12 December 2011

On Being Dietetically Defunct

So I'm about to get honest with you. Candid, honest, and possibly a little gross.

But I think we're all friends here.

I have had stomach issues for as long as I can remember. Tummy troubles. Poopy problems. Whatever you call it, that's where I am.

source- I know it looks crazy but it was too funny to pass up!

Growing up I would often get sick after dinner. 
[I won't necessarily define "sick" for you as I'm sure you can infer from the previous "poopy problems" reference.]

In college it got worse. But given the diet of college students, that's not really a surprise. Pizza and popcorn and a little too much beer.

Graduate school came and I finally went to a tummy doctor and said "help!" It seemed like things just kept getting worse.

It was always the same. 
I would eat. 5 minutes later my stomach would start to hurt. 1 minute later I would run, clutching my stomach, to the nearest bathroom. Any bathroom. Trust me, I lost my fear of public potties a long time ago.

Then, after feeling like my was stomach was exploding, I would be back to normal.

I would eat a burger one day and be sick. I would eat a burger one day and be fine. I would eat the greasiest meal ever and be fine. The next day I would eat cereal and get sick. 

I didn't seem to make sense.

After a variety of conversations and tests (of a highly uncomfortable nature), the doctor determined I had IBS, irritable bowel syndrome. Also known as "something's wrong with your stomach but we just don't know what."

So I went along my merry way. I was still getting sick periodically but I was managing. 

Then last year I started to get sick again very frequently. My husband had the great idea of limiting dairy. What if I was lactose intolerant? It seemed to make sense. My classic example of explaining my frustration was "I can eat cheesy greasy food and I get sick, but then I also have a bowl of cereal and get sick." What I was trying to express that it seemed like everything (heavy and light foods, good and bad for me foods) was making me sick. 

But aha, a connection. Milk.

So about a year ago I cut our dairy (ish). I relied heavily on Lactaid pills to aid in the digestion of lactose in my tummy. Things seemed to be going great...

until now.
And it's really got me down.

Lately, when I look at food, I see an enemy staring back at me.
I'm afraid to eat anywhere but the comfort of my own home.
If I need to eat and then run an errand I have to eat long before I leave for fear of being on the highway and praying (like in those commercials) that a port-o-potty will fall from the sky.

I've lost weight. [Which has been on the to-do list for quite some time, but not quite like this.]

I feel a bit broken these days. Like I got reject parts. 

Now my diet plan consists of no dairy, fried food, greasy food, baked goods or sugars.

I was at a luncheon the other day and everything had cheese or cream in it. All the desserst were dairy based. And after I grabbed my plate to make a big 'ole salad, the only dressing they had was Caesar.

Needless to say I came home and ate chicken noodle soup.

And it's amazing, when you can't eat a lot, food takes on a whole new perspective. Eating to sustain versus eating because you're bored is quite a new concept for me.

So what's a girl to do?

Doctor last week.
Allergy tests.
Searching out a dietician?
More tests?

I'd love a magical list of all the things I can eat. Even if it's really really tiny, at least I would know!

So why am I telling you all of this? Well, I think we're at that point in our relationship where we can share. And I think any new followers probably hit "unsubscribe" after my first "poop" reference.

I know this sounds silly, but could you add my poor little tummy to your prayer list? It needs a bit of healing these days. 

26 comments:

  1. My brother inlaw had the same problems. He now takes medicine for IBS Irritable Bowl Syndrome. He missed out on so much because of his tummy issues, but now it is getting better. Thanks for sharing and I am a mom tummy issue don't scare me away:>

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  2. Praying for you friend!!! Could it possible be a gluten allergy? My sister's had "tummy" issues and they are both allergic to gluten now. Just a thought.

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  3. My mom has the same issue. Sometimes before meals out or with groups, she'll take an immodium and it really helps!

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  4. I'm so glad you posted about this issue. I've been dealing with chronic nausea daily for 3 years now and they haven't found a direct answer. It's always considered "anxiety" now because the rest of me is fine. Lol

    Please reply back and I would love to talk with you more on what else I found out about it and share some diet tips. :-) hugs! I can so relate to this being such a burden in life.

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  5. yea i actaully know several people who have had issues. not sure how they are able to cope with it but i def hope you are able to figure something out and quick!!!

    http://infinitelifefintess.com

    http://mscomposure.blogspot.com

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  6. so impressed with your honesty. i suffered in very similiar ways from my freshman year of college until my senior year...then all of a sudden, it almost completely stopped (big emphasis on almost). i have my own horror stories i could share but i'll spare the details. praying for healing and more specifically answers. i'm seeing doctors of constant muscle fatique and exhaustion for almost 3 years now with no answers. it's horrible. so i understand and hoping for the best for you. peace, Stephanie
    whateverislovelyandnoble.blogspot.com

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  7. Oh, I'm so sorry, friend. Have you thought of gluten? It could definitely be a contributing factor. I WILL pray for you and your poor tummy!

