Painful IBS symptoms - what helps?

Dear Elaine

I am curious about how you learnewd about the FODMAP diet.

I would like to know how you heard about it.

If you have been to a doctor and mentioned ibs in the last 3 years then your doctor should have recommended the diet.

If he didnt I would be interested to know why not.   There seem to be a large number of people in this forum who have been seeing a doctor regularly but the doctor doesnt choose to tell them about a breakthrough approach to relieving their symptoms and hugely improving their life.

What I am wondering is if there is some division among experts in the medical community about whether or not  theFODMAP DIET is effective.

Last time I read about research the proponents of the diet were claiming he lives of 70% of ibs people were significantly improved by the diet.

So I am wondering if there is an evidence based arguement that suggests this is wrong?    OR is there some side effect of the diet that makes it better for patients to conyinue with their sympyoms and n

 

Dear Elaine

I am curious about how you learnewd about the FODMAP diet.

I would like to know how you heard about it.

If you have been to a doctor and mentioned ibs in the last 3 years then your doctor should have recommended the diet.

If he didnt I would be interested to know why not.   There seem to be a large number of people in this forum who have been seeing a doctor regularly but the doctor doesnt choose to tell them about a breakthrough approach to relieving their symptoms and hugely improving their life.

What I am wondering is if there is some division among experts in the medical community about whether or not  theFODMAP DIET is effective.

Last time I read about research the proponents of the diet were claiming he lives of 70% of ibs people were significantly improved by the diet.

So I am wondering if there is an evidence based arguement that suggests this is wrong?    OR is there some side effect of the diet that makes it better for patients to continue with their symptoms and not try the diet?

I am on ther FODMAP diet for reasons other than ibs and it has helped me when nothing else would but are there any contraindications?

Hi Graham

I found out about the FODMAP diet by googling it after my sister mentioned it and then bought a book from Amazon. I have been going to the Doctor and he has never mentioned anything about it. He has offered Buscapan and various remedies for constipation. I mentioned FODMAP to the Doctor, however he didn't appear to know anything about it. I also mentioned the possibility of a dietician to help me, however I left with the same old same old which is rather sole destroying. Is there maybe more awareness of it in America? I'm not sure where you're from. I'm in Scotland.

What's your diet like?

Have you been tested via NHS (blood and urine)?

Have you had any cameras and biopsies taken?

Have you got any known allergies or has anyone else in your family got stomach problems?

My main symptom is also stomach pain and I find exercise, less stress if possible and fruit to reduce constipation works for me.  Food doesn't affect me.  It was my stomach pain along with nausea that got me running to the doctor when otherwise I wouldn't have bothered.   At that time I had four different types of pain and had trouble sleeping during the first two weeks of my symptoms.

 My pain is barely noticeable now and I have reduced Buscopan and over the counter painkillers to a minimum.  Intitially, I was on three antispasmodics a day and occasionally I took four and topped it up with painkillers.

Hi Ned7744, With regard to my diet, I've tried a exclusion diet before but didn't really get to the bottom of what was causing my symptoms. When I have a bad flare up, I don't eat gluten, I avoid wine and anything acidic, spicey food etc. I've got books to help me on the straight and narrow, but find there can be so much contradictory information. I mainly eat fish, chicken, veg, salad and things like that and try to drink plenty of water. I had all the tests years ago which identified that every part of my intestines were going into a spasm when they were touched so were very sensitive, hence the diagnosis of IBS. There isn't any history of stomach problems in my family.

Hi philippa61759, Great to hear that your symptoms have improved. I do have a lot of stress and when my symptoms get more severe I tend to think it's to do with the food I eat, however, it's more likely to be a mixture of both, or maybe like you, just the stress. I read somebody else's post on here saying to eat smaller meals and will try that i.e. eat a little often rather than a larger meal at night which might help my pain during the night. I'm definitely going to try your approach with fruit and exercise and try to be less stressed, which exercise should also help with. Thanks a lot for your help.

As Bill Clinton said; I feel your pain. There are nights I don't and cannot go to sledep untill 3 am. What a life!. My bowl habits change almost ever other night. Sometimes it just a cannon, if you know what I mean. Pray for me and I will pray for you Elaine

 Hi Elaine

I am in Australia.   The Monash univeresity here developed to FODMAP diet.

I recomend you to visit their website.   I follow the diet very carefully and there are many fruit and veg not allowed.    If they allow a small quantity I avoid it.

Your doctor should do his home work.   Try and find a special ibs clinic near you and ask them for help.   A dietician will be a big help, especially when you start trying to re introduce foods.

I hope it works for you

Graham