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The dreaded D came back today

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Posted 2/12/2009 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
I thought my day was going good did not have breakfast this morning cause my mom was coming over to spend some time with me. Around two I ordered a late lunch had it while my mother was here ate everything with my digestive enzymes including a chocolate cake I was craving I thought everything would settle.Boy I was wrong after my mom left my stomach started grumbling I was like oh no what's going on the digestive enzymes should be allowing the foods I just ate to digest properly and settle in my digestive system.I had a sudden urge to go move my bowels did it came out formed I thought that was it.A few minutes later the dreaded D came on ran to the bathroom and did what needed to be done and hoped I was over with it just that one trip was enough.I did not feel like going through most of the night running to the bathroom that one trip was enough but I was upset I try my best to not experience the dreaded D I want to be able to enjoy my food and not have to run to the bathroom seconds or minutes later.I spent most of the past year experiencing the dreaded D mostly every day after every meal and finally near the end of last year I thought I found the answer to hold off the dreaded D for a good while even a long time.I know I can never keep the dreaded D from happening that's normal for a digestive system to experience that but I want to hold it off for as long as possible lol.I'm feeling better but worrying that what if the digestive enzymes are not the ultimate answer but for now I'm ok cause I'm not going through it right now.If it was up to me I'd rather not go through it for the rest of my life but it's not that easy having to deal with IBS and all the symptoms that I go through sucks.Dealing with IBS has made me kind of scared of food before IBS I used to love eating I was a foody loved going out to eat but now food is harming to me and I hate I cant enjoy food anymore.I do not know really how much more I can take or deal with but I deal I get through each day without going crazy really if I did not have the Lord in my life I do not know what I would have done to myself.I hope tomorrow is a better day I'm kind of feeling hungry but scared to eat anything question guys could there be something that has to do with my gallbladder that is causing the dreaded D to happen so easily? or could it be something with over acid production? I would love to know your advice and experience on that.I love you all you make me feel still human and not so alone in having IBS all my best. :-)
Posted 2/12/2009 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
Gosh jt I wish I could give you specific answers but like you, I don't have any of this figured out - 100%, that is. I have it over 50% now. Sometimes even 75%! But what works for me just out of the blue stops working. For a day or two. It's so strange. Something I wish I could figure out and like you, I miss certain foods too. But at this point, I have kissed them goodbye - no thank you to something that's going to mess me up. Been there, done that. But one component that I can't always control is stress. When our social calendar gets busier or we travel, it's a real challenge for me. Eating out, a challenge. Deciding what to order, a challenge. And sometimes, when the waitress stops at my seat, waiting for my order, secretly what do I want to order? Water! But then they look at you like you're anorexic or something......but then I think, now wait, more and more people are going in for gastric bypass surgeries, what do they order when dining out? They must eat very light meals.

As you can see my thoughts are all over the place, imagining how bummed you feel right now. And especially after you thought you had this all figured out. That awful IBS curse rears it's ugly head. Ugh.....

At least tomorrow, you'll probably feel better.

Lately, I've enjoyed plain white rice, when things are not going well (D or near-D symptoms). I call it my Survivor Diet (from the TV show....lol) But I have determined that yogurt makes things worse for me (currently, it gives me way too much rumbling and I prefer a quiet gut, who doesn't!)......

Well, you hang in there......hope by now you're feeling somewhat better. Wish I had better answers for you. Truly I do.

Mary
Posted 2/17/2009 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
I really have missed talking to all if you. Sorry to tell you I tried the digestive enzymes for 6 months and thought I had found relief BUT as always it didnt last. Taking Donnatol again and it is a day to day worry. There is no pattern to my eating and having what I call wipe out sessions. I am sooo tired of RUNNING to the bathroom at work and sOO embarrassed if someone is there. Was on interstate by myself yesterday(went ot see my kids) and made the mistake of eating lunch out with my son and his inlaws. Thank god I was not still with them when it hit. It was about 30 minutes after lunch. I made it to a gas station witch was a miracle but I want to go places and I dont feel like it at all. I know without the Donnatal I would not be able to tolorate the swelling and pain and I am so worried about what it is doing to my liver. Oh well sorry, this is why I stopped writing, i am so tired of body.I hope the enzymes work for you. Good luck.

