• Home
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Snacks
    • Vegetarian Options
    • Baking
    • Side Dishes
    • Dessert
  • Blog
    • Getting Started
    • Elimination
    • Living
    • Nutrition
    • Reintroduction
    • Travel
    • Food
  • E-Courses & Meal Plans
  • About
    • Alana's Story
    • Nutrition
    • Dietitian Reviewed
    • Our Team
    • Ambassador
    • Publications
    • Contact
  • Shop
  • Sign Up Login
  • HOME
  • RECIPES
  • BLOG
  • E-COURSES
    & MEAL PLANS
  • ABOUT
  • SHOP
  • Sign Up Login
  • Low FODMAP Blog
  • Getting Started
  • Elimination
  • Living
  • Nutrition
  • Reintroduction
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Catherine’s IBS Story

Last updated on Apr 18th, 2018 Authored by Alana Scott     Reviewed by Geraldine Van Oord (APD)
Catherine's IBS Story, Woman holding cup of tea

Today I’m sharing Catherine’s IBS story and opening up our platform to give you and other IBS sufferers a voice. We’re here to share your experiences, break down the social stigma and create a safe space to discuss our IBS journeys. Let’s stop suffering in silence and work together as a community. If you would like to share your story, send us an email.

Here’s Catherine’s IBS story:

 

“My symptoms began in my 30’s with lots of gassiness.  During this time I blamed my excess gas on my 4 pregnancies and being a busy nursing mum.

In my early 40’s, I developed some severe bowel pain and went to ER for the first time.  Soon after my husband suddenly died and I was left with the privilege of raising my 3 young sons (and one son who had already left home) alone. The stress and grief of our loss increased my IBS symptoms dramatically and I was finally diagnosed by a gastroenterologist doctor.  I had all the icky scopes and procedures during the diagnostic process and was on daily medication to control the pain.  Diet restrictions were at my discretion and no one mentioned lifestyle or dietary changes to help manage symptoms.

My IBS has come and gone over the years and I am now 74… however for the most part it has come with painful diarrhoea.  I continued to have regular scopes to investigate symptoms and developed chronic low-grade gastritis… even after seeing a wonderful caring doctor at the Mayo clinic we had still not found treatments to ease my symptoms. My IBS continued to get worse.

I had heard of the FODMAP diet but I was afraid of more weight loss so I never brought it up with my doctor.

Recently, there was a new GI. doctor at our local clinic, who is now their “most popular” physician. She has an interest in the functional disorders and nutrition!   I made an appointment immediately but of course with her being the “most popular”, it took a couple of months to get in. This IBS-interested physician was sympathetic, caring, time-giving (hour long appointments – like Mayo), and she had me do a couple of tests to finally rule out once and for all, celiac and another couple of problems. Next I saw the nutritionist for the first time.

I started on the FODMAP diet nine months ago.  For me, with severe IBS, it has made life much better.  I am usually on the toilet once a day (instead of multiple times) unless I eat the wrong thing (onions, garlic, wheat and several others). If I eat my known triggers then I have big problems until I “clean it out” in about 48 hours.
My low FODMAP and IBS journey aren’t over and I continue to work with my nutritionist and doctor to add back in high FODMAP foods.   My word to the long-time sufferers who try this diet and cannot successfully add back high FODMAP foods straight away is just to keep trying.  Do the best you can each day to keep symptoms at bay.

I also have to recognize there is an emotional psychological component to my IBS that I have to deal with.  But honestly, my symptoms are so much improved as long as I stay faithful to my adapted FODMAP food plan. Also, try to find a good doctor and nutritionist to encourage you on!”


Catherine is the first person to share her story on alittlebityummy.com and we hope many more will follow. Thanks for speaking out and sharing your IBS story Catherine!

Please note the photo used in this story is a stock image.

Author: Alana Scott

In 2013, Alana was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. She also suffers from coeliac disease, is allergic to nuts and is intolerant to dairy products. This means she understands how difficult it can be to cook with multiple food intolerances. Her exp... Read More

Professional Reviewer: Geraldine Van Oord (APD)

Geraldine Van Oord is an accredited practising dietitian in Australia with a special interest in IBS, gut health and food intolerance. Her daughter had food intolerance as a baby and her husband has IBS. These challenges have inspired her to keep her p... Read More

< PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST >

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Featured Recipe

Low FODMAP Beetroot Dip

5 Minute Low FODMAP Beetroot Dip

Low FODMAP Cookbook

Recent Posts

  • Low FODMAP Christmas Gift Round Up 2019
  • How To Use Leek Leaves To Replace Onion On Low FODMAP Diet
  • Review of Epicured Low FODMAP Prepared Meals
  • Are FODMAPs Hiding in Your Supplements?
  • Are FODMAPs in Toothpaste and Mouthwash a Problem?

Sponsored Content

Join Us On Instagram

alittlebityummy

660 9,090

alittlebityummy

View on Instagram

Dec 6

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 2192654524066647815_1714089559 Dip time! I am MEGA excited about this low FODMAP beetroot dip.

