Low FODMAP diet ...is it worth trying?
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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Happy that you are able to read your own body’s needs!!! We are all different…
Let me know how you like it!
Time, loose clothing and being totally strict with the diet. As I understand, feeling symptom free does not mean SIBO free. Takes about 3 months to starve all of the bad bacteria. (🤞) Then introduce just ONE thing at a time, to see if there is a reaction. Please share your information from the dietician. Good luck!
I'm glad those posting are citing getting onto & trying the FODMap diet for several weeks. It can be amazing what you find is exacerbating your gastric symptoms (with the idea being that some foods you love but slim note can be reintroduced - even if occasionally - if you find they're not problematic). That said, YES - make sure you get & take the full 3-hr SIBO test (preferably with the glucose base) to test for the gut bacteria (which will check for methane & hydrogen gas readings in you stomach & upper small intestine, the presence of which strongly suggests a gut bacteria, which can slow to digestive motility & thus grow the bacteria which creates the gas, be it belching or passing). And if you ave high methane levels like I do, consider getting your doctor to prescribe antibiotic combo, e.g. neomycin (500 mg 3x daily) & rafaximin (550 mg 3x daily). Just make sure you're also taking a GOOD probiotic/postbiotic during that time to renourish 7 keep the good bacteria in your gut. If you're in touch with a Naturopathic doc, ask about combining THAT with the Thaenabiotic therapy; it's getting studied a lot with some impressive results. Only certain health providers do it, though Flora Medicine (based in Oregon; check out their website; pretty impressive).
QUESTION - My worse symptoms are built up gas after even a early meal (I can eat no later than around 3 pm & I'm vegan), which due to stomach pulsing & headache will NOT let me sleep the the night. The only thing that seems to partially work is a glass of charcoal/water mixture, sit down (I cannot lay down until it literally passes whatever's in my stomach area) & massage my stomach area. Anyone got any better ideas than the charcoal?
I have found that keeping away from all fruits, except berries, has made a huge difference. As well as beans and legumes. I tried reintroducing milk products and that did not go well-instant bloating. I do take Metamucil caplets-2 every morning with a big glass of water followed by black coffee. Hope this is helpful.
Fortunately I could purchase the app 👏, using a family member's card. Hope it helps
Pro and pre biotic supplements are part of my life now, even though it has been several years since my last issue with SIBO.
As to the tummy issues, try a teaspoon of baking soda in
about a 6 oz glass of water. Not tasty, but might help your discomfort
Good luck!
can you suggest some good brands of probiotics and prebiotics?
Rising Health RisaQuad Probiotics
Capsules
💗🌸
There are so many probiotics on the market right now. How do you know what to try?