for years I've suffered with constipation, and following all the traditional wisdom like- eat prunes, and baked beans, whole meal bread, apples, all these have made it worse. Thankfully I discovered low FODMAP diet which advises to have any of these foods plus alot more besides which I have been eating, making it worse.
I am a lot better following low FODMAP. Has anyone else had a similar journey?
Don't know about foodmap. I also have chronic constipation but improving a lot now REDUCING fibre, having read Levit's The Bowel Book. A reverse.
I am busy doing fodmap, it's a challenging diet but my pain is pretty much gone and bowels are behaving. Long may it last
I've been following the FODMAP guidelines on what food I can eat, and it has helped. A nutritionist introduced me to begin with, and I've discovered my triggers are polyols (fruit sugars) and - I discovered this one myself - xanthan gum (boy, does that make me ill) which is used in food as a preservative, emulsifier, and instead of yeast for gluten free bread. It's also used in face creams and conditioners, amongst other things. If you're sensitive to it, it's a laxative, which explains a lot. I'm not saying FODMAP is perfect, but it's an excellent guide for what I'm better off not eating. I still have frequent episodes of IBS, when I'm stressed, or have eaten something pre-packaged, but which didn't list all its ingredients (which happens frequently, annoyingly). The downside is I think when you stop eating a particular food, you lose any slight immunity you may have built up, so the results when you eat it again are worse e.g. celery is in most sauces and gravies which I've not really reacted to before, but now I can tell by my bowel's reaction the next day, as it's not happy.
Also, as gussmithy mentioned, too much fibre isn't helpful either.
It's a fine balancing act, and I sympathise with everyone on here and wish you all good luck!
I hear you! its very tricky. I have had some success with hypno and I do a guided mediation each day, even just for 10 mins. Stress is a killer thats for sure. Stay well!
Hi Fodma! yes I can relate to your post. I started lowfo diet around 2016 and found it amazing for the bloat and tummy cramps. I also live with chronic constipation and it was a relief to find out what food made me feel so awful with cramps, wind and bloat. EG many of the foods we are told to eat to get the bowels moving! Prunes and dried fruits kill me!! the gas is unholy. Any stone fruits, garlic and onion and legumes are a No go zone. I am currently trying to sort out my bowels, its tricky! Do you find anything helpful? There is nothing better than a good ole poop! Jen
Trapped in the Loo
IBS-C & Sibo 
I have IBS-C & the diet thing confuses me. There is the fodmap, gaps & scd diets. What is working for you?
Following FODMAP diet on advice of GP
Low FODMAP diet - gluten free or low gluten?
