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 .

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

@trish807

Sounds like you are doing well now. Take care

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Much better!!! I just really focused on the diet…and careful since with trigger foods.
Once diagnosed I did so much research that by the time I was able to see a dietitian, she had no additional information to add… just told me I was on the right track; she was not Monash certified, didn’t know there were ones that were. She was only one that was any where near.

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@ch47

Much better!!! I just really focused on the diet…and careful since with trigger foods.
Once diagnosed I did so much research that by the time I was able to see a dietitian, she had no additional information to add… just told me I was on the right track; she was not Monash certified, didn’t know there were ones that were. She was only one that was any where near.

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I was lucky the dietitian I talked to was knowledgeable with the Low Fodmap diet she really helped me and like you she said on right track! So far I have been good with introducing some new foods into my diet! 🤞🏻🤞🏻for no problems.

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Dr Google comes in handy sometimes…just have to be careful where info comes from…
Glad you were able to see someone that knew things, and that you are being successful with your introductions 😁

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Nutritionist affiliated with my G.I. doctor offered plan for $2000+. Not covered by insurance. I have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, IBS. I feel I am already getting more information from this site than from the doctor. What is your experience with a nutritionist? Is that price reasonable?

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I once committed to a chiropractor for a lengthy series of treatments that I could not get anywhere else. It was worth it.
But what do you get for that? How sick are you? Is nutritionist certified in your needs? It’s nice to have someone connected with your doctors office, but will you need that length of time ( I presume it’s many appointments) could you have an appointment or two to see how you like that person? Then commit.
It took me a while to get into a dieticians office, and by the time I did, like you, I had done all of the research I could get my hands on and she had nothing new to add. She agreed that the one visit was probably enough.
Is there a dietitian near you that charges by the visit? You could at least get that information to help you decide if you want to make that large commitment.
Again, maybe you need the whole of the services they offer; but I would at least ask around a bit…

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@ch47

I once committed to a chiropractor for a lengthy series of treatments that I could not get anywhere else. It was worth it.
But what do you get for that? How sick are you? Is nutritionist certified in your needs? It’s nice to have someone connected with your doctors office, but will you need that length of time ( I presume it’s many appointments) could you have an appointment or two to see how you like that person? Then commit.
It took me a while to get into a dieticians office, and by the time I did, like you, I had done all of the research I could get my hands on and she had nothing new to add. She agreed that the one visit was probably enough.
Is there a dietitian near you that charges by the visit? You could at least get that information to help you decide if you want to make that large commitment.
Again, maybe you need the whole of the services they offer; but I would at least ask around a bit…

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Ch47. Thank you for responding. There is a dietitian locally who charges per visit. I think you had a good idea and I will probably try that. It seems all visits now are by phone or Skype. None have replied that they are actually experienced with treating EPI.

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Has it helped people with IBS-C? Please relate your experiences. Thank you.

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@pbnew

Has it helped people with IBS-C? Please relate your experiences. Thank you.

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Hello @pbnew, I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled, "Low FODMAP diet ...is it worth trying?" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/low-fodmap-diet-is-it-worth-trying/ to meet other Connect members talking about the Low FODMAP diet.

@ch47, @sunlover recently discussed exploring this diet and may offer some of their insight.

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@ch47

I once committed to a chiropractor for a lengthy series of treatments that I could not get anywhere else. It was worth it.
But what do you get for that? How sick are you? Is nutritionist certified in your needs? It’s nice to have someone connected with your doctors office, but will you need that length of time ( I presume it’s many appointments) could you have an appointment or two to see how you like that person? Then commit.
It took me a while to get into a dieticians office, and by the time I did, like you, I had done all of the research I could get my hands on and she had nothing new to add. She agreed that the one visit was probably enough.
Is there a dietitian near you that charges by the visit? You could at least get that information to help you decide if you want to make that large commitment.
Again, maybe you need the whole of the services they offer; but I would at least ask around a bit…

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If I’m paying $2000 that better come with a chef for the first month 🙂

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I went through the diet, and the long serie of antibiotics. My impression is that what helped me the most was following this support group and gathering advice. I left the antibiotics, as I was building resistance and took oregan oil, berberine, olive oil and slowly incorporated food that I could tolerate well. Getting information from the support groups led me to understand that there is not one way out. Different people experience different syntoms and outcome. I was also observant of incorporatiing vitamins and minerals as it weakens your system. Im feeling well, now.

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