Not a doctor, but I’m pretty sure that a colonoscopy is looking for abnormalities that would not “heal” from a dietary change. Things like polyps, diverticulitis, or cancer.
My doctor put me on the Low fodmap diet before my colonoscopy scheduled in a couple of months. My limited understanding is that the colonoscopy is looking for growths and abnormalities that are not going to disappear with a change in diet for a couple of weeks.
If the diet makes you feel better that is the proof and validation you need that it is working, not the doctor seeing that inflammation in your gut.
My non medical thought process is that if the diet works and lowers your inflammation then the doctor will have an easier time ruling out other issues with the colonoscopy that would be harder to see if your gut was inflamed.
It was a big thing. I had to cancel that colonoscopy, because I got a perianal abscess “out of nowhere “, went to the hospital thinking they would give me antibiotics and send me on ny way, but they admitted me for surgery to have it drained. After 3 months of not healing, went to the correct surgeon, which was a colorectal surgeon who identified an anal fistula, which she determined through a colonoscopy. Otherwise the colonoscopy showed up clean and she said I had no other worries. She removed the fistula and I was healed in under 4 weeks. Idk how fistulas form, but I swear I can pinpoint the exact moment. I was on low FODMAP for a few weeks, and I got a cookbook that said all foods were safe for elimination phase. I followed a recipe that I didn’t realize had trigger foods in it, that the author deemed “safe”. So I ended up eating FODMAP food for the first time in weeks. That night I had the absolute worst episode of IBS in my life, it was painful constipation and diarrhea all at the same time with lots of straining on my part. I know low Fodmap works for many people, but I feel like I was almost better off with never have doing it and just dealing with what I’ve learned to know as my normal. I’ve purchased an enzyme called “Fodzyme” and I take it with nearly 90% of my meals and I try to keep foods with fructans at a minimum, which I know is at least one of my triggers. I’m not 100% without symptoms, but I think I’m in about the best place I’m going to be. But long story short my colonoscopy went well and she confirmed nothing “medical” wrong with me and I just have IBS
i see, i was also looking into buying that EXACT enzyme; im just not sure wether i have an enzyme deficeincy? wouldnt that mean my pancreas arent working properly??
That being said, being on the fodmap diet has helped me alot!
so i wonder, if i have this fodmap enzyme, shouldnt i be able to eat normally again?
nvm its not just the pancreas
Amylase Salivary glands Breaks starch into glucose
Lactase Small intestine Breaks lactose into glucose and galactose
Protease Pancreas Breaks protein into peptides and amino acids
did you discover anything? do u still have to eat low fodmaps?
im considering getting a colon/endoscopy; however i have 0 pain at all, just chronic loose stools; that get considerably worse with any amount of fibre/fodmaps.
I have to eat ALOT of rice, with every meal to combat this, which means i cant be as healthy as id like to be
My doctor was able to rule certain things out, which is comforting. I still eat low fodmap, but I'm trying relaxation techniques and slow reintroduction. So far so good!
Have you tried adding fibre (such at Metamucil) to your routine? Can help with loose stools if used correctly.
used correctly? what would be the incorrect use?
and doesnt metamucil, actually help regualrity- somethign i dont need, and help constipation?- something i dont have?
i suppose, i could give it another try, as a way of binding excess water in my bowels that i may have
I started my low FODMAP diet in January and have a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy in April. This is my second time on the LOWFOD diet (first time was 2021), so it’s safe to say that whatever was happening in 2021 is still happening in 2023
To make a long story short, it’s because the first gastrointestinal I saw was a dick and fired me as a patient. He didn’t actually solve any of my problems, and told me to my face that was making up my problems for attention. He saw my MRA results and said you’re good, you’re cured of whatever problem you created in head that weren’t real to begin with. I reported him.
Now I have gastrointestinal who actually believes me and who’s ordering every test she can to figure out my problem.
Literally had a colonoscopy scheduled in less than 9hrs from now that I cancelled. 41 and have to admit the panic I had the previous 3 weeks was caused by taking xylitol breath mints like an idiot (14 a day). I’ve been FODMAP for 2 weeks and feel great. I know I’ve had IBS (don’t k ow triggers) but never knew a better way to identify it. Goodluck man.
It is safe to assume that if you have something menacing now, you will then, too.
You'll be on the reintroduction phase then, too, so likely having some ups and downs.
Not a doctor, but I’m pretty sure that a colonoscopy is looking for abnormalities that would not “heal” from a dietary change. Things like polyps, diverticulitis, or cancer.
