I just visited a gastroenterologist. I got very lucky; my school was canceled because it was raining all night and the roads were icy.. The waiting list for this and all other pediatric gastroenterologists around here is two months, but I got in on a cancellation. Anyway, my whole strategy for my IBS was changed. Ill start from the beginning
My name is Matt, I'm 16, and I was diagnosed with IBS around 3 months ago.
I have always had some slight problems with digestion, but nothing to prompt me to talk to my doctor. Starting with my junior year of school, things got worse. After two weeks of a weak stomach and diarrhea, I went to my pediatrician thinking I was sick, and was diagnosed with IBS. At the time, I didn't imagine that I would still be having problems in January. My doctor said that there really isn't a treatment, but I can modify my diet and "learn to live with it." I did then go to a specialist (the one I saw again today) to rule out more serious illnesses.
About a week after I was diagnosed, my mom came home with Eating for IBS. She is a huge gossip; I told her to tell nobody that I had IBS, but so far I have caught her telling four people (which makes me very dissapointed). She had mentioned my IBS to a friend, whose husband has IBS and a used copy of Eating for IBS.
I started following the diet strictly. I will do anything to make my symptoms go away, and how a food tastes has become almost meaningless to me. Well, I really started following the EFI diet after coming here and posting. For the good or the bad, you guys have been wonderful.
So a few months later, my symptoms haven't improved at all, and I've lost 6 pounds. My mom was in tears today when she found out that I have lost even more weight, as I have always been thin, and it has always bothered her. Right now, I'm 5'10 and 130 pounds (well, that weight was taken this morning before I had anything to eat/drink).
I brought Eating for IBS to talk about it with the gastroenterologist. She told me there that IBS can vary highly among people, and a book for everybody with IBS simply doesn't work. Furthermore, she suggested that even though fatty foods can irritate the GI tract, I should increase my fat intake to combat my weight loss. I also asked her about probiotics (acidopholus specifically), and she said that there is no downside to taking them, but absolutely no scientific evidence of their effectiveness.
So this is what my plan of action is;
1- I am going to go on a low-fructose diet, to see if that is causing my symptoms (ironically enough, since I've gotten IBS and eliminated some foods, I've been eating a ton of foods with fructose).
2- I am going to go to a dietitian to help stabilize my weight
3- I'm going to be tested for lactose intolerance
4- If none of those are effective, I'll be put on a drug for my symptoms (at least to try it out).
5- If I continue losing weight after all of this, my doctor wants me to have a colonoscopy/endoscopy to affirmatively make sure that I do not have something more serious.
I did not talk to my gastroenterologist about if my IBS could be stress related, which is what my pediatrician thinks. As ironic as it sounds, I hope that there is something wrong with me that I can fix. I would be delighted if I'm intolerant to fructose, and with a fructose free diet I can reduce my symptoms. It is just so depressing not knowing a way to fix my symptoms. I can't "learn to live with it."
As of now, I plan on forgetting the EFI diet and instead taking the advise of my dietitian and gastroenterologist. I'm not saying its not valid; I just don't think it is working for me. I'm conflicted about what aspects of it I should keep following, at least until I see a dietitian (although I was told that the dietitian would be to help my nutrition/weight, not my symptoms).
What I have to do right now is cut out the fructose in my diet. I was given this at the doctors office
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/digestive-health/nutrition/low-fructose-diet.pdf
but it is a little vague
Can anybody give me specific resources/advise on a low fructose diet?
Thanks for reading this. I'll update you guys if my IBS gets better/worse
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