Finally saw fodmap trained dietitian

[Luludancer]

I decided in the end to take the plunge and see a dietitian - who knows what or when the NHS would have been able to get me in front of someone.

Wanted to share my learnings from talking to her about fodmap and other options I might have. It seems the main thing taking the KCL fodmap approach is that you need to be really strict with your diet. There are so many things you might be sensitive too that being rigorous on the restriction stage is the only way to know if it's going to work at all. I think just having the chance to listen to an expert talk through the process and understand all the things I'll need to be knowledgable on has been a huge help.

I also showed her my meal and symptom records on the Tummi app. She was so impressed that I had already started to keep a food diary for fodmap and to get used to the fodmap food groups. Looks like I'll keep that up as I go through the stages of the diet.

Hope this is all helpful if there is anyone else out there who is having a tough time with symptoms and thinking that waiting for the NHS might just go on forever.

[grufjones]

Well done! There should be a HealthUnlocked discount with the BDA - there are so many of us here in the IBS forum with a requirement with have the buying power!

Let us know how you are getting along. I have had some people say that two sessions is enough for low fodmap, still interested to hear how you find it.

[Munchkinfeet]

I'd be interested to hear how you get on. I too was referred to a dietician who has passed me on to a FODMAP dietician, haven't got my appointment through yet. I am concerned I am going to continue to lose weight by cutting everything out. Good luck.

[Luludancer in reply to Munchkinfeet]

Hi Munchkinfeet

Just thought I would post an update so you have a sense where all this seems to go (at least for me!)

1. Fodmap restriction is not so bad. I have found something to swap in for everything I swap out. I am not loosing weight and I hope you don't continue to - that sounds tough!

2. I am about 2 weeks into fodmap restriction, doing it properly with some dietitian input. My symptoms have massively reduced, still some bad days but it feels normal. Bit like when I was 16!

3. Now I know it is some of the fodmap foods and am getting ready to introduce back the groups. I am told that it is normal to be a bit scared doing it, but I should get some of the foods I enjoy back. I am hoping lactose is not one of my problem foods as I miss the cheeses and yoghurt

4. Learning the foods takes time. I ended up with the chart printed off the internet on my fridge and then using the Tummi fodmap app on my phone. The app also shows me the high fodmap foods as red, per the KCL list my dietitian uses. The food diary in that app is really good and helps me notice when I might have accidentally reintroduced something. Wheat is everywhere - it's an evil nemesis

Lastly forget readymeals, I could not find a thing that was low fodmap. Am I miss some takeaways, although my local thai will do something for me with just green part of spring onions and no garlic

I am on the road to recovery. And I hope this input helps you achieve the same!