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Low FODMAP diet ...is it worth trying?

Posted by hopethereisnothing @hopethereisnothing, Jun 30, 2023

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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Rom828 | @jgallagher04921 | Jul 7, 2023

I have battled Irritable Bowel Syndrome ( IBS) for years with the same symptoms you listed. Sometimes I still have very bad flare ups several times a year and I'm not sure why but.....taking a Probiotic has helped ( I had to try several to find the right one for me) and I do not eat gassy foods like beans or cabbage ( I can eat broccoli though!). Also I avoid extremely high fiber foods ( I tried fiber pills once and I thought I was going to die of stomach bloating and pains).
Good luck to you!!

REPLY
ch47 | @ch47 | Jul 7, 2023

The Fodmap diet is a wonderful tool to help cure SIBO. Miserable disease, as you know. I was diagnosed with breathing test.
Don’t cheat, seriously stick to the plan, then slowly add other foods. Try to avoid sugar items, and foods that turn to sugar when digested. It was recommended for 4 months, although I have heard 3 months was ok. I wasn’t taking any chances…
It worked beautifully, but I am still somewhat careful with my diet. I think that a proper diagnosis is essential if possible.
Good luck!

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seabright2001 | @seabright2001 | Jul 7, 2023
In reply to @hopethereisnothing "Hi everybody. Thank you all for your replies. They are really helpful. I already started low..." + (show)
@hopethereisnothing

Hi everybody. Thank you all for your replies. They are really helpful.
I already started low FODMAP diet yesterday ( Wednesday)..I was actually planning to start next week but after having terrible gas and cramps and sone painful diarrhea over the last few days, I decided to start immediately and to not wait.
I got some resources and did some (studying) on the subject and I think I will be able to manage the first weeks , even with some difficulties. The worst part about this diet is the very limited options regarding fruits as I love fruits and most of the summer fruits are not allowed on the first stage.
I also need to lose weight (15 kg at least) so I need to adjust low FODMAP diet to this goal ( I wish to reach a healthy weight before I turn 40 in a few months).
I have some confusion about some types of food l, listed as low FODMAP in some websites and as high in others. I didn't get the Monash university app as I am not in the US and the method of payment is not accepted from here. I will be on the cautious side anyway.
If anyone has something to add please do
Thans again

Jump to this post

Perhaps you can find a way to purchase the Monash app. It’s the only one that I feel is accurate. There are a lot of discrepancies out there regarding the FODMAP diet.

REPLY
1 reply
ch47 | @ch47 | Jul 7, 2023

You can look up Monash info on foods online without having the app. If you are ever in doubt about a low fodmap food, skip it. This plan is not a life sentence…just seems that way in the beginning. You have to starve those little SIBO critters…that is how it was explained to me. Good luck with your persistence!

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ch47 | @ch47 | Jul 7, 2023

Ps look up IBS Diets,
Low FODMAP foods

I leave it open on my phone, or it’s printable. Bad stuff in pink, good stuff in green. Very easy to use

REPLY
lsdd13 | @lsdd13 | Jul 7, 2023
In reply to @hopethereisnothing "Hi everybody. Thank you all for your replies. They are really helpful. I already started low..." + (show)
@hopethereisnothing

Hi everybody. Thank you all for your replies. They are really helpful.
I already started low FODMAP diet yesterday ( Wednesday)..I was actually planning to start next week but after having terrible gas and cramps and sone painful diarrhea over the last few days, I decided to start immediately and to not wait.
I got some resources and did some (studying) on the subject and I think I will be able to manage the first weeks , even with some difficulties. The worst part about this diet is the very limited options regarding fruits as I love fruits and most of the summer fruits are not allowed on the first stage.
I also need to lose weight (15 kg at least) so I need to adjust low FODMAP diet to this goal ( I wish to reach a healthy weight before I turn 40 in a few months).
I have some confusion about some types of food l, listed as low FODMAP in some websites and as high in others. I didn't get the Monash university app as I am not in the US and the method of payment is not accepted from here. I will be on the cautious side anyway.
If anyone has something to add please do
Thans again

Jump to this post

There is also the Fig app. Fig
Is free and you can scan food labels to see if high or low Fodmap

REPLY
1 reply
Twocoastsm | @marlenec | Jul 8, 2023
In reply to @ch47 "Fodmap saved me…took the second GI doc to do the tests all in two weeks to..." + (show)
@ch47

Fodmap saved me…took the second GI doc to do the tests all in two weeks to see what issues were. First GI didn’t test for anything, dairy, gluten, SIBO etc…second GI found SIBO was the culprit. Had all of your digestive issues, but the worst was the abdominal swelling, about an hour after a meal. Lasted for hours. Until the next meal. I am fit and not overweight. (8 months pregnant in 90 minutes 🤣)
The fodmap diet is challenging, but doable. Get creative with proper foods. Carry your phone everywhere and check if something you want to buy or eat is low Fodmap.
It was recommended that I follow diet for 4 months, although I have read that 3 months is ok. I did 4 months because I wasn’t taking any chances…then slowly add other foods in small doses.
Buying inexpensive Fodmap cookbooks online can give you some ideas, and then work off of them.
My husband never complained, as kosher salt can make almost anything taste good! And he didn’t have to cook it. Over and over and over…
Turns out that SIBO swelling caused several hernias that had to be surgically repaired, so if you suspect you have SIBO, take it seriously.
3 years later, I am still somewhat careful, ( eat pretty much what I want, but careful with the worst foods) as I don’t want to repeat any of this process, but all is good!
I can give you a few simple, tasty recipes if you decide to commit.
It is definitely a commitment to heal… no cheating-the SIBO love cheaters!!
Best…

Jump to this post

I am about a month into the diet and still experiencing major bloating and gas, belching, and pain but the diarrhea has pretty much resolved. GI gave me Hyoscyamine but I’ve only taken it a few times. Tried Metamucil which he also recommended but that seems to bloat me more although I know there’s a period of adjustment needed. I just don’t feel as if anything really helps with the gas and bloat - and pain from the gas. Someone on a previous post said they feel like if they could “just poke a hole into their ‘stomach’ and release the gas like deflating a balloon they’d get relief” and that’s exactly how I feel - as well as the “8 mos. pregnant in 90 minutes” even after a BM when one would thing the bloat would be relieved. I’ve tried Gas-x with some minor relief. I had been feeling okay after two weeks on Low FodMap so tried to reintroduce wheat and lactose, following the Monash app protocol and I didn’t feel much different either way except having terrible pain the first day of lactose - then the next two trials of a bit more of the food went fine, which was very puzzling. Maybe I rushed that phase? So I am back to restrictions. My SIBO test came back as “SIBO is suspected” but my GI hasn’t reviewed with me. I’ve scheduled a session with a dietitian familiar with IBS for a consult because I feel as if I’m not getting anywhere.
Questions: Am I supposed to be symptom free before trying reintroduction?
Other tactics to address gas and bloating?

REPLY
3 replies
ch47 | @ch47 | Jul 8, 2023
In reply to @lsdd13 "There is also the Fig app. Fig Is free and you can scan food labels to..." + (show)
@lsdd13

There is also the Fig app. Fig
Is free and you can scan food labels to see if high or low Fodmap

Jump to this post

Thanks ! Going to look at it now

REPLY
ch47 | @ch47 | Jul 8, 2023

Great that they let you use it free for first week to see if you like it! Wonderful way to get started reading labels. In the beginning I spent lots of time getting the hang of it.

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1 reply
ch47 | @ch47 | Jul 8, 2023

My Gastro recommended eating organic foods, at least during the first 3-4 months. A little more money, but it all worked!

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