Hello! Is there anybody out there?

I posted a question not long ago, and nobody's responded. I'm just putting myself out there again. I'd really like it if someone would respond to my question about appetite changes and constant intestinal pressure. Just posting again, and hope someone will notice and be interested this time. Thanks!

[FurballsMom]

Have you checked into food sensitivities?  I noticed with myself that when I discovered what my food sensitivities were that I have had fewer symptoms with my overall digestive health issues.  A good way to figure this out is to follow the food elimination challenge diet.  If you do some research on the elimination diet, you'll see that there are about 16 items that one doesn't eat for at least a couple of weeks, 'til you are symptom free.  Then, you go through a long process of challenging one item that is on the "forbidden" foods list at a time.  Each time you are back on the elimination diet while you wait to see if you will have a reaction to that item or not.  When all is clear, you can challenge the next item on the list.  Wheat and sugar are saved for last.  When I did this, I also discovered food sensitivities to things not on the list.  I guess one is more aware of how food affects a person while going through this process.  Don't forget that lactose and gluten intolerance are common issues for people with IBS.

Another thing I found to be helpful for IBS is using flaxseed meal instead of psyllium fiber.  I found that I was sensitive to psyllium, which aggravated my GERD, whereas the flaxseed meal is a lot gentler and doesn't affect me so adversely as the psyllium fiber.

I noticed improvement in my overall digestive health when I went through this process.  I'm sure it's a good place to start.  My naturopath said that she always has everyone start with the elimination diet before doing anything else, so I know it's the right place for people to start.