Connect
Stomach bloating, digestive issues
Hi. I have been having severe bloating and stomach pain for over a year now. I have been checked for SIBO and H-pylori. I have had a stomach CT, an ultrasound, endoscopy, colonoscopy, a hida scan, and a bunch of bloodwork done. The bloating and stomach pain are accompanied by exreme fatigue, hot flashes, and severe foot cramping. I was told over a year ago (after choking on food and some serious heartburn) that i have an impaired esophagus. I was placed on Emaprezale. The stomach issues continued to get worse. I was placed on more and more stomach medicine by primary care dr and GI. Nothing has helped. I was 125 lbs and i eat healthy and would work out regularly. I am now 140 lbs. I cannot workout because it causes stomach pain. Plus i am so tired i can barely make it through work. I went to see a naturopath after no success with GI. I was eventually put on an elemental det after other gut healing steps did not work. Even on the liquid diet the bloating continued, but i was not as tired. Eventually i crashed and needed to eat again. I had a food allergy and them avoided everything i wss told not to eat but this did not help. I was told i have gastritis and esophagitis but nothing they have done has helped how i feel. It is getting hard to make it through the day. I need help. I have had previous health issues including uterine fibroids that lead to bad blood hemoraging. I ended up having a hysterectomy . I had brain and spinal cord surgery 20 years ago for syringomyelia. I have had pancreas problems. I was told i had autoimmune problems including juvenile arthritis and sjogrens. Now i test negative for autoimmune problems but have lasting joint damage. I am 36. My rheumatologist told me i have the joints of someone 65 or older. I have been checked for pancreas issues but have no problems anymore. I am taking digestive enzymes but they ate not helping. Sorry for the long rant. Any suggestions???
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.
Connect
Please see a top rated GI doctor BEFORE implementing major dietary changes.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsAgree with seeing a physician before implementing dietary changes to rule out potential health problems, but Internists and most GI docs know diddlie squat about diet.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsDear @guthealth, I am so glad to meet you here at Mayo Clinic Connect. I cannot think of a better place to meet other people who are going through the same things that you are. Support, encouragement, and knowing that you are not alone are some of the best tools that you can have on the road to getting better
As a Volunteer Mentor here I have the responsibility of being objective, and not giving advice, per se. I am not a medical practitioner by any means. I am blessed, however, with some really good physicians, and have gone through innumerable tests to find out what was wrong with me. I experienced bloating. Muscle spasms so intense that it felt like labor pains. Pain so bad That I would have to get off work, go home, and hug the sofa the rest of the day. Nothing helped other than this.
Long story short, it took multiple testing and a lot of research on my part to come up with s solution for me. Most doctors are not thoroughly trained in using food as medicine. They are aware of many things, but when we present with multiple symptoms where nothing helps, the proverbial ball lands right back in our corner.
Gastroparesis, Diverticulitis, IBS, Gluten Sensitivity, Severe Food Allergies, all worked together to make me one miserable patient. I focused all my efforts toward learning what I could do food wise to help my situation. So, now I take probiotics every day, and have yogurt several times a week. I take a multivitamin every day, and am on a gluten free diet. I rarely eat rice or potstoes, as they raise blood sugar. (Type 2 Diabetes, here.)
I rarely have to take any medication for the conditions I have mentioned. I keep the prescribed meds on standby, in case I accidentally get "glutened" when I am out somewhere. I rarely have any issues at all, otherwise. I help take care of my daughter, who is disabled and on 100% oxygen 24/7. She has tons of physical ailments and is totally housebound.
I am wishing all the best for you and everyone else on this page. It is not an easy road but you will get there if you don't give up. Get the best doctors you can find, preferably those who are connected to a great teaching hospital. Check their reviews online. And when you do get your specialist, have a notebook and pen on your lap. Take notes and ask questions. Please check back with us and let us know how you are doing. You help all of us here just by sharing your story.
Mamacita
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThank you for sharing your story and for such sound advice.
I have been suffering from indigestion for years now. Many hours after consuming a meal, I still feel full and heavy. Sometimes I can feel the food up my chest.
Let me also add that I don't usually experience free bowel movement. It take about 3 to 4 days for me to poo. So virtually all that I consume remains inside of me.
I am now overweight because of this situation. I have tried observing intermittent fasting just to reduce my food consumption. But lately I have started experiencing burning feelings on my stomach (I hope it's not ulcer).
What can I do
There are occasions when I eat something, and within 20 - 30 minutes I become extremely bloated. It is very painful, and I look like I'm 6 months pregnant! This has occurred when I consume something that I've been eating regularly without incident. Most recently, eating a small amount of watermelon, or drinking Almond milk with Bone Broth Collagen mixed in. Once I become bloated, it lasts several hours or most of the day. I am not constipated. I've tried taking additional digestive enzymes, but the benefit is minimal. I've gotten to the point where I have eliminated those things from my diet because I am so fearful that I'll end up bloated again. I watch my diet closely because I've been hospitalized previously with bowel obstructions. But other than not eating the usual suspects for people with digestive problems, seeds, nuts, fruit, veggies, etc. I can pretty much eat what I want without getting bloated or other problems. Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, have you found anything that helps? Thanks! Sue
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have this problem post c.diff. and it is ruining my life. The only thing that helps to moderate this is creon. Now on a lark, I saw an ENT for a food allergy test. He found I was allergic to dairy. Eliminating all dairy has helped. This may help you. I had been guzzling a gallon of milk since childhood. You may be eating something you are actually allergic to. This was not a cure but it has helped alittle.
Hi ashby1947, I have the same problem. It started about a year ago and it was out of the blue. Never I experienced bloating like this. I just assumed it was menopause but food allergy makes sense. I had surgery for MALS but it started before that so I don’t think it is related. I have been lactose intolerant for the last 20 years and have had issues with IBS and colitis over the years. My food sensitivities seem to be getting worse and now the excessive bloating so I need be vigilant about monitoring what I eat. I look forward to hearing if you get answers.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@ashby1947 Sudden bloating can be a symptom of celiac disease and problems wit gluten intolerance. I have to avoid gluten and other foods I am allergic to. I have had this happen to me.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsGet checked colonoscopy for Redundant Colon, I am recently diagnoised, very painful lots of bloating