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Food/drink Intolerance Test? (Read 4048 times)

Mike Tyson

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Food/drink Intolerance Test?
July 25, 2017, 08:34:56 am
I've had troubles with my digestive system for well over a decade. It seems to come and go in terms of how much grief it gives me, but it's a constant in my life. I'm pretty much at breaking point with it again though, I'm absolutely fed up.

So I've been tested at the quacks for a few intolerances I believe (coeliac at the bare minimum) and apparently they came back negative. A bit of research shows I can pay some money and have a much more thorough test done, and I'm leaning toward this as I'm getting desperate. Does anyone have any experience with these tests? Who, what, where etc?

jfdm

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#1 Re: Food/drink Intolerance Test?
July 25, 2017, 10:48:35 am
Mike T, have had same issues as you for about same length of time.
Had I think colonoscopy, blood test etc all came back clear about 10 yrs ago and have simply tried to manage things as best I can, without too much success.
Things seem to flare up when I get stressed out and tired.

Have you come across FODMAP diet? It's restricts food intake to foods people less likely to be intolerant to. I am trying to follow this as much as I can when I stick to it stomach much more settled. Normal routine, omelette for breakfast, some bananas for lunch, FODMAP meal in evening. If I stick to this stomach is normally happy. Just be careful even some of the foods on this diet I know I can't tolerate.

If there is something physically wrong like a broken arm the fix is quick and easy, but food intolerances/IBS is more difficult to get a grip on.

It is good that you are getting things checked out, at least it will rule out any major illness or disease.

Further info on FODMAP
https://www.kcl.ac.uk/lsm/research/divisions/dns/projects/fodmaps/faq.aspx
« Last Edit: July 25, 2017, 10:59:07 am by jfdm »

Mike Tyson

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#2 Re: Food/drink Intolerance Test?
July 26, 2017, 01:44:41 pm
Mate, is absolutely no fun at all is it?! I have had one flexible sigmoidoscopy and four colonoscopies, and was met with the diagnosis of IBS. I was left to my own devices after that, and have muddled through for years (sounds like you've done similar)

I have never heard of the FODMAP diet, so thanks very much for the link. I'm gonna chase it up with my GP, see if I can get any joy there.

One of the biggest issues I find, is because I do a very physical job I need a fairly huge amount of food to keep me going. I've tried eating a very "healthy" diet, but it nearly ruined me. I need a decent dietician or nutritionalist I think.

Thanks again for link.

Scouse D

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#3 Re: Food/drink Intolerance Test?
July 26, 2017, 02:14:37 pm
When I broke my ankle I decided to try to sort out my guts since I wasnt doing any work.
I'd been struggling with IBS for years and had all the tests.
I too went on the FODMAP diet.the idea is to remove all the potential trigger foods for 2 weeks (basically ones which contain certain sugars ie fructose oligosaccharides etc and cause excess bacterial activity in the gut leading to gas and runny shits/ bloating/ grimness)
after 2 weeks you gradually reintroduce foods to see if they recreate symptoms.
It really really helps to keep a diary of which foods are good and bad.
Turned out my biggest triggers were wheat ( not gluten but wheat protein. No coincidence that I've always been sensitive to grass also, same family), and lactose and garlic. Out of those three the only one I've really had to cut out is bread. The others I consume in moderation
FODMAP is a revelation. I've been symptom free from 7 months except the couple of times I've inadvertently consumed too much wheat (I can get away with a little).

Scouse D

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#4 Re: Food/drink Intolerance Test?
July 26, 2017, 02:16:25 pm
Ps don't need to referral, just try it. Get a FODMAP food list on your phone and stick to it. Your issue might be as simple as buying lactofree milk or not eating onion.

Scouse D

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#5 Re: Food/drink Intolerance Test?
July 26, 2017, 02:22:11 pm
...also one of my main triggers are peas. These sneaky buggers fuck up my guts so you've got to watch what you eat as pea protein finds its way into a lot of 'health foods' such as protein bars etc. If you are on whey protein I've only found one which doesn't set it off.

SA Chris

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#6 Re: Food/drink Intolerance Test?
July 26, 2017, 02:39:16 pm
Do you like cheese?

Mike Tyson

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#7 Re: Food/drink Intolerance Test?
July 27, 2017, 07:11:48 am
Some absolutely superb info Scouse, after suffering for years and thinking I was clued up it appears I was very wrong. You and JFDM have given me hope, I can't thank you both enough!

jfdm

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#8 Re: Food/drink Intolerance Test?
July 30, 2017, 01:21:04 pm
Hi Mike T, you might want to check out this as a FODMAP cookbook
https://www.amazon.co.uk/FODMAP-Friendly-Kitchen-delicious-FODMAP-friendly/dp/1473641462/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501415984&sr=8-1&keywords=FODMAP

A further thing to explore is Dr Mike Mosleys book "Cleaver Guts." Just read this during the week.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/cka/Clever-Guts-Michael-Mosley/1780723040/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1501416073&sr=1-3&keywords=Gut

All new science regards this, the idea being that the bacteria within our stomaches affects much of our health and well being. So your stomach etc might be fully working/functioning but the microbes / bacteria might be out of balance giving digestive problems etc. Have a look at Apple Cider Vinigar and Kefir. These two additions might be really beneficial to your diet, it's like Yakult on steroids.

He also has documentary about our inners on BBC iplayer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01kpt6c
It's not as good as the book.

In terms of testing for in tolerances never done that, I would suggest speaking to GP with view to being referred to dietician who specialises in gastric issues. They would be more knowledgable and would hopefully tailor things to you as an individual.

I hope you can get a grip on things as I know what a nightmare I can be.


« Last Edit: July 30, 2017, 01:27:15 pm by jfdm »

bigironhorse

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#9 Re: Food/drink Intolerance Test?
July 30, 2017, 05:15:45 pm
As the others have said, I have heard that finding a way to manipulate the balance of bacteria in your gut can be really useful.

See this for an extreme example!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27503660

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#10 Re: Food/drink Intolerance Test?
August 07, 2017, 03:54:19 pm
I was diagnosed with celiac disease a few years ago, after a whole bunch of gastrointestinal issues, extreme tiredness, depression, brain fog, rashes etc for a good while. I had to do a gastroscopy to confirm, you said that you had done some colonoscopies previously, to my knowledge neither that or a blood test is enough to confirm or rule out celiac disease, the only way is a biopsy via a colonoscopy.

I feel alot better now since ive been gluten free, but having an autoimmunedisease has also made me sensitive to a bunch of other foods, so recently i started on the Paleo AIP diet, which basicly is a version of the FODMAP diet, and it has actually worked really well for me, but is super restrictive.

Dunno if that is of any help to you, but if you havent done a biopsy you might want to talk to your doctor again to rule out celiac.

Mike Tyson

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#11 Re: Food/drink Intolerance Test?
August 12, 2017, 07:42:50 am
More great info, thanks all.

Eliasn I'm 99.9% sure that biopsies were taken when I had all my various colonoscopies done, but I'll check with docs again to be sure. I'm attempting to live on. Low FODMAP diet starting next week, so will hopefully see some results or at least it'll be the beginning of starting to pin point what sets my problems off.

I've got a stag do to tackle tomorrow which will involve beer, but after that I am going dry again for a while as I'm sure it's one of the major triggers. Dam it.

 

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