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Digestive issues

Digestive Health | Last Active: Oct 2 3:19pm | Replies (255)

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So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did lots of tests, all negative, and tried almost every OTC and prescription medication with no improvement of symptoms. My most bothersome symptoms are: abdominal pain and cramps, excessive gas, belching and irregular bowel habit (sometimes diarrhea, sometimes constipation, rarely normal BM ).
Out of despair and lack of other options, I am thinking of trying low FODMAP diet.
I need your opinion and real life experience: does it really help with digestive symptoms ? And if so, how long does it take to start feeling better?
Are there any tips to make this diet work ?
Thanks in advance .

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Replies to "So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did..."

@hopethereisnothing, There is another discussion started by @hopeful33250 on the topic here that might answer your questions:
--- Fodmap Eating Plan: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/fodmap-eating-plan/

Maybe test for SIBO? Those symptoms seem like SIBO. I tried FODMAP its really very hard… 🙁 I changed my diet to whole grains - low fat low sugar high fiber diet and have been very regular since. My weird bowel movements gas bloating burning guts suddenly stopped after being on antibiotics for another issue. Gastro thinks I may have had SIBO.

I have the same issues.
My doctor had me do a SIBO breath test and a GI Mapping stool test and both showed bacteria in my gut. 😩
So I would find out if you have the same problem.
Good luck!

I did FODMAP diet last fall when horrible abdominal pain occurred. My PA recommended it. The diet worked for me. If I remember correctly you restrict yourself from 3 to 4 weeks, something relatively short-term. Then you slowly add in one non Fodmap food at a time to see what your digestive tract can handle. I didn't think the restrictions that big a deal, especially for such a short term. I suspected I had SIBO but no one would refer me for a test. I read the Johns Hopkins write up on the FODMAP diet which said it could help with SIBO and IBS. Depending on what is causing your problems, it may work for you. If I were you I'd try it and see what happens. Print out the Fodmap list of food to eat/don't eat and go shopping. If it doesn't work for you, that adds one more piece of information for you. If it does work, life changing. Here is a link to a list of foods acceptable in a FODMAP diet; there should be somewhere on the internet a printable chart. You can spend the time finding it. Good luck! https://dietingwell.com/low-fodmap-foods-list/

Just a note, I found some of the foods on that diet to avoid were actually foods that I did fine on - avocados is one. It may be helpful as well to keep a daily journal of what you eat and how you feel.
I wish you the best. It’s not easy but it can be done to find what foods work for you.

I have a hypersensitive, IBS-C gut. I eat zero and trace FODMAPs (after much experimenting with the greater variety of low FODMAP foods). I use the Monash University FODMAP app as they have measured lots of different foods.

I also eat grain-free and lactose free milk products (mostly nonfat milk).

(Note that if you eat at a single meal that has five FODMAP foods at the low FODMAP levels, they could still add up to being over the threshold for you.)

The Monash-listed zero/trace FODMAP foods saved me. Also, apple cider vinegar with my three main meals -- I guess I needed a more acid environment. There is some literature on how apple cider vinegar can help IBS. The vinegar actually seemed like the last piece of the puzzle for me.

I do other things -- a peppermint oil pill to settle my gut before a meal (studies on that), animal fat as it is a trigger (I focus on oil and a small quantity of some nuts).

Relaxing/destressing is huge too. There is an app called Mahana. The first segment is free and is great. Give it a try.

Belly-breathing, pushing out your diaphragm when you take a breath, is very calming. For me, the stress-gut connection is very strong.

Good luck! Keep at it and experiment, experiment. Hopefully you won't have to be terribly restrictive in your diet.

Have you been checked for H-Pylori & another very important one…MALS?

I've been on the low fodmap diet since May 17th. Just beginning to reintroduces foods. I also went on an elimination diet and low histamine diet at the same time. I have felt better; it took about 3 weeks to begin to feel better and now, I'm excited about learning which foods I have sensitivities to as I add them back in the reintroduction phase. It wasn't too hard for me bc I really want to know which foods may trigger my symptoms and which foods don't. I also had a colonoscopy mid June and went on clear liquids for 2 days instead of one. I'm very happy I'm on a path--don't know how it will turn out, but at least I'm searching for an answer and have already reaped some benefit.

Thank God! you got good reports on your medical tests.
I try to do the FODMAP diet. It has really helped with the IBS. I do not use it on special occasions so I don’t feel deprived and stressed. I hope you will feel better. Take care.

had this in 2015, had lived off milk of magnesia for few years, got very bad, dropped from 249lb to 160lb in short time could not hold food down, fodmap diet after heavy antibiotic kill off of everything, special drink 3x a day coats any ulcer might be on sphincter that is between small and large intestines, if leaks can cause symptoms of food poisoning, but lived off bone broth and trader joe's tetrapak sweet potato bisque mixed 50/50 with butternut squash soup, steamed veggies and yogurts, it helps, and now am not having that issue anymore, but my diet has changed for the better after this education, "Experience is nice, but sometimes you learn things you didn't care to know," D.mg