I am struggling with a bad flare up of ibs after trying the fodmap diet (on my own as my GP had not heard of it) for the last two weeks.

[Bibabunny]

Although I have had symptoms for 6 years, I have only just been diagnosed with ibs, and I wanted to ask others if they experience the same. My period seems to make the symptoms worse for both the week before and the week after and no matter what I do, I have no control over it. It doesn't leave much time without symptoms! Also, about the fodmap diet, how long should it be until I start to reintroduce foods?

[lynne25ukuk]

My period was really badly affecting my Ibs exactly the same as yours it was awful. I started taking a probiotic and a multi vitamin every day and I have to say it has made a real difference, it took a few months and I can still get a couple if bad days but its more preferential than a couple of bad weeks

[Bibabunny]

Hey, thanks for your answer. Your advice is much appreciated. Is it just a probiotic from the chemist? A couple of days beats a few weeks!

[lynne25ukuk]

It's called mega potency acidophilus from holland and Barrett at the moment it's 2 for £10.20 there usually about 10-15 pound each. Check with them before you buy as I don't know what other ailments u have but should be fine. It says two a day but at the moment I take one at breakfast. Probably doesn't work for everyone but worth a try. As for the multi vitamin its just the chemists own brand with iron.

[Hidden]

I am just starting on reintroducing fodmaps back into my diet. I bought Patsy Catsos's book 'IBS - Free at Last' which tells you exactly how to do this and a whole lot more besides. Another good buy is the app for iPhone available from:

med.monash.edu/cecs/gastro/...

Hope this helps.

[Bibabunny in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. I read your blog post and its brilliant to read how much the fodmap diet has helped you. I have the app and I have ordered the book. I am going to preserve with the diet, despite this blip.

[Hidden in reply to Bibabunny]

I'm sure you'll find Patsy Catsos's book well worth the investment especially as she gives lists of food additives to avoid and is very clear in what she writes. I just wish an English dietitian, as knowledgeable as she is, would write a book so that more of our native foods were taken into account.

What I've found is that despite some foods being on the good-to-go-lists, some won't be good for everybody. Very recently I decided to treat myself to some peanuts which triggered pain, d and nausea. I did several tests with them over the following days and the result was always the same. So I think we all get blips from time-to-time, but at least they become more and more identifiable whilst doing fodmaps.

If you still get mysterious setbacks, it might be worth having a test done for intestinal candida overgrowth which produces the same symptoms as IBS. I did this prior to discovering fodmaps and got rid of the candida along with 40% of my symptoms - it was the remaining 60% that were finally dealt with by fodmaps.

[Bibabunny in reply to Hidden]

Interesting, how do you get this test? It's crazy, my gp and the consultant at the hospital think I can be cured with antidepressants (which i eventually tried, but they made no difference to either my mood or my gut and laxitives, they are reluctant to give any tests. I would be interested to have this test, and manage the ibs. As long as I can manage and have some control, that would at least let me live. Thanks for all your advice, it's clear you've done your research in order to manage your symptoms. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[Hidden in reply to Bibabunny]

Unfortunately, candida overload isn't recognised by the medical profession and you have to pay to get a test done - this, despite the fact that there are countless people whose symptoms have cleared up completely after taking action to get rid of it. I had my tests (stool) done by a lab in Germany, did the diet for 4 months which improved my situation no end, then had a further test which came back clear, but, as I said, I was still left with a good 60% of symptoms finally dealt with by fodmaps. The website for the test is: candidatest.co.uk .

Anti-depressants didn't do me any good either, in fact I think it's probably a good idea to take as few pills, including laxatives, as possible (as long as you're not taking anything for a serious medical condition) since I'm sure they often exacerbate the problem.

I'm in the middle of re-introducing lactose into my diet at present and it looks as if I can tolerate it in moderation which is helpful as I find it the most difficult of the fodmaps to omit.

As for probitics, there is a product called Symprove which is undergoing a lot of research at present as so many people have had success with it. There have been a lot of press reports about it in the last few months. I've been taking it myself to ensure I keep clear of the candida. However, it does contain germinated barley extract and I'm currently awaiting a response from the manufacturer to see what sort of quantity is actually in it as barley is a fodmap.

I'm really happy to pass on my discoveries to anyone in the same boat, so don't hesitate to come back to me at any time.

[Suzannes]

I have been taking a probiotic capsule that I buy from health span on the Internet it's got 20billion bacteria in one capsule a day seems to work for me 13.95 for 60 caps

[Bibabunny in reply to Suzannes]

Thanks for your advice, I'll check it out.

[PatV]

I assume you have IBS-D? My sister cured hers with probiotics, can't stop talking about it.. I have IBS-C. I tried FODMAPS for a couple of weeks. While pain went away, I got seriously constipated! I decided to give it up, but just avoid the food group that broccoli is in. And I can't drink milk, lactose free or not. Binding!!!

[Bibabunny in reply to PatV]

I have ibs-c. I've cut out food groups before but still don't know what my trigger is, I thought the fodmap would help to identify this. The problem is that my period seems to exacerbate my ibs and I don't know how to manage it. So, I'm trying the probiotics.

[sickandsore]

Can you push your doctor for a referral to a dietician?? you really need to do this diet properly, i started to remove things myself a couple of months ago whilst waiting to see dietician, but since seeing dietician and getting a full info pack on this diet realise theres a lot i was doing wrong!! also re period pain have they looked at the possibility that you could have endometriosis?? so ask to see a gynae too just to rule it out as could be aggravating your ibs symptoms.

[Bibabunny in reply to sickandsore]

Yeah, that makes sense. I have been referred to a dietician, by since it's took over a year to get seen by a consultant, I thought I should make a start. I find the gp and hospital completely useless and so I don't have much confidence in anything to do with the NHS? But I so need advice on the diet. I've found a few doors that irritate my gut myself, but to get a better overall understanding, I do need a professional. Of course, I could be refused a dietician, I've been advised that as I'm not morbidly obese, I'm not really entitled to one. Looking at this site it's clear that ibs treatment is affected by the NHS postcode lottery too! My acupuncturist also said about seeing a gyny too.

[Help123]

You don't explain your symptoms but this does sound similar to mine although due to hysterectomy with ovaries left I could no longer pin point monthly cycle. Following a CT scan by my gastro consultant it was found I have ovarian cysts which has now resulted in surgery. Other issues highlighted too, hiatus hernia which also gives pain. My advice would be insist on CT scan, and referral to gastro consultant. also FODMAP should be done under dietician and I'm shocked your GP knows nothing of it, maybe another GP would be better. Mine is fab and is happy to listen it's your body so if unhappy you may have to challenge. GPS do get it wrong. Also blood tests should be done before to rule out other concerns. Good luck.