Mystery Digestion Issue After Change of Diet

Posted , 2 users are following.

Hi all,

After going veggie for one month in January, I reverted back to my usual omnivore diet. Since then, I have had constant issues with my stomach, digestion and bowel movements.

It all started with severe constipation, followed by bloating, pains, gurgling, feeling sick, feeling tired constantly, brain fog, unable to concentrate. My GP hasn't been a huge amount of help - after a few appointments, negative blood and stool tests, they have suggested a low FODMAP diet and prescribed liquid Movicol to help with the BMs. With the Movicol, I have one, usually very (sometimes pencil-like) thin, BM each morning, but all the other aforementioned symptoms persist. As soon as I stop the Movicol, I become extremely constipated again, despite drinking around 3 litres of water a day. My

I have been on a strict low FODMAP diet for around 5/6 weeks (completely cut out gluten, milk, wheat, garlic, onion, etc), which hasn't helped symptoms at all. In fact, I feel worse than ever. I constantly feel and look unwell, with big dark circles under my eyes. being a pragmatic person, I have researched extensively and spent God knows how much money on probiotics, magnesium citrate, Fybogel, enzymes, B vitamins, all to no avail. Does this mean it's unlikely I I have IBS?

I have been referred to a dietician but, given the fact that a strict low FODMAP diet hasn't helped, I'm not sure this is the correct course of action? I have always been a very healthy person, I'm a 35 year old male, I exercise most days, eat freshly cooked meals every day, don't eat processed foods, don't drink much alcohol at all, I'm the fittest I've been in years but just feel terrible.

Is it possible that the sudden reintroduction of meat after a month of abstinence has sent my immune system into overdrive and just hasn't got back to normal after 5 months? This could potentially explain the dark circles, low energy, brain fog, etc. Could I have an infection? Could it be SIBO?

I have my initial appointment with the dietician on Monday. Will their first port of call be change of diet? If so, as I've already been on a strict low FODMAP diet for 5/6 weeks, should I push for something different?

Any help would be appreciated.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Posted

    hi lewis, i think you have made a mistake and by doing this your poor bowel is in pain. you've probably confused your digestive system. if you feel this horrendous after stopping meat maybe your system is missing this? never mind the fodmap diet, movicol or any other medication have you seen what adding a little bit of meat in to your diet bit by bit? did you cut fish too? huge changes could confuse your body. see the dietician and tell the truth, don't cut out any more don't add in anything else. wait until you see someone and try to keep your diet normal.

    • Posted

      Hi Sam,

      Thanks so much for the reply.

      I only cut out meat for one month, then started eating it again normally after January. I tried going back veggie for a couple of weeks but the symptoms persisted, so went back to my normal diet (meat and fish)... Then the doc told me to try the low FODMAP, which I've done for 5 weeks now to no avail.

      So I'm currently eating meat and fish as normal, but on a very low FODMAP diet.

    • Posted

      you poor bugger! i hope they help you out....

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