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". 🙂