Newly Diagnosed College Kid -- HELP

by Jt
(New Jersey)

IBS threatens Softball Career

IBS threatens Softball Career

I am 18 years old, a freshman and living my dream of playing college softball. However, I've been suffering from severe stomach pains, nausea, and diarrhea since March of my senior year.
I have gotten progressively worse and in December I was finally diagnosed with severe ibs-d after ruling every thing else out.

I cannot tolerate gluten, dairy, or fried food and anyone knows that living at college with such diet restrictions is very difficult. I cannot drink and most nights cannot find the energy to leave my bed. I have very supportive best friends who try and help me to the best of their abilities but there is only so much they can do.

My softball career is threatened because I take 7 pills a day that completely wipe my energy out and the lack of food does not help. I drink protein with water 3 times a day to get my 3 meals and nothing is helping my energy levels.

I do not know what to do anymore. I feel depressed and cry constantly. Softball has been my entire life since childhood and now I am seeing my dream disappear before my eyes.

My mom talks constantly of pulling me out of school but I cannot imagine having this all taken away. Someone please help.

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Newly Diagnosed College Kid -- HELP

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Nov 18, 2010
 hi
by: Anonymous

hello!
i have ibs and managed the symptons through diet, like avoiding all dairy, soda, coffee( decaf teas are great with lactose free milk), hot chocolate, gum with sorbitol in it(stick to bubble gum or juicy fruit), red and creamy sauces, some fruits (the citrus family) you better off with bananas, pears, and sometimes apples, also some vegetables (brocoli, cabbagge, beans except green ones, and if you get curious about any raw ones please dont eat them except baby carrots, also avoid any red meat- hamburger i can tolerate but not stew meat or steak) eat chicken and fish. crackers are excellent, and finally i take un pill before i go to bed of culturelle (probiotic-reseach or goggle it please, cost between 20 and 25 dollars-) and another one first thing in the morning of digestive advantange lactose defense formula (its actually a pill) and i'm good for the rest of day, always remember to surround yourself with positive people, love yourself and dont let this disease put you down, and keep on going....
take care
Feb 19, 2010
 Consider going back to basics
by: Rick

Hi Jt,
Sorry to hear about what you are going through -
Sounds like you are having a pretty unhappy time of things at the moment.

One of the things that struck me was when you said that you are taking 7 pills a day and protein 3 times a day. Not sure if this helps, but when I was bodybuilding, I stopped taking protein because it continuously gave me an upset stomach.

As for the pills - you don't say what they are, but often it can be the medications themselves that perpetuate health issues, Especially if you are taking several - they may interract with each other and actually CAUSE the issues you are having.

The body is an amazing thing and is fully capable of curing and maintaining itself if it is given the chance.
The problem is, in our modern society we fill it with so many chemicals and substances, that it can get overwhelmed and can go into a tailspin.

Even the so-called "healthy foods" from the supermarket are usually stuffed full of crap these days. Many supermarket fruit and vegetables are "chemically grown" based on F1 Hybrid technology, and some contain un-natural genes. (I also run a gardening website!) That's why locally grown organic produce could be the IBS sufferers best friend.


My recommendation would be to hit the 'reset' button;

Take a week off so that you have no obligations to distract you.

Quit taking all the pills (as long as it is safe to do so), stop taking the protein, and switch to a simple diet of basic healthy natural foods for a while (preferably organic): potato, tomato, basic vegetables (lightly boiled or steamed - definitely not fried), tuna fish (in water not oil), and plain rice. No spices, dairy, citrus fruits, or meat (except perhaps a small amount of lean chicken). Sip plenty of clean water (filtered not tap) throughout the day.
Plain boiled (organic) rice will definitely be a safe option as your main staple (not pot-rice or any other form of instant snack).

If you feel you can manage it, it would definitely be worth doing a water-only-fast for a day or two before switching over to a basic bland diet - this will give your system a chance to start to recover and repair itself without having to contend with whatever substances you are feeding it that it clearly dislikes.

Yes, your diet may be bland and boring for a few weeks, and it will take effort and discipline to stick to a regime like this, but I'd be very surprised if you didn't see a dramatic turn-around in your IBS symptoms. Eventually you can start to re-introduce additional foods one at a time, and note how they affect you.
A food diary is essential, where you write down everything you have eaten, because you will forget by the next day. A tiny pocket book is best, as you can slip it in a pocket and keep it with you all the time.

I'm not a doctor, but I've been an IBS sufferer most of my life. When I can be bothered to do the regime above, my symptoms improve dramatically.

Hope this helps!

Good luck
Rick

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