Posted 2/17/2009 6:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi jt,

I had similar symptoms as yours and my ND, Dr Jenefer Huntoon, told me to get off dairy (except cultured such as yogurt, cottage cheese), wheat (sprouted OK) and sugar (including fruit juice, dried fruit, honey, etc.) Apparently these foods when taken in excess can set off the big D. She also put me on high potency specific therapeutic enzymes to better digest dairy, wheat and sugar. These enzymes build-up in the system but you still have to be careful to limit the foods.

Dr. H found that I had parasites and put me on an enzyme formula taken away from meals to kill the parasites. The formula has herbs that heal the intestinal tract while the enzymes kill the parasites. This worked for me and I am much better unless I am not careful with my diet.

She also recommended 3 frozen cubes of wheat grass juice a day to heal the gut. Evergreen is the brand but there might be other brands as well. Best of luck.
Posted 2/17/2009 6:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi jt'

Here is a link to article about milk, wheat, sugar and IBS

http://ibsenzymes.blogspot.com/
Posted 2/18/2009 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Normal it's been awhile the digestive enzymes do seem to work for me but I have to be careful to not over do it on foods I know that may cause me problems even though I have the digestive enzymes.I do try to do my best to stay away from dairy and fatty foods but I just have a sweet craving all the time after I eat lunch or dinner.My downfall are the Pepridge Farm soft baked chocolate chip cookies with dark chocolate chips yuuuum right? I'm able to tolerate two but past two even with the enzymes later on I'll be paying for it lol the foods I need to keep out of my diet at times I crave.Like for example tonight for dinner I had a cheeseburger it was sooo good hit the spot lol besides a little grumbling of my stomach everything seemed to settle and I was happy.
This IBS diet that I'm on can get boring having vegetables all the time for dinner can get bland and boring lol I start carving the bad stuff that I know will be bad for me lol.Andrean I'll check into to those type of enzymes your on I would love to be able to eat dairy again or attempt to get it back into my diet maybe I can start putting on some real healthy weight.Lol I'm already slim as it is and mostly eating healthy stuff does not help with putting on weight but I do know I'm staying really healthy with having to eat all these vegetables.The last time I put on a lot of weight was when I was really depressed once and all I was doing was eating fatty foods late at night.I put on a lot of healthy weight and I liked it this was before my IBS symptoms started getting bad then it was good bye to those fatty foods for good.I have not tried eating like that now that I have my digestive enzymes but I know I'll have trouble going to sleep eating that late at night.Oh well it is what it is and I get through the days but the thing about my IBS that I hate is the urgency to have a bm and not feeling that you have evacuated enough of my bms having to take several trips back to the bathroom to do my the do lol.Also getting the nerve to eat something in public without it causing me to have an upset stomach hopefully that will happen someday Lord willing.Well as always wishing you all good digestive health and I will keep you all posted on my day to day dealing with this mess we call IBS hugs and kisses.
Posted 2/18/2009 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
Yes the IBS diet can be very boring. I agree!

Somedays I feel like my diet is the same, exact one from the previous day, except for dinner..........sigh. Like you jt, I can sneak in moderate amounts of specific treats but if I eat too many, look out. For example, my family, friends and coworkers love when I make my caramel popcorn from scratch. I used to make it quite a bit, for the holidays and other times a year. Someone's birthday, college care packages, etc. Once even overseas. My nephew was serving in Iraq back in '03 and I shipped over 24 individual sized baggies of it. Big hit. And surprisingly he said it wasn't stale. Anyway, when I make it, oh it is so tempting to eat and eat and eat. Last 5 batches (for Valentine's Day), for about 20 people, I didn't eat more than one kernel. I was so STRONG. But it was so hard to resist it! Very hard.

I feel my best when I start my day with one half of a Bay's plain english muffin (found in the daily case, not bread shelf area), followed by one half of the smallest cold turkey sub from Penn Station (this is the $3.74 size, mini sub size), then a good dinner (salmon, baked chicken, etc.). Last night I made what I call Chicken Manhattan (chopped chicken, celery, and onion, shredded carrot, small handful of frozen peas, spices, simmered in chicken broth and then thickened with flour/water mixture). Served over plain toast. I also made instant mashed potatoes (although this always feel like cheating to me but for some odd reason instant goes down easier than from scratch). Brown rice for hubby (he's on a high fiber diet and I'm on well, the low fiber diet - LOL). And somewhere in the middle of all this eating - a banana.

