Hello,

I am writing to ask for advice.
I have just recently been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome after a barium
enema that had been done to rule out colon cancer and the like. As much as I am
happy that nothing more serious was found, and I am not quite happy with the IBS
diagnosis either, knowing that this is the stamp being put on anything that
can't be otherwise explained, the condition has been getting worse in the last
couple of weeks and now I am at a point of having to take time off work because
of the symptoms. At the moment I am going through a cycle of diarrhea which is
still easier to handle then constipation. The thing that bothers me most is the
"nervous" stomach. It is quite irritating and adds even more to the stress that
probably caused or causes the condition in the first place.

I live in Victoria, B.C., Canada and do have a Vaidya who I have been seeing for
about six months now but who makes him self very unavailable for follow ups on
intakes that had been done. So I decided to ask for advice on this list.

I am a 30 year old female, 5'11" tall, 172ish lbs. My prakruti was determined
as Vata Kapha. I am slightly overweight for my frame. I have been seeing the
vaidya for weightloss and diabetes type I. I was put on a diet consisting of
mainly of fish, millet, couscous, buckwheat, greens, asparagus and string beans,
spinach and the like. In the colder seasons I take fenugreek seeds and red
rice, in summer I am too avoid it. I am to avoid eggs, red meat, alcohol, hot
spicy foods, canned drinks, fruit juices, cold water/drinks, ice cream and the
like. So basically a somewhat kapha reducing and diabetic diet. Most of the
time I follow this diet, weak points are chocolate and fruits when low blood
sugar kicks in.

He also put me on the following supplements: triphala, karela tablets, neem
tablets, Cardana from AOR (for palpitations), amla, a maharishi for smooth
menstrual cycle, holy basil, turmeric, aloe gel three times daily.
Admittedly I do self medicate with magnesium/calcium, milk thistle, a mix of
shardunika and cinnamon, Rasayana Somalata from Circle of Health, evening
primrose oil, trikatu and hingvastak, acidophilus.

Being a trained Yoga instructor I am on a regular shat karma program in the
morning, jala neti, nasya, sutra neti once weekly, if I feel the need I do
vamana dhauti once weekly depending on mucous build-up, or bhasti if I get
constipated, daily oleation with mustard and castor oils, and a drop of castor
oil in the eyes at night.

My asana and sadhana practice used to be regular but has been suffering lately,
I am trying to make the time again.

What I am asking for is guidance, advice I can follow and the possibility of
doing check-ins once in a while if the condition changes. I know it is very hard
to diagnose or treat a condition this way, yet the way it is going right now
doesn't help much either. I have been getting herbs and herbal powders through
Banyan and the Ayurvedic Institute in the past and am able to mix formulas and
capsulate them myself if need be. Since I am in Canada I won't be able to get
most of the formulas and ayurvedic meds available in India that have been
mentioned on the list before.

Any input on- or off-list will be very muchly appreciated.

Thanks bunches and looking forward to any advice,
Claudia.


[Added by moderator: When a querry is raised in this manner, it is very helpful
for all to understand the situation]