Protein, fiber, what? I want to shoot my stomach! Help!?

Question

I don't know if any of you have seen my previous question. So here:

"Okay, I've been reading around and have found a few things saying that meat stays into your intestines for a lot longer than other foods because it is so hard to digest. I have become a vegetarian now for a little over 2 months. About the end of Jan. I started having gas, an upset stomach, cramping and diarrhea. I was told since I was eating for things with fiber in them, and a healthier diet my body was just getting rid of the meat in my system, and cleansing my body. I'm starting to wonder about it now though. I sometimes don't even feel like I'm about to have a bowel movement, and I do anyways. The movements are not that normal either. They are liquid-like, and have a larger odor that usual.

I don't know what kinds of foods have a lot of fiber in them to begin with, but even so...is this normal? I mean it has been about two and a half weeks of this. It is not getting any better...I don't quite understand."

Now, I went to my doctor asking about it. She said I may be getting too much fiber, that my body is not used to all the veggies, and what not. However, I'm not eating a lot of veggies so I am not sure what is going on. She said I needed more protein, and I've been eating dairy products, veggies dogs/burgers, peanut butter and occassionally some tofu. I've now turned to drinking a soy protein powdered shake, that as other essential vitamins in it. It is seeming to help a bit more, but none the less when I have bowel movements they are still running, and not at all the normal type. What else can I do? Someone, I remember said something about iron, and anemia? What would that have to do with this? I do not want to give up my diet choice and go back to meat. If that is my last choice though, I guess I'll go for fish...but I cannot keep destroying my body like this....

Well, I've been incorporating more protein, and it has been helping a bit. Not quite so frequent, and what not, and a bit more solid but as I said before...still not completely normal....

Thanks you guys. I'll look up the things you've suggested so far.

Answer 1

It sounds to me that you may want to go to a different doctor. You should probably have a colonoscopy and maybe an upper GI. A couple of years ago I had similar problems and was diagnosed with Gerd, which is just severe acid reflux. I take protonix and it helps alot. A natural route would be to go to a health food store and get some acidopholos pills, they restore digestive enzymes. If your bowel movements are that severe and you are not feeling any better, you seriously should see a doctor.

Answer 2

You should definitely go to a different doctor. I would maybe try an allergist and/or a gastrointerologist. I think you should ask to be tested for celiac's disease. I know it sounds scary, not really though.

Celiac's disease is a gluten intolerance. The gluten found in wheat and other items has an adverse reaction in the intestinal tract. It brings on the symptoms you described above.

I would think that your sudden increase of gluten containing items would make it flair up more recently. The good part is that the symptoms of celiac's disease go away upon removing gluten from your diet. As celiac's is becoming well known, adjusting to the necessary diet is becoming easier. A lot of restaurants even now offer gluten free menus (P.F. Chang's has a big one).

I hope that you get checked out soon! Good luck to you! Check out www.celiac.com (copy and paste)

Answer 3

Hi, Ok, If you are going to be a vegetarian you really need to eat a balanced diet. A great staple is beans and rice it is a complete protein. Eat beans at least 3-5 times a week. Before I forget to mention it do not eat soy on a daily basis. This food contains the hormone estrogen and although healthy, should not be consumed on a daily basis. Instead of going on and on I am going to give you some links to get started.


http://nexusnovel.wordpress.com/2006/08/25/health-world-peace-and-the-vegetarian-diet/
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/86/99279.htm
http://www.chiroweb.com/archives/08/24/12.html

Answer 4

Quite honestly, your bathroom situation sound like food allergies. Some people have soy allergies and if you are eating more than you normally would of soy, then.....

I have soy allergies. You are describing the way my body reacts to it.

Things with fiber include:
beans, vegetables, leafy greens, lentils.

That's all I can think of off right now. I'll add more if I think of them.

Answer 5

it takes time for body to get used to, it happened to me too

you have to eat better, eat foods your body is used to
eat wholesome real food, like peanuts, seeds, nuts
and go for real fruits and steamed veggs, you have to eat lite
no soda, no fries, no ketchup, go as soft on the sauce as possible, eat oatmeal for breakfest might help

and i fart allday all night my room smells like a gas chamber
and i've been vegg for 5 yrs, so get used to the farting, otherwise, it's great