Digestive issues

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?

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 .

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?

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.

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?

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 .

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 .

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!

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 .

can you suggest some good brands of probiotics and prebiotics?