fiber tabs in the morning, and I've started using prepared drinks with high fiber (like Slim-fast) for breakfast. I've always had problems eating breakfast, but this seems to work. I add about 3 oz of fat-free Lactaid to the drink. It is filling (to me), and has a fiber content of 5 grams, I think. I prefer whole wheat bread, which also has more fiber than white bread, and I use a butter substitute instead of margarine or real butter.High fiber seems to offset some of the fat content, I think. Don't know if that's true for everyone. but it seems that if the fiber content is higher (in grams) than the total fat content (in grams), I can tolerate the food or meal more easily.Stress tends to make the symptoms increase. Sometimes I cope OK, and other times, I don't. It's a learning process.About your dating problem, how well do you know this girl, and how long have you known her? If it fits the sitaution (depending on your age and circumstances), you might plan a private meal at your home or apartment, followed by something else that doesn't involve eating. If you have med for "nerves" (stomach or intestine cramps), you might try taking 1/2 does at least 30 minutes before you eat, especially when you sense the tension mounting within you. By planning ahead (what you eat during the day of the date, and what you eat while on the date), you may be able to minimize your physical reactions to the food. If the girl is really trustworthy, and you know she won't talk to others, you might even tell her you have a "digestive problem" (a term I use at work to explain my frequent trips to the RR). I've also used the term "nervous stomach" to explain why I don't eat certain foods.If this girl is mature enough, you may find that she is very understanding about your situation. (If she doesn't at least try to understand, you may need to find another girlfriend!) Your best friends will accept you as you are, "warts" and all. I have one friend who knows my situation, and helps "cover" for me when we are in a group, especially if we are going out to eat. It helps to have someone who knows you don't want to go to a certain kind of restaurant, and tries to steer the group decision without explaining why.Hope some of this helps, and that others respond with helpful hints. I did not have D so early in life that it interferred with relationships, so my experience is limited in that area.Best wishes!
