Those of us with IBS have spent an inordinate amount of time in the office of a variety of health practitioners from specialists to general doctors, dietitians, nutritionists, naturopaths, and even hypnotists, chiropractors and acupuncturists.
And we keep going back again and again and following the same advice over and over again with no perceptible change in our symptoms.
Crazy to expect a different result? Yes, it is.
But I did it too – for decades. Now I go nowhere near them for my irritable bowel syndrome. For other things, sure. But not for IBS.
However, having said that, over the years that I have been coaching the low Fodmap diet for IBS sufferers, I have seen a slow but distinct shift. A certain percentage (though nowhere near high enough) will now mention the low Fodmap diet to their patients. They know little to nothing about it except that they have perhaps seen it recently in a medical journal. But they are at least saying the words – Low Fodmap. And that is a massive change for those who hear those words.
Fruit, Vegetables and Whole Grains
All through my life, doctors have told me to eat more fruit, vegetables and whole grains for my symptoms and given me a parting gift of a prescription for a fibre supplement to help my constipation.
And over and over again, I obeyed. And I got worse – over and over again.
We now know this is the worst advice for someone with IBS. We have to limit and spread out the consumption of all those things and throw out our fibre supplements which bloat and fill us with gas.
I hear from clients every day that they have been given this same advice even now.
See a Psychologist
And then there is the advice to see a psychologist. Because IBS is all in the head and created from an emotional, anxious personality. In other words, the fault is ours and until we take heavy duty anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication and spend countless hours on a couch sorting our heads out, we will remain sick.
Take this Medication
And what about the litany of medications that are thrown our way. Medication that is at best a temporary band-aid and at worst creates a whole raft of side effects including an even more disturbed gut.
The other day a lady in one of my private Facebook groups said that when she mentioned the low Fodmap diet to her doctor, he said, “Why would you want to go on a diet when you can take medication?” Others in the group advised her to change doctors.
Doctors only barely touch on diet in all their many years of study and so of course they are not going to give you advice on something they have no knowledge of. That is where we make a mistake in thinking they can help us with our IBS.
We Need them for a Diagnosis
Don’t get me wrong, we need them for a diagnosis and the associated raft of tests to make sure nothing more evil is going on. But then their job stops. And we have to get on with the only scientifically proven thing that can reduce and even eliminate our symptoms – the low Fodmap diet.
However…
I do want to say here, that I am talking in general terms from having heard hundreds and hundreds of my clients tell me the same stories over and over. However, there are some health practitioners who are coming on board and doing a great job. Dieticians like Kate Scarlata and Patsy Catsos, who were both there almost from the beginning, have been instrumental in getting the word out. Gastroenterologists like Dr Miechelle O’Brien, who I interviewed last week, are rare gems that we should be very grateful for. You may be lucky enough to find a wonderful health practitioner who pushes the low Fodmap diet and doesn’t suggest fibre supplements. If so, let us know about them so others in the vicinity can benefit from their knowledge.
Now it’s up to you
Meanwhile, if you have had the tests done and nothing has been found to be wrong physiologically but you still have symptoms, get your teeth stuck into this diet – it can be your saviour.
If you need help with putting your low Fodmap meal plans together, check out my Customized Meal Plan Service HERE: www.ibsmealplans.com Fill out the questionnaire to let me know about your personal situation and idiosyncrasies and I will create the perfect meal plan for you.
It sounds like a long and demotivating period. I am glad that in the end you figured out what’s going on with your body.
IBS is a tough disorder because of the lack of help up until now. But many still don’t know about the diet and that there is hope.
Sorry but I have to disagree with your advice to not going to an acupuncturist. I have found mine to be very helpful also he opens the blockages that open to the belly. For example the thoracic region of the back could be tender and need needling or massage to open. My T11 was blocked so I was not absorbing my food nutrients. It is now much needed I have gained a needed 10 lbs. the neck area also needs to be open so oxygen is getting from the brain to the abdomen. Jubst a few examples of a good acupuncturist.
Also I have found a wonderful chiropractor who has helped belly pain immensely not with cracking but line up and massage.
Neither dr has mentioned supplements. But to stay on Fodmap if it is helping. I think there is a place in alternative medicine for those with IBS
I didn’t specifically say not to go to an acupuncturist. In fact, I have written elsewhere that there is some evidence that acupuncture can help with IBS symptoms. I myself see an acupuncturist for massage. What I am saying in my article is to not keep going to health practitioners who never mention the diet and continue to give the same advice and you continue to take the advice despite getting no results. You are getting result.
I went to an unfamiliar GP hoping to get some follow-up advice after an IBS diagnosis. I told her that I had begun the FODMAP diet and that I was starting to get results. Her response was to a) photocopy a description of IBS from a ten year old medical book, and b) told me not to think “this diet” was going to be the answer to everything, and to take Metamucil three times a day! I walked out thinking, for the rest of my life?? I didn’t go back. I have been working through this on my own because of that experience, and I believe I have made the right decision to stick with the diet.
Unfortunately, that was not a doctor that you want to be talking to about IBS. The metamucil will increase symptoms. The diet is the only scientifically proven solution for IBS symptoms so keep at it. Good luck.