Food Intolerance

deisedude

I suffer from IBS and was prescribed tablets to combat this a year ago. I still take the tablets but its not enough. My doctor and a previous GP scoffed at the idea of a food intolerance but I think this may be the cause. Do health food shops do tests? Anybody in the same boat as me that can shed any light that will help?

gerrybbadd

Boots have been advertising these tests in store recently

hardCopy

Most of the quick and easy tests are a complete waste of time. I doubt the boots test would be any use. Stay away from any of the spoofers you see in the local shopping centre as well.

El_Dangeroso

IBS isn't one disease, it's a catch-all term for a list of symptoms, hence the 'syndrome' bit.

Having said that, a lot of people with IBS respond to eliminating FODMAPs, which are a collection of certain types of fermentable carbohydrate that people with IBS can't digest as well as other people.

A FODMAPs elimination diet is the only diet scientifically proven to consistantly improve most IBS symptoms.

Here is a list of foods that contain FODMAPs:

http://ibs.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=ibs&cdn=health&tm=7&gps=343_12_2341_1211&f=00&su=p726.8.342.ip_&tt=2&bt=6&bts=6&zu=http%3A//www.ibsgroup.org/brochures/fodmap-intolerances.pdf

You eliminate all at the start and then re-introduce in groups, for example after re-introducing I discovered I had most issue with galactans and polyols. So I keep those low in my diet while being able to eat everything else.

If you want a peer-reviewed paper to convince your doctor:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1440-1746.2009.06149.x/pdf

--Kaiser--

deisedude wrote: »

I suffer from IBS and was prescribed tablets to combat this a year ago. I still take the tablets but its not enough. My doctor and a previous GP scoffed at the idea of a food intolerance

Seriously? You need a new doctor

deisedude

--Kaiser-- wrote: »

Seriously? You need a new doctor

Yes that's what I was told. Said it was just stress related which fair enough may have been a trigger but not the only problem.

Magenta

deisedude wrote: »

I suffer from IBS and was prescribed tablets to combat this a year ago. I still take the tablets but its not enough. My doctor and a previous GP scoffed at the idea of a food intolerance but I think this may be the cause. Do health food shops do tests? Anybody in the same boat as me that can shed any light that will help?

I have IBS and gave up wheat and sugar (including, and especially, fruit. Apples and grapes butcher me!!!).
My symptoms vanished overnight.
If I'm hungry and there's nothing healthy to snack on besides fruit, I just eat it and put up with the symptoms. I take supplements to try and make up for any vitamins I might be missing.

deisedude

Magenta wrote: »

I have IBS and gave up wheat and sugar (including, and especially, fruit. Apples and grapes butcher me!!!).
My symptoms vanished overnight.
If I'm hungry and there's nothing healthy to snack on besides fruit, I just eat it and put up with the symptoms. I take supplements to try and make up for any vitamins I might be missing.

Took a food intolerance test and also went to another doctor as i was at my wits end. Awaiting results from both in case there is something else making me feel sick.

This past week have given up all wheat products and dairy as well as cutting out other potential trigger foods such as alcohol and certain vegetables and fruits. Certainly seeing a marked improvement but still not 100%

siblers

You may want to try giving up gluten for a couple of weeks and see if it makes any difference as opposed to just wheat. You should also try giving up beans and other gassy foods like cabbage.

deisedude

siblers wrote: »

You may want to try giving up gluten for a couple of weeks and see if it makes any difference as opposed to just wheat. You should also try giving up beans and other gassy foods like cabbage.

Sorry meant to say gluten instead of wheat. Not finding it too bad, plenty of good gluten free foods out there although granted it is pricier.

El_Dangeroso

deisedude wrote: »

Sorry meant to say gluten instead of wheat. Not finding it too bad, plenty of good gluten free foods out there although granted it is pricier.

Bear in mind a lot of gluten-free baked goods have FODMAPs in the form of various gums and fillers (to replace the chewiness of gluten), so read labels. If something says 'gum' of any kind it will probably be a fermentable carbohydrate.

deisedude

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

Bear in mind a lot of gluten-free baked goods have FODMAPs in the form of various gums and fillers (to replace the chewiness of gluten), so read labels. If something says 'gum' of any kind it will probably be a fermentable carbohydrate.

Aww man I've been fairly rigorously checking labels and seems to be going ok so far. There is no such thing as going for a quick shop anymore though!

El_Dangeroso

deisedude wrote: »

Aww man I've been fairly rigorously checking labels and seems to be going ok so far. There is no such thing as going for a quick shop anymore though!

You may be fine with small amounts, just if something upsets your stomach and you don't know why, that might be something to look out for.

SteelyDanJalapeno

Had similar issues years ago, eliminating processed food mainly surrounding Gluten and Wheat resolved my issues pretty much.

But I didnt stop here, I pretty much stopped buying all processed foods, stuck to Vegetables, fruit, meat, nuts etc.

You wont find shopping hard then.

deisedude

TiltedBrain wrote: »

Had similar issues years ago, eliminating processed food mainly surrounding Gluten and Wheat resolved my issues pretty much.

But I didnt stop here, I pretty much stopped buying all processed foods, stuck to Vegetables, fruit, meat, nuts etc.

You wont find shopping hard then.

Fair play, do you ever treat yourself to a pizza or anything?

I'm finding it easy enough so far but know i'll find it harder at some stage.

Tried a gluten free beer today from Dunnes out of curiousity Estrella Daura. Tasty!!!

siblers

Its annoying when you are out all day and just want to get something from a shop or petrol station etc, especially when you have a drop in sugar levels. You get used to it though after a while.

SteelyDanJalapeno

deisedude wrote: »

Fair play, do you ever treat yourself to a pizza or anything?

I'm finding it easy enough so far but know i'll find it harder at some stage.

Tried a gluten free beer today from Dunnes out of curiousity Estrella Daura. Tasty!!!

No, I treat myself with Steak!

curiousb

I just posted this is another thread:

There is a doctor, Joe Fitzgibbon, who specialises in food intolerance and allergies.

My wife was treated by him for wheat and dairy intolerance and the treatment was very successful. First step was a strict elimination diet and there is loads of information here on his website.

There's a lot of free information on his site in the form of downloadabel PDF's, so nothing to lose by having a look!

Disclaimer: My wife is a friend of his, so there is a personal connection here.

deisedude

Have been doing a wheat, yeast and dairy free diet for a month and a half now.

The results have been encouraging. Feeling much better and my IBS problem has improved but still not perfect. Was on holidays last week and it was an issue, tried to eat well but a few minor slip ups probably didn't help.

Body shape wise I lost a bit of weight. Still eating plenty but just healthier foods i guess!