Digestive issues

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 .

Have you been checked for H-Pylori & another very important one…MALS?

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'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.

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 .

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.

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 .

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.