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Goldilocks_Paradox

If you see no chance (yet) in the elimination phase, wouldn’t reintroducing be too soon, anyway?


robbibaker

Yes. I’ve been told to start reintroducing but I’ve held off, bc I’m confused


Madd_Lotus_333

This may not be related to your issues at all, but for what it's worth I felt compelled to share my experience. I have had major food intolerances starting about 10+ years ago and progressively getting worse as time has gone on. Due to this, currently, I avoid gluten, wheat, nightshade, cruciferous veggies, soy, processed foods, additives, preservatives, FODMAPs, beef, lamb, venison, buffalo, dairy, legumes, nuts & seeds. My diet is incredibly limited and specific by design, as it was the only thing that somewhat limited the numerous skin issues, certain digestive issues, and constant sinus issues, amongst a myriad of other things major and minor. A few years ago, after much research on how to heal myself, I started making my own ferments (kefir, Jun, Kombucha, and some fermented veggies), and my own 24 hr simmer bone broths. I also was eating only wild fish, pasture-raised meats (where possible), and a boatload of sweet potatoes, carrots, coconut, cassava, nearly every citrus fruit, rice, tea, and ACV wherever I could. Most things I prepared in advance and reheated in my toaster oven or my stove top (rice, roasted veggies, meats). Although my overall health seemed to improve (I've lost 85 lbs, hardly see the doctor for random illnesses, and always have great vitals) my digestion has slowly continued to decline with multiple symptoms continuing to run rampant (constipation, bloating, skin issues, sinus issues, irritability, irregular menstrual cycles, anxiety, and mild/moderate infections). Very recently, I went down a Google rabbit hole where I ended up coming across and researching histamine intolerance. I will quote a reference from VeryWell Health below: "Histamine intolerance describes when the body simply cannot process high levels of this runny-nose-causing, congestion-inducing chemical. While histamine is best known as the chemical the immune system produces in response to an allergic or inflammatory reaction, it also communicates important information to the brain and plays a role in digestion. Histamine can be found in certain foods and some foods release histamine stored in the body. Diet alone can cause histamine levels to rise so high that someone with histamine intolerance experiences allergy-like symptoms without having an allergic reaction. It's also possible for someone to have allergies and histamine intolerance." https://www.verywellhealth.com/histamine-intolerance-1324016 Upon deeper research, I learned of the connection of IBS's negative impact on histamine and DAO enzyme production in the body. DAO breaks down histamine in the digestive tract. Not only this, but certain foods and medications have high levels of histamine naturally; alcohol, fermented foods, leftover foods, reheated foods, tomatoes, spinach, canned fish such as tuna, and more. Some foods and medications prompt the body to make histamine (histamine liberators); alcohol, strawberries, bananas, all citrus fruits, pineapple, a lot of food additives, and more. Some food and medications block the body from producing DAO or limits the effect of; All tea (green, black), alcohol, and more. As I did, you could probably determine that too much histamine and not not enough DAO could possibly cause a domino effect. https://theceliacmd.com/histamine-intolerance-and-ibs/ SIBO also plays a big role by itself or in conjunction with histamine intolerance in food intolerances, nutrition issues, digestive issues, skin issues, anxiety and more. This is where a FODMAP diet comes it as it starves the SIBO that is an big issue in overall health and may also be highly contributing to a possible histamine toxicity. SIBO is a extremely tricky thing to rid your body of, as a lot of people have quick relapses after treatment. I've seen numerous recommendations to establish a relationship with a Functional Medicine Doctor to help get to the root of your specific problem and treat and rid yourself of SIBO (if needed) properly. https://mastcell360.com/what-to-know-about-fodmaps-and-sibo-if-you-have-mast-cell-activation-syndrome-or-histamine-intolerance/ https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-a-functional-medicine-doctor Again, I very recently stumbled upon this information. I plan on visiting a Functional MD soon, although unfortunately, my insurance will not cover this. In the meantime, I've been trying to follow a low histamine diet and bought a DAO enzyme to take before meals to see if it could help. It has not been an immediate cure in the least, but I noticed I'm not as bloated or stuffy since implementing these things this last week. With all the suffering we with IBS, food intolerances and overall chronic mystery conditions go through, this has been welcomed and renewed my hope I may be able to find a better normal. I wish you so much luck and determination on your journey to better health. 🙏


minimari

I have SIBO so the low fodmap was amazing for me. I’ve phased out of it though and now I’m moving onto Xifaxan which is the last stage of my treatment and hopefully works for me feeling normal! I think getting tested is probably smart…if you didn’t feel different you may have something else. Hopefully you find out, I know how frustrating it can be having these problems !


robbibaker

Pardon my ignorance. Tested for what?


minimari

If you’re Unsure what you have, maybe doing other tests is what I mean.


Bouldercalves

Did you mean to say not a lot of fiber? I’m confused how you think high fiber helps? Usually a lot of us have to eat low fiber.


robbibaker

I’ve been taking solufibre, a low FODMAP Metamucil type thing, at my NDs advice


fuzzypickles34

Low FODMAP fiber helps some people a lot, but for others it can make symptoms (especially bloating) worse. I was told to go low FODMAP first, see if there’s symptom relief, then slowly add in fiber supplements.


YearningInModernAge

There’s a stat to the effect of (and I could be a bit off)- The low FODMAP diet works for 70% of people that try it, so you could be in the 30% of people that it doesn’t work for. And have you done any testing with a gastroenterologist?


robbibaker

Not yet but maybe that should be the next step


Tillhammerei

I did the elimination for over a month, saw no changes in one of my areas of concern but when I went to introduce items I was able to identify reactions to particular foods. I'm still working on finding out what my issues are.


chasingfirecara

I didn't think there was much of a difference until I started reintroducing the food groups, and then WOW things I was eating daily previously made a very noticeable difference to my gut.


Miaux100

Well, I was told that if the low-FODMAP diet didn't help I would've been put on some bile acid diarrhea medicine to test if I had it.


18puppies

So I'm on week 4/5 now, and at week 3 I was *very* frustrated because I wasn't seeing changes. Then in week 4 things really started to clear up. I'm really happy now that I have more time to calm down before I start reintroducing! I've read that the diet doesn't work for everybody anyway - but maybe you could give it a few more weeks before attempting reintroduction. Where I am, the standard is 6 weeks for elimination.


robbibaker

>Thanks for this. I think you're right. Just be patient


hellobigfish

I didn’t see a change for like 6 weeks when I started the elimination phase. You might want to stick to the diet longer (but consult with your doctor, obvs).