On Low FODMAP and worse

[KymAus]

Would appreciate any thoughts on this.

I began the Low FODMAP diet with the help of a dietician for newly diagnosed IBS 9 days ago and since have been worse. I’ve been following the diet more or less to the book (besides one meal out I couldn’t avoid with work, and a couple of sodas), but otherwise I’ve been careful to cook all of my own meals, to the serving sizes and portions etc.

My symptoms (bloating and loose stools/diarrhoea in the morning) have felt worse over the last 5-6 days. I’m cramping after every meal and then urgency/needing to go.

I’ve reached out to my dietician for guidance but am yet to hear back.

I never have “pain” as such, it’s more just occasional cramps and loose stools.

I don’t know if I’m supposed to get worse and then better, but I’m yet to see an improvement. I don’t want to write off the diet entirely, however interested to know if anyone has experience this. My GP told me to take Metamucil, which helped marginally yesterday but not today.

Would appreciate any guidance!

J xx

[Mc89]

Don’t give up yet as it’s still very early days. You need to try it for at least a month. I’m on week 3, today hasn’t been great but generally I am feeling better. I’m going to see my dietitian again before I start the reintroduction stage. Try your dietitian again if you are worried.

[KymAus in reply to Mc89]

Thanks for your reply and support. I hope you feel great soon!

[leslyp]

Hi, all I know is that sometimes even on the fod map there are somethings that just trigger you no matter how careful you think you are being , I have found that I have to have very small portions and try to list things that make you uncomfortable because as sure as eggs are eggs even if it only makes you slightly uncomfortable it will get you and make you suffer later. It takes time so please persevere as the diet is a life changer but you are continually learning and I found my reaction to different foods also change one day ok next day same food ugh! I am still learning. Unfortunately where I live we do not get to see a dietitian ,so doing on my own but loads of info and help on line. Anyway best of luck but do not give up !🤓

[KymAus in reply to leslyp]

Thanks so much for your reply! I’ve been feeling “worse” for a week now, with cramps after every meal and we’ll, running to the loo (!!). I’ve been doing some reading and wonder if my new diet is too low in the right kinds of fibre and if this is causing me to “go”. Do you know if it’s common to feel worse like this / have an increase in symptoms before getting better?

Thanks so much for the support, it means a lot

[grufjones]

Hi KymAus

Stick with it 70% of sufferers find greatly reduced symptoms with low fodmap.

It could just be stress or a non-fodmap related factor that drove the recent flare-up. As Mc89 mentioned on this post, 4 weeks is a good time period to use to consider if improvements have materialized.

I went through the process last year with amazing results. And I am not the only low-fodmap evangelist in the forum here at HU. If you can get the benefit when you fully restrict to low fodmaps you get to have the fun later on to personalise and, most likely, bring some of the foods you had enjoyed before back into you day-to-day diet.

[KymAus in reply to grufjones]

Thanks so much for your reply! I’ve been feeling “worse” for a week now, with cramps after every meal and we’ll, running to the loo (!!). I’ve been doing some reading and wonder if my new diet is too low in the right kinds of fibre and if this is causing me to “go”. Do you know if it’s common to feel worse like this / have an increase in symptoms before getting better?

Thanks so much for the support, it means a lot

[grufjones]

Hi KymAus

I would think the thing to do is push the Dietitian a bit firmer to respond to you. I do not hear other fodmappers describe yourexperience commonly.

So best to revert to the clinician who knows your background. I would hope that person can come back to you as you seem to be having a tough time around the start of the process. Hope that goes well

[KymAus in reply to grufjones]

Thanks so much, yes, think I’ll call if I don’t hear back today.