I try to never run out of my Bay's english muffins. By now I think my wacky GI tract needs them each day!

I wish we could pop a pill that blocked the foods we shouldn't eat and then they'd to thru our tracts, not giving us the dreaded D. Wouldn't that be so nice?

I live in Cincinnati and we are known for our Cincinnati style chili. More specifically, one local chain - Skyline. It's very potent and served over spaghetti - yes I know, odd. I can no longer eat there. EVER! It's literally goes right thru me now. Sigh........I can make it at home from a mix but it's not the same as eating at the chili parlor. This is just one thing I've had to give up in almost 10 years time. If dining there with my family, I get a cheesy hot dog (a kiddie hot dog item basically). The looks I get when I order a cheesy hot dog! Or sometimes a salad.....boring old salad.

Well, I'm rambling but wanted to say you are not alone jt so please feel free to vent with us - anytime. We'll listen!

Sometimes I wish we could all meet face to face - near bathrooms! Plenty of stalls....LOL For all of us. he he

*EDIT* JT! Just thought of a Pepperidge Farm cookie you might like, it's perfect when you're having D or want to keep it at bay - Bordeaux! There's something in that flavor of cookie that is so easy on my gut. Try it!
Posted 2/19/2009 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone thank you for those who have left replies I appreciate it and like reading what's going on with you and also experiences and advice.I feel part of a great community where I've always said I do not feel so alone even though in my life I really feel alone at times.Especially tonight feeling kind of down just feeling really lonely I'm longing and craving for companionship I isolate myself cause of my IBS.I do not want it to be this way anymore but I just cant seem to get up the nerve to just venture out to spend time around people for long periods of time with food in my system.Sometimes when I know I'll be going out like needing to run errands I will not eat at all before I go out just knowing that everything will be at peace until the server hunger pains start kicking in then I will make my way home to have something to eat.That has worked the best for me or I'll make sure to eat something light to hold me over that will not upset my stomach that is what gets me out the house.I always make sure to have my bms at the start of my day before I go out so that I will not be going out in public that seems to be working for me really well I know my body really well now to be like ok your going to start doing what you need to do so I can have my bms for the start of my day to head out lol.


I just have this fear if I'm around people spending time with them I may have an urgency to run to a restroom to have a bm not just once but several times.I'd rather have that happen at home so that I can enjoy my time out being productive with my day.I just have not control over my bms and I hate that and the fear of my symptoms acting up in public is what scares me the feeling of people knowing what going on with me and some how laughing about it or being grossed out over it.I know it's all in my head and that is what I'm working hard in therapy to get over like my therapist says who cares what people think so ****ing what if their saying something about me something is wrong with them.I'm letting my life go by sitting at home alone and living in fear I wish I could just work up the nerve to just eat something go out and if I have to use the a public restroom so what.It is easier said then done I just do not want to feel embarrassed and I hate to feel like that but what is there to be embarrassed about we all crap lol but for me I crap differently from others without chronic digestive problems lol.At times I really feel like crying and yelling out to the heaven why me? why do you allow this to continue to happen to me? you know how it make me feel your supposed to give me my life and allow me to live it to it's fullest.I can not if I'm limited due to my IBS symptoms God why will you not just take this away? why did I do wrong for you to let me suffer like this and feel sad and alone most days? Then I think he makes it so I'm able to have my bms during the start of my day to go out cause it was worse in the past I was dealing with chronic constipation and would hope I was able to have bms.God made it that I found a medication Amitiza that helps me to have bms now every day and I feel better after I do.


