IBS diet and healing

Hello, 

I have read quite a few forums on IBS and it seems there is a lot of people out there suffering, but I somehow missed the forums where people find relief or healing by changing the diet and lifestyle. 

IBS seemed to get me, I got the soft stool, diahrea, crmps bloating, gas, and for several years it got worse and worse.  I started after I realized I was dairy intolerant ( and had a hard time cutting dairy out of my diet).  Then after a few years of extreme athletics lifestyle and the need to lean out, I gradualy cut out rice pasta bread, most grains.  I was eating a lot of meat, eggs, veggies, but by no means was I eating healthy enough.  

After I got tired of the symptoms I got serious about my diet, sleep and activity level, stress, and a balanced lifestyle. I introduced raw fermented foods, lots of greens, vitamins, cut out most dairy, ate more fish, took probiotics, lots of cabbage, and crusiferous veggies that do give me gas, but I still ate them. I juiced, I cut out bad fats, brought in good fats, ate more salads and fresh food from farmers markets that ripened on the vine, not food from huge grocergy store chains. Fresh eggs from the neighbors chickens. Grew my own herbs, salad, and tomatoes. 

I can say that as of a few months ago, I am really better, I have no more extremem bloating, constant diahrea, I can eat bread, pasta and some dairy now.  While I cant pinpoint any one thing in this journey, it took about 2 years of serious changes and all of a sudden my gut is working great!

I would like to hear more stories like this or hear about how all of you suffering are changing your diet and if you are having any success. For me, success did not seem to happen, I could not tell if I was any better for a long time, but all of a sudden, finaly, I was. 

By the way, my wieght gain has stopped and I don't have to really watch at such an extreme level what I eat to mainain weight.  I also no longer am involved in extreme athletic endevors but a normal gentle lifestyle now. 

Hi oaubtedkady,

I've been on this forum a few months...I have noted only a handful of those who posted they were in safe harbor and once again normal. Remedy's from one to several months...none "sudden"..I suspect most patients don't get to the bottom of their specific issue, and develop a protocol and "stick with it" as you and a very few others......too impatient? Some think if it doesn't improve quickly, it's not working vs thankful it's not gettng worse..I believe most seriously patients surely do..not want their conditon to progress to really bad stuff. Rebooting or re modulating the digestive system can take time. I enjoyed reading your story, I hope it will inspire others to follow ....btw I am quiet up to speed (no expert by any means) on the benefits of "fermented dairy, fruits and vegetables" within all compartments of the digetive tract... again, a very pleasing post paintedlady....claudio

Oh so very sorry for the missprint of "paintedlady"...should have edited before hand...claudio

I've suffered from IBS for around 15 years and I've had ME for about 10. I've been on a healthy diet for 8 or 9 years and though I still have ME it's not as bad as it was and my IBS is much improved. 

I eat a lot of fruit, vegetables, fish and some meat. I gave up milk, coffee and tea and I gave up cheese for a few years but found that intolerable so I eat goat's cheese now.

Raw fermented foods are something I want to look into. I tried making fermented cabbage but it didn't agree with me. What can you recommend?