About 12 years ago, we had a more serious matter to deal with. Pills, prescribed by the doctor to alleviate arthritis, gave my husband a perforated stomach ulcer. Obviously he had to have medical treatment for this severe problem. I think our doctor was relieved that I viewed the prospect of providing a special and carefully chosen diet without panic. That state continued throughout the rest of my husband’s life.
When people have to watch their diet because of stomach complaints, there are two important points to bear in mind. First, they should not eat in a rush or when tired. In the evening, they should relax and unwind before eating. Second, it may be much wiser for them to eat frequent, lighter meals, rather than a few heavier ones.
I come now to my first-hand experience of gut trouble. It happened in the late autumn of 2001. I was very busy with a number of speaking engagements, articles and books to write. Suddenly, quite out of the blue, I awoke to be faced with the most severe diarrhoea. What on earth could be wrong? I must have dashed to the toilet well over 20 times during the morning and afternoon. Fortunately, someone was available to go to the chemist and get a suitable preparation for me, so I took capsules for the treatment of diarrhoea, following the dosage on the packet. By the evening, these seemed to be making matters slightly better. I was very worried because I would be working away from home over the next few days. I made an appointment to see the doctor on my return and continued ‘holding things at bay’ with the help of the capsules and a drastic change in my eating habits.
While staying in a hotel I was extremely careful about everything I ate. When I got home, I adapted my diet to omit anything that could make matters worse. I avoided high-fibre ingredients and reduced my previously generous amounts of fruits and vegetables. I was still taking limited doses of the capsules. One day, I remembered a rather simple remedy I had heard of years earlier. It was when I was taking part in a television programme as the cookery expert. On this occasion a doctor was giving a talk on current health matters. While we were chatting together, another of the participants came up to ask her advice. She had bad diarrhoea. Was there anything the doctor could suggest? The studio was a long way from a chemist so she did not have time to buy a suitable remedy.
The doctor’s advice was, ‘Go down to the canteen and ask them to peel then grate a dessert apple for you. Leave it until it turns brown then eat it. I am sure you will find that a help.’
When the programme had finished, I asked the unfortunate sufferer if the rather unusual apple treatment had proved successful, and she said it had. Remembering this event, I also ate grated apple.
By the time I saw the doctor I was feeling considerably better, although still relying on limited amounts of the capsules. I felt I was more in control of my situation. The doctor looked serious at first and examined me. She was uncertain about what could be the problem, so she arranged for me to see a consultant. In the meantime, she would have tests taken to check whether I had some kind of food poisoning. As I was so busy, I arranged to see the consultant privately to fit in with my work. When I went to the consulting rooms, the gentleman did not give me a great deal of information. He seemed uncertain as to what was wrong. I felt he thought I was making a mountain out of a molehill. By then I had done quite a lot of reading to try and find out more about my condition, so I asked him whether I could have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
‘Not possible,’ was his reply. ‘You are far too old for that. Carry on as you are doing and come back in six weeks if you are no better. We will have to consider an exploratory operation.’
I am a member of the Forum on Food and Health at the Royal Society of Medicine. Fortunately, there was to be a day-long meeting on the value of probiotics and their effect on certain ailments. Among the ailments listed in the programme was IBS. I attended the sessions and learned a great deal about probiotics. I also learned that it was quite possible for me to have IBS, even at my advanced age, which was 86 at the time. On my return visit to my doctor I explained about this theory. The tests had shown I had no sign of food poisoning. The doctor by then had considered that it could be a case of IBS. Because I am basically very healthy, I think I have had it fairly mildly, with none of the pain that many people experience. The doctor stated that I had followed the right regime up to that point, and gave me a prescription for suitable capsules in case they were needed in the future. I never take these capsules or the less strong tablets regularly as they cause constipation and could prevent the body absorbing other medication.
I am writing these words in early 2003 and can say that I have had no trouble for some months. I am aware that IBS is a recurring illness and could come back, so I am always alert to this possibility. As a safeguard, I carry prescribed capsules with me if I am to be away from home for any length of time. Although I am now back on a normal food routine, there are some adaptations I make all the time. Once I ate what many people would regard as an ultra-generous amount of fruit and vegetables. I now eat a slightly reduced amount and take great care to avoid skins. I am a great lover of nuts but eat them rarely and with caution. For some years I have curtailed consumption of wheat in any form to aid my arthritis, and I have discovered that wheat accentuates IBS in some cases. I am sure I have benefited by taking a daily probiotic and live yoghurt. Some of my favourite, and beneficial, dishes are the syllabubs on pages 184–5 and the smoothies. I particularly like the Autumn Special with its ginger flavour. Fortunately, I can make this any time of the year. I enjoy the dishes I have created from the recipes that follow. I do not feel I am being deprived of interesting meals at all.
Since IBS is so often allied to stress, I try to make my life as peaceful as possible, although I am still doing a considerable amount of work. There is no doubt that a condition such as IBS can cause one to panic. When I fear an attack may be coming on, I take the practical dietary steps given in this book. Also, no matter how busy I am, I take time out and spoil myself – and I think this is equally helpful. I listen to music, watch a light-hearted video or film or read a favourite book, preferably one that makes me laugh. I drink a delicious smoothie or cup of tea and enjoy something like a sweet biscuit or freshly baked scone. Tension eases; I am in control of my situation; I can cope with it; and sometimes I feel I may have averted an attack.
I know it is difficult to give up some of the foods you enjoy and replace them with new ones, but none of the recipes contains anything difficult to obtain or unpleasant. On the contrary, most of the ingredients are enjoyable. The dishes are simple to prepare, which is important, for neither you nor your carer will want to spend too long cooking. In following the help given in this book you should steadily begin to feel a wonderful sense of recovery and freedom from pain or discomfort.
I wish you good eating and renewed good health.
Marguerite Patten OBE
A healthy body depends on a healthy gut.
Marguerite