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For those of us with tummy troubles

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 4/8/2012 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Many people with FM also experience tummy troubles, including IBS and food intolerance issues.

I have both. Right now, I am on a FODMAP elimination diet (information at www.ibsfree.net/ibsfree_at_last/).

This is to help me determine which fermentable foods cause upset to my stomach. I have been on it for five days, and I can already tell a difference: I dont have to make so many trips to the bathroom, and my belly doesnt hurt all day. No more cramping, either.

I would encourage anyone with such issues to try it. I will answer any questions I can if you are interested smilewinkgrin
Posted 4/9/2012 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Dont know if this is allowed, but I wanted to give this a bump, just in case someone misses it if they aren't here for a couple days :)
Posted 4/10/2012 7:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jaden,

I haven't looked at the FODMAP diet however when I went completely off sugar (which I believe is a similar thing), my stomach improved heaps. Not only did my stomach improve, but I went from being bed bound with the CF and almost suicidal, to having strength within the first week and my strength and health improved by the day. I've now gone back on sugar and I'm back to getting the cramps, gas, bloating and upper gastric trouble. I've been reading the book "Beat Sugar Addiction" and it's really helped me realise the bad role sugar plays in my symptoms of Fibro and CF. I also noticed that when I was off the sugar that I was in less pain and rarely had a headache. It looks like I will have to basically off sugar for the rest of my life which is ok due to the fact that the book i'm reading mentions other more natural sweetners which don't cause the same issues as sugar (including not putting on weight!!).

Good luck with the diet and please keep me updated.

Cheers Lou
Posted 4/12/2012 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
Well, Im proud to say that since beginning this diet, I have lost 4 pounds; I am eating healthier and 99% of junk food has been cut out (many contain things that are not allowed on the beginning of the diet--the elimination phase). I have noticed a slight increase in energy in the mornings, though I still get run-down by 2 in the afternoon.

Cannot tell that it has made a difference in the FM, but my IBS has improved some aside from a flare-up the last few days, due to strawberries. One morning the menu said to add a cup of strawberries to my Cheerios; I sliced 3, and was miserable for 4 days; its clearing up now, but I now know that strawberries are a no-no food. Kind of disappointed in that one, because I looooovvvveee strawberries :( Oh well.
Posted 4/13/2012 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
Oh it's bad enough having to give up nearly everything with sugar in it but to have to give up strawberries - what a shame. Can you begin eating them again after you've finished the diet or will strawberries be a definite no-no? Keep going strong and it's great to hear that your energy is increasing.

All the best

Lou
Posted 4/13/2012 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
This diet starts out with at least two weeks of an elimination diet: very little fruit, no wheat, and several other things, including no brown sugar, molasses, HFCS, and so on. You can do this part as long as you want, but after at least two weeks you begin the challenge phase. One group of foods at a time is reintroduced to your diet. You will be able to tell usually within a few days if you will have a problem with those types of foods and thus know to avoid them. The fact that it only took a few hours to start to cause problems--and then those problems lasted four days--tells me that strawberries are officially off the list forever. I know that, should I decide the consequences are worth it, I can still eat them, but to me its just not worth four days of having to stay near the bathroom.

Thanks for the encouragement :)
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