Before I start, I am not talking very serious health issues, those things obviously need proper, conventional treatment.
But,
I have several chronic health issues which aren’t getting better by going down the conventional route and I am wondering if supplements may help me feel ‘somewhat’ better?
I have had IBS for 24 years and as a result I don’t eat well but due to my fear of triggering off symptoms I will often skip meals, eat very bland, ‘safe’ foods which are often nutritional poor (think beige foods like rice cakes, rice crispies, plain crisps etc).
I started the low fodmap diet 5 years ago when my symptoms got worse and I became ‘stuck’ on the introduction stage (high you should only be on for around 2-4 weeks) and haven’t been able to reintroduce (I had issues with food as a child and didn’t realise you should not go on this diet if you’ve suffered with any eating disorders, no one advised me of this!).
I believe that years of poor, fussy eating has left me nutritionally deficient. My gp and gastroenterologist won’t take me seriously over this, they think all I need to do is eat well but they just do not understand the fear of food which this condition has left me.
I have other issues which may/may not be exacerbated by a poor diet ie very bad anxiety, frequent tiredness, depression, I am 49 and also have many Perimenopause symptoms, I have very heavy periods, I ended up with severe anaemia this year (I have had a uterine ablation but still having very heavy periods, so that has obviously failed 🙄). Also, general health woes such as a very sore tongue, dry and itchy skin and just a general feeling of crappiness.
I thought if I tried say, a good quality multivitamin, vitamin b complex, vitamin d (I already take this), omega 3 oils etc these may give me a boost. Then, if I feel better, especially where my gut issues are concerned, I could potentially start eating better therefore get the nutrients the traditional way in the long term. I would love to see a nutritional therapist but can not afford it sadly.
I totally appreciate that I should be getting all my nutrients through good eating habits anyhow but (and this does sound pathetic) I am petrified of food and scared incase it triggers off my awful, daily IBS (which I have tried absolutely everything to help). Food is of no joy to me, it’s just a fuel I need to keep alive.
My gp just wants me to take antidepressants but I’ve tried these several times and they make my gut issues worse.
I am stuck in a vicious cycle and can’t believe that at 49 I have these food issues!
So, has anyone pulled themselves out of health issues with nutritional supplements?