Struggle with fibre: Hi it seems that any kind... - IBS Network

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Struggle with fibre

huggit profile image
12 Replies

Hi it seems that any kind of fibrous food sets my IBS off, and fatty foods give me heartburn. Do you think there may be a reason for this? I am taking some probiotics and will take Imodium regularly, although on lockdown haven’t needed to. So really just asking if anyone else is the same and what foods do you eat?

Thank you

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huggit profile image
huggit
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12 Replies

Are you drinking enough water?

One or two glasses first thing in the morning, before & after all meals and last drink of the evening?

No or little caffeine. Decaf tea, coffee . No fizzy drinks.

huggit profile image
huggit in reply to Mary-intussuception

Hi 👋 I don’t drink fizzy drinks or alcohol and I only drink decaf coffee and tea, and quite a bit of water too

Mary-intussuception profile image
Mary-intussuception in reply to huggit

I don't understand why you took imodum regularly.

huggit profile image
huggit in reply to Mary-intussuception

Because if I don’t I can’t stop going to the toilet. The fibre in foods upsets my stomach.

Mary-intussuception profile image
Mary-intussuception in reply to huggit

Have you tried eating a few marshmallows instead of Imodium?

Have you tried reducing fibre content of diet?

huggit profile image
huggit in reply to Mary-intussuception

Hi it seems like anything in the least bit fibrous sets me off so I try to avoid fruit and veg and whole meal foods and oats, but it doesn’t feel healthy and I love all of these foods! Yes I tried marshmallows this didn’t work for me it’s so annoying

Superzob profile image
Superzob in reply to huggit

It seems unhealthy because we’ve been indoctrinated into the view that we must eat 5 portions of fruit and veg per day (8 in Australia - must be a very constipated bunch!). This fails to take account of individual needs (I have a friend with Crohn's who can only take 3 portions).

I had your problem for 25 years following bad enteritis and it corrected itself following another similar infection. During that time I had to cut down fibre until I could tolerate foods; the easiest way to do this is to cook everything because the heat breaks down the fibre - I could tolerate muesli by turning into porridge!

I’m not a great believer in Imodium, because I think it stores up trouble for later, but you might be more tolerant of it. Hope you find a resolution.

sugarplumferry profile image
sugarplumferry in reply to huggit

Be careful with the coffee. There’s a compound (not the caffeine) in coffee that isn’t good for some of us, or IBD sufferers. I used to have one mug of coffee a day until I realised it was a trigger. The same with chocolate 🙁 Hey ho.

Sue_53 profile image
Sue_53

Yes, fibre most definitely makes me worse. I try to limit it to no more than 3 grams for breakfast and lunch, and depending on what we have for dinner I will limit the potatoes if we are having veg etc...I always drink roughly 3 litres of water a day. I try to have no more than 15 grams a day, I’ll be in trouble with more than that. Hard at first to keep ahead of it, because it is surprising how it sneaks into most foods, but a food diary helps. There is quite a few articles on the internet saying that fibre makes ibs.d worse, but obviously fibre is needed if it’s ibs.c. You can’t avoid it completely because it’s still needed to bulk up your stool and to keep things moving. Just have a go at limiting it and see what suits.

huggit profile image
huggit in reply to Sue_53

That's interesting about potatoes, because it is often seen as a safe food maybe I have too many, I tend to have fish or chicken on an evening meal and then carrots, green beans and some potatoes maybe 120g worth I will try to cut down, Thank you

BlueGreenGuy profile image
BlueGreenGuy

IBS-D or C?

If C stay away from psyllium fibre that really messes me up evil stuff

huggit profile image
huggit

It’s D which is annoying but I seem to be so sensitive to anything with a fibre.

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