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Hi, I'm not Syl but I wanted to answer your Q about fructose breath test. I had both fructose and bacterial overgrowth tests done. The test is pretty much the same (drink the solution, take breath samples) but the solution you drink is different. So fructose malabsorption would not show during the bacterial overgrowth test. Ask your doctor if s/he can also do the fructose test.
Also, you mentioned that you're constipated yet caffeine has now effect on you. Caffeine usually causes major C so I was wondering if you tried taking caffeine out of your diet for a long period of time (to see it's true effect, a few days don't really make a difference). Do you drink coffee? Another problem might be the glycerin suppositories. You really take it twice a day? I don't think that's a good idea since they are still a habit forming laxative.
-------------------- IBS-C, bloating, cramps
pregnant
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Syl was faster so now you have two answers
-------------------- IBS-C, bloating, cramps
pregnant
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Thanks very much for your reply. I do drink coffee in the morning and it is the one thing that helps me go to the bathroom. If I do not drink it, I cannot go at all. As far as the suppositories go, I was advised by both the Mayo and my GI doc that glycerin is ok and to use them as much as I need. I'm sorry for getting so graphic here but I am unable to empty out completely and this gives me horrible and foul smelling gas. My inability to eat an even somewhat normal diet and the gas has completely disrupted my life. I cannot eat out anymore because of my diet restrictions. I used to travel all over the world and now I am afraid to be away from home for any length of time. If I have bad gas I cannot be around people and often have to stay locked in my room until I can get it under control.
Using the suppositories gets me emptied out and then I do not have gas (as bad or as foul smelling) and can at least have some semblance of a normal life. At this point, I guess I feel like even if they are habit forming I don't care because I don't have a life without them. It is the only approach that has worked at all and I have been struggling with this since 2003. Needless to say, I am very depressed about all this.
Fiber does not help me at all and in fact makes my gas, pain and bloating about 100 times worse so I have to eat a low fiber diet which, I know, adds to my constipation. Hence, the Miralax and suppositories.
I have eliminated about everything I can at this point and will now concentrate on fructose as well. I am hoping that eventually I will become somewhat stable and be able to start adding some things back in...but right now I am not stable. I know I sound desperate and I am!!
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Another clue?
#316673 - 10/15/07 10:03 AM
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Syl
Reged: 03/13/05
Posts: 5499
Loc: SK, CANADA
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Here is another clue that may help you. Methane gas produced by colonic bacteria can reduce the motility of the gut. The higher the level of methane gas produced the more constipated one can become. You can read a bit about it in this article. It might be helpful to try and determine which foods are giving you the foul smelling gas which is likely methane. For example, some fibers and short chained carbohydrate such as fructose, fructans and lactose could be involved in the production of this gas in the colon. It probably depends on the individual and the composition of thier colonic flora.
Also, here is another article that I just found on the management of fructose malabsborption. It might have some more information of use to you.
-------------------- STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Syl, thanks much for this additional information. All of it is new to me and very good. I appreciate your help.
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Just want to say thank you so much Syl!
Since i've been following the low fructose/fructose malabsorption guidelines that you posted i have had no wind and my bloating is almost gone! Can't believe it!
Thank you so much.
-------------------- Sarah
IBS-C
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That's great! Has the diet made an impact on your C as well?
-------------------- IBS-C, bloating, cramps
pregnant
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I am pleased to hear that things are better for you. I too could not believe the improvement it made when I came across these ideas about 3 years ago.
Continued success
-------------------- STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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LM, have you ever tried a low fructose diet? I "think" it helped to reduce my gas/bloat a bit....too early to tell, though.
-------------------- IBS-C with pain and bloat
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