Desperate for IBS Help

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here with an update. My NP agreed to start me on Cholestryamine until I can be seen by an IBS specialist in two months. Voila! After three days on the medication, I had my first formed poop in my life, which has continued for the last three days! I can’t believe it! Thanks so much for the PP who suggested BAM.

I still have lots of questions. Why did it take so long to figure this out when I’ve been evaluated for Chrohn’s off and on for nearly 40 years and just about everything else? Why did no one suggest this when I had my gallbladder removed? Why do doctors continue to recommend a low-FODMAP diet when I’ve tried it repeatedly with no relief?

Over the past two years I’ve tracked my diet on and off and just now in light of the BAM suggestion I’m discovering a constant: High overall fat 70-80 g and 45-50% of daily calories ) from what I thought were healthy sources of fat - salmon, trout, mackerel, nuts, avocado, olive oil. The recommendation for someone with BAM is less than 40 g or 20-25% of total calories.

So for now I’m ditching the low-FODMAP diet, taking my Cholestryramine, and trying to modify my diet without giving up everything I love. I just bought a cookbook for low-fat Mediterranean meals.

I’ll update again once I’ve seen the IBS specialist but for now, I’m just so happy to have a plan that finally makes sense. And I owe it all to this thread. Thank you!!!

So happy for your OP! And thankful to the PP who suggested this to you, so glad they could take time out of their day to help you.

I had a doctor tell me that he had his gallbladder removed 5 years ago and hasn't had a solid poop since then. He's a doctor and didn't know so yeah...I know from my own medical issues they don't know as much as we want them to at times. Anyway so glad you have relief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to give diet changes at least a 5 month trial.

It took me 2 years of diet changes and eating the few food regimen to go into remission and have normal bms.

This is absolutely not recommended. The elimination phase of the low FODMAP diet is nutritionally deficient. It is not advised to stay in the elimination phase for any more than 2-4 weeks.

If you have explosive loose stool for years that is also nutritionally deficient. In my case it took many months to reduce the inflammation in my gut. Someone with loose stool will by definition be nutritionally deficient. I have normal bm's and normal digestion but it really took 2 years of the few foods regimen to get there. It takes a long time for the gut to heal. It is quicker for young people, longer for older people.

No it’s not, lmao. I have lymphocytic colitis and have diarrhea ten times a day. I have zero nutritional deficiencies. I don’t have an absorption issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need to give diet changes at least a 5 month trial.

It took me 2 years of diet changes and eating the few food regimen to go into remission and have normal bms.

This is absolutely not recommended. The elimination phase of the low FODMAP diet is nutritionally deficient. It is not advised to stay in the elimination phase for any more than 2-4 weeks.

If you have explosive loose stool for years that is also nutritionally deficient. In my case it took many months to reduce the inflammation in my gut. Someone with loose stool will by definition be nutritionally deficient. I have normal bm's and normal digestion but it really took 2 years of the few foods regimen to get there. It takes a long time for the gut to heal. It is quicker for young people, longer for older people.

I’m thinking you have no idea how the digestive system works. Diarrhea is typically caused by the large intestine failing to absorb enough water. Nutrients are principally absorbed in the small intestine. People with diarrhea may have issues with their small intestine, but they absolutely don’t have to. It’s perfectly possible to have chronic, explosive diarrhea and zero nutritional issues.