FODMAP's 101

Some of you may know that over the past few years I have been dealing with a lot of stomach problems.  I've had many visits to the doctor, the instant care and the ER, and I have had many tests and procedures, most of them unpleasant. I was hoping that after all that time and trouble I would have a diagnosis and a cure... that has not been the case. I have been told all of the things I don't have, which is nice to know, but is not helpful to my current state of health. My doctor's told me, "It's probably IBS because we can't find anything else". "Probably?". Thank you doctors for your expert opinions! (Yes, that is sarcasm, but I figure I've earned it). I actually do like most of the doctors I have seen and my family doctor and G.I. specialist have been very kind and helpful, but all those positives haven't yielded a solution.

This past month I have spent a lot of my time on the living room floor, trying to find a position to lay in, that would give me relief from my gastric pain. Sadly I have gotten used to it and it has almost become a way of life. But it isn't fair to me or my family, especially when Gabe has to come home from work, sometimes early, so he can help with the kids, make dinner and clean up so he can then help the kids with homework, all because I'm curled up in a ball on the floor, wishing I didn't have to eat ever again.

A week ago Gabe and I started searching on the internet (again), to see if we could find anything on IBS that fit my symptoms. It has been difficult to pinpoint a cause for my problems since I am not allergic to wheat or dairy, which many IBS symptoms can be contributed to. This time we found some new research about FODMAP's that has yielded a lot of helpful information and many answers that I have been searching for.

The-Fodmap-Theory-For-IBS - FODMAP researchers have identified that short-chain carbohydrates, which are components of many foods, may be poorly absorbed by the small intestine and thus rapidly set upon and fermented by bacteria within the digestive system, specifically the small intestine and the upper parts of the large intestine (proximal colon). These carbohydrates were given the acronym FODMAPs and refer to:
Fermentable
Oligosaccharides (eg. Fructans and Galactans)
Disaccharides (eg. Lactose) Monosaccharides (eg. excess Fructose)
and
Polyols (eg. Sorbitol, Mannitol, Maltitol, Xylitol and Isomalt)                            Foods high and low in FODMAP's

So in Lamen's terms I have food fermenting in my intestines that my body isn't able to absorb, which causes bloating, gas and usually intense pain.  I immediately began eliminating foods from my diet that are "high" in fodmap's, excluding some wheat and dairy since I am able to digest these foods properly when they aren't accompanied with certain sugars, mainly fructose, honey and artificial sweeteners ending in "ols".

It has been a bit overwhelming trying to figure it all out, but I found a chart on-line that I now have on my fridge, which makes it easier to see which foods I should or should not eat. FODMAP diet chart - In order to view it you need to be a member of ibsgroup.org but it's free to sign up.

After following the "low fodmap diet" last week, I have only had one episode, which I later realized was most likely caused by a health bar I had eaten which contained inulin. I am not 100% sure that was the cause because stress is also a major factor in many IBS symptoms, and I have an abundance of "potential" stress causing factors in my life...

All in all, I feel I am on the right path for managing, if not curing my IBS symptoms. In addition to altering my diet, I have started drinking Kefir and taking olive leaf extract and boswellia, both of which have been shown to help with IBS and many other ailments. I have learned a lot through this whole process and have found that the most important thing I can do for myself is to be a strong self-advocate.

Sandbox fun

1st Day of Preschool

Mason has been looking forward to this day for weeks. He has been eager to go to the "big kids school", and now that day is here. It's hard to believe that I have 4 kids attending the same school!

Before I sent him off, I wrote his name in permanent marker on the outside of his back pack and Mason insisted that I include his age next to his name. He takes a lot of pride in being four years old.

Tucker's Treasure

We celebrated Tucker's 7th birthday in Washington this summer. I can't remember the last time we were actually at home for his birthday, but luckily it hasn't seemed to bother him. The "treasure theme" was a last minute choice because I wasn't sure where we would be celebrating his birthday and even though I had less than 24 hours to put it all together, I managed to get it done.

I put together a little treasure hunt for all of the kids to do together and this video shows them finding the cake at the end.

