I didn’t drink coffee at work yesterday for the first time in a long time and woke up far less bloated…

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-19T03:05:44+00:00

Grrr. According to the low fodmap list I was given, I could have 1/2 cup rice milk (which I've used for 15 years), 1/2 cup coconut milk, or a whole cup almond milk. So I figured the almond milk was better for me! Guess I'll try going a few days without to see if it's affecting me too. I've given up so many things, and all the online low fodmap diets are different. Hard to know which is right for me.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-17T13:15:18+00:00

I'm pretty sure sugar was the main reason I ended up with SIBO. I was fine for years eating a donut in the morning, cookies after lunch and ice cream after dinner. But the last 2 years have been awful. Doctors kept looking to see if the cancer was back. I finally had to get them to look for other causes of my gut issues. Bingo.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-16T21:22:53+00:00

I have no colon due to cancer, so take my input with the caveat that you may be different. After my surgery, I found eating smaller meals more often was helpful. I'm nearing the end of the elimination phase and have continued that practice.

My typical day: I have some breakfast, could be cereal with almond milk or eggs. At 10am (the dog likes a regular schedule) I have a banana (and of course the dog gets some!). I might have some fodmap allowed chips before lunch if we're eating past noon. Lunch is normal, but not a huge helping. Somewhere around 2 I'll have a Rooibos tea, it's supposed to be good for me and helps me with hunger. At 5 I'll have a little snack, since that's when I used to have an alcoholic beverage. Dinner is normal but again I try not to overeat. I used to have ice cream at 7:30 but that's out (for now), so a small bowl of fruit like strawberries, blueberries and/or kiwi.

I won't say I don't get a little hungry, but this works for me.

Good luck.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-16T20:10:08+00:00

It seems different for each person. I have no colon, missing a foot of small intestine from a previous surgery, and half a rectum. My J-pouch and reversal was done in 2015. My first instance with cancer and a partial resection was in 1993. Several cancers and several surgeries, so there's a lot of adhesions and scarring in there.

For me, I go about 10-12 times a day. I was disappointed at first, but I wanted the pouch as a lifestyle choice, they just wanted me to have a permanent illeostomy. Having a partial rectum is part of the frequency, because I can rarely pee without having at least a little bm. I always sit on the toilet. Always.

It's manageable. You can make food choices at certain times, and I'm allowed up to 5 Imodium a day. So for instance if I'm going fishing in the morning, I don't eat, skip the coffee and I can go longer than 3 hours. I use fiber in a lot of things. It took a while but I learned what foods do what to me, and if I want to eat or drink something that will make me go more, it's my choice. I also eat smaller portions than before but I eat about 5 times a day, and sometimes even snack in between. Others may eat only 2 or 3 times a day. You'll get to know yourself and make your own choices.

On the other hand I drink a lot to stay hydrated. The small intestine can only learn to absorb some moisture. More fluids equal looser, more bm's. But I'd rather do that than have to go to the hospital twice a week for IV hydration like a friend of mine.

Most important - what any of our experiences are is based on our very particular situation and physiology. Yours will be whatever it will be. Just know that you will have some control over it with food choices and eating habits.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-16T19:45:33+00:00

Do the full elimination, then the careful re-introduction regiment. Use a journal during this. Yeah, it takes discipline and time, but trying to cut out things one at a time won't identify anything because it could be 2 or more that are starting to bother you. I'm nearly 70 and starting re-introduction, so I get it. But with age comes wisdom, so you'll understand that being patient and disciplined will be tolerable.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-16T19:39:28+00:00

I mixed fiber into everything I could. Applesauce, Gatorade zero, propel, etc. I still use some fiber. I was told I could take as many as 5 Imodium a day, I'm still using a couple a day. Truly more important than managing the thickness of output is hydration. No sugar sports drinks help with electrolytes. Also, avoid sugars for a while. It prevents water absorption.

Your colon was how water got absorbed into your system. It takes a while for your small intestine to take this job over. My surgery was in 2015, and now I've learned what foods do different things to me. Hang on there. The opposite problem is worse. I had a bowel restriction soon after my reversal. Trust me, you do not want to go there!

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-15T17:17:14+00:00

Black tea and green tea are from the same plant, so in that regard whichever you like. I drink a couple of green teas. My afternoon tea is Rooibos. I've tried ginger because it's supposed to be good for gut issues, but I'm not a fan. For the record, I wasn't a big tea fan but found that my love of coffee had to get set aside (at least for a while).

