low FODMAP diet leaving me weak as a kitten (veggies, scan, system)

[Razz2525]

I have to admit that I'm in a very depressed mode today. I woke up inflamed and exhausted despite 7 hours of sleep and can barely muster the energy to go to work. I've been diagnosed yet again with IBS and after enduring the torture of drinking 4 bottles of barium for a CT scan 2 weeks ago, I'm still feeling the effects. I can't take Imodium since that shuts my system down completely. I want to keep things moving but not this irregular-run-to-the-bathroom-only-for-a-small-mess-to-come-out nonsense. Granted, the 2nd GI I went to put me on Cipro and Metrodonizale (sp?) and told me cut out the Cipro early on Friday because I just had to go to the restroom at least once an hour. It's better now, but not much better. I have been eating the low FODMAP diet and although I've experienced no more 6 month pregnant bloating, I get terrible headaches and feel so tired and weak. I found some gluten free snacks to eat but they're calorie dense so I'm not gaining "good" weight of the 5 pounds I lost immediately from doing FODMAP. But oddly the gluten free snacks make my headaches go away, like Smart Popcorn, and things like that. I can't eat by snacking but whenever I have a vegetable of any kind, my stomach rebels. I'm eating the "yes" veggies on the list and I'm still having troubles.

I just feel as if I have so little options and I'm scared to eat out, scared to eat at work, scared to eat with anyone else because I have to tell them "hold the sauce, hold the bread, and maybe even hold the veggies." I guess meat and eggs is about the safest thing I can eat and even a food sensitivity blood test said I'm slightly sensitive to egg yolks!

Also most of the FODMAP recipes I'm finding are New Zealand-based recipes so a lot of the ingredients I don't even understand like courgette and caster sugar??? What?

And exercising? Forget it. Everytime I even did anything involving my core, my lower belly blows up like a balloon. Meanwhile, the doctors have said "Well the scans show nothing and your bloodwork shows nothing, so you're good, no need for a colonoscopy." Really? I just feel plain sick and eating "clean" isn't really helping or giving me more energy that I thought it would. Oh, and the kicker of this, is I have to eat even MORE veggies under low-FODMAP and I'm not a huge fan of veggies to begin with. Salads always made me feel a bit ill and there are just not that many veggies I find tasty without sauce. And now, no sauce.

Sorry for ranting. I just really don't even want to bother eating at all, the pain and unpredictability isn't worth it. I got used to being gluten free years ago, but now this is something completely different.

If anyone has experience with FODMAP or knows of a FODMAP dietitian in the States, please let me know. I was fine with Paleo actually and looking forward to eating that way, but this recent diet is throwing me for a loop.

[Emeraldmaiden]

I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. Though I've looked at the low FODMAP lists, I haven't actually attempted the diet. There are items (wheat, for instance) that I know are problematic for me, and my husband overlaps on wheat, but also has his own sensitivities.

Oh, courgette is zucchini, or summer squash. And aubergine is eggplant.

Have you actually eaten Paleo? If so, how did you feel? You may be experiencing aftereffects of the Cipro, and may need some probiotics to reset your tummy. Yogurt is good - look for yogurts that don't have any gums added to them. We eat a small amount of Greek yogurt with honey, and that does well for us.