Any ideas?

After about a 2-month wait to see the only board-certified GI specialist in the state, I finally had my appointment with this doctor yesterday. She is a great doctor, and certainly lives up to the hype everyone says about her. She was very thorough with me, asking all sorts of questions about my health history and current symptoms. She says all signs point to severe IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). I told her I'm not interested in taking a prescription the rest of my life, but that I want to solve the problem. Her solution? Buckle up kids. Some blood work, and try the FODMAP diet for 3 months, when I see her again. FODMAP stands for a bunch of chemistry terms I can't pronounce, but essentially it's a gluten, lactose, and fructose free diet. Sheesh! I have no idea where to start, and I'm certainly afraid to step foot in the grocery store again, for fear of touching something I shouldn't buy and therefore exploding. My doctor gave me a few guide lines to help me get started, but they are sparse. Mom says I should live on bacon, rice, and bananas for 3 months. Mmm, delectable.  So! I'm sure I'm not the only one who's endured this death sentence trial, so does anyone have any tips, recipes, or thoughts? Right now, I plan on eating up what's currently in my cupboard and slowly converting as I need to replenish, as opposed to going cold-turkey. 

On a smaller note, I woke up with sinus/chest junk, or as Mom would say, the "-itises." Looks like I'll be spending part of my Monday birthday at my regular doctor and pharmacy. 

I guess here is where the new year's goal meets the road- being excited about these things that have come my way so far proves quite the challenge already!