Bloating from Irritable Bowel when lying down that prevents sleep

Posted by bettbi @bettbi, 1 day ago

I have had IBS-D for 30 years. For the last 10 years I frequently have bloating at night that prevents sleeping when I lie down. I have to (try to) sleep sitting up most of the night until my digestive system finally relaxes and releases the gas. Sometimes I attribute the gas to food, other times to stress, but the resulting bloating is the same. Advil is the only thing I've taken that helps on a reliable basis. Am already using Fodzyme and probiotics that relieve other IBS-D symptoms, but they have no effect on the nighttime bloating and sleeplessness.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | 1 day ago

Hi, @bettbi - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Trying to sleep while you are very bloated sounds very uncomfortable. And trying to sleep sitting up sounds very hard to do.

Sleep is precious, and you should be able to get a decent night's sleep.

Tagging a few members on Connect who have talked about IBS and bloating who may have some ideas and strategies for you from their doctors or that they have just found to be helpful at home. Please meet, if you've not already, @shooei @SusanEllen66 @swilkins1974 @marlenec @ciebrown @researchmaven. @jlharsh also may have some thoughts for you.

Is the discomfort the main thing that causes you to be unable to fall asleep, or would you say you are experiencing any pain? When you do take ibuprofen (Advil), how much sleep does that allow for the night?

bettbi | @bettbi | 8 hours ago

Hi Lisa. Actually, with a wedge pillow plus 3 standard pillows and sleeping alone in a queen-sized bed, sitting up is manageable. We do what we must! I rarely experience pain from IBS these days. Insomnia currently is my biggest issue. I would say 85% of the time taking one Advil puts me to sleep within an hour for the rest of the night. I don't take it unless I am still awake at least an hour after trying to sleep. Advil taken daily for a 77 year old can be hazardous, so I try not to take it more often than twice a week. I am not aware of any prescription drug without side effects that aren't as bad or worse than Advil, plus they generally require taking every night. I am curious if anyone else has other methods for reducing the bloating. Gas-X helps a little occasionally but not much and not reliably.

h8bigbiz | @h8bigbiz | 6 hours ago

I've had to sleep sitting up for years because of bloating. When lying down, the bloating is so bad that it puts pressure on my bladder and disrups sleep. Part of my problem is swallowing too much air--I guess they say everybody swallows a little--but nothing I've tried--$100,000 worth of surgery to open up nasal passages; Breathe-Rite strips; both plastic and metal nasal dilators--has worked except for Vick's Vapor Inhalers. I keep one by the bed and use it frequently through the night and day too. So I'm swallowing a little less air anyway.

bettbi | @bettbi | 5 hours ago

Thanks for telling me--will give that a try. Vick's kind of makes me relax and that's part of my problem--an uptight nervous system.

Last night per another tip I tried laying a heating pad on my gut for 20 minutes or so before turning out the light. I went to sleep right away (still having to sleep upright, though). Have to try all these things a while to know if they really work.