Fructose is in all fruit, the majority of vegetables, lots of spices and herbs, wheat, barley, etc. Wheat contains the chains of fructose called fructans and these are also a problem. As you say, the best way to control the symptoms is to avoid the foods that cause them.

This is really addressed to both Saucy and Lelia. Just wanted to put my 2 cents worth in the discussion. I have the same problem and the same frustrations! Not much help on diet advice from docs or dieticians or nutritionists. The things with seeds like tomatoes and cucumber can be eaten if they are peeled and seeded. I am also going by Gundry's Plant Paradox diet, and felt better within 48 hours after making the change! I know it is still controversial, but it has sure helped me. My use of meds for gut problems, both prescription and over the counter, has dropped by about 75%.

I don't agree with everything Gundry recommends, but I my diet is about 90% what he recommends. I still cannot do garlic or onions, or raw dark leafy greens, but everything else is going quite well.

Thank you saucy - yes, I'm aware that fructose is more than HFCS, I think I said threw that out meaning that and all fructose - anyway, the point that I was getting at was that you can perhaps 'self diagnose' this problem by doing an elimination and seeing how your body reacts, without necessarily having any 'formal' testing? Do I have that right? Or did you also have some kind of test... or is there some kind of test? I apologize if I'm repeating info already put out, but I am new here, and haven't had time to go back and read all the threads (although I am working on it).

It is amazing that you felt better so quickly! Can't remember if I wrote it on this thread, but I was also very disappointed with the Mayo dietician I saw just this past Tuesday, so they haven't updated at all still! I thought as part of this "#1 GI center, I was going to be seeing one who specialized in GI issues. The one I saw wasn't even familiar with the FODMAP diet (and one of my diagnoses is SIBO). She told me to eat 3x a day, gain wait and eat lots of fruits and vegetables, etc. Typical stuff you'd read anywhere. I am planning on letting them know they really should get some dedicated GI dieticians if they want to advertise a "comprehensive, treating the whole patient program" ( in a nice way.

It seems one really has to basically manage their problem/s themselves. I think I had high hopes it would be different at a major center, but seems not. I'll look back on your posts for the books, etc. and appreciate your information. I know everyone is different, but I've learned a lot more from patients on this journey. I'm curious about some of these intolerances b/c there seems to be a relationship between them and people with SIBO.

I really want to take as few meds as possible, as in my experience and from reading other people's stories, they can sometimes cause more problems.

This will certainly be a challenge for me, as all love all my sweets. Although I've been sick for 11 years.

One more question. My problems started after a gall bladder surgery, prior to that, I had no problems, so no intolerance, at least that I was aware of. Is it possible for this to develop later in life? I have a feeling my doctor will poo-poo this problem and say that 'it is something genetic you would have had problems with your whole life". He's young and very much "by the book". 🙂