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Dietician told me to up fibre intake, but I'm in pain. Help!

Posted , 6 users are following.

Poppy1504
Poppy1504

Hello.  

I am looking for some advice/help with my IBS.  I have almost constant constipation, gas and bloating and get bowel cramps.  I was diagnosed a long time ago and have tried various different things to try and help, with little success.  I also tried the FODMAP diet and it made no difference.  I recently had a telephone consultation with a dietician (referred by my GP), who said I needed to up my fibre intake (she said I should be aiming for 30g a day, but am currently on under 10g).  I have had 2 days of higher fibre and, frankly I'm in agony.  I have been cramping all morning (constantly) and feel more constipated than ever.  

Is it that I just need to give it a few days for my body to adjust, or is it best to stop?  My thinking is that a diectician would know best, but I also know I shouldn't be feeling like this.

I am also trying to up my water intake, as I am very bad at drinking enough (I know this also affects my IBS).

Any thoughts/advice gratefully received.  Thank you.

Poppy 

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • patricia43624
    patricia43624 Poppy1504

    Posted

    I have been suffering for over two and a half years so I am no expert as I have only been diagnosed since hust before Christmas.  I started by increasing my fibre and drinking lots and lots of water.  Then I found the only cereal that gave me the least problems were Rice Krispies.  I've never liked the sugary coated cereals, porridge started to make me ill,   So I gave up on cereals. Before I saw the gastroenterologistI was eating a lot of fruit.  Now I eat no more than three pieces of fruit a day and lots of vegetables.  I find I get my fibre from them.

    Hope this helps somewhat 

    Good Luck 

    Patricia

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 Poppy1504

    Posted

    Maybe your body is still adjusting.  The other possibility is insoluble fibre which can be bad for IBS.  Some IBS sufferers are better with soluable fibre. Ask your dietician about this.  There is no one size fits all solution for IBS.  What works for one, may not be suitable for another.  Doctors and dieticians don't always tailor their advice to the individual which is crucial for IBS.  Giving just standard advice doesn't always work.

    Have you tried a food diary to see what foods you may be reacting to?

    • Poppy1504
      Poppy1504 pippa58442

      Posted

      Thanks Pippa.  I think you may be right and I've possibly just gone in too hard too fast.  I will give it a week and see if things calm down.  I have done food diaries over the years, but we can't see a pattern.  It's quite frustrating.

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 Poppy1504

      Posted

      Have you tried avoiding gluten, dairy, spicy and greasy foods?

       

       

  • sam52768
    sam52768 Poppy1504

    Posted

    I wouls take the fiber slowly and build. Up to 30. Give you stomach rest first them slowly add fiber not all at once. You have to find what works for you in the long run.
    • Poppy1504
      Poppy1504 sam52768

      Posted

      Thanks Sam.  I think I've probably gone in a bit too hard with it and upped my fibre intake too quickly.  I'm going to calm down a bit and see how things fare after a week or so.

  • sarah87162
    sarah87162 Poppy1504

    Posted

    You could try Omeprazole or Colpermin.

    You can buy Colpermin over the counter and if you find they work you can then get them on prescription.

    I think you can only get Omeprazole on prescription.

    Hope this helps

    Take care and keep in touch

    Sarah

  • leeniepie
    leeniepie Poppy1504

    Posted

    You need to increase fibre slowly eg go from 10 to 15 g for three days then 20g for three days then 25g etc. You can't just jump up in amount. You must also drink loads as without water fibre just bungs you up. What have you been eating? Insoluble fibre is awful for ibs so stay sway from wheat bran (bran flakes allbran etc) and fiberous veg, instead get your fibre from oats, apple, pears, root veg.

    • Poppy1504
      Poppy1504 leeniepie

      Posted

      Thanks Leeniepie.  I think you're right and I've probably gone in a bit too hard too fast.  I am drinking way more, though, so that's a plus.  I will see how it goes this week and then re-evaluate if things are still bad.  I am trying to get more soluble fibre than insoluble, but maybe that's something I need to investigate further.

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