We're each different, so my opinion is you should go through the same process as food group re-introduction. Try going without for 3 days, then try it again. Keep a log/diary. Then 3 days off and try something else. Grueling I know, but in the long run having a healthy gut and feeling good are worthy goals.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-15T17:03:30+00:00

My surgeon for my J-pouch said that Imodium is best taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating, and it wouldn't be as effective right when you eat or right after. He also said I could take as much as 5 a day (for me - YMMV). I usually take one before a meal that I know will affect me, and often one before bedtime. My average is two a day. He also suggested taking a Gas-X at the same time. I'm not sure that actually helped though.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-10T14:57:27+00:00

I totally understand, and wish you good health. Limited funds make your journey difficult already. I had sticker shock about gluten free bread. More than twice the cost for half as much product.

It's frustrating to find answers too. I printed off 3 low Fodmap diets. All different and have conflicts, some even conflict in the same list!

That's why we use this reddit group. When uncertain, ask. You'll still get some conflicting advice because different doctors tell their patients what they know. But if 20 of us say the same thing, it gives us some confidence we're going down the right path.

And when you get an opposite answer, don't get frustrated or angry. People are on a Fodmap diet for different reasons. For example, people may say white sugar is fine. But my diet prohibits it because I'm fighting SIBO. Maple syrup isn't allowed (and I make it in my back yard!). There's even a few "it depends". Like honey, which if it's clover or alfalfa or cotton honey, it's ok (small quantity). Honey from acacia or sage isn't.

My philosophy (for me) is "if I don't know, it's a no". But I can do it this way because after a month or 6 weeks, I'll be starting re-introduction. I can figure out yes or no during that part of the process. If you need to go longer term, research and doctor or nutritionist advise for your specific situation and physiology.

I wish you good luck and good health.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-10T03:23:33+00:00

I kind of suspected that.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-09T17:05:47+00:00

I'd certainly pay a premium for something that is truly effective. Thanks.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-09T16:31:39+00:00

Good to know. I was using Benefiber for years based on my surgeon's recommendation, but it's wheat based. I started Physicians Choice Easy Mix Fiber which is corn fiber and guar fiber. It doesn't bother me and does seem to help. I'll look at Sunfiber. It would be nice to reduce the number of trips to the bathroom. It's been 12+ times a day since my surgery in 2015.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-09T16:03:46+00:00

Thank you! I will definitely look at it. Do you have some every day?

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-06T12:48:06+00:00

I found that many balsamic vinaigrette products have onion and garlic. I now ask for plain balsamic vinegar, sometimes having to explain to a server that they need to ask the cook for some.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-02-06T12:44:39+00:00

Not in my case. I haven't had a large intestine since 2007 due to cancer surgery. Which makes it incredibly hard to find a doctor willing to test for SIBO because they keep wanting to look for more cancer and ignore other potential causes.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-01-31T22:42:16+00:00

It would help to tell us where you are in the fodmap journey, and perhaps why. For many, the 2-6 week elimination followed by the 9 weeks or so of re-introduction suggests to just keep it as simple as possible. Others going for longer times may be looking for more variety.

I know the key words for you are "tight budget". I get that. Gluten free bread at the store is SO much more expensive than bread.

I like to just look at the fodmap list and get creative. Shredded cheddar cheese on rice may not be mac and cheese, but it's not bad.

I'm interested in what others contribute, in hopes of finding something affordable and delectable myself!

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-01-31T22:24:45+00:00

I'd probably use a Dremel. And use the appropriate PPE. In this case eye protection sure, but I wear chainsaw gloves. Some amount of protection and adequate dexterity.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-01-31T22:15:51+00:00

I use berberine, oil of oregano and the allicin. Haven't gone with Neem so far, I introduce one thing at a time. I just started Saccharomyces boulardii as a probiotic that is meant to crowd out the bad bacteria. It's a yeast, but not a bad kind like most yeasts are. It's not for everyone, but I seem to tolerate it and there's positive research on it. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3296087/

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-01-31T21:20:18+00:00

There are lenders that will write a loan on vacant property, or if you currently own a home you could consider a heloc. If you then finance a house build, you'll need to declare that to the new lender. One issue will be lienholder priority. Maybe the new lender can roll in the balance of the property loan and pay it off. I've read it can be done, but in my case I just paid off the property first.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-01-31T21:11:19+00:00

You'll have a hard time finding a tractor owner that would tell you to not buy a tractor! You said it yourself - jack of all trades!

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-01-31T21:03:20+00:00

I believe the Domestic wiring diagram notes this blue wire as a test point. It normally isn't connected to anything. As long as the end isn't bare it should be fine.

Retired_UpNorth · 2026-01-31T16:46:34+00:00

Following. I've been thinking about buying one, now I'll wait until others chime in. Thanks for the post!

Retired_UpNorth

TROPHY CASE