The expert

I don't really like discussing my FODMAP issues with people, to really explain i would have to go into how all these foods rot in my system producing painful amounts of gas and making my life a living hell, and that's just not pleasant.

What i found most interesting, or rather frustrating, is that based on the small amount of information i release into the world i get harassed, nagged and pushed regarding  what they think is wrong with me, and how they think i should deal with it. The fact that i have paid professionals to give me their opinion does not deter these people. I have been told that i HAVE to get a tube down my throat and see whats happening in my stomach. That i should be able to eat something even though its clearly on my listed on my list of dont's. They dont understand why i shouldn't be able to eat it. I dont care... if its hurts i dont eat it.

It's not everyone, its not persistent, but the experiences i have had were so stressful that i know shudder to say the words 'does it have onion in it?' because then the why's start and my shoulders become my new earrings.... as if i didnt have enough to put up with!

Peppermint oil and reflux

After a nice pasta dinner i waited an hour and a half to have a peppermint oil tea to help my digestion, unfortunately i ended up with some rather startling reflux. I had an awful night of it... and i have an interview today and i am dog tired.

Peppermint tea can have the same effect so please be careful... life is hard enough when your dealing with FODMAP's!

Birthday....

So its my 27th birthday. I have my day planned to be FODMAP free an clear... until i have a mocha... 6 hours later and here comes the pain. I just didn't think.. which is normally how I get myself into this mess.

I had slight issues the night before, my lovely neighbour made me fried rice with Chinese sausage... no onion of course, but it did not sit well....It does not help that just before 1 am some lovely thieves decided to abandon a stolen vehicle in front of my complex and i had to stand outside in the cold giving a statement to police... who stayed there for the next 2 hours inspecting the vehicle. I only slept after the two truck picked it up!

And then this... pain and broken sleep to end my birthday! Sometimes i feel that it will just never get over that hurdle... doesn't help that yogurt (the ones with lots of cultures) has been added to my list of no goes and i have to drastically reduce my meat intake.... again.

The list may be getting longer, the pain and aggravation is still present, but I still have hope : )

Greek Yiros

We arrive home Saturday night around 6 exhausted from our day in the hot car. We ordered take out from our favourite Greek restaurant and sat at home with our Chinese containers drinking in the beautiful smells.

Almost immediately i saw something in my food which looked like a very fine slither of onion. I couldnt be sure and it didnt seem likely. I savoured every mouthful of my meal, but the whole time i worried... was it onion i saw?

After dinner i had a peppermint tea in an attempt to escape from the heaviness i felt in my stomach (a little oily, but in a good way).

I woke in the night it was 2 am. The first thing that came to mind was my stomach, did i have any FODMAP symptoms... but no. There was nothing and i felt my muscles relax. I went back to sleep and woke up with a smile on my face the next day.

There is so much worry when you eat out, the threat of something slipping in fills me with anxiety as i try to enjoy my meal. And if i win that battle i have to worry about the oil or the fact that my stomach wants carbs and the few croutons in my salad just wont cut it today.

BAH!

Peppermint

I am sure you have all heard about the might properties of peppermint by now. I cant say i recommend the tablets... gave me indigestion and i have enough problems with that, but 1 drop in some warm water does wonders for me. You could say is soothes the savage beast that is my gas filled intestines on a bad day.

Now all i need is a cure for my indigestion!!

The FODMAP dilema

Im out with friends, its a fantastic Japanese restaurant. They order entree's, I eat 2 tempura vegetable's. I then have some chicken and meat with a (tiny) side serving of steamed rice. I am starving. But I soldier on, I will have a little something when i get home.

I watch them eat cake... it looks so divine. Then we stand up to leave. Within 2 minutes of standing my stomach has swollen out and the buttons of my dress look dangerously close to popping point. I am desperate to leave but I stand around for a little while chatting at the end of the night. I almost run for the car.

As soon as I get home the kettle is on and I am sitting on the couch listening for the boil while I hold my fist behind my back trying to massage away the pressure. I am up and down all night. The next day I roll out of bed feeling like I have a hangover.

I have FODMAP intolerance, I bloat so much I now have lower back problems. I am only 26, soon to be 27, and it literally controls my life.

If I wasnt able to eat chocolate, I wouldnt leave the house.

It's not easy, but hopefully my journey will be helpful to someone out there.