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IBS serious confusion!

Posted , 10 users are following.

Swtz
Swtz

Im in a state of confusion!

IBS sufferer for 15 years now. Feels comforting reading about you all knowing we are all in similiar circumstances... as nobody in my life really KNOWS what IBS sufferers go through!

IBS sufferers- i heard white bread is bad and to switch to wholemeal bread is good.

But then i read that the fibre in wholemeal can overwork an already sensitive bowel of IBS sufferers.

Most cereal have fibre and i always get a tummy ache.

FODMAP- Just thinking and reading about it makes me depressed. How can anyone live content on a fodmap diet?

I know initially FODMAPs only to be used temp to highlight the food we are intolerant to and i really want to try it to see but it seems so difficult to follow... so it would be great to hear from realistic ppl who have exp this.. what alt foods do you substitute with etc..

So i am at a loss and it would mean alot if anyone can shed light xx

3 likes, 27 replies

27 Replies

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  • michellelvj
    michellelvj Swtz

    Posted

    Hi Swtz

    A strict no/low fodmap diet isn't nutritionally sufficient long term. If you want good advice on food options etc see any books by Dr Sue Shepherd. She created the diet and also has a cook book. Also the Monash University app (from the Uni Dr Shepherd worked for) is super helpful to have in the supermarket to quickly check foods.

    I eat low fodmap most of the time but can't do it always. Eating out is a nightmare as I find it hard to find options that satisfy the diet. Also it gets boring! If you want to truly eliminate all potential irritants you will need to do a strict version of the diet for about a month (include no gluten, though trace amounts ok, and no lactose). Then do a phased reintroduction of the various irritants (fructan, lactose, polyol etc) one at a time. So say for milk have a small amount one day, note symptoms, increase the next day, note symptoms, increase for a third day, note symptoms. If you get no reaction you know you're good with that. Not an expert but just speaking from experience.

    Ready meals will generally be a no go. For pasta switch to brown rice pasta (I find this much nicer than the standard gluten free stuff). There are lots of lactose free options for milk, cheese and yoghurt. Then raid the free from aisle for gluten free. Also you might want to go decaf for the duration of your strict period. Caffeine can be a major irritant, and this is from a coffee lover. I found that hard, but there are some actually decent decaf teas and coffees out there.

    You also have the option to ask for a dietician referral. GPs need to be more prepared to do this for IBS so push if you need to. Good luck.

    Michelle

    • Swtz
      Swtz michellelvj

      Posted

      Thanx michellelvj its such a telief to hear you have and are surviving the boring options!

      Your roght about the GP.. I did ask but she said under the new law theyve restricted dietitiob access dor only those who are obese! And that i can thank david cameron for that! Really! But i will go back and push for it!

  • marieelle199
    marieelle199 Swtz

    Posted

    regarding white and brown bread 

    my experience I eat white bread cos it's really basic and it hasen't many content and easily digestable if you chew it well 

    but brown bread has grains and you're right the bowel happend to be sensitive to it now this is my experience and we are not all the same 

    • Swtz
      Swtz marieelle199

      Posted

      Hey marieelle199 your right about that! We ARE all different. I assumed everyone would have same ourcome whenI first discovered all the methods but im glad after teading everyones different experiences that isnt so.

      I was told by a friend as an IBS sufferer to stay away from white bread cos it is an enemy for IBS and inswapped to wholemeal qithout Q for a year now. I hate wholemeal hahaha!! It may sound silly but i was depressed giving up white bread and now that you guys have mentioned the differences... i really have not seen a change.

  • beth88871
    beth88871 Swtz

    Posted

    Hi Swtz,

    I have suffered IBS now for some 16 years this year.  I am of the same thought in that too much bran/fibre can cause an over sensitive bowl to be more sensitive, for this reason I avoid weetabix and bran flakes but porridge is fine.  I am dairy intollerent, this was found after doing a food diary for a month, my IBS is worse now than ever before, pain can be so bad and unbearable I reach for the phone to ring an ambulance!  The only factor that stops me is knowing the contractional pain will subside within 10-15 minutes, so a lot of heavy breathing and sweating gets me through.  But, this can come on at anytime I could be in a shopping centre, at the school, anywhere, this is when it becomes troublesome as I cannot sit so i'm stranded and cannot drive my car.  The only thing I can say is to forget doctors as they are all not sympathetic at all but come on forums to find help like this one.  Buscopan I live on 4 times a day and this can help to stop the attacks but I have to be strict with my diet or I will suffer.

     

    • Swtz
      Swtz beth88871

      Posted

      Wow beth after reading your symptoms i feel for you!!!

      That sounds so excrutiating. Its really comforting to know that enduring these episodes and carrying on with life isnt just me but you aswell.

      I can now say that after exp child birth guys which for mw by the way are like 3-4 days long contractions .. the IBS has come on as a definite rival!