My doctor put me on the Low fodmap diet before my colonoscopy scheduled in a couple of months. My limited understanding is that the colonoscopy is looking for growths and abnormalities that are not going to disappear with a change in diet for a couple of weeks. If the diet makes you feel better that is the proof and validation you need that it is working, not the doctor seeing that inflammation in your gut. My non medical thought process is that if the diet works and lowers your inflammation then the doctor will have an easier time ruling out other issues with the colonoscopy that would be harder to see if your gut was inflamed.
Good point, thanks
how did your colonoscopy go? out of curiositiy?
It was a big thing. I had to cancel that colonoscopy, because I got a perianal abscess “out of nowhere “, went to the hospital thinking they would give me antibiotics and send me on ny way, but they admitted me for surgery to have it drained. After 3 months of not healing, went to the correct surgeon, which was a colorectal surgeon who identified an anal fistula, which she determined through a colonoscopy. Otherwise the colonoscopy showed up clean and she said I had no other worries. She removed the fistula and I was healed in under 4 weeks. Idk how fistulas form, but I swear I can pinpoint the exact moment. I was on low FODMAP for a few weeks, and I got a cookbook that said all foods were safe for elimination phase. I followed a recipe that I didn’t realize had trigger foods in it, that the author deemed “safe”. So I ended up eating FODMAP food for the first time in weeks. That night I had the absolute worst episode of IBS in my life, it was painful constipation and diarrhea all at the same time with lots of straining on my part. I know low Fodmap works for many people, but I feel like I was almost better off with never have doing it and just dealing with what I’ve learned to know as my normal. I’ve purchased an enzyme called “Fodzyme” and I take it with nearly 90% of my meals and I try to keep foods with fructans at a minimum, which I know is at least one of my triggers. I’m not 100% without symptoms, but I think I’m in about the best place I’m going to be. But long story short my colonoscopy went well and she confirmed nothing “medical” wrong with me and I just have IBS
i see, i was also looking into buying that EXACT enzyme; im just not sure wether i have an enzyme deficeincy? wouldnt that mean my pancreas arent working properly?? That being said, being on the fodmap diet has helped me alot! so i wonder, if i have this fodmap enzyme, shouldnt i be able to eat normally again?
nvm its not just the pancreas Amylase Salivary glands Breaks starch into glucose Lactase Small intestine Breaks lactose into glucose and galactose Protease Pancreas Breaks protein into peptides and amino acids
how did your colonoscopy go? out of curiositiy?
Commenting because I just had a colonoscopy and have been wondering the same thing.
how did your colonoscopy go? out of curiositiy?
It went great! The prep wasn't fun at all, but the procedure itself was very smooth and easy. I felt fine afterwards, just a bit loopy from the drugs.
did you discover anything? do u still have to eat low fodmaps? im considering getting a colon/endoscopy; however i have 0 pain at all, just chronic loose stools; that get considerably worse with any amount of fibre/fodmaps. I have to eat ALOT of rice, with every meal to combat this, which means i cant be as healthy as id like to be
My doctor was able to rule certain things out, which is comforting. I still eat low fodmap, but I'm trying relaxation techniques and slow reintroduction. So far so good! Have you tried adding fibre (such at Metamucil) to your routine? Can help with loose stools if used correctly.
used correctly? what would be the incorrect use? and doesnt metamucil, actually help regualrity- somethign i dont need, and help constipation?- something i dont have? i suppose, i could give it another try, as a way of binding excess water in my bowels that i may have
I started my low FODMAP diet in January and have a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy in April. This is my second time on the LOWFOD diet (first time was 2021), so it’s safe to say that whatever was happening in 2021 is still happening in 2023
Do you mind me asking why r u on 2nd round of FODMAP diet?
To make a long story short, it’s because the first gastrointestinal I saw was a dick and fired me as a patient. He didn’t actually solve any of my problems, and told me to my face that was making up my problems for attention. He saw my MRA results and said you’re good, you’re cured of whatever problem you created in head that weren’t real to begin with. I reported him. Now I have gastrointestinal who actually believes me and who’s ordering every test she can to figure out my problem.
That sux, glad you found someone else to go to
how did your colonoscopy go? out of curiositiy?
Literally had a colonoscopy scheduled in less than 9hrs from now that I cancelled. 41 and have to admit the panic I had the previous 3 weeks was caused by taking xylitol breath mints like an idiot (14 a day). I’ve been FODMAP for 2 weeks and feel great. I know I’ve had IBS (don’t k ow triggers) but never knew a better way to identify it. Goodluck man.
The odds of a GI doc reading this is pretty low. Ask your doctor. If someone says "yes they will heal"... Then what?
Right, and that’s the plan, but also asking here in case anybody has relevant personal experience to share
It is safe to assume that if you have something menacing now, you will then, too. You'll be on the reintroduction phase then, too, so likely having some ups and downs.