Looks like it's time to get serious about my health

[Droopy]

I've been having some digestive problems and the doc says he thinks I have irritable bowel syndrome. There is definitely something wrong and we won't know exactly what it is until I get the lab results back from the blood work I had done today.

I've been looking for information on the internet and it looks like I will have to follow a special diet and abstain from a couple of bad habits that I have. This is going to suck for a while, at least until I get these cigarettes kicked.

I've pretty much lived my life putting anything I want into my body. It looks like my body is starting to fight back.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Droopy...

Well, if you have an illness, it's better to take care of it than to ignore it...

But you know that already...

If you can control whatever's wrong, I say go for it!

You'll feel better, and have more fun being free of whatever symptoms you're suffering with now...

I'm sorry, though...

:hug:

[Droopy]

3. I'll get the thread locked if I mention the symptoms

But I can say that it is a problem that I could not ignore for long. It's one of those things that even the most diehard doctor haters can't live with for long unless that have ready access to a bathroom 24/7.

[graywarrior]

4. Been there for the past 3 months.

Finally got some help. PM me if you want.

[Droopy]

7. Just sent you a PM

[graywarrior]

14. Got it.

[JuniperLea]

2. I swear by the patch!

My b/f (howardx here) and I kicked the tobacco two summers ago, and we're still patting ourselves and each other on the back! Think of the money you will save... think of how sweet you will smell (this didn't hit me until well later... first time I got on an elevator with someone coming back from a smoke break, and thought, ew... I used to smell like that)... think of the bastards in the tobacco companies who put all the extra crap in your cigarettes to make sure you stay hooked... manipulation by "The Man"!

Diet is harder, no question. You can survive without cigarettes... you must eat food to live. You can't just quit food.

There are tons of really good books out there on the subject. I tend to like those that promote fresh foods and whole foods. Fresh fruits, especially papayas, are a treasure trove of good things for digestion. Yogurt with live cultures are great too.

Good luck!

[Droopy]

5. Thank you

I know I can quit smoking because I did it for 7 months one time. The problem was that I put on 30 pounds. I just could not control my eating. So with a new diet and giving up the smokes it's going to be especially tough for me. I might give the patch a shot.

I would save $200 a month if I quit smoking and drinking. That's a pretty good incentive if the added health benefits are not.

[LNM]

6. Hey Droopy, sorry to hear that.

I'm kind of going through the same thing. I was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago. That made me toss the cigs out. Nicorette is working for me. Good luck.

[Droopy]

9. Oh, no!

What kind of cancer do you have? I'm hoping it's one of the more treatable forms of the disease.

[LNM]

12. I'd rather not say.

I will say that it is in a very early stage, it's very treatable and it most definitely was caused by the cigs. Thanks for your concern.

[shaniqua6392]

8. Try taking probiotics for the IBS.

I had it. My two daughters had it. My sisters girlfriend had it. We are all cured after taking probiotics, with the exception of a rare occurance if we eat food that is too rich. They are available at health food stores. We call them the miracle pills. They also work really fast and are inexpensive. We buy the kind that needs to be in the refrigerator. They seem to work the best. Try that before you go on any pharmaceuticals for the condition. Just give it a week. As for the smoking. I would give anything to quit myself. I just bought the patch last week and still have not put one on yet!! I am such a chicken. Good luck and I sure do hope you feel better. I know exactly how you feel and it sucks.

[Droopy]

11. Thanks for the tip

I sure don't want to go on another medication. I will try anything before I do that.

[Fleshdancer]

10. what's the special diet?

I bet if you tell us what your limitations are and the foods you need to eat more of, we can come up with some great recipes for you.

[Droopy]

13. I'm not sure yet

I just know that I need to eat more fiber if that is indeed the illness that I have. Lots of fruits and veggies. I have to stay away from milk products and artificial sweeteners.

[Fleshdancer]

15. That should be simple enough. Any foods you absolutely can't stand?

I was happily surprised to see that the Mayo Clinic has a ton of good high fiber recipes:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fiber-recipes/RE00099

I found this site that has 34 IBS friendly recipes:
http://www.recipezaar.com/cookbook.php?bookid=84497

One of the recipes:
Ibs-Friendly Pizzas English Muffin & Sourdough

Ingredients
2 plain English muffin, split (4 halves total)
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1-2 tablespoon italian seasoning
1 (6 ounce) package turkey pepperoni
1 (6 ounce) can pineapple chunk
3/4-1 cup shredded soy cheddar cheese (jack and mozzzarella blend, Soy-Sation is a great brand)

Directions
1 Preheat oven to between 425-450 degrees F.

2 Open the can of tomato sauce and add to it the desired amount of Italian seasoning and stir well.

3 Spread desired amount of tomato sauce mixture on both sides of split English muffin halves.

4 Top each half with desired amount of pepperoni, pineapple, or any other toppings you prefer. Make sure the pineapple is drained, but you can choose to save the juice. (I did and used it later on in a smoothie.) Do not add the cheese yet!

5 Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place English muffin pizzas about an inch apart. Place baking sheet in preheated oven.

6 Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes depending on how crispy or well-done you like your pizza and the toppings.

7 When cooked to your liking, turn the oven temperature down to about 250 degrees F. Cheese may come out of package lumped together, which is fine and normal when it's cold; just place the desired amount on top of the pizzas and press down gently. I think that the three-cheese blend of cheddar, jack, and mozzarella flavors are really nice.

8 Put pizzas back into oven for an additional 2-5mins watching very carefully as soy cheese melts differently than regular cheese.

9 This particular English muffin pizza recipe was made for two (we had store-bought chicken wings on the side) so there will be leftover muffins, sauce, cheese, pepperoni, pineapple, and possibly any other toppings you chose to add. Just save the remaining sauce in the can covered with plastic wrap. Wrap up any other leftover toppings. The next time around, stir the tomato sauce, add any additional Italian seasoning if you prefer, and make your pizzas as described.

10 For the (Extra) Sourdough bread pizzas, substitute each muffin half for one slice of bread. Follow the directions as above. Two slices of the Extra Sourdough bread pizza served one.

11 Cooking times and oven temperatures may vary due to altitude and desired doneness. You or yours may also prefer a certain quantity of toppings that will affect the cooking time or how much is left over. Any additional toppings may add to prep and cooking time also.

[Droopy]

16. Thanks Gloria

I appreciate the links.

[lost-in-nj]

17. Hi Droopy

sorry to hear your not feeling good...

I used wellbutrin to help me quit smoking.... I was a 2 pack a day smoker for over 30 years..... (hangs head)

so if I can do it so can you....
when you feel like smoking try to do something physical
just walk around the house or your office.
try to go places you can't smoke, movies, mall, restaurants.

I used suger free hard candies to help my physical need of sucking on something
and I did not buy any junk food... carrots, celery lots fo fruits....

there is a website that helped me in the early stages
www.quitnet.com they have national and state by state forums...
and the my quit info will blow your mind after about a month or 2 of not smoking...

I hope you can get your stomach issue fixed..... I know my sister had/has that I say had because when she lost weight it seemed to get a lot better.....
you will feel so much better..... :)


:hug:


lost


:hi: