Blog For Your Bowels

Success is mine! (in evil Stewie Griffin voice)

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:04:15 -0400

Learning to breathe…the right way.

This week’s post will be one FULL of medical information about a process so significant, yet so elementary, I do not know why there wasn’t a greater emphasis on it during our early childhood.
In just one week, I have incredible news. In just week, after exercises in heavy breathing, meditation, thought/stress/anxiety tracking, and problem-solving, I have reduced the majority of my symptoms more than 75%. I have not changed my diet at all. Now, I don’t want to jump the gun and say, “I AM HEALED”, as it has only been a week, but I am feeling real good. Was this entire disorder a mental manifestation? Who knows, but what I do know is that a little bit of self-help goes a long way.

Chest Breathing vs. Diaphragmatic Breathing. (Note: Much of this information taken from the book, Controlling IBS: The Drug Free Way)

Chest breathing stimulates a network of nerves that controls your heart, stomach and intestines. An important job of this part of the nervous system is to regulate digestion and the muscle contractions that eliminate solid waste. So when you breathe from your chest, it activates the parts of your nervous system that produce many uncomfortable sensations experienced during periods of stress. Chest breathing also supplies the muscles with more oxygen to fuel the cells in the body, preparing you to fight or flee.

When psychological stress activates the fight-or-flight response, problems arise: Because you aren’t fleeing or fighting, there’s no outlet for the surge of physical tension, so activation the fight-or-flight response during a stressful situation is a bit like pressing one foot on the accelerator and the other on the brake at the same time. Your body, like your car, revs up. Revving up your body like this can disrupt the delicate balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide that your body needs to stay on an even keel.

Chest breathing also makes it hard to draw air into the lowest part of the lungs, where there’s a concentration of small blood vessels that carry oxygen to the cells. With these blood vessels on the sidelines, chest breathing can make you feel tense and out of breath.

Doesn’t the above description seem like the absolute worst way to breathe? YES.
Now, on to the right way to breathe, the diaphragmatic way. I say breathe yourself to a new life.

Background-most people have an idea of how this works. Diaphragmatic breathing relies on a dome-shaped muscle beneath the ribs called the diaphragm. When you breathe in, the diaphragm moves down and the lungs expand with air, drawing in oxygen. As you breathe out, the diaphragm moves up, and the lungs contract, expelling air.

Diaphragmatic breathing activates the part of the nervous system that puts a brake on the fight-or-flight response. It’s impossible to be physically relaxed and stressed at the same time, so that controlling your breathing patterns you override the physical part of stress that can aggravate bowel symptoms. With diaphragmatic breathing, there’s a good mix of oxygen coming into the lungs and carbon dioxide coming out, and the fight-or-flight system comes to a screeching halt. Diaphragmatic breathing also releases the body’s own painkillers (called endorphins), so you’ll feel more comfortable.

Did you guys just read that? Our body releases its own painkillers…what??? AWESOME!!! I don’t think I have to go into further explanation about the importance, or rather large significance that the correct way of breathing offers all of us; it just makes so much sense. When I spoke of heavy breathing earlier, I mean something as simple as taking just 10 minutes out of your busy day, finding some privacy, getting comfortable in a chair or if possible, lying down, and doing the following:

1. Close your eyes.
2. Count one as you breathe in, and say relax as you breathe out.
3. As you breathe in, your belly should push out; as your breathe out, draw your belly in. Keep your chest still throughout.
4. Focus your attention on the number or relaxing word without letting other thoughts cross your mind. (Thoughts will obviously constantly pop into and out of your mind, and when they do, just gently push them away and get back to the practice).
5. Maintain a comfortable rate of breathing that is even and smooth.
6. Count up to 10 and repeat.
7. Practice two to three times daily for at least 10 minutes.

Slow deep breathing like this is very good for you, lowering your blood pressure and heart rate, increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart and brain, and resetting the balance of brain and body. These physical changes in turn produce a variety of positive psychological effects such as reduced worry and anxiety, as well as improvements in your emotional well-being.

There are many other types of methods and strategies to use, this was one of the easiest. In this crazy world we live in, we all need to take a step back from life, and take a few deep breathes. Trust me, it does work, and it does wonders for your mental health, and in turn for me, it does wonders to my physical health as well.

Thanks Ma! Some moms like to send food Others send clothes of...

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:47:00 -0400

Thanks Ma!

Some moms like to send food
Others send clothes of all types
JTLs’ mom sends Vineyard Vines
My mom sends me Baby Wipes.

Ladies and Germs, I am pleased to report a significant change over the past week. A full report on the importance and significance of diaphragmatic breathing is expected to be released on Sunday.

The Costa Rican Paradise- My bowels agree. I returned 2 days...

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:52:13 -0400

The Costa Rican Paradise- My bowels agree.

I returned 2 days ago from quite possibly the greatest trip I have taken thus far in my 27 years of living. Myself, and 17 other men embarked on a journey to Jaco Beach, Costa Rica, for the bachelor party of my best friend, JCR, where we stayed at the above Casa Ponte. Just look above, is that not a picture of paradise? If you don’t think so, email me and tell me your idea of paradise, we’ll compare and I bet I’ll come up on top. To ensure privacy, I am not disclosing details of our trip, but instead I will disclose a quick detail of what my bowels thought of this trip. This 4 day party was another point of evidence that shows that no matter what I ingest into my body, if my mind is in a comfortable place, I will feel good, and my gut will feel good. As I said, not getting into details, but of the 4 days I was down in CR, I frequented the bathroom just twice, and had a pleasurable experience both times. It wasn’t until I was waiting for 3 hours at Miami International for our midnight flight to New York, that my bowels did a 180 and made me run to the bathroom (Yes, I do “Carry On” baby wipes).

If you’re interested in a wet ‘n’ wild vacation, Jaco Beach is filled with surfing, fishing, zip lining, Imperial, ladies, Imperial, and more ladies. It is a beautiful place that offers much to do, and our guide couldn’t have offered a bunch of guys a better experience. Here is a link to his website, www.hookedoncostarica.com. His name is Capt. Josh Foster, and what he did for us was unimaginable.

Now, on to fixing this irritable colon. Much to my surprise, I received a comment a week ago from the author of the book I mentioned in my last post. I spent two hours last night writing up Excel spreadsheets, ranging from Daily Stress/Thought, Relaxation Training, to a Decatastrophizing worksheet- I can’t wait to dive into that one. I figure it will take at least a week for my gut to return to “some” mode of normality, especially since the change from a liquid to a solid food diet is a drastic one, so I plan on beginning this new therapy on Monday- no ifs, ends or buts. For now, I am in a detox and recovery stage. Stay tuned…

CONFESSIONS FROM THE JOHN Friday, May 8th- This past week has...

Fri, 08 May 2009 13:53:00 -0400

CONFESSIONS FROM THE JOHN

Friday, May 8th- This past week has been one of discouragement, anger and sadness, but also one filled with the potential of hope. I must have ate over 20 bananas this week, and I went to bad last night with straight up hunger pains. I now prepare for the weekend, and a debaucherous night on the town filled with boxing and steaks. Everyone enjoy their weekends, and LETS GO METS!!!

I sit here, in pain and discouraged...

Wed, 06 May 2009 15:46:43 -0400

On the day of my Mother’s birth, I sit here, in pain and discouraged, and ask myself, “how could she have birthed me with such an irritable colon?” Today, as of 3:30pm I have ran to the bathroom three times and waddled slowly out each time trying to reflect on the reasons why this is happening. Last week, I visited my favorite gastroenterologist, Dr. Eric Goldstein on the Upper East Side (Shout Out- thanks doc.) BUT, thanks for what??? I AM NOT GETTING ANY BETTER!!!
I recently, as in one week ago, came off a medicine used to calm my nerves. I am a highly active, high strung, animated character that wants to find some type of working method in order to alleviate some of the pains (in the ass) of this damn disorder. SAY NO TO MEDS!!! Yes, that will be my motto in the months to come. I purchased a “self help” workbook called, Controlling IBS: The Drug Free Way, written by Dr. Jeffrey M. Lackner. It claims relief from IBS using a 10-Step Plan. Why not make it a 12-Step Plan so I can use those last two steps to drink my anxiety away? Maybe that would cure this ailment. Anyways, the approach is simple, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which “teaches you to change the way you think about and respond to difficulties”. Yea OK Doc, let’s give it a shot. But seriously folks, I am going to give this a shot. I have never done this particular type of therapy. I have tried the hypnosis (self and group), acupuncture (self, but group could be sorta cool and interesting!), and even tried sticking things up my…wait…sorry, wrong blog. If it ain’t the food I’m eating, and if medications aren’t going to be the answer, then I MUST conquer this underlying anxiety that has entrenched itself within the walls of my gut. I say GODSPEED to me, GO GET ‘EM. Go calm your nerves and calm your gut, and tell all who want to listen about the ways of the IBS. I hope to have something positive to talk out about next time, stay tuned…

Although sent to me as a suggestion for treatment methods, I...

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:51:12 -0400

Although sent to me as a suggestion for treatment methods, I couldn’t help but notice #2 of “The Lowdown” Section at the bottom of the page…

Skydiving 2009- DISCLAIMER: Skydiving may make you poop your...

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:53:04 -0400

Skydiving 2009- DISCLAIMER: Skydiving may make you poop your pants.

My Favorite Babywipes (to date)

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:08:28 -0400

My Favorite Babywipes (to date):

Earth’s Best Baby Wipes- Chlorine free, with a natural lotion containing aloe vera and vitamin e, and are of course alcohol free. So soft and so moist. I wonder if chlorine is the variable in these wipes which makes some sting and others not; this will be a study I must conduct in the near future. I found this particular wipe at a local grocery store in Georgetown, Connecticut. I don’t think it is widely distributed, but as of now, this is the best baby wipe I have EVER used.

Say NO to the "TAG"

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:34:00 -0400

Happy Easter and Passover to all. I will make this short and sweet, like the time it takes me to get to the toilet after eating a chocolate bunny that is sweet. Does that even make sense? I LOVE chocolate, but too much of it will make me, or anyone for that matter, feel sick. Quick fact; Doctors advise to eat dark chocolate as it releases serotonin into the brain. This can supposedly help to relieve stress, and/or help your mood.

Besides the Easter holiday, this past weekend was one of another important celebration, my niece and nephews First Communion. 10 year old twins; one liked the “blood”, the other did not. I have 5 nieces and nephews, and for now, they will be referred to as “The A-Team”, and the twins, “TnT”. It was a significant event in their lives, and I was happy to be there. After the ceremony the family went out to dinner. My parents seem to think that the only place we can take a bunch of children out to dinner is the Tin Alley Grill, located on Stewart Avenue in Garden City. I can’t tell you how many times I have been there, and every time I whine like a little girl, BUT, it’s for a good purpose, I KNOW THE FOOD WILL MAKE ME SICK. I stayed away from the greasy chips and artichoke dip, and the fried mozzarella, yet I still knew the ending of this meal would not be good. To be honest, my marinated skirt steak tasted pretty good, but it must have been the sauce, as like clockwork, I had to excuse myself early and leave the restaurant. Luckily I live less than five minutes from home, and new I would be in the comfort of my own bathroom in a short amount of time. My recently “communed” nephew asked, “Why don’t you just use the bathroom here?” I replied, “I need my privacy”.

Just make sure you pass all gas before you go live!!! And if...

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 07:46:00 -0400

Just make sure you pass all gas before you go live!!! And if you haven’t checked out failblog.org, please do so, some great laughs. Video courtesy of JTL, thanks buddy.

The Story Behind the Three-Pronged Claw I think I need to...

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:11:00 -0400

The Story Behind the Three-Pronged Claw

I think I need to liven up the mood right now, and this isn’t an April Fool’s joke. Speaking of, did anyone get hit with Conficker?

Let’s forget about the burger and forget about the economy. This story dates back to the pre-2000 millennium. I first developed symptoms of IBS in 1999, my junior year of high school. I knew something was up when after eating a bacon, egg, and cheese from Dirty Deli after 1st period, I would have to run to the bathroom. This strange and unfortunate activity continued for several weeks, so I went to a gastroenterologist in Mineola, NY. The first test that a new patient undergoes, (or at least the first procedure that I underwent) is a Sigmoidoscopy. The Sigmoid is the lowest portion of the Colon, i.e. Large Intestine. It holds the “matter” before it is sent out into the “porcelain palace”. Three typical procedures for the gastrointestinal tract (“GI”) are Sigmoidoscopy, Colonoscopy, and Endoscopy. The Sigmoidoscopy does not require complete sedation, as the camera does not travel up far into the Colon. If any of you have completed the aforementioned procedures, you know all about the preparation. Maybe it’s a drink, maybe it’s an enema…, or a powerful combination of both. But it CLEANS YOU OUT and is VERY unpleasant.

The story goes like this: I was put under mild sedation, and was able to watch the procedure on a small TV screen up in the corner of the examination room. At most it feels like a bunch of air being introduced up into your behind…, uncomfortable but painless. As I watched the screen, I saw small bits of green jello float by… yes, green jello. During prep, I was only allowed to drink or eat certain liquids and foods, and green jello was one of them. A minute or two later, I saw a metal arm come into the TV frame, and with three prongs, a claw grabbed a piece of my insides!!! I could even see a bit of blood as the claw took a sample of my sigmoid colon for biopsy. Needless to say I was shocked, and immediately considered a lawsuit. No, I didn’t; that would have been stupid and pathetic. In the end, I thought it was incredible. I saw green jello in my intestine, and then a mechanical device installed in an endoscope reach out and take a bite out of me!!!

The bottom line and the conclusion of this test showed that my colon appeared to be, and was indeed, healthy. IBS does not damage any lining villa or create polyps or ulcers. The intestine itself is not harmed by IBS and seems to function with normal action until there is a GI stimulant.

The Brain-Gut Function is what IBS is ALL about. More about life and the “BGF” later…

Get This Now

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:33:18 -0400

Get This Now:

Ever wonder what new bands are worth listening to? Well my good friend Kazz filters out the bad, and tells you what you need to get, NOW!!

"And Then There Were Five Guys"

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:30:00 -0400

If you thought I’ve been in the bathroom this past entire week, you were correct. Some of you may have experienced the above well-known burger, some may have not. My description pertains to those of you who fear a greasy, fatty, but delicious burger.

My experience with “Five Guys” occurred last Sunday, at the West Village 7th Avenue location. It started as a great Sunday; one filled with brunch, screwdrivers, and several Guinness, which I think can be consumed at any time during the day. For some reason, I thought it would be a good idea to join my buddies for the first time at their local burger joint. They had just moved into the West Village, and I was enjoying my first stay with them (on the couch of course). Upon arriving to Five Guys, I stumbled through the ordering process (which involves an order of a single or double burger, then a quick read off the toppings menu, throw in an order of fries, and you were good to go…just wait and sip on the fountain soda). Another IBS no-no: DON’T DRINK SODA! Think about it; soda has sugar in a syrup form, aka High Fructose Corn Syrup. Sucrose, Fructose, and other sugar formulations are tested for in a Sucrose/Fructose exam, where you drink a solution and breathe into a tube every 15 minutes for three hours. The test shows any enzymatic activity as a result of the ingestion of sugar, and is a great way to take off a morning, sit on a couch and relax. Hopefully an attractive nurse will be helping you with this “examination”. Back to the burger; I devoured it and I enjoyed every second of it. It was tasty and it was messy, but by NO means, does it compare to a J.G. Melons burger, or Luke’s. Some of you may not know Luke’s… enjoy, 1394 3rd Ave.

