Hi, here is my story.
About eight years ago I was diagnosed with IBS
(Irritable Bowel Syndrome) by a GP. No tests were carried out , my
symptoms just "sounded like" IBS. I had terrible stomach
pains, I was always bloated and forever constipated. So much so that
I needed laxatives on a weekly basis which led inevitably to
diarrhoea.
I tried going on a wheat free diet; not much
improvement. Dairy free diet; tiny bit of improvement. I also tried
hypnotherapy which to my surprised helped. I used the IBS Audio
Program 100 by Michael Mahoney.
The stomach pains lessened but the other symptoms
were still there. Two years after being diagnosed I went to a
different GP and he tested me for Celiac disease but the test came
back negative.
I was beyond frustration at that point. However I
became pregnant soon afterwards and strangely my symptoms disappeared
(although along came plenty of other pregnancy related symptoms!)
About a year after my son was born IBS was back. I didn't get the
stomach pains but the bloatedness, nausea, constant tiredness and
headaches were all back.
Five months ago I decided that enough was enough
and tried to do something about it. I just don't have the money to go
to nutritionists or specialists and I don't have a lot of confidence
in GP's regarding this particular issue, so I started researching on
the internet and in my local library.
I went on a gluten free diet which helped a lot
with my tiredness (I also discovered the term "foggy brain"!
I used to tell my husband that I felt as if black heavy clouds were
pressing my head...). Then I decided to eliminate dairy from my diet
and the nausea diminished but did not go away.
One day watching a TV program I found out about
the FODMAP diet. I decided to give it a go. It's been a bit difficult
to tell you the truth. Lots of false starts, Christmas happened... I
tried to eat lactose free instead of dairy free but I found that it
just made me feel worse so I had to go back on the dairy free diet.
What's the FODMAP diet about?
(FODMAPS stands for
fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols.) FODMAPS are molecules found in foods that can be
poorly absorbed, or not absorbed at all, in the small intestine
resulting in an increased volume of liquid and gas and therefore
contributing to the onset of IBS symptoms: abdominal pain, gas and
bloating.
Following a low FODMAP diet should result in a
decrease in digestive symptoms. But you should use this and other
diets as a guide only. This diet can be a bit restrictive and hard to
follow at the beginning but you have to remember that it's not a
forever diet. Or at least that's what I tell myself! You have to
work out your individual tolerance (or intolerance) to the FODMAPS. The aim is to have a very varied diet while keeping symptoms under control.
Basically you should take off as much as possible
FODMAPS from your diet until you are symptom free for a couple of
weeks. This could be 2 weeks for some people for others it can take
up to 3 months. Then introduce one type of food every fourth day.
For example: on the first day a piece of food in
lactose, like yogurt, can be tried, and if the next 72 hours no
symptoms appear other dairy products can be tried, and waited 72
hours again.
The FODMAP diet is still being researched and the
foods suitable can change from year to year. For more information on
the food lists check these websites:
....
I have compiled a list of my own based on what I
have found online but I am no expert and I would advise you to do
your own research.
For me it's working. I'm not reintroducing foods
yet but I'm getting closer (and better).
Anyway, I don't want this blog to be just about
the FODMAP diet, it just happens to be quite a big part of my life
now.
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