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  8. I've been there....in fact I'm still there, but as leadti know what the cause is.
    I went through the same thing as you. Lots of tests ( pretty gross ones) diagnosed with IBS then later ulcerative colitis and finally crohn's disease. The entire process took about 3 years.
    If I were you I'd find a new gastroenterologist and get another opinion. It was the 4th dr that finally got the correct diagnosis for me. It was frustrating but I was in the same place as you with food and that's no way to live.
    Keep searching and be an advocate for yourself. Don't accept an "I don't know" diagnosis.

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  9. poo doesn't scare me! haha.
    no honestly I have a lot of friends w/ ibs and other issues. One takes fiber religiously, one doesn't eat dairy.

    I know it's hard when something like this affects your daily life.

    praying for answers!

    also, have you tried a naturpath instead of a regular md? my friend had success with that-- more of a holistic, natural test.

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  10. Laura, you should seriously get tested for Celiac disease. I had stomach issues for YEARS. They always told me I had irritable bowel too. Then it got really bad. Now I avoid all gluten and I don't have any problems. At all. No gas, diarrhea, etc. etc. Do you have a good gastroenterologist? I will pray you get some answers.

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  11. My husband has been dealing with the same poopy problems. They are doing tests for crohns disease and adisons now but many tests have shown nothing abnormal. good luck! I hope you find out whats wrong soon.

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  12. SO RELATE. This is pretty much my story bang on. I can go for a year with mild problems, then 6 months of inability to eat outside of my home. It can be really torturous, embarrassing, confusing, stressful.

    Praying for you friend. Know there are more in the same boat. <3

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  13. Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry - praying for you sweet friend!

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  14. Will add you to my list. My niece has IBS and takes some medications for it but still has problems but the opposite of always pooping! Not sure I would pick either problem but will pray that an answer comes quickly so you can be nourished physically and emotionally.

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  15. I had issues for awhile but I went vegan and they completely stopped. It's been almost 2 years with no trouble and I am not looking back. Might be something to check out. :)

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  16. It's so funny, I'm at the extreme opposite end of this post. I wish I pooped more *blush*. It's a blessing if I go at least once a week. My own prayer is that I poop more lol

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  17. My first thought was a gluten allergy, too! Praying for you!

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  18. I'm gonna jump on the gluten train. I'll definitely be praying for you because I know it's not a fun experience.

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  19. ugh! i'm sorry...can't imagine. as i was reading it sounded like a gluten related issue. i have a friend who has to avoid both gluten (wheat) and corn products! it stinks, but is doable...hang in there!

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  20. There are such things as allergy elimination testings. I wonder if something like that could help you out. My mom was allergic to an ingredient in cooked pudding and it gave her bladder infections for so long.. she never knew where it was coming from! She started doing the allergy elimination testings and the allergy is gone and she can now eat that pudding and not be affected. Look into it!

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  21. sorry to hear- praying for you.
    Have you tried a homeopathic doctor? It isn't an easy fix, but they seem to understand more and not just put a bandaid on things.

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  22. I'm so sorry to hear this, Laura!! It's hard to have health problems and not have a diagnosis. :/

    Just prayed for you!!

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  23. Girl, this is me. It's absolutely terrible. I feel your pain. I've lost so much weight, people say "you're so skinny!" Yeah, well they don't know the half of it. It's because I literally can't eat anything. Keep us updated! Praying for you! :)

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  24. I feel your pain. It's actually very nice to hear someone talking about this. Sometimes I wonder if anyone else deals with these kind of tummy issues. I've dealt with the same types of issues for my whole life. It's really hard. I will be praying for days of a calm stomach for you!

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  25. After gallbladder removal, celiac biopsy, Chron's biopsy, colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, multiple ultrasounds, you-name-it-I've-had-it, IBS was what my gastro doc came up with, too. I go through good patches and bad patches, and there never seems to be a common item. I tried cutting out gluten, to no avail. Tried cutting out dairy, but still, no change. I'll be fine for a few weeks, then BAM! I feel awful. I look at food and just don't have an appetite. I'm so tired of feeling sick.

    Definitely praying for you, and I would love it if you would return the favor. Maybe both of our poo-poo problems will disappear. :)

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  26. After gallbladder removal, celiac biopsy, Chron's biopsy, colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, multiple ultrasounds, you-name-it-I've-had-it, IBS was what my gastro doc came up with, too. I go through good patches and bad patches, and there never seems to be a common item. I tried cutting out gluten, to no avail. Tried cutting out dairy, but still, no change. I'll be fine for a few weeks, then BAM! I feel awful. I look at food and just don't have an appetite. I'm so tired of feeling sick.

    Definitely praying for you, and I would love it if you would return the favor. Maybe both of our poo-poo problems will disappear. :)

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