      I didnt no that buscopan can be taken and used more permanently as my GP advised me its only a temp fix and should be taken temp..but you know what its the only thing that stops my paon so i may just follow your footsteps.

      I also suffer in public like that which stresses me out more which affects my IBS more..

      Tell me anyone...how does one overcome this catch 22 conundrum!

  • jan48389
    jan48389 Swtz

    Posted

    I bave to say I find the Low FODMAP is great. It is easy to follow, and the only foods I have really had to cut out are gluten, broccoli, cauliflour, onions, mushrooms and garlic. You can have garlic infused oil and the green part of leeks and spring onions, or chives, which are more than adequate replacements. I avoid ready meals, but that is no bad thing. The sacrifice, which is minimal, is more than compensated for by the results. Eating out can be a bit tricky, but most places do steak or fish, and everywhere I have been the chef has been really helpful by not adding sauces, or frying things with garlic. Many restaurants also do gluten free (even fish and chip shops) fortunately I am okay with most dairy products, although I try to stick to Low Fodmap cheeses such as Brie, Camembert or hard cheeses such as cheddar. You can get onion free quarter pounders, gluten free pizzas, and the home made gluten free pasta and rice dishes are delicious.  I can honestly say that in the 4 months I've been doing Low FODMAP I haven't felt in the least bit deprived or restricted. 

    Give it a try, you may be pleasantly surprised. 

    Jan

     

    • michellelvj
      michellelvj jan48389

      Posted

      Jan, I need to come and live at your house. You are clearly more imaginitive with food prep than me! 😂 I think that's a good point to make actually. I think I find it restrictive because I am a bit lazy with meal planning and don't actually like cooking at all. I then find it quite stressful and don't know what to have.
    • Shelly54
      Shelly54 michellelvj

      Posted

      Me too I get lazy with cooking because I have to cook different for my Husband who can eat anything and I dont want to cook 2 different meals so I end up eating cereal or egg whites or somthing easy like that but gets old quick
    • jan48389
      jan48389 michellelvj

      Posted

      You're welcome Michelle. For dinner I had home made cottage pie, flavoured with the green part of leeks rather than onion,  green beens, carrots and a few Parsnips with gluten free gravy, followed by a slice of gluten free chocolate cake with some single cream, all washed down with a glass of Rioja - delicious, and no bloating, pain, gas or urgent need to dash to the loo. Pre FODMAP days I'd have bought a ready made cottage pie and after 30 mins would have felt awful and been dashing to the loo. Actually I now find it really good fun to try all the different Low FODMAP recipies- the potato and parsnip soup with feta cheese is fantastic. Be adventurous!!

      jan

    • jan48389
      jan48389 Shelly54

      Posted

      My husband had exactly the same as me for dinner, and he wouldn't have guessed it was a Low FODMAP meal, so there really isn't any need to cook separate meals. 

      Jan

    • Shelly54
      Shelly54 jan48389

      Posted

      My Husband is really picky also Im a DIabetic which makes it harder
    • Swtz
      Swtz jan48389

      Posted

      Jan!

      I think you need to get ready and prepared for a couple of us gratecrashers at your place!!!

      You make it sound so manageable ad your advice is great!and i agree with michelle and shelly its defi cos im thinking lazy before i have even begun!

      The alternative lists you haverntioned seem catered to me cos i have onions in everything i eat as a base for sauce as well as garlic.

      Id love it if you have any more impressive alternative lists fr ingredients you can provide as i may need alot more. Any recipes will be greatly appreciated!

    • Swtz
      Swtz Shelly54

      Posted

      Shelly im the same i have to cook diff for my partner too!
    • jan48389
      jan48389 Swtz

      Posted

      Gatecrashers will always be made welcome!!! I'm pleased the alternative ingredient list sounds helpful, using them certainly changes what could be a boring, bland diet into "normal" food. There are some excellent LowFodmap recipies on the Internet but personally I stick mostly to those by Dr Sue Shepherd. She did the research that led to the Low FODMAP approach and I find her guidance works best for me. For example, some recipies claiming to be low in Fodmaps use quite large amounts of celery, or say that onion or garlic powder are good substitutes. Sue Shepherd, however, advises to avoid these, as they can be as bad as onions and garlic, and not to have more than a quarter of a single stick of celery. Everyone is different, so you do need to test things out to see what works for you. I recently found a brilliant recipe for home made French bread. After a bit of practice I can now whisk up a couple of loaves of French bread in about 5 mins, leave it prove for half an hour or so, then 15 mins in the oven. The result if fabulously light, crusty French bread. Equally, garlic infused oil used to fry the green part of leeks, or soften the green part of spring onion makes a really good base with  a tin of chopped tomatoes for a pizza, or bolognese sauce, or risotto. 

      Let me know if you want the French bread recipie. Enjoy creating!!

      jan

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