Its colour is just gorgeous and it’s full of vibrant Middle Eastern flavours.

And the best part is it only takes 5 minutes to make 😍

I also used canned beetroot to keep the FODMAP content low.

Follow bio link to get recipe or head to alittlebityummy.com

#fodmap #lowfodmap #dip #sharingplatter #glutenfree #lowfodmaprecipes #f52grams #foodblogger #onmytable #inmykitchen #festive #friday #nibbles #coeliac #happygut
95 10

alittlebityummy

View on Instagram

Dec 5

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 2191932722029975331_1714089559 Snack time! Today I had a clean out the fridge session. 
So this is what I packed in my lunchbox: 🥕Low FODMAP hummus
🥕Carrot sticks
🍓Strawberries
🍇Grapes
🍫Homemade chocolate sauce

These simple low FODMAP foods have fuelled my afternoon. 
Lunchbox is from @mealsinsteel 
What’s in your lunchbox at the moment?

#lunchbox #fodmap #homemade #glutenfree #coeliac #foodintolerances #nutrition #lowfodmap
85 6

alittlebityummy

View on Instagram

Dec 2

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 2189803717436852489_1714089559 Have you even fallen in love with a meal? I have. This chicken pot pie might be my food soul mate! 😂

It’s not too fancy… but it is hearty and wholesome and absolutely delicious. It also has these gorgeous little scones that you can dip into the soup.

So much love. What meal have you fallen in love with?

Ps: This recipe is part of my FODMAP Recipe Club. Grab 65% off your membership for the next 24 hours. Follow link in bio ❤️ . . .

#chickenpotpie #chicken #chickensoup #eattheseasons #throughmylens #happybelly #FODMAP #coeliac #glutenfreerecipes #FODMAPfriendly #soulfood #comfortfood #nutrition #simplefood #alittlebityummy #onthetable #winter #glutenfree #happygut #ibsdiet #makeitdelicious
124 5

alittlebityummy

View on Instagram

Nov 30

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 2188779486124980810_1714089559 My breakfast dreams are coming true with this beauty!

My berry nice vegan French toast has lovely hints of cinnamon and nutmeg along with a golden crust.

I also love the fact I can make the batter in advance so I can make French toast on busy mornings.

This recipe is part of my Recipe Club so grab 65% off your membership and sign up now. Link in bio.

#vegan #breakfast #frenchtoast #berries #brunch #vegetarian #veganrecipes #coeliac #inmykitchen #foodblogger #feedfeed #simplefood #happygut #glutenfreerecipes
89 9

alittlebityummy

View on Instagram

Nov 29

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 2187646139810414314_1714089559 Look at those veggies! I LOVE super tender stir-fry veggies. Some of my favs are broccoli, green beans and Bok Choy. 
Those feature heavily is this gorgeous lime and sesame beef stir-fry. This meal is a life saver tonight as I’m tired and needed something quick.

Get the recipe on alittlebityummy.com or follow my bio link.
.
.
.
#stirfry #beef #lime #fodmap #fodmapfriendly #glutenfree #coeliac #glutenfreerecipes #onmytable #summerfood #broccoli #simplemeals
83 2

alittlebityummy

View on Instagram

Nov 27

Link to display lightbox
Instagram post 2186137380772617259_1714089559 Afternoon snack time! I’m having my daily smoothie ritual.

Today’s smoothie is a peanut butter banana smoothie.

What’s your go to afternoon snack?
.
.
.
#fodmap #peanutbutter #smoothie #banana #smoothierecipes #lowfodmap #nutrition #calcium #glutenfree #coeliac #glutenfreerecipes #happygut #ibsdiet #lactosefree #dairyfree #foodintolerances
88 16
Follow on Instagram

TASTE TEST OUR RECIPES

VIEW ALL RECIPES >
Low FODMAP Strawberry Ice Cream

Low FODMAP Strawberry Ice Cream with Fudge Sauce

Dessert, Snacks, Vegetarian Options
Low FODMAP Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Low FODMAP Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Baking, Dessert, Snacks, Vegetarian Options
Low FODMAP chocolate coconut fudge sauce

Low FODMAP Chocolate Coconut Fudge Sauce

Condiments, Dessert
No Bake Energy Bar (Low FODMAP)

Low FODMAP No Bake Energy Bars

Baking, Snacks, Vegetarian Options

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH

I'm interested in:


Information provided on this website does not replace advice & information given to you by medical professionals.

Information is educational only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

© A Little Bit Yummy 2019

SOCIAL

Changing your country helps you find local ingredients.

New Zealand Australia United States United Kingdom Canada

RECIPES

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Snacks
  • Baking
  • Side Dishes

BLOG

  • Getting Started
  • Elimination Phase
  • Reintroduction Phase
  • Living
  • Food Spotlight
  • Travel

ABOUT

  • Alana's Story
  • Meet the team
  • Dietitian reviewed
  • Nutrition Panels

More

  • Pricing
  • Get in touch
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
This site uses cookies: Find out more.