Singing happy birthday

Mason's photo collage

I can't believe how quickly Mason is growing up!  He starts preschool at the elementary school after Labor Day, but every day he asks when it's his turn to leave with the big kids. I'm glad I get a couple of more weeks with him because he can be really sweet when he's not trying to "stake his claim" when the other kids are around.

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Mason's Birthday, July 23rd

      Our family celebration for Mason's birthday was pretty low key. We did cake and presents with just our immediate family and it was really nice and laid back. Mason loves dressing up so a lot of his presents were geared towards imaginary play. To my joy they have kept him happy and occupied.

Backyard Carnival

Mason's birthday party invitation

    In celebration of Mason turning four, we hosted a backyard carnival for his friends and their families.  It turned out almost as good as I had imagined it and everyone had a blast!  Brianna and her friends helped out with the games, some of which were Bean Bag Toss, Penny Pitch, Balloon Burst, Shoot the Hoop, Ring Toss, Topple the Tower and Clown Catch.  In Lieu of a "creative cake" I made four dozen popcorn cupcakes, which were a big hit. Link for Popcorn Cupcakes

I was lucky to have Elizabeth, my sister-in-law, help out with a lot of the preparations, otherwise I would have had to pull a couple of all nighters.

Miracles Around Us

Three weeks ago one of Mason's playmates, a five year-old boy in our neighborhood, fell out of his 2nd story bedroom window onto the driveway below.  He cracked his skull and was life flighted to the children's hospital in Salt Lake.  After three weeks in the ICU he was told that he could come home on the 4th of July.  I wanted to share the latest update his mother posted on our neighborhood facebook page.

From Kim: Conversation I had with Slater last night...Slater do you know why you are here in this hospital? 'Yes, because I live here.' Do you remember our house in Spanish Fork? (Puzzled look) Do you remember the accident you had? 'No' Do you remember falling out of the window? (Scrunches his face) 'The big window?' Yes, your bedroom window. 'No' Do you remember falling onto the driveway? 'No' Do you remember the ambulance and riding in the ambulance? '(scrunched face as if annoyed with me) 'No' Do you remember the helicopter you got to ride in? (Wide eyed) 'No' Then I showed him all the pictures I took from day one. He looked at them so puzzled and confused, couldn't believe that was him. I asked, Do you remember this pictures or being asleep? 'No' Do you remember talking to Jesus and Angels that came to visit you? (with a smile) 'YES' I left our conversation at that. He has a story to tell and will share it someday....'nuff said :)

There are miracles around us, everywhere.  Some big, some small, I just have to remember to look for them and recognize them and be grateful for a loving Heavenly Father.

Brianna's Room Makeover

Brianna's main birthday present this year was a bedroom makeover. It took me a week longer than I had expected, but she says it was worth the wait. I hadn't calculated all the interruptions that five children would create : )

I gave her walls a fresh coat of "apple-green" paint.

I spray painted 12 in. wooden letters and decorated them with vinyl wall stickers.

To create a reading bench, I moved her foot bench behind her head board and made the red and white cushions. Adhesive velcro was a must- have for this project.

Her "custom" bulletin board was the most elaborate project. I bought a roll of cork then cut strips of colored foam and arranged them so they would match the opposite side of her comforter.

I arranged vinyl stickers on her wall to mimic the patterns of her new comforter.

Omelet Underwear and a Black Eye

I've been busier than usual since the kids are out of school, so I haven't had as much time to update our blog.  Here is a collage of some of the events from the past month:

 Omelet Underwear - When Mason and I were sharing an omelet, half way through eating, he pointed out that it looked like his underwear.  And it does, well the shape of it that is : )

Black Eye - Gage slipped in the tub and got his first shiner.
Lap Time - Gabe has been working really long hours this month, so when he came home both little boys didn't want to wait a turn, so they shared his lap. 
Birthday- Brianna turned eleven on May 29th, I used fondant for the first time on her cake and it turned out great (if you don't look too close).
Firetruck - For a preschool activity the kids were given a box to make a vehicle, I may have gone a little overboard, but it beat doing the dishes!  Pretzels - My boys love pretzel rods, it's a main staple at our house.
Everyone Duck - Gabe took the kids camping the first weekend in June and they also got to do some target shooting.

 These black and white photos are of the boys from their camping trip

That's a top ramen noodle dangling off of Tucker's hat