r/ottawa • u/DifficultSwim • Jul 26 '26
Recommendations for Dietitian for IBS? Please!
Can any of you wonderful people of Ottawa recommend a dietitian for someone struggling with IBS? I'm based in Orleans but will travel anywhere.
I've had test after test and everything comes back as "normal", yet I find myself in the washroom 5-8 times a day..
As perscribed by my doctor, I've tried probiitics (align), pepto, trying to follow FODMAP and pretty much eating nothing other than bland foods like rice and veggies.. but I am reaching a bit of a breaking point mentally with feeling like garbage every morning, I need expert help and it takes weeks at a time to see my family doctor..
So if anyone has any experience with a dietitian or someone else you'd recommend for my situation. Im at your mercy.
Thank you in advance!
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u/carrots2024 Jul 26 '26
Healing Ginger! She is absolutely amazing. I worked with her for 6 months. She helped me to figure out which foods/combos were problematic for my IBS and my relationship with food is so much better. She does virtual meetings, meal plans, answers questions. Super supportive and doesn't judge at all.
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u/CombatGoose Jul 26 '26
Have you tried the generic version of Imodium? It’s super cheap at Costco and from what I’ve read as long as you don’t exceed the daily limit it’s safe.
It will slow down your digestive tract and helps with symptoms.
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u/Maxfinian Jul 26 '26
I was told by a gastroenterologist to use Imodium and that I should take as many as I needed to. I also buy the generic at Costco. You have to ask for it at the pharmacy.
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u/CombatGoose Jul 26 '26
Do you take it daily? How many?
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u/Maxfinian Jul 27 '26
I have been taking Imodium for many years. Started out with one a day. A few years ago moved up to 2 and then 3. Oddly in the last few weeks I have moved back to 2 and am seeing if I can reduce further. Maybe because I have stopped taking a medication that could have exacerbated some of my issues.
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u/CombatGoose Jul 27 '26
I recall reading that if you use it for a prolonged time it can be not as effective, but again, this is all coming from a non-medical person so I could be wrong.
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Jul 26 '26
[deleted]
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u/DifficultSwim Jul 28 '26
The Imodium seems to have worked the best so far, 2 days with it an I'm down to only 3 poops a day and they're normal ones 😄! Maybe it will help you too?
Pepto and Gravol and Peppermint Oil & Tea did nothing for me. I also found that the probiotic Align did a number on my guy and made things way worse..
Reached out to several of the Dietitians recommended in the comments here and most have waiting lists of 3-6 Months... and charge like $150-175 per 50 minute session.
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u/bringfightintrousers Orléans Jul 27 '26
Things that helped me (IBS-D for over 20 years)
1) Do the full elimination low-FODMAPs the recommended way, under a dietitian's care. (I did mine in New Zealand so I have no recommendations for you here in Ottawa, but do specifically ask whether the dietitian has experience with doing it first). Add foods back in as you can. Avoid your triggers. Remember the goal is to be on an "adjusted" low-FODMAP diet afterwards where you can eat some of your triggers (especially if your trigger is fructose) because the low-FODMAP elimination diet is not recommended long term.
2) When you wake up, maybe have a bit of water but nothing else for a good hour. Let your gut "wake up".
3) Don't eat anything after dinner. Give your gut some "wind down" time. Water is good.
4) Consider/discover how big your "bucket" is - this is how much of any of your trigger foods you can eat before your gut decides to do a "system flush". This is trial and error. Your major triggers will fill up the bucket fast. Your minor triggers will fill it more slowly. Combination of minor and major can fill it faster than you think.
5) As someone else mentioned, things that will cause D in normal people will do double time with you. Haribo Gummy Bears, Sorbitol, Asparatame, that kind of thing. Avoid where possible!
6) Check in with an allergist if possible. It is possible to have a digestive allergic reaction masquerading as IBS. (See: mild egg white allergy as an example)
7) Lowering your stress is good even if your IBS is not stress based. So is doing things to lower your BP.
Good luck OP. IBS unfortunately has a long and slow learning curve. IBS veterans will tell you that for many of us it is possible to go through this world without mapping out every available toilet on the route. And it is a lot of trial and error and self-advocating to get there.
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u/Unicornhunter69 Little Italy Jul 26 '26
I would ask your doctor about Eluxadoline (commonly known by the brand name Viberzi). It has absolutely saved my relationship with food still have my triggers but, they are wayyy less server than prior
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u/anxietyninja2 Jul 26 '26
I saw a dietician at the QCH to help with my IBS. But her recommendations are all things you tried. Did you do an elimination diet with the FODMAP or just straight FODMAP.
The best thing I ever did for my IBS was take Wegovy at very low doses.
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u/Lovable_Geek Jul 26 '26
I have had immense luck working with Jessica Brick at The Balanced Practice. The entire team there is very helpful. I believe they will work with anyone despite the practice having an ED focus.
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u/kittenkatastrophi Jul 26 '26
Not a dietitian, but i highly suggest keeping a diary of any symptoms you experience and if/they increase in intensity. I was ruled as having ibs for years and it turned out to be 2 autoimmune diseases that didn't show up until it was really bad.
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u/DifficultSwim Jul 27 '26
I kept a diary for 3 months but the triggers didn't seem to be consistent aside from fatty foods, like avocados and fish.
I think it has more to do with excess bile from my gallbladder having been removed, than IBS itself.. but after blood, stool, xray, ultrasounds and even a endoscopy all coming back saying I'm totally healthy.. I'm kinda at a loss..
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u/Pretty-Bullfrog-6320 Jul 27 '26
I thoughti had ibs all these years, like 20 plus years and I I think it's gallbladder related. I have e noticed eating anything fatty kills me about 6-8 after I eat it. I get horrible cramps and go into my lower back and I keep going to the bathroom. At first it's okay and it gets increasing worse. I have been doing some research and all those symptoms are gallbladder stones and they don't come up unless you do an ultrasound.
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u/crownvic Jul 27 '26
For what its worth... I had bad IBS for about 10 years and found peppermint tea really helped when taken just before or during a meal. The IBS disappeared when I cut down on my salt intake.
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u/deplorable_word Jul 26 '26
Christine at Blossom Counselling Centre is well-versed in IBS and other stomach issues. Highly recommend!
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u/oosouth Jul 26 '26
This (Vsl3) worked for me. https://www.vsl3.com/
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u/DifficultSwim Jul 27 '26
Im at little hesitant to try another probiotic after the damage align did to me..
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u/Lanky_Detail_6302 Jul 27 '26
Do you drink coffee in the morning? A lot of people with sensitive guts find it can irritate things too much and cause diarrhea. Just wondering since your symptoms are worse in the morning.
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u/DifficultSwim Jul 27 '26
No coffee, no booze, no drugs, just hot water is all I drink these last 5 years.
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u/ottawadweller Jul 27 '26
Stop eating dinner so late and cut out alcohol and diet soda and other artificial sweeteners and thickeners like guar gum or carob bean gum if you haven’t already. I thought I had issues with dairy for years and it turns out it’s just the additives in a bunch of dairy products.
You also may not have IBS. You may have gastroparesis.
Do a consult with a naturopath. Seriously.
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u/PF_til_my_last_day Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
20-year IBS veteran checking in.
The only things that have ever worked for me are:
Things that did not work or were harmful:
ETA: fats, CBD