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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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trish807 | @trish807 | Jul 11, 2023

Hi I’ve done the low Fodmap Diet it is good for a short term figuring out what you should and shouldn’t eat. Talking with a nutrition expert really helped to. It takes a while to start working.
I found garlic and onion and beans were triggers, I also gave up gluten and dairy. I am slowly starting to add a few things back in my diet. Hope this helps!! Good luck on your journey🤗

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1 reply
ch47 | @ch47 | Jul 11, 2023
In reply to @hopethereisnothing "can you suggest some good brands of probiotics and prebiotics?" + (show)
@hopethereisnothing

can you suggest some good brands of probiotics and prebiotics?

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I have been using Align, and have just realized that I am only on the probiotics now; if you look up http://www.alignprobiotics,
it has a good description of both pre and pro, and you can decide which, if not both, to use. In the beginning year or two, I used both.
There are so many types, with different amounts and kinds of bacteria; I tried several, but ultimately decided on this-seems to work well for me. Easy to get.
I read every bottle in the store, and would suggest doing that at home 😂 much easier…Not sure that ‘more’ is better, but every person has different needs. If I am not paying attention and run out for a while, my system lets me know.
Before next appointment with your gastroenterologist, take a pic of several different ones you might be interested in, and ask which they might recommend.
Also, if you have a health store near you, ask them for advice, describing your issues. We have one near, and they have been a wealth of info about so many things.
Happy hunting!

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ch47 | @ch47 | Jul 11, 2023

Ps, Make sure your pics have the ingredients/pre/pro label info on it

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ch47 | @ch47 | Jul 11, 2023
In reply to @trish807 "Hi I’ve done the low Fodmap Diet it is good for a short term figuring out..." + (show)
@trish807

Hi I’ve done the low Fodmap Diet it is good for a short term figuring out what you should and shouldn’t eat. Talking with a nutrition expert really helped to. It takes a while to start working.
I found garlic and onion and beans were triggers, I also gave up gluten and dairy. I am slowly starting to add a few things back in my diet. Hope this helps!! Good luck on your journey🤗

Jump to this post

All my favorite things…garlic, onions, beans, dairy, gluten; start at the top of the no no list, the ‘a’s and it’s artichokes, avocados, asparagus, apples, etc…
However, I also found that sticking to the diet for a considerable time worked. I was afraid to cheat or add too many fodmap things too soon, because my symptoms were so horrible. I’m still careful with some of the worst foods, but enjoy everything now.
Glad you are doing well!!!

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1 reply
trish807 | @trish807 | Jul 11, 2023
In reply to @ch47 "All my favorite things…garlic, onions, beans, dairy, gluten; start at the top of the no no..." + (show)
@ch47

All my favorite things…garlic, onions, beans, dairy, gluten; start at the top of the no no list, the ‘a’s and it’s artichokes, avocados, asparagus, apples, etc…
However, I also found that sticking to the diet for a considerable time worked. I was afraid to cheat or add too many fodmap things too soon, because my symptoms were so horrible. I’m still careful with some of the worst foods, but enjoy everything now.
Glad you are doing well!!!

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Sounds like you are doing well now. Take care

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2 replies
ouchy | @ouchy | Jul 11, 2023
In reply to @hopethereisnothing "I also thought of SIBO but I can't get the test as it is not available..." + (show)
@hopethereisnothing

I also thought of SIBO but I can't get the test as it is not available where I live ( developing country). I have read that low FODMAP diet could be helpful for SIBO as well, I don't know whether this is true or not.

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hopethereisnothing - It would not hurt to try as long as your MD concurs. (You do not want to fool around with FODMAP if your problems are not IBS/SIBO-related.) Unlike what you may believe, the FODMAP diet is NOT difficult. It just requires dedication and follow-through for about 6-8 weeks. It is not forever! Only when problematic foods are discovered, they are eliminated, possibly forever.

It is best to receive the guidance of a Registered Dietician who has experience and/or certification with FODMAP. However, if that is not available where you are, I suggest going to the Monash University website. They are the ones who developed the FODMAP diet in the first place and continue to research IBS.

The site has extensive information and recipes (in English). They also have a very helpful application (in English) that you can buy fairly inexpensively for a smart phone. There is lots of information about the diet and specific amounts of the foods allowed. The only glitch for me was that some fruits and veggys are called by their Australian names which left me confused until I figured them out. Best of luck! https://www.monashfodmap.com/ibs-central/

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cpd54 | @cpd54 | Jul 12, 2023
In reply to @marlenec "I am about a month into the diet and still experiencing major bloating and gas, belching,..." + (show)
@marlenec

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?

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Have you had a food sensitivity test? I know some day it is scientifically sound but until I had one and cut out the suspect foods, Low FODMAP did not work for me. There’s a book out there that takes FODMAP a step further but I’m still trying to find it again…memory loss is a symptom of Sjogerns 😂

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ch47 | @ch47 | Jul 12, 2023
In reply to @trish807 "Sounds like you are doing well now. Take care" + (show)
@trish807

Sounds like you are doing well now. Take care

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Thank you!!!

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gigi4 | @gigi4 | Jul 12, 2023
In reply to @seabright2001 "There are so many probiotics on the market right now. How do you know what to..." + (show)
@seabright2001

There are so many probiotics on the market right now. How do you know what to try?

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I’ve been taking RestorFlora from Microbiome Labs recommended by my doctor.

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1 reply
seabright2001 | @seabright2001 | Jul 12, 2023
In reply to @gigi4 "I’ve been taking RestorFlora from Microbiome Labs recommended by my doctor." + (show)
@gigi4

I’ve been taking RestorFlora from Microbiome Labs recommended by my doctor.

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Thank you.

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