So I need to be thankful for those things but cant seem to find the good in all of this I've rambled enough about my pathetic life.Marsky I'll check those cookies out I've seen them before I used to like the coconut flavored cookies with the word Tahiti on the front of the package.I realized I had to stop eating them cause they started messing with me a little but the chocolate cookies I can eat if I do not over do it on them cause in a way their kind of good for me.It's kind of a source of fiber for me cause one of the ingredients is whet flour so next couple of day I'm good.I was eating a lot today cause how I've been feeling tonight in the sad state that I'm in food is kind of my comfort I eat to deal with my feeling even though I kind of feel awful after.I find joy though in my tv shows since I'm always at home watching it I love watching my shows they make me forget for awhile about my sadness and day my shows are my escape lol.I kind of live vicariously through people on tv wishing I could have their lives especially some of my favorite people on some of my favorite reality shows.Lol I love my reality shows especially Top Chef I wish I could be able to enjoy all those delicious meals that they cook and come up with.My other favorite is all the Real House Wives series and Project Runway cant wait till that comes back on.Other then that I continue to pray everyday to God to help me with my symptoms to not let them get the best of me and hope that he will cure me of it one day that there will be a cure.That would just be great for all of us to be rid of this crap and not have to worry about food being harmful for us. I thank him all the time for this site huh I'm kind of feeling a little better typing out my feelings on the screen has cheered me up this is my other type of therapy lol.Speaking of I have a therapy session tomorrow hope I make it lol my therapist is trying to get me to eat in front of her will see what happens.Well I hope you guys have a good night I'm feeling a little tired going to sleep my day away lol till the morning facing this all over again love you all wishing you all good digestive health take care. :-)
Posted 2/19/2009 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
You are most welcome. IBS can be isolating. As I've gotten older I've slowed down some. Only 53 but I'm content not to have a full social calendar. I have friends near my age who never slow down. They seem to think that's the way to be. Whereas having had cancer and now this IBS "fun" I appreciate the quiet moments in life. Taking my Golden for a walk, spending the evening with my husband watching a movie rental. I have asked him if he wishes we were more active (socially, fit wise we're on the thin side, he watches what he eats and uses the treadmill everyday). He says no, he's happy having our schedule (like you, I've become attached to my favorite shows, 5 out of 7 nights a week I have one or more to watch: fave is Lost (last night's episode was superb!), Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, The Office and how can I forget ER. It ends its 15 year run in April. Carter comes back tonight! Yes it is a pleasant escape, one I welcome and am careful to protect.

I've also discovered that no matter what others are doing - be it diet, be it an extremely busy social calendar, volunteering, charity, religion - many seem to think I should be doing that too. I have a SIL who thinks I need to buy play tickets. Uh huh I say.....well, first off the economy stinks, second I would need very dressy clothes! And finally, I'd have to skip dinner. So I just take what she says with a grain of salt. My oldest college aged daughter is extremely busy, she's always on the go. She thinks I live a boring lifestyle. I know it. She never quite says it like that but I know she thinks - mom's home again, how boring!

Why do others think we're not living life if we're not "out there" - meaning intermingling with the rest of the world.

So you do what you need to do, it's A-okay with me and most of us here. We know what it's like to have bodies ruled by GI tracts. And then some.........sigh.

Sometimes I forget what it was like before all of this started for me. For example, I had one half of my Bay's english muffin for breakfast yesterday, went to work at 9. Got off by 1. Had a dental appt. at 2 so I ran to the grocery, knowing I couldn't risk lunch. Get to the dental office, only to be told my appt was at 3, not 2 and to come back. I was getting pretty hungry by this point but I couldn't chance eating! I had been looking forward to having a small turkey sub around 3, after my appt. But now it was all pushed back. By 4, I knew it was too late to eat lunch so I made dinner and we ate by 6. I was starving by then! When it was all over, I realized I should never made mid-afternoon appts like this. It's hard to go so long without food. But I have eaten before medical appts., I can't keep them because I'm in the bathroom so much. And then they look at you as if to say - can't you hold it? Yeah, right......

I will share one important aspect of all this that I've discovered - people are not that clued into my IBS like I thought they were. In other words I might be feeling awful, using a bathroom at a social function but they don't even notice. I used to think they did but usually, they're so wrapped up in their individual worlds, they don't even notice all is not well with mine. Once I realized this, I could relax more and for longer periods. Not that I want to eat in social settings and then have numerous bm's but at least if I suddenly don't feel well, I no longer feel compelled to even try and explain any of this. I just say simply - I'm not feeling well, I have to leave now. Or something to that effect. Even if they think it's contagious I let them think this! Because trying to explain all of this to normal colon folks is downright impossible!

And in their defense, I don't know if I would have understood any of this 10 years ago myself. I'd like to think I would have tried but who knows. I guess I'm also saying I try and cut most people slack. And happy for them they have normal colons.

