Kim’s Story

As part of the #IBelieveinyourStory campaign, Kim shares her IBS journey.  Everyone’s IBS story may take some twists and turns–but the goal is to find a solution that allows for a better quality of life–less pain, less digestive symptoms and a better sense of what is working for you–and what is not.

Diet changes to manage GI distress should allow for a fuller and more predictable life, not a more restrictive one.

I struggled with stomach troubles since I was a young child. I think I have been constipated my entire life. I can remember being fed prunes when I was about 7 or 8 years old. I started having pain when I was 15. I was told at that time that I had too much acid in my stomach and I has chronic gastritis. Oh – by the way, I am 59 now and just recently found relief for my stomach problems. After I had my gall bladder removed in 2002 I was given a PPI to take. It worked for about a year and then I had to try another brand. Eventually I found Nexium and had been on that for 10 years, daily. None of the generic brands worked any more.

I found the low FODMAP diet about two years ago and discovered some foods that were a problem for me. My doctor is now prescribing the diet to his patients who have had consistent stomach problems.  In the past six or seven months I have been seeing a nurse practitioner who practices functional medicine. We’ve done a bunch of tests and found some more answers to my problems.  I was able to go off of my PPI but still am taking Ranatidine every day.

I have discovered a number of foods that cause discomfort all the way up to migraines. I no longer suffer from constipation or diarrhea (which I had both consistently for many years). I was diagnosed with IBS C and D because both of those things were prevelant in my life. I rarely had a normal bowl movement. Now, I rarely have either of the other two. Gas was a huge problem for me and now it is an occasional problem. I am so thankful to the Lord for leading me to the help that I needed. I am so thankful that I found the low FODMAP diet and then the IFM Elimination Diet, both of which helped me to discover foods that were causing problems for me. Sucralose was a huge factor in how I felt – it caused debilitating fatigue, gas, and pain. Wheat causes gas and insomnia. I loved eating hummus, but after about six months of eating it, it is now causing problems for me!

I don’t have all the answers as to why I struggle with tummy trouble, but I am doing so much better now. Thank you so much for putting yourself out there to help people like me!

Kim

If you’d like to share your story, I’d love to hear from you. Learn more here.