IBS Low FodMap Diet.

[Amb194]

Recently been told after many years of pain and constipation I suffer from IBS, been told to try the low fodmap diet and have been for nearly 2 weeks now. Finding it very hard to stick at and having a big ibs flare up atm so far on day 2, causing me to be off work from the pain!

How long do you tend to notice a flare up after eating trigger foods?

Also has anyone tried Milk of magnesia? Been told this will work wonders and yet found it's not doing the trick, how long do I need to give it before something will make a difference? (I am also very impatient. Ha.)

Thanks!!

[grufjones]

So lots of practical advice I can offer on this. Broadly the key points are:

1. Fodmap does not work for everyone with IBS, although 70% benefit

2. Fodmap restriction is typically 6 weeks, many people see symptoms reduce within 2 weeks

3. To give yourself the best chance of that avoid accidental reintroductions (in our busy lives that can easily happen wheat, onion and apple juice are in so many things)

4. Dietitian support will make a big difference if you can access it

5. Learning the food groups takes time (Monash app on your phone or print and stick on the fridge) and maintain a food and symptom diary (Tummi App or paper diary)

6. Flare-up time lags vary - I find mine are 1-3 days lag, usually starting following day after high fodmaps

7. Don't forget stress is a factor, our gut health is greatly effected by everyday stress.

[Amb194 in reply to grufjones]

Deffinatly agree stress is a factor as I've found when I start getting pains I stress and it makes it worse. When I lie down or use a hot water bottle it eases the pain slightly but cant do that all day long unfortunately

[xjrs]

I introduce foods that I want to test over a 3 day period. I will usually know by then whether I am reacting to it or not. If I have a reaction, I wait for those symptoms to die down before trying anything else. I only test one thing at a time, otherwise you won't know what you are reacting to. The best thing is to always prepare your own food, which means that you won't introduce excluded foods accidentally (this also means reading ingredient labels - even in things like gluten free bread, which often contain apple pectin or juice). I take Magnesium Oxide for constipation which is similar to Milk of Magnesia. These are very dose dependent, so you may need to slowly work up the dose until you get a response.

[Amb194 in reply to xjrs]

I'm hoping I start seeing a difference very soon, I'm not 100% sure i agree with the doctor it is IBS. I dont see how it can cause so much pain. Currently been of work 2 days now had extreme stomach pains, indegestion and sickness! I've hardly eaten so cant even work out what it could be to cause this big of a flare up.

Thankyou for your advice!!!

[Ashweb901 in reply to Amb194]

It may be worth it to test your gastrin levels and test for intrinsic factor antibodies and parietal cell antibodies. I had IBS-C for 25 years before learning I have autoimmune atrophic gastritis. Lack of stomach acid is the result and seems to be the cause of my woes.

[Amb194 in reply to Ashweb901]

Will check this up with my doctors!

[xjrs in reply to Amb194]

Sickness isn't normally an IBS symptom. Maybe right now you have a stomach bug. Have you been through all the blood tests (calprotectin and coeliac disease) prior to getting your IBS diagnosis? Pain can definitely be an IBS symptom. If pain is a long term symptom you can speak to your GP about medication for this or you could try enteric coated peppermint which is meant to have a calmative effect on the intestines.

[Amb194 in reply to xjrs]

Had several tests for celiac, currently waiting results for another one as had one few years ago. It could be a bug but the pain is so uncomfortable in my tummy unless I've caught several things at once

[xjrs in reply to Amb194]

When was your last bowel movement?

[xjrs in reply to Amb194]

The reason I asked about your last bowel movement is that long term constipation can cause faecal impaction which effectively causes a blockage in your bowels - symptoms of this can be severe pain and vomiting and will require urgent treatment. If you are concerned about this and you are in the UK call the NHS 111 service and get some advice from them.

[Amb194 in reply to xjrs]

Had slight diarrhoea after taking some ibs over the counter tablets yesterday. Very small amount but before that about a week ago. Reckon that could be a big cause? This is normal for me atm to only go once a week If that and suffering from these cramps

Any constipation medication I take just makes it worse in sence that I just have frequent diarrhoea but like I said before i never fully empty my bowels.

[xjrs in reply to Amb194]

Here is a link on faecal impaction and symptoms medicalnewstoday.com/articl.... It might be worth having a word with 111 if you are still concerned.

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

Hi,

Sorry to hear you're struggling.

Have you tried keeping a mood and food diary to help understand your triggers?

We recommend that the low FODMAP diet is only carried out under the supervision of a registered dietitian.

More information is available on our website theibsnetwork.org

[Amb194 in reply to IBSNetwork]

Following fodmap under supervision of my gastroenterologist.

Always start food diaries and never end up carrying then put properly! Deffinatly need to start properly and for the mood diary never even thought of that will deffinatly do that to. Currently now back at work after 2 weeks of pain! Hoping this flare up is now done with fingers crossed and can start focusing on figuring out the problem causing my ibs to flare so bad.

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network in reply to Amb194]

Hi,

hope you are feeling better.

We always suggest keeping the diary for 12-weeks which is best for identifying any patterns to your IBS. More info here theibsnetwork.org/shop/supp...