Fodmap Eating Plan

Hello @woogie, I appreciate your post! I'm glad you are part of the Connect family. The fodmap diet is a dairy and gluten-free with other restrictions as well. It is especially helpful for people with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).

You make a good point, not all good foods are good for everyone. I'm glad that you found the help when you became dairy-free. Have you tried any of the milk alternatives like Almond milk?

No, I haven't. I will. Thank you. I have had a problem with constipation my whole life. I have taken so many laxatives, drank Miralax, you name it. A couple of weeks ago, I asked my doctor to prescribe Lizness (which I saw on TV). She did and I took one as directed. Take in morning before eating. Later, that night, I was nearly asleep, around midnight. I felt sicker, like I was going to vomit, every nerve in my body was saying something, My bp went up to 200/105 pulse 135. It really scared me, I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I did go to the bathroom, it did it's job but what H I went through. Since the rx cost $65, I paid $65 for one pill. Since then, my bp has been up several times--so, I can't blame the pill, can I?

If the BP problem persists it would be good to contact your doctor. I looked at the drug company's website and it said that if any side effects persist you should call your doctor.

The website (https://www.linzess.com/about-linzess/common-side-effects?) also said that any unusual side effects should be reported to the FDA. Here is the quote from their website: "You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088."

Has your doctor ever mentioned the fodmap eating plan? You follow it for a month and then gradually add restricted foods in very small amounts. As you can't tolerate dairy it might be good to see if gluten is a problem as well.

I hope your side effects from the Linzess begin to dissipate. Will you post again?

I did go to the doctor. It was my G.P. I told her about it and told her I wasn't going to take it anymore. She didn't know anymore about it than I did. My BP has been high several times since then--two weeks ago when I got the medicine. No, the doctor has never mentioned the fodmap eating plan. She doesn't even know about my being allergic to dairy. I have so many other things, you wouldn't believe it. I have Barrett's Esophagus for one thing. She prescribed a pill I take a night which will help me get to sleep and bp at the same time. I have a hiatal hernia which I am going to have a consultation next week. I am not wanting to go out in public, especially to a hospital to have an operation at this time. I have had so many surgeries, I can't remember them all!

Complicated health problems are difficult to deal with, @woogie, and you seem to have several. I can see that it would be difficult to sort them all out. Have you considered going to a multi-disciplinary health care center, like a university medical school or a facility like Mayo Clinic? In addition to their research, they have many specialists who work together to solve complex health problems.

In the meantime, I might suggest that you keep a food journal and see if any foods tend to make your symptoms worse. It might give you clues as to other intolerances to foods other than dairy.

What is Fodmop?

Hello @cectono,
Fodmap is an eating plan for those of us with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). It basically eliminates gluten and some other groups of food that do not digest well in the small intestine.

Here is a link from Mayo Clinic's website, https://www.mayoclinic.org/search/search-results?q=Fodmap.

Here is a paragraph from that website:

"More recently, research has focused on the role of dietary factors in IBS; in clinical practice, a majority of diagnosed patients report worsening symptoms within a few minutes to a few hours after eating. One of the foods commonly thought to trigger symptoms is wheat, but whether gluten or some other component of wheat is responsible continues to stir debate."

@cectono, have you also had symptoms of IBS?

Hello All:

I'm still working on adjusting to the Fodmap eating plan. I wanted to share with you all a Mayo explanation which has helped me and might help you as well.

What exactly is the FODMAP diet? Dr. Wang explains
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/newsfeed-post/what-exactly-is-the-fodmap-diet-dr-wang-explains/
Also, here is a video from Dr. Wang,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=kGHVVyX6kQw&feature=emb_logo

Theresa, can you forward the website for the FODMAP diet with menus and places to buy needed items! Looking for guidance! Moo1

Hello @moo1,

I have found that most grocery stores do carry low fodmap items that are gluten-free (GF), dairy-free, etc. Here is a list of foods that are high fodmap (avoid these), and a list of foods which are low fodmap that you can generally eat without problems.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/foods-on-the-low-fodmap-diet-1944679
If you having a difficult time with this eating plan, I recommend that you ask your GI doctor for a referral to a registered dietician who can offer guidance. I am working with a dietician and she has helped explain the reason for the diet and how it helps. She even guided me to grocery stores in my area that carry an abundance of the low fodmap foods.

I have found there are some good books with recipes and suggestions for cooking. For example, you need to avoid garlic and onion (even garlic powder/salt and onion powder/salt). However, the dietician explained that you can use garlic infused olive oil which will add flavor to your foods without causing the digestive upsets.

You might check your local library to see what types of books they offer as well as your favorite bookstore.

How long ago did you start on the low fodmap diet, @moo1?