I’ve been dealing with GI issues for at least 55 years. When I was about 14 years old, I would get bloated and had pain around my naval and lower left quadrant. I also had chronic constipation. I don’t remember the various tests I had but they were all to no avail.

Though out the years, I coped as best I could. Symptoms changed a little over the years. In addition to bloating, gas, pain, and constipation I would have 2-3 days in a row when I would be depressed, sound and touch sensitive, and very fatigued. I also experienced what is now called brain fog. Depression symptoms included feeling extremely negative, pessimistic and that all was hopeless and overwhelming. I was tested for conditions other than IBS. All were negative. My solution was to just lay on the couch and repeat to myself over and over “this will pass”. When the “attack” was over, I would return to my normal optimistic, energetic self. It was hard to believe that my mental state changed so drastically. It seemed similar to bipolar with personality/mood highs and lows but it wasn’t lasting.

In 2001, I underwent a IgG1 & 4 Food Antibody Assay with Diet test. I learned I was severely sensitive to egg white, egg yolk, milk, sunflower and moderately sensitive to lamb, oyster, shrimp, almond, navy bean and peanut. I also went on an elimination diet monitored by Bastyr University, a naturopathic medical college close to where I lived. In addition to the other foods I mentioned, it seemed I was sensitive to wheat and oats. I followed a four day eating rotation plan but it did not resolve my worst symptoms.

A few years ago my GI doctor recommended Miralax for constipation. It resolved the constipation but all other symptoms remained. Over the years, I tested negative for IBS, celiac, ulcers, colitis, gall bladder, chronic fatigue syndrome and so forth. Recently, I tested positive for SIBO and was treated with regimes of antibiotics. I also started FODMAP but did not notice a big change in symptoms. I still follow parts of it as it is a excellent guide for eating with caution.

I had been taking chloriazepoxide/clidinium (C/C) as needed for a few years when I was notified that Express Scripts was out of the product. My doctor substituted dicyclomine HCL. They both work as an antispasmodic but the C/C also includes a controlled sedative. I got a prescription for it later and when I took it I could literally feel a relaxing in a specific area of my GI tract, a movement of gas and decreased pain. Maybe my GI tract after all the years of pain, was in frequent stress mode.

The other day I attended a party which was catered by Olive Garden. I usually avoid chain restaurants like that as there seems to be something in the food that causes symptoms. It doesn’t seem to be the foods I’m sensitive to. I’ve wondered if it is an additive. I had a severe “attack” with pain in the lower left quadrant. It had been quite sometime since I’d felt that sick so it served as a good contrast to feeling good. I’ve read that our second brain is in our gut and my experience backs that up. In addition to the pain, I couldn’t turn down my brain (thoughts sped through my head) plus my ability to speak fluid was reduced. I felt achy, anxious, bloated and more.

I have more pain free days now than I have in years. I’ve learned that my condition is from more than one issue and that science may not be able to put their finger on the cause(s) at this time. Healing and recovery has many components – diet, exercise, sleep, reduced stress, change of thought, and medication. Resolution is like a Rubik’s Cube. Thank goodness I’m an RD.