Low FODMAP diet ...is it worth trying?

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?

Not yet. I just learned about MALS recently, I mentioned it to doctors and they don't know how it is diagnosed.

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.

Can you tell me what symptoms you had before the low FODMAP diet and if you received a diagnosis or not ?

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

This was very helpful. What peppermint oil pills do you use ,how much and how often? Do you find the apple cider vinegar and peppermint oil help reduce bloating and distention ?

I use Heather's Tummy Tamers brand peppermint oil pills. It is a hokey name but she is smart and I have benefited from her email newsletter that doles out advice. She has had IBS since childhood. I can get her peppermint pills at the CVS in my town. I take one pill, 3X a day, 15 mins (minimum) before my meal.

Peppermint oil is supposed to calm the gut so that it doesn't operate out of sync or spasm. I think there are studies.

Regarding bloat, that is a rare occurrence for me. Some recommend apple cider vinegar for bloat. And apple cider vinegar (Bragg's organic, every grocery seems to sell it) seems to be the missing ingredient in all the things I do, to keep my IBS-C in remission.

I would give it a try. It won't hurt you, but Google it and see for yourself. I like to put NIH in my search box (National Institute of Health), to see if there is any research, but England's NHS (National Health Service) has useful, actionable information and it is generally very helpful.

Let me know if I didn't answer your query or if you have follow-up questions.