Comments on: GI Disorders + Food Fears

By: Juliana

Juliana — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 12:34:58 +0000

In reply to Deb.

I hear you. I’m one of those people who has restricted herself to a half dozen “safe” foods, and despite eating only those, I still get sick. Food restriction happens because it’s often hard to know what food caused the reaction, if it was a food at all. I have gastroparesis and IBS, for reference. As for eating out, I never do it. If I have to go to a restaurant due to an obligation, I drink peppermint tea or a selzer water or regular water if they have nothing I can order. It seems all socializing and celebrating is food-oriented. I just don’t eat when I’m not at home to control the ingredients (or to experience the reaction).

Kate, I love your blog and appreciate your work immensely. Some of us just can’t eat much. (And yes, I spent my entire life savings on medical testing, attempted intervention both medically and from an otherwise significantly successful homeopath, and dieticians.

By: katescarlata

katescarlata — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 21:17:23 +0000

In reply to JulieVG.

Glad you found the article on food fear insightful. You are right—it is difficult for others, who can tolerate any foods they want, understand that food fears can develop. And you are also so correct how stress can play a BIG role –and make matters worse. Fortunately there are helpers: GI psychologists and registered dietitians to guide people with food fears to gently expand the diet, improve nutritional status, minimize stress–with the ultimate goal to improve the quality of life.

By: JulieVG

JulieVG — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 17:00:16 +0000

This article about food fear is so recognizable. Since I have been very sick I can’t eat certain foods anymore without having pain or getting sick sometimes. At a certain moment I ended up with only a couple safe foods. At that point I have learned that there is some sort of vicious cycle between stress, food and fear where you keep eliminating food out of fear until there is almost nothing left and it is very difficult to break that pattern. But your article gives hope and new insights. Unfortunately there isn’t much understanding of the problem by people who are not familiar with it because it will always have an impact on my everyday life.

By: Helene

Helene — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 19:43:48 +0000

In reply to Deb. I totally get and agree with you!

By: katescarlata

katescarlata — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 21:11:19 +0000

In reply to Mary A. Taylor.

It can be frustrating–but if you understand the pattern–at least you can have better control over it.

By: Mary A. Taylor

Mary A. Taylor — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 16:54:49 +0000

In reply to Deb. I too have found that although I can tolerate some things that are not low FODMAP, a few days in a row will put me over the top. This is frustrating but at least helps to have figured it out.

By: katescarlata

katescarlata — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 14:04:59 +0000

In reply to Debbie Owens. I hope your meeting with the nutritionist went well and that you are slowly expanding your diet and feeling better.

By: IBS + Stigma - For A Digestive Peace of Mind—Kate Scarlata RDN

IBS + Stigma - For A Digestive Peace of Mind—Kate Scarlata RDN — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 14:00:37 +0000

[…] So, let’s talk more about experiencing stigma with IBS. I reached out to Tiffany Taft, PsyD, a licensed clinical health psychologist and the Director of Psychogastroenterology Research at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine to share her expertise on stigma in IBS. Dr. Taft recently provided her insights about food fears associated with GI conditions, which was a very well received post on my blog. If you’d like to read that post, click here. […]

By: Debbie Owens

Debbie Owens — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 18:50:33 +0000

This article resonates with me on so many levels. I have had IBS-D since I was a teenager…so that’s about 45 years. Over the years, I have identified and removed many triggers – but still experience issues when I do not control the food that has been prepared. Like so many have reported, eating out or at someone’s house is a horrifying experience (if possible, I bring something I can eat.) I was diagnosed with diverticulosis 4 years ago, and had back to back episodes of diverticulitis. Followed by another 3 months later. I know the symptoms and am so careful about the “do not eat list” for that as well. This year, I ate a a local restaurant and became violently ill. I have had food poisoning before and have successfully treated it in the past myself; however, this time it got out of control, set off my diverticulitis and to make a very long and frightening story short – ended up in the hospital and almost died. 5 days in ICU. They were able to identify campylobacter. My kidneys quit functioning, my BP crashed and I was isolated until they could identify the culprit. I then missed 9 weeks of work while I recovered. I have never been so sick in my life. Since the event, my gut has not been the same. I can “feel” the foods processing – it feels like hot lava stones and the pain is nearly unbearable. What I was able to eat before the event is no longer true. I finally went and saw my Gastro and he’s treating me with a regimen of nortryptiline and Xifaxan. While the pain has gotten better, it is not gone. I am afraid to eat all but about 6 things that don’t seem to hurt me. I will never eat chicken again – the very smell of it makes me nauseous. I have been struggling with meal planning and shopping. I don’t enjoy eating any more. My doctor provided me with your website and I have learned so much already – thank you! I have an appointment with a nutritionist this afternoon and having read this I think it will help me to better discuss my situation more directly. Any other suggestions will be most appreciated. Bless You!

By: Lisa Morris

Lisa Morris — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 01:46:46 +0000

In reply to katescarlata. Yes! Thank you!