Am new to this site, been perusing and it seems a lot of people don’t know about FODMAP/ prokinetics etc so thought would quickly give my two cents on what has worked for me (appreciating everyone different) but also would love any advice on what has worked for others.
Been dealing with chronic constipation and bloating for years. Found that a mix of the following worked amazingly though it took a few weeks to normalise...
- low FODMAP diet. Crucial. For me avoiding gluten as well helped. Eg I can’t have soya sauce but Tamari ok. Any sweeteners mess me up so sugar best. Lactofree milk was a lifesaver. It’s bland but need eat the dark leafy greens, gluten free oats etc.
- low FODMAP helped with bloating but not constipation. So found Triphala (eg a prokinetic) which I think a lot of people hadn’t heard of but made massive difference for me.
- combined triphala with magnesium spray oil (I die from pain if take the capsules but oil ok)
- once I stabilised on triphala and magnesium etc (which gave me a bowel movement every day, literally unheard of for me) I found could eat more high FODMAP foods (but not too much)
- probiotics crucial though was trial and error as many hurt. For me coconut milk kefir seemed to work best. In teensy doses, a bit of kimchi was ok.
- exercise and moving a bit also crucial. Even just walking (when dying in pain even walking is hard but if you can it’s worth it) As well as deep breathing to relax muscles and drinking lots of water.
- I don’t do well with taking too many supplements so if you can avoid things like multivitamins and get nutrients from food I think it’s better.
I haven’t followed the protocol as think it’s a bit harsh but the gut health protocol book is the best I have read on IBS. First time I heard of triphala in it.
Also have under active thyroid so optimising that with vitamin d etc required too. Am not good at it but think cutting out sugar as much as poss helps too (on energy rather than bloating but feel like sugar probably messes up gut flora so best to avoid).
Obviously I have bad days especially when I mess up eating for too long, but the above has helped 80 per cent.
Would love any additional thoughts if anyone else has tried and tested tips for bloating and IBS C!
IBS sucks and the doctors are truly useless. But trial and error and self education without getting obsessed I think can help a lot.