FODMAP DIET - not huge benefit so far

[Eucalyptus]

I've been on the diet for 4 weeks now and had little benefit from it. I've struggled with it as I'm a strict vegetarian and the dietician's advise was 'read this leaflet ad eat a balanced diet'! That was it so reliant on books and the website (though some of that has been contradictory). I tried to get an appointment with the same dietician to begin to discuss reintroduction tactics and can't get an appointment until well after the diet has stopped. I'm extremely tired on the diet and really struggling. Has anyone else had the same level of 'help' and what did they do about it? I'm also struggling to find advice about reintroduction and what exactly that looks like in terms of food/order of re-introduction etc as it looks like I'll have to do that on my own too.

Any thoughts/advice?

[b1b1b1]

The fodmap diet has helped me tremendously. I understand that everyone makes personal choices about food, so I am not criticizing you, but just wondering if you might want to rethink being a vegetarian. If you are a vegetarian, I think the Fodmap diet may not work as a lot of the items to be reduced or eliminated are fruits and vegetables. I do recommend a book - "The IBS Elimination Diet and Cookbook" by Patsy Catsos, which is sold on Amazon. I believe she has a section on what to do if you are a vegetarian.

[Eucalyptus in reply to b1b1b1]

Ahhh - I was sort of hoping for slightly more constructive help? Like what to do about a lack of support rather than rethinking being a vegetarian (which I've been for over 30 years - whilst I've suffered with IBS for over 40!). Or perhaps what other people have done when the diet hasn't been working. I'm really pleased that the diet is working for you and I can find lots of examples of where it has worked for people. Anyone else had problems with the diet rather than commenting on my vegetarianism?

[dipsy14]

Hi I did this diet 6 years ago and I was so downhearted after the struggle to get by on it and it didnt have the desired effect I had hoped for. Sadly it doest help everyone and I was so careful about my diet before fodmaps anyway and definitely no cheating before or after the diet. Crazy thing is I was super sensitive to some of the allowed foods ( I did Monash). I wish I could give you an answer that would truly help but there is no one or easy answer. Trial and error seems to be the name if the game with ibs. Funny thing is I was told by one consultant that my problem is I eat too healthily. I cried. I did it his way because I felt I had no choice .... that really f*****d me up. What I would say is keep searching and looking for answers that will help you. You are an individual and you know your body. Keep a diary and any symptoms you get. If you cant work out triggers, try concentrating one food at a time. Consider that some foods eaten together can also cause problems. That doesnt mean necessarily eating only one food over a period of time though. I have a good balanced diet, I dont do junk food or drink but I still have foods I have too avoid. For me its peas, cabbage, cauliflower, sweet corn ....oh the, list goes on and on. Its a simple diet but it does help with deciphering what sets off big flare ups. I still have it, no cure just better management. Dont beat yourself up about fodmaps ... its not the definitive answer for all of us. Its helpful as a guide maybe in your case. It was for me. The good news is it concentrated my mind to how to best myself. Good luck, dont lose faith in your ability. Listen to your body.

[rozwalts in reply to dipsy14]

Nice to know it isn't just me who is having problems with this diet. I think I will carry on muddling through with what I am doing at the moment. Strange you should mention about your diet being too healthy, that seems to have been my problem. Wholemeal bread, plenty of fruit/veg, blah, blah, blah. We just can't win can. I think I will throttle the next person who tells me to eat my salad when I have a sandwich in town!!!

[Eucalyptus]

Thanks very much for that - I was feeling out of sorts with myself as the FODMAP isn't working and I can appreciate your frustration! You've actually made some really good suggestions - some of the FODMAP allowed foods might actually be triggers themselves (Friday evening on the floor in pain after a very innocuous dinner). I'll use the FODMAP as the start of the journey then.....thank you - this is really helpful.

[keithfre]

Perhaps you need to give it longer, say six weeks. I only really noticed the difference once I had done six weeks and then did the wheat challenge - bread and wheat pasta. That night I noticed a lot more stomach rumbling and discomfort.

[Dodo4350]

Hi there Eucalyptus, I am not a vegetarian but I am empathising with you. I have had IBS for many years but it was only diagnosed in 2003. For most of the time it has been (D) until the last approx 4 years when it converted to (C), and with that, the appearance of the right sided abdo pain, which has persisted on and off (mainly on) for the 4 years. This coincides with a house move 4 yrs ago. Initially I was quite worried about it and saw my GP who was dismissve, and this did not allay my worries. Various things seem to bring temporary relief ie. Cologel, the low FODMAPS diet, and some one on this site recommended a yoga exercise which was remarkable for a while.

Then I developed a different tummy pain which my GP said was gastritis; he told me I was eating too much fibre and needed to eat bland stuff - so quite contradictory to the low FODMAPS diet. So much contradictory information, what do you do?

Needless to say I am always on the lookout for any info on the topic, and this website has been a great source of enlightenment and comfort. It was here that I discovered that many IBS sufferers , for example, have this baffling right sided abdominal pain, so that eased my worry.

More recently I have just finished reading 'ACCIDENTALLY OVERWEIGHT' BY DR LIBBY WEAVER. It has been a breath of fresh air to read words from a doctor and nutritionist who understands the problems, has studied the subject intensively and has a lot to say, both educationally and to offer not only understanding of 'why', but also offer solutions.

It is a holistic approach to the subject and so not just all about food.

What I am currently trying is a daily dose of curcumin. This has been helping to normalise my motions without having to take laxatives AND soluble fibre . This week I have started to take a probiotic tablet which contains 14 of the good bacteria. I have also eliminated 95% dairy and the same of grain and red meat. The pain has not completely disappeared, but greatly lessened. It's hard to do but I am getting used to it and enjoying the benefits of improved health.I am hoping it's not temporary.. Best wishes to you with your struggle.

[rozwalts]

I have ended up being totally confused with the FODMAP diet. Half the foods I am supposed to be able to have make things worse, while the foods I find work for me are on the don't have list. Bananas for instance. It says ripe bananas are high, but if I eat bananas that are not well ripe, they have a bad effect on me.

The only diet I am finding that does any good, is the low fibre diet. I was on a low residue diet for five days before my colonoscopy, and found I felt better during those five days than I have for months.

The low residue diet was very restricting, so I have been trying out a few extras that were not included. I have found I am ok with green beans, broccoli, and cauliflower. Cauliflower is one of those vegetables that is on the high list.