Diet contradictions

[Danni666]

I have ibs C and my doctor told me that to relieve the constipation I need to have a high fibre diet. Yet I find whenever i eat anything with high fibre my symptoms are always so much worse. Anyone else find this?

[dipsy14]

Well thats very strange because I was told the exact opposite. If I eat high fibre foods I end up with more pain. So I avoid too much fibre. The constipation is an ongoing issue 10 years of misery but im managing it better than I did. I have lactose free foods and only white bread (yuk) not a cure just easier. My diet is so bland but got used to it and it helps overall. Look up online regarding ibsc and see what they suggest. Try it and then go back to your doctor to discuss. Good luck you have my sympathy. Ok

[Hidden in reply to dipsy14]

You probably need to eat more fibre but it should be soluble fibre and maybe gluten free not insoluble.

Veg and fruit are fibrous. But eat from the Fodmaps foods.

[WoolPippi in reply to Hidden]

Why do you think Dipsy needs more fibre?

Soluble fibre is good for feeling full p. I don't take it, I don't need that feeling.

[treez]

Hi

I have seen 2 nhs dietitians and one told me to be careful with fibre the other told be that I need more fibre and that lack of fibre was causing my constipation.so I've just had to do it the hard way and find out myself I still have to take laxido but I now make myself a muesli with oats and fruit and it's help my stomach a lot I also take a daily probiotic.i restrict any bread and cheese and avoid onions and peppers . I've tried going gluten free (which makes me stomach worse)also tried lactose free milk.I think it's all about finding what works for you.Lots of people recommend chia seeds so that might be worth trying.

All the best treez

[Lovemyfamily89]

Yes, I have always had the same result and I have been telling doctors this for over 20 years. Some agree with me now, others still try to tell me to eat more fibre, I think you just have to find the balance and the right foods which work for you, it's trial and error I'm afraid- good luck!

[Angie11]

Yes agree with other posts. Fibre is good but it needs to be soluble. I take prunes which are a good balance of both fibres.

I went on a high fibre for months and was in constant pain, bloating and wind. The Fodmap diet on the other hand doesn't contain enough fibre for me. It's so difficult to find the right mix of foods.

[Hidden]

Hi Danni,

Magnesium can really help with constipation too

sickofibs.com/ibs-symptoms/...

Hope this helps you,

Alison

[Pat1 in reply to Hidden]

Totally agree with Magnesium. I take it every night and it is amazing. The best for Ibs C. Just adding fibre doesn't help for me.

[Ralphy38]

Yes!! Fibre is what sets off my IBS and causes me excrutiating pain! Its awful as it means I can't eat a lot of veg and I have always loved my vegetables.

[Montykat]

Yes me! I cant have things like brown bread it gives me really bad stomach cramps.

[Grannycake]

You need soluble fibre, there are 2 types of fibre, insoluble fibre is no use to me

Also golden linseed is a great help with your problem

[Popetta]

Hello Danni, yes having too much fibre can have the opposite effect and be detrimental to IBS. So in my opinion going the "high fibre" way is not recommended. I have IBS combined and have stopped taking anything that contains excessive fibre (even when I am going through a constipation phase). Ultimately IBS is very much an "individual" condition so only you know your body better than anyone else.

Some foods that can help and are good for digestive/gut conditions are papaya, pineapple (both of these have a soothing effect), bananas, cucumber, acai (which you can get in the form of organic powder to use in smoothies, shakes, breakfast bowls,etc.), aloe vera juice.

I use all of the above products regularly. Do NOT use "Laxido", although this was recommended to me by a gastro specialist, it does not work at dealing with constipation, and what's worse, it gives me more irritation and cramps, definitely more than other laxatives such as Ducolax.

Best of luck, hang on in there!

[WoolPippi]

Yes me too. I went the other way: a fibre restricted diet and now my stools are regular, minimal cramps and no bloating (I also do Fodmaps).

The thing is that constipation can come from not enough fibre and then you need fibre to collect the water and loosen up the stool. This is the most usual form and also the most usual given advice.

Or it can come from not enough motility of the colon or too steep bends or restrictions in the diameter of the colon. More fibre will only tire the colon more and cause traffic jams and build up. (soluble fibre is ok here, if you need the feel of filling up).

Besides: fibre demands a lot of digestive energy. I get very tired from fibre (and raw foods and cold foods) so I'm glad to skip them at the moment.. Otoh: you need to renew the wall of your small intestine every once and a while and fibre is good for that. You also need to keep in mind whether you get all your nutrients. Whether your fibreous foods provide them or not. (I can make a case for not if prompted. But that goes against conventional wisdom in which veggies are the best. I can make an argument for conventional wisdom too, if needed.)

So there are different aspects to all of this. There is not one truth out there. Well except perhaps that sugar is poison. And that full fats are good for you. But fried vegetable oil is not so good.

Anyway, No one can tell you how your specific system works, especially not strangers on the internet. You have to educate yourself a bit, get used to conflicting information, apply some common sense, try out some things and see if you can find relief. Do not expect your doctor to know it all or to see you different from the-usual-case-of-fast-food-caused-constipation-and-otherwise-it's-psychological. You will have to assist him with clear information about your body and things you tried for yourself. You can do this. Trust your symptoms, they give you information. Just don't do anything harsh (for example enema's, laxatives, supplements that activate the liver or things you have not researched on different places on the internet). Try out little things to see if your body reacts encouraging.