The thing is, sometimes I felt like my belly was improving, but other times, not. I still have had days where I had to cancel plans, due to a hugely-distended, gassy, gurgling, painful belly, with frequent potty trips. This happened when I tried gluten-free dieting, as well as when I've cut back on dairy, to see if I could remedy my symptoms- sometimes I felt like my gut was doing better, but then I'd have another flare up, and would be left baffled. I have spent the past several years of my life, never leaving my house without a container of Tums either in my purse or in my van (or both); and having taken Beano and/or swigged Pepto, on my way out the door. I always know where bathrooms are, and I have spent many outings being surrounded by people, while I'm silently in pain, sweating a little, and needing a bathroom. It's just the way I've lived.
A couple of weeks ago, after needing to cancel plans again (sometimes after a bad couple of days; what I called, "a flare-up" where my belly was extra naughty, leaving me drained of all energy for a day or 2 after), I decided to research online, again. I wondered if there was maybe an IBS Support Group that I could find, online. Sure enough, Facebook had one, and I asked to join. Within hours, I was reading through posts and feeling so excited knowing that I wasn't alone; others dealt with these belly issues, too. I started reading about food triggers and different ways people cope. I introduced myself to the group and explained where I was at with my belly woes, and was encouraged to read about FODMAP intolerance. Within five minutes of skimming on Google, I was hopeful, and within an hour, I was elated. I am pretty darn positive I have finally figured out what my belly issues stem from. My oral skin meds don't help things, but I can help my gut be healthier by eliminating some of the indigestible sugars that my intestines cannot handle.
I found an app to help track my diet and symptoms, and have been using it, daily. I am so excited to have a tool that I can use to show the doctor(s), at my next exam(s), to see if there is anything else I can do to encourage that the rest of my life is not as impacted by my belly as it has been, thus far. Only a couple of weeks in of doing a FODMAP elimination from my diet and I already feel so much better- the constant noise that comes from my belly is quieting. It has been hard to read every label, and then to check my apps and Google to confirm that what I'm eating is FODMAP-friendly, and eating out will be a challenge, but I am so optimistic. Interestingly enough, many of the foods that are high fodmap are foods I already avoided, because I knew my belly didn't like them. Also, a big key I recently found out, the other day- that probiotic that I started taking? High FODMAP. A no-no. Has a sugar in it that I shouldn't be digesting. Which would explain why my belly was still having a little trouble, once I started cutting FODMAP foods out. I have a head cold right now, and can't take most OTC cold meds- Dayquil, Nyquil, Alka-Seltzer cold meds, and most cough drops, are all out. So that has been challenging. But I keep finding resources online, and have been told that it will be easier and less confusing, the longer I stick to this regimen. Yay for a happy belly and a life unhindered by belly issues!
Fermentable
Oligosaccharides
Disaccharides
Monosaccharides
And
Polyols
(Indigestible Sugars)