Fortunately, I was able to fall asleep that night, wake up, and drive 60 miles to work with no problems, but WOW was Monday a killer. I was nauseas; everything I ate made me feel worse, and I made several trips to the bathroom. I haven’t been the same since that burger even though my eating regiment has been on track since Monday. IBS is such a rollercoaster of a ride, with the ups and downs and peaks and valleys, and there isn’t a way to track it. I am still searching for the answer. I guess strong irritants to your colon have a longer lasting effect on your body than I previously had thought.

So folks, this experience with Five Guys taught me something. I can’t expect to be physically all right after ingesting several Guinness followed by a greasy double cheeseburger. So with Five Guys, I start a new series for Blog For Your Bowels, entitled, “Five Guys Ain’t My Guy”. This series will list and discuss eateries, not limited to the NYC area, that will definitely cause a problem if you suffer from IBS.

A mean joke or an act of baking ingenuity with a sick twist?

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:06:00 -0400

A mean joke or an act of baking ingenuity with a sick twist?

I am really stuffed up…like a turkey on thanksgiving. I took way too much Imodium over the...

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:05:00 -0400

I am really stuffed up…like a turkey on thanksgiving. I took way too much Imodium over the weekend.

On to the cake. I turned 27 years young this past Saturday and yes, the gray hairs continue to grow. I feel distinguished and if anything, my colon recognizes that, and put me through the wringer this weekend. Real quick, I had my first colonoscopy 10 years ago, and upon coming out of anesthesia I was told that I had an “elongated colon”. Yeah, okay, so what? So my colon looks healthy but is too long? Anyways, that pissed me off, and now I wonder if my colon continues to grow in spite of me.

The birthday celebration started with a BBQ with some buddies at Rizzo’s Bar, out on Long Island, and boy can this kid cook. Filets, lamb chops, veal on the bone, and even some bacon to decorate each delectable entrée. We ate a lot, drank a lot, and so in time came the urgent need for the “John”. A quick dash past two wild, flesh-eating puppies led me to the well-known and frequented mirrored bathroom, where I was able to evaluate every possible angle and expression of this supposed “involuntary” motility function. A doosy, it was.

Up next was bowling, where every movement your body makes plays a role in the success of each roll. While completely uncomfortable, I managed to bowl two games around the 150 mark, a feat of which I am proud.

On Sunday morning, to celebrate a few births in my immediate family, I woke up, blurry-eyed and robe- with-tie in tow, and hobbled downstairs to see an Italian feast at noontime. I knew I was in BIG, BIG trouble, but I wasted no time in devouring the contents of each hot dish that lay out on the dining room table. ALAS, I ate breakfast and lunch in the same meal! On to dessert. Out comes this hilarious looking cake, which looked noticeably different than your usual birthday cake. In fact, I was insulted at first glance. How could my sister bake me a cake that looked like a giant poop?!

Well, she didn’t. Our dog Holly, an evil reincarnation of our old lab Molly, ate half the cake, luckily before it was iced.

The lesson from the weekend is…there is no lesson. If you eat and drink the entire weekend, you are going to get sick, no matter how old you are, or how long your colon is.

Contact Info

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:40:16 -0400

All, please email me your thoughts, comments, suggestions and stories from the toilet at blogforyourbowels@gmail.com

Coffee or Tea?

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:02:44 -0400

Coffee, Coffee, Coffee. There is such an obsession with coffee these days it makes me sick. I recently gave up coffee back in December, and haven’t touched the poison since. I say poison because coffee is well-known as an irritant, instigator, whatever you want to call it, that gets the gut MOVING. For an IBS patient, coffee is a complete no-no, just like alcohol, fatty and greasy foods, etc. Part of treatment is the ability to identify triggers in one’s diet that can lead to the onset of symptoms, and we all know what symptoms I am talking about, the coffee sh*ts. Because IBS is both brain-gut motility and food related, it is difficult to isolate the true factors that can cause discomfort. Since the start of the new year, I have been keeping a record of all the food I eat, my beautiful niece Taylor has named it my, “Poop Journal”, clever and great. I do this more for sanity and scheduling reasons than I do for investigatory reasons, as I already know what makes me sick.

