OK, I call it projectile pooping. :~) Hey, when you have this you need to lighten up; it's no &*^%ing fun!!!

IBS is a dysfunctional pattern of peristalsis, when the normal waves of action that move material from mouth to potty become spasmodic and when food is ejected before the small intestine has fully digested it. It can include sensitivity to trigger foods, but the syndrome has far more to do with learned patterns of eating/elimination and being physically agitated over things. Eating for IBS need NOT be bland-- it isn't the heat of any spices that sets it off, and some spices actually help.

A happy gut, in recovery from IBS, is a gut comfortably full of soluble fiber-- so the muscle walls can have something to hold into, and to absorb the spasms at the site where they occur, and not be passed dwon along the gut forcing ejection. Like a tunnel full of fluffy pillows would absorb shockwaves.

For IBS-- Level I

Increase water-soluble fiber:
Oats in any form, rolled and cooked are best.
Oat bars (if low in sugars)
Oat bread (NOT with whole wheat flour)
Oat bran (look in cooked cereals dept. with cream of wheat stuff), added to anything
Boiled/baked potatoes, mashed potatoes (no butter)
Sweet potatoes-- baked till very soft, plain with salt optional, no butter. Pumpkin (low-sugar pumpkin pie is GREAT for this medicinally)
Oat & sweet potato bread would be great, so is pumpkin bread.
Black beans
Spinach
Corn chips, corn tortillas, popcorn (Yes, dry popcorn! Amazing but yes!)

Be sure to sip water in increased amounts each time these are eaten, and between. Dried-up stuck poop is not going to help, a bit. Picture the inside of your gut holding a nice bowl of somewhat firm oatmeal-- that's what you want in there.

Increase digestive-aiding spices:
Cumin (a powerful anti-spasmodic)
Mexican food (avoid fats)
Indian food (avoid fats)

Increase helpful forms of dairy:
Yogurt
Cheddar cheese

Increase helpful habits:
Keep half a loaf of oat bread in the car.
Eat a slice of oat bread before each meal, chewing slowly, and sipping water to keep up with the starch.
Eat a slice of oat bread about 20 minutes after each explosion, chewing very slowly and sipping water.


Decrease trigger foods:
Varies by individual, for some it's tomatoes, coffee, milk, SUGAR, vinegar, fats, fried chicken-- often, just what we crave.

Decrease trigger habits:
Don't eat fast.
Don't eat too much at a time.
Don't get empty-- keep eating plain oat bread between meals.
Don't rush around after eating.
There are trigger SMELLS. Avoid them!

In general, settle the hell down.

Go to Level II when the above is not enough:

Use Immodium as directed and preventively, but not exceeding specified dosage.
Carry a small bottle of cumin and sniff at it when things start to feel uneasy down there. A vial of Essential Oil of Cumin ($5-10) is better but pretty smelly-- get it at the health store's aromatherapy dept. You will FEEL the tense gut relax like a string has popped, and avoid a lot of nasty explosions.

Level III

When this approach is not enough, document everything you have tried and take that to the doc, and request a prescription anti-spasmodic to add to the above.

If that doesn't work, it's time to consider stress medication to interrupt this terribly debilitating cycle.

Whatever level one is at, this can resolve amazingly quickly if you follow the above regimen. It's also possible to slip on the regimen, especially at first, and be right back where you were-- till your brain learns a new set of signals to send your gut. Once you are doing really well you can even start adding back in some of the trigger food s and habits, as long as you keep the oats and other water-soluble starches coming in.

AVOID till you're well:
Whole wheat bread
Brown rice
Wheat germ
Fibrous greens & veg

~Susan