Fiber? Or something else?

[IBSsucksallthetime]

Does anyone else have problems with forms of natural fiber? I have always eaten oats, and started enjoying them with addition of chia and flax seeds, (whole). Was trying to eat healthier when this all began.

Then one day all of a sudden my oats just started making me sick, It didn’t matter how they were prepared. I first noticed it in like no bake cookies, you know the kind with the chocolate and oats mixed together made into a cookie. Then I could no longer eat the oats in other stuff like cookies, oatmeal, granola, bread, or anything. So going on the low FOD map I just avoided it allthe time. I went to re-introduce them, a few different times since then and I still can’t eat oats. Also I went to re-introduce the Chia seeds to get more fiber and I can’t eat them either. It starts to seem like I am not able to eat rice or corn. I don’t know if they have a lot of fiber, or what the deal is. I thought that once my IBS wasn’t so inflamed and I had SIBO treatment, which helped tremendously that I would be able to eat food again that I enjoy. I’m ok not eating garlic and onions, but I have celiac disease and basically live off of rice and corn products. Anyone else having a problem like this? Thank you.

[RickyW]

I was going to ask something similar. After having a group session with an NHS dietician, which was mostly useless I have to say, the one thing they mentioned that I hadn't tried before was flaxseed. So I was trying one teaspoon of ground flaxseed on my breakfast to see if it'd help. I'm sort of IBS-D side, mostly pain/bloating though. The flaxseed just seems to have made everything a bit worse. Regular discomfort, with a hard stomach and a feeling of being full. It's also sent my anxiety into a nosedive, regularly waking on a morning in a bad way with it. I'm sure it's the flaxseed, though I need to come off it to make sure - just surprised only a teaspoon could have that effect. Anyone else find flaxseed causes issues?

[IBSsucksallthetime in reply to RickyW]

I didn’t have a problem with flax seed before but yes now I do. Also flaxseed should be ground not whole seeds, according to my dieticiannit is much harder to digest whole. Apparently a small amount is enough, but I was told you can build up. I love the taste of flax seed whole though lol, I wasn’t able to tolerate much either .

[Luisa22]

I have to be very careful with fibre too. Sometimes I get almost 100% 'remissions' from IBS, and I am pretty lucky. That can last days, or like this past summer, weeks. At those times I can eat fibre and be fine, just normal like I used to be with fibre.

But a lot of the time I have to be really picky about it because it will give me loose stool the following day.

In my early days with IBS I soon found out that oats and me didn't get along. (I always used to eat them!) I liked those plain oatcakes with a piece of cheese or peanut butter in my normal days. But I kept trying to nibble a few dry ones, and every time I ate them I'd be too loose next day. So they had to go. Bit sad, because I liked those. They went to the wild birds, squirrel etc.

Corn is another thing I get a really strong instinct about. I haven't gone near it. 'gut feelings tell me it's trouble for me. I won't even touch popcorn.

Generally over my IBS time, I have done better on low fibre, especially if my gut is going through a dodgy patch. I eat fairly low fibre until I get another time when I'm okay, then I can eat it again....maybe for some weeks.

Maybe you can stick to rice and potatoes for gf carbs? What are gluten free pasta or noodles made with? Maybe you could try those

[IBSsucksallthetime in reply to Luisa22]

thank you for that info. Most gf pastas and such are made primarily from rice, but I’ve there are others made from cauliflower and such, I just didn’t care for the taste of the ones I tried . As far as the corn I used to eat it a lot, one of my favorite summer veggies but I rarely eat more than a few bites from the cob now. It just doesn’t sit right or feel right now. Dr said it is probably a sensitivity. I do eat popcorn, I love it, however I am finding it doesn’t like me much! I have notified if I drink anything after the popcorn, I usually throw up after a few hours. It is like it’s stuck just above my diaphragm level. I’m getting another scope done soon so hopefully that helps. So ya, fiber is a struggle. I do love sweet potatoes and potatoes but they have a lot of calories and I’ve been gaining3- 5 pounds a week and I’m not trying to! Thanks again!!

Good luck to you!

[Luisa22]

I must admit I haven't tried gf noodles and pasta. I know it was hard to find palatable gf bread for my toast in the mornings when I was doing the 8 week Fodmap elimination. Most tasted yuck. I did find one that was okay really. Not fantastic but OK. It's in the UK though and I think you are in the States? Anyway, it's called "Genius" in case you find it there. It makes quite nice toast but I didn't eat it "raw" lol

I basically don't like any bread that isn't toasted.

Yes, maybe carbs make you gain weight? I do need them because I am WAY too thin. I mean =bony which is not pretty. I have to eat like a pig to stay the same weight.

Maybe you have a hiatus hernia? The scope should give you the answer about why things get stuck. That must be unpleasant for you. I wish you well, and hope you get some answers, and hopefully improve a little bit as time goes by.

[IBSsucksallthetime in reply to Luisa22]

thank you! If I must eat gf items I’m eating the bread as toast. I’ve been craving toast lately and found a decent bread here also, I’ve never seen the “genius” here.

Unfortunately I’ve had experience with food being stuck before. It’s called a stricture and it’s a narrowing of the esophagus due to scar tissue. I’ve had gastric bypass and a reversal due to malnourishment and have went thru this several times unfortunately. The food won’t go down, and gets stuck, then must come up. The treatment is easy enough, it’s done during an endoscopy. They take a balloon and inflate it to re-stretch the area that is narrowed. Very similar to how they can do your veins if there is a blockage.

It works great, unfortunately it can happen again and must be repeated.

Thank you again! Best wishes

[711debbie]

If you use ground flaxseed, make sure to refrigerate it. It gets moldy very easily if not in the fridge.

[IBSsucksallthetime in reply to 711debbie]

wow, thank you, I was unaware of that! I haven’t tried ground yet but will refrigerate them if I do. I will check the whole ones also.

[DJK99]

Hello again - corn is dreadful for my guts. It’s a non FODMAP food - so I’d def stay away from it if you know it irritates your system eh? Oats, not so much but only if it’s non processed ie organic jumbo oats that I make into porridge or my own v basic “granola” made with sunflower and pumpkin seeds with coconut oil and cinnamon. No shop bought ready made stuff for me, with all the preservatives and added this that and the other, as it all upsets my system I find. Hope thay helps. D

[IBSsucksallthetime in reply to DJK99]

I can imagine! The homemade ones are better anyways (usually)🤣🤣🤣

[Andann]

I have noticed a variation in my reaction to oats but mostly to porridge at breakfast time. (A bit nauseous) Havent had to give it up, just limit it.

[IBSsucksallthetime in reply to Andann]

that’s how the corn does me. Yes so I just tend to avert it naturally I guess. Thanks for your reply !

[casares8]

I can eat oats but not the grainy type. I buy the smooth oat cakes, but the type used in cookies, granola etc far too harsh and grainy. The same with any seeds, they have to be milled

[IBSsucksallthetime in reply to casares8]

I never thought of that…. Maybe I will try the gf oats ground up smaller. Thanks

[711debbie]

You can buy the flaxseeds ground or grind them yourselves. The unground seeds just go right through you with no benefit. You use the ground flaxseeds instead of psyllium.