A brief bit on tea. Tea is great. Should I feel any less of a man if I order tea from a restaurant? Hell no. People of ignorance will name call and bust balls, but the truth is tea is easier on the stomach, is a good source of anti-oxidants, and provides caffeine. I drink a few cups of assorted teas each day, and green tea is a personal favorite because of its ability to strengthen the immune system with a very high source of these anti-oxidants.

So in closing before the weekend, drink as much tea as you want. If someone makes fun of you, take out the hot tea bag and smack it against their forehead.

A short clip on the pain I sometimes experience, taken from...

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:37:00 -0400

A short clip on the pain I sometimes experience, taken from Chicago, 2008. IMPORTANT- I did NOT know this was being filmed.

Pork Chops and Baby Wipes

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:48:52 -0400

To all friends and family, parents of infants, depends’ wearing senior citizens, do me a favor and wipe your butt with a wipe that is alcohol free. We all know that “sting” and “burn” you feel when alcohol enters a fresh, open wound, it freakn hurts! Would you like that same feeling on your bum? NO, I didn’t think so. It is as tortuous as a baby as it is as an adult.

Side Note- Don’t eat pork chops then sit through a movie.

Don't hold it in!

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 07:35:00 -0400

It’s been a while, and I admit things have been going quite well. BUT, I had a tough time at the movies last night. I went on a date with a “gal pal” and finally saw the much talked about, academy award winning Slumdog Millionaire. It was an incredible, inspiring movie with incredible acting, an entertaining soundtrack, and Frieda Pinto who is gorgeous. HOWEVER, we went to a quick dinner beforehand, I decided to eat pork chops, sweet potato fries, and a glass of red. The usual “post meal” intestinal contractions started almost immediately after dinner, and I did not want to miss a line from the movie, so instead I held it in! That could be one of the worst things to do, it just doesn’t seem healthy, and natural, and I was uncomfortable for the entire length of the movie, which fortunately was only 2 hours.

On another note, I wanted to give an update on my current IBS Health status. There have been good days and bad days over the last month, but on average I am doing better, and I relate this to a combination of Imodium Chewable and pill form tablets. I am taking 6 pills per day, along with my usual medication of lotronex and amitriptyline, which I just looked up in Wiki as the following, “Amitriptyline is now used in the United States and UK to prevent migraines and vaginal swelling only in very small doses.” Vaginal Swelling, who would have thought!! Anyways, I wanted to share a usual weekday diet which I feel complements an IBS-D sufferer well, and that is rather healthy too!

7am- Important to start the day with soluble fiber- banana
8am- 1 cup oatmeal with 1 cup lactaid milk, yogurt, regular tea with milk, and 2 charcoal tablets to aid in overall digestion and prevention of bloating and gas.
10:30am- A few scoops of cottage cheese, celery and carrots
11am- banana, Danactive fruit drink (good source of probiotic)
12:15am- Sliced Chicken breast with Swiss on Whole Wheat, apple, a few baked lays chips, peppermint tea (also helps with digestion)
3pm- bowl of salad with Lite Ranch dressing, apple sauce, 1 cup of granola
5:30pm- 2 cans of tuna with a bit of mayo, salt and pepper
6pm- power/protein/fiber bar (on the way to the gym of course)
8:45pm- 4 egg whites, 5-7oz burger, 1 can of ensure

As you can see, eating small meals (one might not consider the above lunch and dinner small meals) is crucial when fighting IBS. When the stomach gets too full, triggers are sent to the brain to begin normal GI motility functions, however with IBS-D, these aren’t normal functions, they are rapid and more frequent, causing urgent and rushed bowel movements. I have a very fast metabolism, so there is a trade-off of being skinny, and having to run to the bathroom every now and then!!!

Till next time….