low FODMAP and gluten free diet problems....

[vampgirl]

I was just put on a low FODMAP and gluten free diet by my gastro doc while I am being tested for everything under the sun and I have been on it for a couple of days now. Only thing is, I have had the VERY WORST headache and gas EVER!!! Is this something that is normal? My doc is highly considering celiac as my problem, but is hoping to rule out that and crohn's to see that it is truly IBS. I was diagnosed by a doc many years ago due to my constant diarrhea, but he didn't do any tests. I recently (the past couple of years) moved to a new state, which had me changing doctors, and a whole load of other problems started up as well then. When my "IBS" changed the past couple of months, my new GP sent me to a gastro cause she was concerned that it isn't IBS with all of the problems I am now having and the fact that my old doc didn't run any tests and just presumed it was. Now that I am in the middle of tests, my gastro wants me on this diet. I waited until my blood work was done before starting it and now that I have been on it for a couple of days, I have had this headache that will not go away and constant gas. I am not used to this. Is it normal or not or what is your experience with it?

[dotty423]

Hi. I am no expert but I would think the headache is due to you cutting out a lot of the foods you are used to. Stick with it as there have been great results from the Low FODMAP diet - I am on it myself - it is the only way to find out if food is the cause of your problems. Hopefully you are seeing a dietician who specialises in the diet to help you with it. Good Luck!

[marieke]

for me the fodmap diet only works if i also rule out any sugars, for some reason sugar gives me headaches and gas, same as alcohol or yeast..

[Hidden]

Hi vampgirl,

Agree with dotty 423 that FODMAPs is a pretty good way of finding out if your probs are diet-related and also that the headaches and extreme gas could be down to a diet change.

Although, I eventually discovered that the polyols group was the one causing most of my issues, I also have to eliminate several other foodstuffs as well, e.g. grapes, blueberries and can only tolerate small amounts of onion and garlic.

Make sure you get a SIBO test done.

Roz

[Conwy]

I was taken off wheat & caffeine by a nutritionist and had a headache and felt sick for days on end but after 3 days was sleeping better without being woken up with gut spasms. Persevere, hopefully it will be worth it.

[Hidden]

I had exactly the same experience. Solved it by drinking lots of water each day - some cold, and some hot - totally got rid of the gas and headaches really quickly. Hope you get sorted soon and are feeling better quickly too x

[matusadona]

Had bad headaches for three days but was told to drink lots of warm water and that cleared the headaches and cleaned my system over the next few days..

[Hidden]

I'm surprised that the doc has put you on the diet and food elimination before all the tests have been done and the results back.

I don't need the FODMAP but so many people on this site say that it works that it will be worth persevering with to see if food is the answer. However, I think it would have been best to eliminate one food group at a time.

You will suffer with 'withdrawal' symptoms until you body has adjusted.

[Hidden]

I have been on it now for 7 months and to begin with did have bad headaches - they were definitely eased by drinking water. I also cut out lactose and have since found out that lactose was a major source of my problems. It is worth continuing for at lease a couple of months to get your system cleaned out completely. After 26 years my problems have now all but disappeared unless I allow myself a treat which contains lactose and some fructose but I only do that if I know I'm not going anywhere the next day. I have no bloating or wind or headaches and very rarely diarrhoea or constipation, all of which used to bug me every single day of my life. Good luck

[PatV]

DId you suddenly cut out caffeine? That will give you a headache. Sugar is OK on my FODMAPs list but following the plan has not given me any more gas than usual. I don't care about gas, just PAIN and trapped gas. I find the low FODMAPs constipating sometimes but I also have PD.

[scattypink]

Hi I am on this diet by my dietician its amazing my IBS is a distance past unless I eat something I shouldn't.

Like Dotty423 says you body gets used to toxins and where you no longer eat them your body is having withdrawals. stick with it and the results will show. You must stick to it properly or it wont work... you have to read labels too to make sure the hidden ones arent on there.....were you given a booklet to work with of all listings of foods

[Jacknalfiesmum]

Hi,

Have you had all your ceoliac tests yet? If not it's vital that you carry on with a diet inclusive of gluten. They can't diagnose it if you've not been eating it as your intestine would begin to heal. I had been off it and was told I had to eat it daily for 8weeks before testing.

I guess they would only do the endoscopy if the bloods show the need to, in which case Im not sure if they'd want you to eat it again.

I did find when I cut out gluten it made me feel fab, but when I had to eat it again it made me feel awful, DREADFUL headaches, tiredness, heaviness, bloated like a balloon, just generally yuk. All my tests, and I've had loads done in the past 3 months, have come back fine, which has left me with an official diagnosis of IBS, which I've known anyway, as I've been this way for at least 16yrs, if not more.

I'm currently about to go gluten free again for 6 weeks for some research on IBS and g/f for my gastro and then hopefully will start the FODMAP diet. I really hope it helps as currently I feel like each meal is like russian roulette. Sometimes I eat something and I'm fine, I eat the same thing on a different day and have an awful reaction.

I really hope everything settles for you, it would make sense if it's just your body getting used to not eating the things you are used to.

Best Wishes