IBS with constipation

[Nat68]

Ive been advised to check the Fodmap diet, anyone can advise? Thanks 🙂

[Luisa22]

You might be interested in this website (Monash University, Low Fodmap diet.) I hope it's some help

monashfodmap.com/

[Wayback]

Fodmap is good, also consider the GAPS protocol, it’s an even better start: youtu.be/Z_0NvcJZwa8(Not working as expected?)

[Meleber]

"Is this the Low FODMAP Diet for life?

No, the aim of the Low FODMAP Diet is to heal your gut and to reintroduce certain foods back into your diet over a controlled period of time. It is recommended that the Low FODMAP Diet is only followed for 2-6 weeks. Then your progress should be reviewed by your dietitian, who will advise which foods (and how much of them) can be gradually added to your diet. Diets should be tailored for each individual’s needs.

After the initial restrictive diet, many people are able to return to their usual eating habits, with just a few high FODMAP foods that need to be avoided in large amounts. Recent research has shown that following a strict low FODMAP diet in the longer term can reduce levels of certain beneficial bacteria in the gut. For this reason, we recommend your don’t follow an unnecessarily strict low FODMAP diet and to see a specialist dietitian for appropriate reintroduction of FODMAP-containing foods."

Source: monashfodmap.com/about-fodm...

[oldfog in reply to Meleber]

See a dietician? Fat chance of that on the NHS! I've been on a low FODMAP diet ever since a nurse practitioner at my GP surgery suggested it to treat severe stomach cramps and diarrhoea that had gone on for over a week , in January 2020! I didn't know at first that you're not supposed to stay on a strict low FODMAP diet indefinitely. I have since learned that that is the case and I have re-introduced a few things, but I am still largely following a low FODMAP diet - because I can't face the return of severe stomach cramps and diarrhoea!

I'd absolutely love not to have to restrict my diet and to be able to buy ordinary bread, pasta and cereals etc. because all gluten free foods are SO expensive. And I have downloaded various food diary templates and tried keeping a food diary but I found it too complicated and not helpful

[Jurassicslith]

Hi Nat. I did the Fodmap diet and it got rid of my pain whilst on it. Unfortunately it never really identified which foods were responsible for the pain and as soon as I stopped the diet the pain returned, mine seems to be a combination of food that sets me off rather than individual foods. I find if I stick to a vegetarian diet my digestive system is much improved but everyone is different. Good luck and I truly hope you find something that helps you.

[sickandsore]

Hi I tried the low fodmap diet several years ago, it’s advisable to do this under the guidance of a dietitian as they can talk you through what to cut out, for how long and then how to reintroduce food again. It’s important to keep a diary during the diet so you can identify any triggers. I was sceptical tbh, however it did help me identify that I could not tolerate fruits with skins on as my digestive system struggles to break them down causing gripey pain, gas etc that’s just one example for me.

I’ve suffered with IBS C since childhood and I’m 50 now, so what I’ve learnt is the most important thing for me is to avoid getting myself constipated and for me personally that means taking a powder every evening, regardless of if I’ve passed several stools that day, I just have to ensure my bowel works every day like clockwork. When I’ve let this routine slip, I quickly end up in terrible pain or even in hospital with partial obstruction, which is agony.

Too much fibre or too little can easily affect me, so by taking laxido I keep things on an even keel ( most of the time!). I can’t adviocate that this will work for everyone but it’s worth talking with your doctor about how to manage your symptoms. I’ve had a lot of tests and investigations over the years so I know nothing more serious is going on. It’s important that you are properly checked over before you commence self treatment really.

Wishing you all the best

[Pat1 in reply to sickandsore]

I also have the same problem and have taken all sorts of things for IBS C. Which powder do you take?

[sickandsore in reply to Pat1]

laxido or movicol. You can purchase over the counter at Boots. If your doctor agrees they can prescribe these for you as well.

[Boxroad]

Have you looked at fibre? We get our fibre from vegetables but some are soluble and some are insoluble, I found with my IBS if I an going through constipation it means I have eaten to much soluble fibre, soluble fibre soak up the liquid in our colon making it smoother and firm to pass where as insoluble don’t.

Think what happens to veg when it’s put in cold water, celery for example will still look the same if left over night because it is insoluble fibre, as is sweetcorn and many others, if you havevever seen un digested food in your stool it’s normally because it’s insoluble and passed through your system fast. if you were to be suffering a bout of diarrhoea mashed potato and white bread is good for it as it soak up the liquid. Getting a good balance is the hard part. A good way to help control out gut is to look at what comes out to determine what we put in, also make sure you drink plenty of water with constipation, if I drink less that 2 litres a day I will start to block up, and as I have found out the hard way not enough water can cause kidney stones

[xjrs]

I agree with Meleber . Also, if you are constipated, being low FODMAP might make constipation worse since it reduces feed for your microbiome and it is gut bacteria that makes up a lot of the stool.

In the first instance, prior to the trying the FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet, I would try Alflorex probiotic which has been scientifically studied for IBS. Your symptoms may be due to a gut bacterial imbalance. All the FODMAP diet will do is stop feeding your bad bacteria. The best idea is to try to shift the balance more towards good bacteria by using a strong probiotic like Alflorex to kick the bad bugs into touch. With Alflorex you may be able to have a wider diet, though there may be still things you are intolerant to. You'll possibly need the FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet to find out which after you have tried the probiotic. If you start with the diet, you may end up eliminating a whole host of foods unnecessarily. The health of the gut is improved by eating as varied diet as possible. This promotes bacterial diversity which helps to guard against IBS.