need some advise...don't know what to do

[Guest]

Warning: This may get long.

I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome and have had it for four years. My main complaints are painful abdominal bloating and constipation. My GI doctor recently put me on Zelnorm, because he thinks it's serotonin-related, and Miralax. Those didn't really do anything for me but give me runny BMs; I still had the extreme bloating and a painful tummy. I will usually wake up wtih a flat stomach, but as the day goes on, it expands until sometimes I have to unbutton my pants. It's SO frustrating and draining on my mind and body.

I started the MC Sunday evening by drinking the laxative tea. I had a BM at 4 a.m. Then got up and drank the SWF at 6:30 and had two complete evacuations by 9 a.m. I felt GOOD! My stomach was flat, I had ZERO cramps. But my head was foggy and I was most definitely hungry. Throughout my workday, I drank seven of the lemonades. I got home around 5:30 p.m. I was still bloat-free.

Ok, straight to the point. I ended up eating dinner. I had about 10 saltine crackers, and a bowl of Thai Kitchen's Rice Noodle Soup, and added ½ cup of edamame. After dinner, I was still hungry and had some popcorn.

The SECOND that the saltine cracker (first thing I ate) went down my throat, my stomach started bloating and continuted to get bigger throughout the course of the evening. I probably shouldn't have had the popcorn, but I figured it was better than yougurt (dairy). Extra fiber, right?

Anyway, I don't know what to do. I feel great stomach-wise on the MC, but I can't handle the hunger, crankiness. I have a nine-month old, and I want to be 100 percent "there" for him. BTW, my husband was doing this with me to support me. We started snapping at each other, then looked at each other and said "this is dumb and not worth it."

My mom is also doing the MC for her second time. I think she did it for eight days the first time. She suggested that I come here and post to get some opinions on what I should do.

I want to be free of IBS, and also free of and drugs that are supposedly designed to "control" it. My doctor said that he wants me on Zelnorm for life. The manufacturer suggests that one should only use it for two (or six?) week periods.

I'm at a loss, this IBS is this huge weight that is always hanging around. I'm always thinking about what foods will affect my stomach, planning (and frequently cancelling) social events around it.

Should I continute trying to do the MC? Has anyone who's had IBS been "cured".

Any input that anyone can give me will be much appreciated!!

Thanks for reading if you made it this far.

[Guest]

I mean advice...

I hate spelling errors. :0)

[LemonMaid]

Hi Julie. I wanted to reply to you because I've heard that a raw food diet can cure IBS. Check out shazzie.com and the raw transformation testimonials. A lot of people on there have had great success curing their health problems with a raw food diet. It isn't for everyone, I don't know if I could do it 100%, but it might be worth checking into if it can help you feel more alive. Good luck. :)

[Guest]

Thanks for your response. I spent a good hour last night checking out that Web site. It sounds wonderful. I definitely have more resarch to do.

[Dreams]

Hi Julie!

I have some problems with IBS as well. I want to suggest something to you that may be a source for some alternative to the percription drugs and such.

First of all, a book - The False Fat diet by Elson Haas, M.D. In this book, Dr. Haas describes the reason for the bloating you describe to a tee! You have said some of the same things I read in this book almost word for word. He explains something very profound about what it is that is happening, and WHY. There is a wonderfully simple solution to it, by the way. And fasting for 10 days or so on the MC gives you a great head start to implementing his program for healing.

Second of all, another book - Eating 4 Your Type. This book came in handy for me after reading The False Fat Diet because I am kind of lazy. It has clear lists of the foods you should be avoiding based on your Blood Type. The first book, by Dr. Haas instructs you to identify the foods your body reacts to one by one by one using a long, drawn out method of elimination dieting and reintroduction phases. You reintroduce only one new food every 3 to 4 days! Ha! ;) I don't THINK so! So the Blood 4 your Type book actually lists the foods that are beneficial for your body and the ones you should never, ever eat again. Clearly lists them in the section for your Blood Type.

Anyway, bottom line - You may very well be able to heal yourself of the debilitating symptoms of IBS by learning exactly what it is that causes the spasms in your colon and the other more subtle things that go on in an IBS patient. The books can be borrowed from the library before making a commitment to buy them if you want. I got a copy of each on eBay for very little money.

I'm telling you this because I know the kind of suffering you are talking about. It is so hard. I honestly believe the book written by Dr. Haas will speak to your heart. It is amazing to hear the stories of cases EXACTLY as you describe your own. The immediate bloating after eating a food item. Things other people just dont understand. Bloating you can actually SEE if you stand in front of a mirror and watch! The explosive, "machine gun" style eliminations that occur and the incredible pain involved. Things like that. Amazing. And then to hear the author explain in a kind, understanding tone the reasons for these things, and how to stop them is such a gift! Think about getting them, Julie. It could be the simplest thing you ever do to cause the most profound change in the rest of your life! Best of Luck to you - ~ Dreams `

[Guest]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I will have to check those two books out. I would love to be able to isolate the food that is causing my symptoms, if it's indeed food. I need to suck it up and do this fast. I'll keep trying!

Thanks again!

[Guest]

I ordered the False Fat Diet book this morning, can't wait to get it and start reading.