Chinese herbs will change your life.  www.fltcm.com.  Say goodbye to all your digestive troubles. I was  life long constipated,, fiber or pills did virtually nothing for me.  Dr Liu is very smart and knows exactly what to do for you.  Dr Liu teaches and is a premier Herbalist and Acupuncture physician.  Give it a try...wendy

As long as you aren't lactose intolerant, the yogurt IMO works too, but it takes more than 2 days.

Melissa.

Be careful of raisins if you may have FM.  They are torture on it.

Also, watch the ingredients in yogurt, many contain HFCS, which is also a no-no with FM.  Also stay away from the ones with artificial sweeteners or even honey.  All are problematic.

As for IBS...it is irritable bowel syndrome.  A syndrome, by definition, is simply a name given to a grouping of symptoms, it is not actually a diagnoses (or cause).  Experts believe that 45-75% of those diagnosed with IBS actually have fructose malabsorption (FM), the majority of the rest suffer from lactose, gluten, or some other food intolerance. 

To diagnose FM, a breath hydrogen test is needed.  This is non-invasive and not too expensive.  ****************************************************************************  I was diagnosed 3 1/2 years ago and though my diet is now quite restricted, I feel so much better.

Amazinglingly, FM also may have many symptoms one would otherwise not associate with diet, such as headaches, dark circles under eyes, systemic swelling, insomnia, et.  Most FMer's have diareaha,  but many of us have constipation problems.  The really good news is, all the symptoms go away with a proper FM diet.

I know I have IBS, which could be the cause (a guess), but other than that there is no reason I should have it.  It is very frustrating!

Melissa.

I am the same way. I actually get it more then I really should. Mainly when I eat fiber(even the smallest amounts), sugar, coffee, soy, milk, cheese, yiou make it, I get constipated. I have been tested for so many different things but yet they still have no idea what is wrong with me. Tehy ruled out IBS, Hirschsprung Disease, Colon Cancer, EVERYTHING and still no answer.

jdubs...try the yogurt with probiotics in it.  I dont  use it anymore because for me it doesnt help, but many people swear by it.

Melissa.

I can relate! I had a bowl of Raisin Bran the other night and got the worst stomach ache of my life! It felt like my insides were being ripped apart below my belly button.... I just got home from the doctor and was told I'm so "backed up" that having too much Fiber is a bad thing for me right now... I was told to have yogurt once or twice a day and gradually get back to eating my Raisin Bran (that I LOVE!!!). Maybe try the yogurt thing? I also drink 2-3 liters of water per day *that may sound like a lot to some, but I'm very active. I'm starting the yogurt thing today, we'll see how it goes! As of now, I feel like my stomach is going to explode and I can't stop pushing my gut out :p

You're right, it could be the medications.  Good point.  Thank you!

Melissa.

We have to stop and think that a lot of it could be medications we are taking. We need to

drink plenty of water.

I'm glad I'm not the only one out there with this problem.

Melissa.