Posts by charles_angel

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Seriously delicious! http://www.instructables.com/id/Vegetarian_Ma tzo_Ball_Soup/

Soup is really great, especially when it gets chilly out.

Luv, as kapp said, that sort of thing can mess with absorption a lot, and may not work for everyone - I would urge you to consider that what you say might encourage someone to not seek advice from a doctor when it is actually needed. It would be best for the OP to see their doc regardless since it is possible that the bleeding is an indication of a more serious problem or that their IBS is getting worse or needs to be re-evaluated.

I have IBS-C also, and I also was not going often, and it got to the point that I was only able to go every week, then two weeks, and finally I was only passing blood. It was very scary, and I went to my doc. He suggested 50g of fiber a day (after having me eat only oatmeal for a few months, adding in other foods to make sure I didn't have allergies - I had to do fruits, then veggies, then dairy, then meat).

I never really listened to the advice until I started feeling sick again. I now have stopped eating meat and most dairy (as they caused bloating and pain for me), and have added a lot of foods to my diet that have extra fiber (Alternative Bagels and Pitas, Lightful Smoothies, Vitamuffins, celery, spinach, beans, etc.). I take flax seed oil and other vitamins, drink only water, and peppermint and other teas sometimes, and take peppermint oil as well since it helps aid digestion.

Good luck with this, and I hope you're able to get it all resolved.

I really like the Kashi Crunch bars, but that might just be me. They've got lots of protein and fiber and are also low-GI. The Special K protein bars (I think that's who makes them) are pretty tastey also, but have a lot more sugar and things than the Kashi ones. Bear Naked also makes some great granola that you could keep in little baggies. Other than that, I'd probably go with something like a whole wheat pita, some veggies, and some hummus - that's what I usually bring if I'm going to be in the car for a while.

Edited to add: The Fiber One bars are really good, but sometimes can taste too sweet, I think. Also, make sure to have a lot of water with them!

A year ago (almost to the day, actually - December 21st), I went from a 34FFF to a 34D. I didn't want to go smaller because I knew I'd feel really weird, but I've never felt better or been happier in my whole life. I was sore for about a week after, and my scars are still fading, but I think my boobs look great. I'd had a huge chest since I was about 13, and all the back and neck and shoulder pain that went with it. My boobs aren't small now, so I do get some pain still, but it's fantastic to be able to buy normal shirts, or try on a dress and have it fit without having to get it three sizes larger and taken in in the waist and hips.

I was told not to run or anything for a while, which is supposed to help make sure everything settles and heals well. Also, make sure you've got bras without underwire to wear for about two months after surgery (the wire will rub where the scars are trying to heal). I got some made by Spanx that I still wear sometimes because they're really comfortable, but sports bras would also work, probably.

Good luck with your surgery - I'm sure you'll feel great after! If you've got any questions, just ask :)

edited to add: I'm 5'7" and was about 135 when I had surgery. Basically my boobs were always much too large for my frame and looked kind of silly. I did gain some weight from laying around after going under the knife, but it's coming off quite quickly now.

I could try for Latin, but I'll admit I'm a little rusty (it's been about four years).

I'm actually not sure it's a side effect, but it made me really really sleepy. Often to the point where I'd fall asleep (almost pass out) about 10 minutes after taking it. Finally my doctor had to put me on something else as well (which is used for narcoleptics). I'm not taking either now though. I found that I did gain some weight, but like other said, it was worth it to not feel that way.

I also have IBS (IBS-C - the type that leads to consipation). When I was diagnosed (I went to see my doctor because I was able to go only once a week, and was passing blood - I wish I'd gone sooner though), my doctor said I should have 50g of fiber a day, and loads of water as well to help move things along.

I have increased my fiber intake to about 40g daily now, and drink only water, some tea (usually peppermint since it helps digestion), and very little coffee (it's not a great thing for people with IBS). I've found these things, along with taking flax (I take the cold-pressed oil caps) helps me a lot. If I have serious pain (which does still happen sometimes), I ask my boyfriend to rub my lower stomach with castor oil, which also helps a lot, as the pressure seems to move things along. I don't take fiber powders or pills - only fiber from food. I'd suggest having a doctor check things out though, as there are a number of really serious conditions that could also lead to what you've described.

Actually no, that's not entirely true (and yeah, I know you're being sarcastic, hayley, but still). When some people mention using Stevia, it's because they grow it themselves - I have a plant in my kitchen, and I add it to tea and things like that, I rarely use the powder or liquid, but I would much rather use that than Splenda or something that is totally artificial.

Though it's a complaint from the Sugar Association to the Federal Trade Commission, it should be noted that "Splenda is not a natural product. It is not cultivated or grown and it does not occur in nature." However, Stevia is a natural product, and if you grow it yourself (which isn't hard at all), there is no question about exactly what's in it.

Stevia, or Stevia Plus (which has extra fiber). It's from a plant, and can be found in most health food stores and some normal grocery stores (Whole Foods, Jewel, and Dominick's have it, among others).

Macs are great (and no, they're not just a fashion statement; depending on what you need to do, often a Mac machine is the best way to go). If you really just need to get online and write essays though, it might not be worth spending the extra cash on one.

However, if you do, and you go with an Intel one (I believe all new ones are), you could also run Windows (I have XP on mine because I hate Vista) by using VMware Fusion. It's pretty cool, and then you can have both Windows and Mac OS in one machine, and without having to restart like you would if you used Boot Camp. You could also run Ubuntu, which is Linux based and is also great (and is free) - if you decide to go with a PC but don't like Windows, this would be a good way to go, since Ubuntu looks and operates very much like Mac OS.

VMware Fusion: http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/

Also, if you'd rather not spend a ton to get the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excell, etc.) you could just download Open Office, which is basically exactly the same, totally compatable with Office, and free.

Open Office Download: http://download.openoffice.org/

As for wanting a Mac because of the iPod/iTunes thing, you can use iTunes and and iPod with any machine (given that it has the right system requirements), so if you don't need what a Mac has to offer, or you're not keen on the OS, there are a lot of cheaper alternatives that probably suit you better. Personally, I adore my MacBook though, and I'd totally recommend getting one.

Actually, no, you're not supposed to have water, brush your teeth, shower, chew gum, really anything at all. I'll be at work though, so I plan on having some water, but it's still going to be really hard.

In the past, I've just thought about what Yom Kippur means, and remembered that very soon I get to have a nice meal. When it comes to breaking the fast, just eat slowly, and recognize when you're full.

Good luck.

I was also bothered by the pill (I am not a moody person ever, and it would make me just flip out for no reason, or start crying, etc.), which is why I opted for the copper IUD (I don't see why you would want the hormonal one when hormones in the pill are what are probably bothering you).

No, I've never had any kids, and yes, it hurt, but not so much that I couldn't go to work the next day (I got it in the afternoon, rested that night, and was fine the next day). I am worried about pain when it's removed, but I guess I'll worry about that when I get to that point.

About the strings bothering a partner, at first mine were longish and bothered me and him as well. I mentioned it to my obgyn, and she trimmed them down so now neither of us can feel them unless we really try to find them. Other than that, I've had no problems at all.