Food intolerances

Not sure if this has been discussed before, but for what it's worth:

After six years of diarrhea I was finally diagnosed with IBS, which, after a few more years of uncontrolled diarrhea progressed to a diagnosis of Colitis. I have adverse reactions to almost all medications so either wasn't taking enough or wouldn't take them at all. Finally I took a friends advice and did an elimination diet. It took almost a year, but I painstakingly identified 14 foods that cause either diarrhea, cramping, nausea or bloating. It makes eating out at restaurants an obstacle course filled with land mines, but if I avoid these things the diarrhea, cramping, nausea, and bloating stop! Intense stress can bring it on too of course, but without adding these foods it has to be a lot of stress. I believe that many folks are diagnosed with IBS when what we actually have are unrecognized food intolerances.

Here's what I did: First I tried a completely gluten free diet. Nothing. Then I ate only boiled chicken, canned tuna (wouldn't advise living on this for very long!) and white bread AND only spring water. Diarrhea gone in just a few days. Added vegetables one or two at a time. No spices or flavorings. Peppers! Then added salads (which I was told WOULD cause diarrhea) - nothing! Vinegar? Nothing! Olive oil? Bingo! Eventually I got my list. The most recent thing added was sucralose (saccharin had already been on the list for years). Despite the continued problems with most tap water I keep trying it, but a few glasses right from the tap and bam! Cramps! A friend of mine (with IBS) has the same response to tap water. She thinks it's the chlorine. But if I really want to feel well and not worry about IBS/Colitis symptoms - it's a strict diet and spring water. :)

I also realize that at some parties I just won't be able to eat. I've found some supplements that I can tolerate and will take one or two before I go just in case. Not eating is still far less of a problem than dealing with diarrhea the next day.

Anyone else have a similar experience with relief of IBS symptoms after identifying food intolerances?

For me the old saying - you are what you eat - is very true. I need a plain diet, mostly low residue foods and have my pat favorites that agree with my gut. Also, portion is important and when I eat. For example, I skip food at cocktail parties but if it's a sit down meal, I order something light if possible or if a wedding reception I accept the entree served to me but pick at my food. I give the appearance of someone eating but I'm really not eating much at all! Waiters do look at me odd but I ignore these odd looks. I have all sorts of excuses - oh I had a big lunch, or I'm not that hungry, etc. No one wants to hear a fancy dinner party that I have IBS. So I fake it. When truth be told, I am very hungry. But I ignore these hunger pains because if I indulge then I am in a bathroom for quite a while, several hours sometimes. Sometimes a huge meal will induce the dumping effect so I watch when and how much I eat. I also fast for car trips.

I've been doing this for 10 years now. It's just second nature for me at this point.

And yet even though I do all of these things I still occasionally throw caution to the wind and eat something offensive. I pay for this later. But mostly I don't stray from my plain diet. I'd rather spend as little time in the bathroom as I can!

It is nice when someone is proactive and takes the time to figure out on their own what they can and cannot eat. More power to you for going to this trouble. Most people who are aware of what I go through, 24/7, often say - can't you just take a pill for that?

As if a pill would work! I wish, I wish (been down that road too, the medication route. For me, nothing worked but diet).

Mary

My IBS appears to be induced by certain grains such as wheat and certain types of starches (not yet sure what kind). I used to be in a lot of pain almost daily due to spasms and bloating. When I had to be rushed to the hospital to be sedated due to unrelenting pain in the abdomen, that's when I took stock of the food that I eat. I eliminated bread and pasta and the result was amazing - I was pain free for longer periods! I can tolerate milk but not yogurt. Now I'm trying high protein, less carb diet so more meat plus veggies and it seemed to work fine, that is, until my IBS acted up again. Sigh, it's a roller coaster ride.

Is there some sort of test to find out which foods I'm sensitive to? Once the IBS is triggered, it takes me weeks to get it back to normal. After the initial spasms my intestines seem to be swollen and my GERD acts up, which gives me acid regurgitation and chronic fatigue.

I'm such a killjoy in parties, too, haha! Good thing my friends understand. Even my company orders me a different set of meal during company meetings :) Feels good to be loved even if I have these diseases! :D