50 pounds in 10mths, FODMAP, Can’t Eat Anything

[Kim456]

So guys, it has been a rough year, I have been trying to manage this condition which started with a bad bout of diarrhoea. I was diagnosed with IBS alone in 2012. It was not that bad...I ate a lot of wheat, fruit, nuts and vegetables particularly starches. I was always bloated. My weight would fluctuate. Then in 2019 March I ate the meal which will change my life forever, fish, sweet potato and veg. Drank tap water. I don’t know what made me ill (I figure it was the fish or unwashed veg) but from then I have not been able to eat any food without getting distress in the stomach. Gas, Pain, runny tummy at a whim, nausea...

Adopted FODMAP....lost 50 pounds in 10 months living on popcorn, eggs, oats, pineapple juice, sweet potato, potato, chicken, tuna and some bread...I drink filtered water can’t stomach tap. There some veg pumpkin, okra, beans (string), cucumber, tomato sometimes, red peppers, parsley, fruit cantaloupe, berries exc black berries,

Peanut butter but not too much...

Drinking bay leaf (causes weight loss), peppermint and ginger

I walk with antidiarrheal tablets and TP daily, I make a mental note of bathrooms where ever I go. It is frustrating, it depressing to know that you have no control over this.

I visited a GP, a gastroenterologist who wasted not only my time and money, dismissed me with “you have IBS” .....I know there is a root cause to my issue. It is not in my head. God willing I will try to see a nutritionist and see if I can find a way to put on some weight.

If I don’t there will be very little left of me.

IBS is real, it affects your life long term and there is a need for more in the health and wellness sector to care about this condition. Drugs along won’t solve anything.

[Viklou]

Half of that would keep me in agony and running to the bathroom, Especially popcorn, tomatoes and bread plus the berries are definitely a no go for me. Crunchy peanut butter again a definite no no

[Kim456 in reply to Viklou]

So what do you eat?

[Lulububs in reply to Viklou]

Hey viklou

Have u ever been checked for diverticulitus...

Only reason i ask is my friend is a nutritionalist and generally when people cant eat all those thing u mention it because they have pitting in there colon and the little pips from thing like tomatoes and the popcorn and peanuts get caught in the diverticulitis and give u pain like ibs ....

Where as i have ibs ( no divert shown on camera) and i can eat all them things....

It things like garlic, spices,wheat, bread( yeast), brocoli, cabbage.. that generally upset ibs...

I mean if u have been tested and u haven’t GREAT, i just wandered as generally if u tell someone there ur trigger foods most people go “ diverticulitis”.

[Viklou in reply to Lulububs]

I have diverticular disease but it's not active and not inflammed. They're not concerned about it. Plus that isn't where my pains are concentrated

[Lulububs in reply to Viklou]

Ok cool

[Hidden]

I totally understand and really feel for you. I controlled my IBS with no issues fir years until food poisoning in November 2018, then came the diarrhoea and acute nausea. After many tests which came back clear, I was diagnosed with post infectious IBS, really!

Anyway my doctors have been amazing and I'm now under a Dietician following the low fodmap diet which I'm pleased to say is working for me. I'm in the first phase of the diet.

I did see a Nutritionist which I saw privately and I have to say that she hit the nail on the head as I can't tolerate the foods she said I had sensitivity to.

I hope you find something that works you cant go on like this, I feel for you.

[Lanidove]

I am really concerned about the foods you have listed ??? Tomato’s ? Popcorn ? OMG 😱

They would kill most of us !

Are you taking probiotics ?

Any thing ?

Are you stressed , anxious 😦

Do u excersise?

Yoga ?

Meditate ?

YOU CAN BEAT THIS !

Maybe your microbiome isn’t as healthy as before the incident . These things happen .

However , IBS IS =FODMAP & IT IS MANAGEABLE W/ SOME EXTRA THINGS PARTICULAR TO YOUR SET OF SYMPTOMS .

Especially specific probiotics . If you have diarrhea , take BOULARDI..

IBS IS A FUNCTIONAL MOTILITY PROBLEM .

And it involves visceral hypersensitivity .

Stress is a key factor . It takes time but it’s workable . Re-evaluate your food choices .

It doesn’t make sense even if FODMAP says it’s OK !!!!!!! We are all biochemically individual . Just because popcorn might be in the clear on FODMAP DOESNT MEAN ITS OK FOR YOU .

PS . So you know I’m not BS-ING .

Im a Holistic Educator and consultant . Also a Nutritional Consultant , Clinical Herbologist & a Private Paleo chef .

Best wishes for a successful breakthrough.

Hang in there . Don’t give up .

[Munchkinfeet in reply to Lanidove]

I would echo this, just because it says it's low fodmap doesn't mean it's ok for you. I say this because I have been on reintroduction phase of the fodmap diet for some time and I am still having bowel problems. I cook all my meals and snacks from scratch except gluten free bread/pasta which I buy in the supermarket.

I am diagnosed with bowel neuropathy and bowel spasms but I also have gynae involvement, waiting for surgery.

Just out of interest too, have you checked the ingredients of any medication you are taking, they sometimes contain high fodmap ingredients like lactose, manitol etc.

IBS is a frustrating diagnosis because you feel like nobody can help you but it can be debilitating for many people.

What investigations have you had? Have you been tested for IBD (crohns, colitis etc), coeliac etc? Like colonoscopy, endoscopy, fecal calprotectin, blood tests? You can't be diagnosed with IBS until these other conditions have been ruled out. Good luck

[xjrs]

Have you been formally taken through the fodmap diet by a fodmap trained dietitian? Most people who eliminate ALL fodmaps during the 2-4 week elimination phase of the diet will get relief from IBS-D. If you don't get relief, it is possible that you have BAM (bile acid malabsorption). There are separate tests and treatment for that. The Monash fodmap app also test you what foods you can eat and in what quantities:

monashfodmap.com/ibs-centra...

However, everyone is individual and some people will find that there are some low fodmaps that they can't tolerate like acidic foods such as raspberries, tomato and kiwi.

[Kim456]

Wow ...thanks for the response...I am not sure about tests. I have doctors who are only interested in getting their consultation fees not helping me get better.

I will try to go to my local clinic and see if I can get some insight. The last gastroenterologist totally dismissed me. The doc said that a lot of tests that are not done here. The colonoscopy I understand privately is US1500 and that is just the procedure nothing to do with the other costs...

I can say...I have a sensitivity to everything. Stress is a factor, I got more pain around (nerve) around my navel...there is an intense throbbing which occurs. I get pain in my lower back. I have headaches after I eat...fatigue, dehydration are issues too. My menstruation makes this condition scary....increases BMs. Nausea is common as well as gas pains. (Burps flatulence)

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear you're struggling. If you need help and support please get in touch theibsnetwork.org

[Kim327]

Check for parasites. I’m no doctor but it Sounds like you could have one and they are easily treated with medication.

See an infectious disease doctor. The gut problems could be a cause from this. I have Graves and terrible gut issues. Had a colonoscopy and endoscopy all normal except gastritis. Lost a ton of weight. Went to a Infectious disease doc and found a common parasite. 90% of people have it and no symptoms. CDC says 1/3 of US has it and most don’t know it. Worth a check. Read it can cause thyroid problems and whole host of diseases and gut issues!! Infections Disease Doc will perform a sigmoidscope and get you results in 24 hours.

amymyersmd.com/2017/05/10-s...

Patients experience with infectious disease md:

birdeye.com/cahill-kevin-m-...

Hope this helps!!

[Tig345 in reply to Kim327]

Thanks