Hello

[Cassie]

Hi there,

My name's Cassie, I'm 27 and from Melbourne, Australia.
I was diagnosed approximately a month ago with FM after having the hydrogen breath testing. Thankfully, I'm not lactose intolerant as I already find the low FODMAP diet restrictive enough without also cutting out dairy.

I have seen a dietitian from Diet Solutions, and their head dietitian (Jaci Barrett) is involved in FODMAP testing with Sue Shephard at Monash University. So I'm lucky that I am in capable hands!

However I still struggle with the diet daily. I am feeling much better being on it, but I still mess up sometimes when eating out.
Another consideration is that I have suffered from an eating disorder (anorexia nervosa) for approximately 10 years. It's not currently a major problem but I find it does flare when I have to worry about what I can and can't eat. Reading food labels is a massive trigger.

Anyway, nice to meet you and I hope we can all lessen our tummy troubles sooner rather than later

[Charlie Arnold]

Hi Cassie,

great to meet you, thanks for joining the board. Thank goodness it sounds like you are on track with an experienced dietitian as so many just haven't heard about it.

The diet does take a long time to het your head round as it just goes against everything drilled into us these days about healthy eating but once you get used to it it isn't as bad as you think. Hopefully you can cook, if not, get some cooking lessons as it is so much easier to follow if you can home cook everything and stops those little things slipping in.

It is much harder when eating out, but once you get to know "safe" places to eat again it gets easier. I'm sorry to hear you have had previous dietary problems and I can understand how difficult having to be so food aware could play against you. Do you think subconsciously though maybe your body was telling you back then that certain foods weren't good for you and it manifested as anorexia. If that is the case you may find as your body recovers so will your mind, especially as one of the symptoms is bloating.

Its great having an adult sufferer on board as you can maybe give us more insight into some of the symptoms, so far we all seem to be parents of sufferers and can only guess on some things so you may be able to throw more light on things.

Welcome on board, please feel free to chip in at any time. Perhaps you could type a bit more when you have time about your symptoms, when and why they decided to test you.

Charlie