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Does anyone here with IBS do a low fibre Diet??

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 10/17/2008 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Im trying out a low fibre diet as i found high fibre made my syptoms worse.

But im struggling with recipe ideas, breakfeast and lunch is fine just need help finding some dinners.

thankyou

Posted 10/18/2008 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
You mean it caused excess bloating and gas? If so this is completely normal and enough fibre to help aid IBS is necessary, not low fibre....

My GI told me to take fibre supplements daily and infefinitely, it took 3 months for my system to adjust (this is normal and it varies for everyone) after I adjusted, no more bloating and very little gas, like they say, no pain, no gain...fibre must be increase slowly and only if necessary, always start out with the smallest amount...try fibre supplements first, then when your system has adjusted add some fibre via foods into your daily diet.

It was well worth those 3 months of extra suffering I might add.

:)
Posted 10/18/2008 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
When I was first dx I had to be careful what I ate.Now am back to eating what I want with moderation of course.........

Posted 10/18/2008 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
I follow a low residue diet. I also kept a food diary faithfully for 2 years after having a colon resection for rectal cancer 9 years ago. The simple, low fiber food and diary really made things more manageable for my situation (multiple bm's, sometimes D, never C). I too had been suggested to take Metamucil or fiber products. Metamucil gave me nothing but trouble, so I tried Fiber-con in pill form. It never helped although it didn't cause me the gut heaving and rolling effect that Metamucil did. All I knew back then was I had to do what I could to keep the stool formed, because my daughters were then in 4th and 7th grades and prior to cancer I had been an active stay at home mother, we had a full calendar (storytimes at the library, after school clubs, sports). I suddenly went from being able to run them everywhere to being stuck at home, confined to my bathroom or bedroom. I read about the LRD on a colon cancer board, suggested for someone having D from chemo. I went on it and was literally a new person within 48 hours. I could leave home again. My doctor approved of this diet and still does, 9 years later.

Quite simply, it is the way I have to eat now. It's just a good thing I like the foods on it! Otherwise I'd be hurting.....LOL

Mary/Marsky
Posted 10/20/2008 6:27 AM (GMT 0)
I have trouble if I eat too much fiber too. I'm okay if I stick to the levels that the average American gets (which is well below recommended), but if I start pushing up towards the recommended levels, I get D. Absolutely no fiber supplements for me and, I have found, no blue corn chips (major source of fiber, those). There are a few other people on here that I've met that had worse stomach problems when they tried fiber supplements too. The one I tried made my constipation worse, and then, when I was having a spell of D, it made that worse too. So I get modest amounts of fiber naturally.

There are actually two types of fiber--soluable and insoluable. Soluable fiber comes mostly from the juice and soft pulps of fruits and veggies. Insoluable fiber comes mostly from tough parts of fruits and veggies, such as the skins/peels and very fibrous things like bell peppers and broccoli. Soluable fiber helps trap water in the intestines and keeps the stools moist; it's best for people with C. Insoluable fiber doesn't do anything at all and because of that, it adds bulk to stools, which is good for people with D. Have you noticed that one type bothers you more than the other type? If you have D, then you will want to avoid fruit juices and most fruits in general; instead, you should be okay with broccoli, cauliflower and anything else that's fairly tough to chew (not to mention bananas, which are naturally constipating, especially the dehydrated chips). If you have C, then you will want to avoid those tough veggies and bananas and stick with things like prune juice, apple juice (which is a natural laxative, although most everyone with IBS gets gas pains from it), and anything that's more pulpy than fibrous.
Posted 10/20/2008 9:53 AM (GMT 0)

hi, i have a similar problem to you! had ibs for years then had my large bowel removed due to Constipation last year. I was told to stay off high fibre as it was also making me worse. I just wonder all those years of pain etc... if it was caused because of too high a fibre intake obv recommended by the docs. I was still getting C after the op, and a few months ago a dietician put me on to a low res diet then i could gradually start increasing my foods again. But the same thing happens.

For me sticking to a low fibre diet is difficult as i have had to pump myself full of the stuff since wee, but i am sooooo much better now. I have my off days but who cares at least it is not every day.

I would stay away from, cauli and brocoli stalks, florets in small amounts. no potato skins or bran,and try to stay away from fruit. Except grapes and melon, other fruits should be canned, but no pineapple, too fibrous. No wheat just plain white breads etc.... they also say you should stay away from oats and corn but i actually find these help. You still can have fresh fruit juice with no pulp. Dinners can be difficult. Chicken, white rice, bolied or mash potatos, salads, no tom seeds, green beans, aspargus, ok, no tough meat or fatty meat either. Hope ome of this helps but a food diary, with pain etc.... will let you see what affects  you most then you can stay away.

good luck

amanda xx

Posted 10/28/2008 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
to pb4,  can u recommend fiber sublements to me.   i am bloated constantly and it is driving me insane and affecting my standard of living
Posted 10/28/2008 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi bloatman :)

The fibre supplement that I use is called Prodiem bulk fibre therapy (they also make a laxative so it's extremely important not to get the 2 confused), it's similar to metamucil, it will initially cause or increase excessive gas and bloating but this is completely normal and happens to healthy people as well, it's just your system adjusting to it and that's why it's important to take it daily so that your system can adapt to it...it took me 3 months to adjust but it was soooooooo worth it, no more bloating, very little gas, formed stools, no mucus (I have crohn's as well as IBS so it's aided with both my conditions) less daily frequency as well...this is definitely an example of "no pain, no gain".

Good luck :)
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