Living with IBS-C? Tell us about your experience. Take our survey here.

Can't Believe the Difference

OK, so I have read the stories of pain, embarrassment and fecal incontinence that folks have written here and can identify with them all. I am 70 years old and a physician to boot. I was first told I had IBS(D) at the age of 8 but remember pain from the age of 4 or 5. I was terrified by the Barium Enema done when I was 8 and vowed that no one would do that to me again. I just "lived with it", used drugs to control pain or diarrhea when it was unbearable but usually did nothing. When I was about 50 I made the connection with Lactose and stopped it after huge pain and explosive diarrhea after a pizza with double cheese.

Three weeks ago I stumbled onto the Low FODMAP diet. I have gone from 10 watery stools a day to a normal bowel habit. I can't believe that I never heard of this!! I know 12 years isn't a long time, but this is such life altering news for so many people. I feel it needs to be shouted from the rooftops.

But it is not easy....and to boot there is a lot of conflicting info out there. I did invest about $10 in the app from Monash University which is actually very helpful and the most accurate reference I have found. So, I do find when my gut starts "talking to me" I look up what I have eaten and sure enough it was something on the list.

None of the primary care doctors who have looked after me have known about this. I feel I need to start educating my colleagues. I am not normally someone who wanted to spend a lot of time worrying about what I was eating, but this is so dramatic, that I will certainly adhere to the diet.

By providing your email address, you are agreeing to our privacy policy.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The IrritableBowelSyndrome.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

Community Poll

Has a low-FODMAP diet helped your IBS?