Gas what is left to eat-?????? - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Message Board

redsands · 08-21-2007, 03:17 PM

I have given up- so much and no matter what- I get gassy- from Brocollai, anykind of raw salad, most fruits, - don't eat dairy or wheat- It is the most frustrating thing- I am thin= too thin- and have such a limited diet.
Have tried probiotics, beano, gas stop- have had 5 colonoscopies- all fine- my Dr. doesn't have much in the way of help- anyone out there able to give me some help or suggestions- feel so alone in this. he told me I have irritable bowel- he is a leading Gastro. Dr. at a teaching hospital- but he can't seem to help me. Can you???

bellyblues · 08-21-2007, 09:29 PM

The things you mentioned would pretty much wipe me out too! Raw veggies, salads, most fruits are a big no-no for most IBS folks. Dairy in certain forms is also problematic. It really is a matter of fine tuning for each individual. Mostly everything gives me gas to some extent. However some things are easier on the digestive system than others. Starting the day with soluble fiber foods like cream of rice, oat bran, and oatmeal can help. It grounds the system and keeps it relatively calm. I have also found that the simplest things can help like chewing your food completely. Often I will chew food until it turns into liquid in my mouth before I swallow. Drinking from a cup rather than a bottle or can is also beneficial in that it minimizes the amount of air you take in. If you chew gum, that could contribute to gas. Certain forms of exercise like swimming or running can also create gas. It's often just a matter of eliminating things one at a time until you identify what causes the most distress. You might want to consider seeing a nutritionist as well. Good luck!

stomachtrouble · 08-23-2007, 08:32 AM

A lot of sites recommend keeping a diary of you activites and diet for the day. I have a very poor diet as well, I eat bread, lean meat and mashed potatoes and some pastas such as ramen noodles and egg noodles. Build up your diet from there trying only one new food item per day and keep a record either on paper or mentally to find out what works for you. I pretty much can't eat anything besides what I have listed above and that little bit still causes problems.

As for your "one of the best" doctors. I have had three of those that couldn't find anything wrong with me, so after all these referrals, I went on my own hunt for a specialist. I would call and ask questions pertaining to my specific problems. Depending on the reactions and friendliness I would decide if I wanted to see that specialist. The first specialist that I picked myself was the one that helped me. I went from "we can't figure it out" to my pick telling me that something was wrong and the last option was exploratory laprascopic surgery where bowel obstruction was found where my large and small intestines meet. Three colonscopies in five months never showed a problem, not even in my large intestine, but there was a problems there.

I have moved since my surgery and have been working with "one of the best gastroenterologists in the area" that has been no help to me. Doing research online I took my findings to my family doc for a referral and am hoping for the best.

In short, take on the crappy diet and build from there noting what is good for you and look for your own doctor that participates in your plan.

Good Luck

elefantgirl13 · 08-23-2007, 03:30 PM

I have IBS-d, and the gas is immense on most days. But, I found that eating fresh baby greens, and drinking Activia drinks in the morning has helped. Also, there is an OTC medicatino you can get at any Walgreens called Gas Prevention Therapy in a red box that has helped me get through. I was diagnosed a month ago, and the meds I was given gave the stool body, so that I don't go more than once a day, but the side effects are too bad on me because I am hypersensitive to drugs. So these don't bother me. If you have a touchy tummy, this may work for you. I eat one of those in the morning and in the afternoon, and then can eat without fear of "losing it". I was getting gas simply from drinking, and this helped alot. My gastro was supposed to be "the best in my area" as well, and he does do quite well, but wants me to steer away from a diet and homeopathic meds. I don't listen, as the diet has helped me more than any drug so far has.

Michelle

redsands · 08-24-2007, 06:46 AM

hI mICHELLE
dO YOU THINK THIS WOULD BE OK IF i TEND TO cONSTIPATION? IRARELY HAVE D- WHAT DO YOU THINK?