Stomach issues--please help!

whitneybolduc

Hi everyone,
I am looking for some advice regarding my stomach/digestion. Basically, if I don't eat perfectly ALL of the time (fruits, veggies, and lean meat( my system doesn't properly digest food and I bloat very badly. It's been an ongoing struggle for all of my life. I know I'm lactose intolerant (and probably gluten intolerant too) but I think it's very ridiculous that I almost constantly feel terrible. Please shed your knowledge and advice for me! And supplements I should be taking? I already take probiotics. Thanks!

ClubSilencio

You should see a gastroenterologist if this has been going on your entire life.

In the meantime, maybe try taking digestive enzymes before your meals and see it helps.

TavistockToad

Have you seen a doctor?

mathandcats

I am also dealing with digestive issues. Definitely see a doctor. While the Dr. I saw did not give me a very useful answer, the information they gave me (diagnosed with IBS) helped me find out about the low FODMAP diet, which is helping me tremendously. I'm still waiting to see a gastroenterologist, but it's huge progress in the mean time.

whitneybolduc

Thank you for the feedback. I told my doctor about it and she seems to think there is no issue and I just need to eat clean. I think there is definitely a deeper issue because I do eat clean a lot of the time. @mathandcats thank you for this info, I really appreciate it!! I'm definitely going to look further into it.

Sarc_Warrior

If you don't like your diagnosed. Get a second opinion. I have a rare autoimmune disease and I have seen multiple docs and specialists.

Sarc_Warrior

**diagnosis (autocorrect)

ninerbuff

ClubSilencio wrote: »

You should see a gastroenterologist if this has been going on your entire life.

In the meantime, maybe try taking digestive enzymes before your meals and see it helps.

THIS.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

ninerbuff

whitneybolduc wrote: »

Thank you for the feedback. I told my doctor about it and she seems to think there is no issue and I just need to eat clean. I think there is definitely a deeper issue because I do eat clean a lot of the time. @mathandcats thank you for this info, I really appreciate it!! I'm definitely going to look further into it.

General doctor is NOT an gastroenterologist.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

whitneybolduc

@ninerbuff I agree with you, my regular doctor is not a gastroenterologist. I haven't seen another doctor because of money issues, but I hope to soon. @ClubSilencio I'm sorry I didn't see your comment earlier! I will definitely try the digestive enzymes before meals in the mean time. Thank you for your advice. I am going to do more research about seeing a gastroenterologist near me.

Whitbygramgirl

Always keep in mind too that if you go on a FODMAP diet - it is only temporary - you have to reintroduce those foods after a few weeks. As everyone here suggests - please see your doctor. I suffer greatly - and I'm in the middle of doing blood tests (including celiac) and stool tests as well. It's not fun - I know! - Being wheat free is sometimes the way to go if you are not a celiac. You can have Non-Celiac Disease and can be very intolerant of gluten, etc. We all need a little luck and research and a good doctor to mend us!

jgnatca

My daughter is just recovering from a round of digestive issues and for several months followed a FODMAP eating plan, which was a major pain. She learned a lot. Dairy is definitely a problem for her.

Starting stricter, with a FODMAP plan, and then gradually introducing new foods, you should be able to eventually eat a more varied diet.

Oh, and the doctor advice and the enzyme advice.

petstorekitty

I have similar issues. In fact I cannot take probotics because they do the opposite of what they are supposed to do. I'm whey intolerant. I retain water like it's an Olympic sport. I have to be careful how I eat or I suffer greatly.
The regular "eating healthy" plans don't work that well for me.
Be mindful of your body and try different things. Everyone is different. (Also a specialist doctor could be helpful. But, often they don't take you seriously unless you can give them a lot of information)

mathandcats

I've definitely learned a lot from low FODMAP. I don't think I ever would have realized excess fructose was a problem for me if I didn't see how the Monash app was classifying foods that seemed to be bothering me! But it should be done with supervision, and it's not a forever diet.

Enzymes and probiotics might help, but be careful about what they add to it. Many have inulin/chicory root added, which can cause a lot of digestive upset in some people.

itsalifestylenotadiet

I have had issues myself for years and although I cut out most gluten, pasta, rice and cereal for the last 7 years, I did eat it probably once a week compared to all the time. Fast forward to cutting all of it out, feeling great and not having the issues that I had and now think I am gluten intolerant because I decided to eat some special K cereal and all the symptoms came back, so I am waiting for my appt to get tested for it.

I will forever quit eating any of it just because I feel better and can't handle being sick from that along with my other issues. Getting tested is def. the step to take to find what's causing it. Good luck and hope you heal soon and get to the bottom of it.

littlechiaseed

I have Ibs and like you if I eat some foods I get bloated. I did the low fodmap diet which helped me see what my triggers are. But if I were you I'd get a second opinion from a gastro if you can. Diet changes and meds are what I do. I can eat low carb bread with few issues but I can eat gluten (seitan) fine. I was tested for pretty much everything.

whitneybolduc

Thank you everyone! I truly do appreciate all of this feedback, it's nice to know that other people have these issues too. I think I'm going to try the fodmap diet and see what happens while I get an appointment to see a gastroenterologist. Again, thank you thank you thank you!! ❤️