I am a new user, but I was diagnosed with IBS-D about a year and a half ago and I have been using Heather's book and this website for about a year. There are a lot of knowledgeable people who use this forum, so I thought I would post my question here and see if anyone has some insight into my situation.
I have heard over and over again that refined sugar is not an IBS trigger. However, after following the EFI diet for a year, I can't deny the fact that it is a trigger for me. When I am in a flare, sugar makes it much worse. If I am stable, too much sugar will give me gas and D. If sugar is not an IBS trigger, does anyone know what might be going on?
When I was first diagnosed I had D, urgency, and a pinching pain in my lower left abdomen (no gas or cramping). I had lots of tests - colonoscopy with biopsy, CT scan, x-ray, ultrasounds, SIBO breath test. Everything was negative. I tried a few different antispasmodics but they did nothing. Heather's diet was the only thing that stopped the D, but it hasn't worked 100% as it should according to the book.
Aside from sugar, I have had some issues with a few different aspects of the diet. I tried working in a soluble fiber supplement, but it made me really gassy even when introduced very gradually. I have had the same issue with wheat products and eventually starting making bread with gluten free flour, which helped.
I am currently in a flare and have been following Heather's diet strictly, but also eliminating sugar and wheat - but I am running low on what I can eat. I have tried cutting out FODMAPS, but it doesn't make a difference one way or the other.
When first diagnosed, my GI doctor said, "I think you have IBS, but it's not like any IBS that I've ever seen." I don't know what she meant by that and now she's left the practice - I have an appointment with a new doctor, but not until September.
If anyone has any ideas or suggestions about what is going on or tests I should ask for when I see my doctor, I would really appreciate it. TIA!
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