Just wish mine was normal. Heck, I'd take 50% normal. LOL!
Posted 2/21/2009 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Marsky lol I like the Big Bang Theory too and I love love The Adventures of Old Christine that show is so funny to me.All my IBS problems started when I was 22 about to turn 23 so most of my twenties were awful I'm 28 now my social life in my twenties stopped completely when it should have been very active.I was missing out on a lot like going to clubs and social events and especially dating my twenties were so boring.I sometime told myself I'm not missing much but now I'm ok with how things are now.Except for times where I can not bare the loneliness and so much quiet time with myself lol I sometime talk to myself having conversations with myself it's so funny lol.My IBS effects me so much that I do not work but I hope to get back to working maybe I can try to find a job that will work around my symptoms.I just really need to be productive with myself so that I do not go crazy with boredom but I have my escapes like I told you my shows and I surf the internet I do have people I talk to on the phone like my closest friend.She knows about my IBS but I have not been able to invite her over to spend time with being fearful that my symptoms might act up in front of her I do not think I'm comfortable enough yet to.Like I said I pray a lot and ask God to keep me strong to go through with what I go through and hope that one day things will get better I know they will. :-)
Posted 2/21/2009 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
jt - have you ever considered getting a pet? Pets are instant stress relievers! Our Golden Retriever seems to intuitively know when I'm not feeling well. As I've posted before, my husband and I still own his post-college waterbed, complete with headboard/shelf, LOL. It's so comforting and warm in the winter, like a cocoon when you're cold, crampy, just feeling awful. I'll say to our dog - let's snuggle in "mommy's" bed and she sometimes beats me to it (we have a 2 story home). She loves our waterbed, rolls around and put all 4 paws in the air. But she then scoots over to my side and actually lies on top of my stomach. She even sighs sometimes too - no lie. As if to ask - bad day? I am just crazy about that dog! She's 9 now and getting up there, so I cherish each and every day with her. She's also my bathroom buddy. It's just the neatest thing in the world how she zeroes in on my current health condition. She just - knows - when I'm not feeling well.

You may be in an apt. though and can't own pets. But if you like animals, perhaps just dog sitting for someone would help.

Just the release of the petting motion (dogs, cats) helps too. When I grew up, we had cats. There's nothing better than having a cat curl up in your lap and then purr. We can't own a cat now since our daughter is highly allergic. But she isn't allergic to dogs. Good thing! I always look deep into our dog's eyes and say - you're almost like a cat, she thinks she's a little dog and tries to climb into your lap. I laugh and say - it's almost as if you can purr! That's when she lets out a hugh sigh, her own way of purring I guess. LOL

I didn't realize you are under 30. I really feel for you. Your 20s are a great decade. I do hope you can venture out and get more out of life, one day soon.

Wishing you my best.....
Mary
Posted 2/21/2009 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Mary I do hope to one day own a pet but the apartment I'm in will not allow me to have one like a dog cause I want a little dog.I'm allowed to have a cat but I really want a dog I plan on moving to be able to get one yes I do believe having a dog will help so much in so many ways.I would not feel so alone it would give me something to do with myself like going out to walk him or her.Yes I do feel my twenties have been a waste but hope my thirties will be better and I will be able to get back to living and loving life again I have hope.Thank you Mary for your kind and concerning encouraging words I wish you all the best and have a nice day I'll be sure to reply to any of your postings have a nice day and take care. :-)
Posted 2/21/2009 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Aww jt, you're most welcome. Hope you can have a dog someday.

BTW, can I ask your first name? I keep typing jt.....which reminds of a TV show character, but I can't remember who.......speaking of TV shows, there is one show that is an awesome IBS-escape - Lost! Are you a Lost fan?
Posted 2/21/2009 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mary I kind of do not want to share my first name I hope you do not mind but I can let you know my first name begins with a J lol.No I'm not a lost fan I have not attempted to even watch one episode of Lost I think I've only seen the first episode and it did not catch my interest in any way at all.By the way I do not mind you call me jt at all but I'm sorry I cant share with you my name hope that is not rude in any way.I do hope to have a dog one day it would have been nice to have one by my side tonight I was not having a great night.I hope all is going well for you Mary and have a good night take care. :-)
Posted 2/22/2009 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, that's okay.....didn't mean to push. "jt" it is then! Lost isn't for everyone but it is a great 1 hour escape. Have a good night yourself.
Posted 2/22/2009 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hey andrean how well do the therapeutic enzymes work for you? and are they something you need to get specifically from your GI doctor is it prescribed? I would appreciate your response as soon as you get a chance to thanks a bunch. :-)
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