Severe Bloating and Distention: How did you find relief?

I did meet with 6 doctors on the team today and they want to start a medication that will increase the modality of my intestines. If it seems to be working I might be able to leave the hospital tomorrow. If it doesn't work then they will be considering a feeding tube procedure or infused nutrition. I'm hoping the medication works. Thanks for your support and encouragement. I also met with a nutritionist and a dietician who made suggestions about supplements and eating small portions more frequently during the day.

Hi Helen,
I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing these issues. I do experience the same but mine is due to my Nissen Fundoplication (wrap) for Gerd. Because of my wrap, I do get a lot of bloating and distention. What I have done to alleviate some of the discomfort is to remove gaseous foods from my diet and high sugar content like in sweets. I had a food allergy test that did reveal some foods that were adding to my problem so I removed them. I did some research on the web for herbal remedies that remove gas. I found that DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice) helps to remove gas. I began taking it and it has reduced the gases in my colon and bloating in my stomach. For my situation, I don't believe that Gerd was my main issue, but at that time in the 90's it was the remedy for anything that looked like Gerd. I am getting my wrap reversed next week and pray that this is the end of the road for this problem. May the Lord bless you and give you guidance. Have a blessed day.

I tried everything including the acupuncture and bentonite clay. Acupuncture only made me tired the day I had done. The bentonite clay did nothing except taste disgusting. Everything I had going on, the acid reflux with acid reflux, delayed gastric emptying, gas, bloating, I also had Chilaiditi Syndrome which is a long story. I didn't have the gas and bloating until I had the Nissen fundoplication surgery 2 years ago. I tried every medication, prescription and supplements and nothing helped much. With the gas and bloating the best that helped me was Pepto but it was minimal help but it will constipate you. I had to have surgery for any quality of life. I researched a ton of surgeons, narrowed it down to 3 and went and saw them. I ended up going with the surgeon with 30 years experience and communicated well with what should be done and why. I'm 6 weeks out and everyday I'm feeling better. I already feel better than I did before the surgery. I hope it continues. I hope you start feeling better. I wish you the best.

Glad for the progress. A team of 6 doctors, wow! What is modality of the intestines? I'm not familiar with that. Anyway, they told me to eat smaller amounts more frequently too, and it helps. I eat something about every 3 hours (except while sleeping, of course). Keep on truckin'. Lelia

Do you mean “motility” of intestines?

Has the surgery helped with the constipation, bloating and gas? My surgeon did not tell me about any of these potential post surgery problems.

Wow! Finally someone who has the same issues! I had my hiatal hernia surgery with Nissen Funoplication in July. A third of my stomach was in my chest. While those symptoms disappeared, I am now so constipated.Miralax wasn't working. Dr, prescribed Lactulose. Even at 4x a day, it isn't working. I git horribly bloated and so gaseous, my hubby won't sit in the same room. I am taking ducolax about 2x a week to clean out my bowels. How did you get your dr. to agree to reverse the Nissen Fundoplication? Does insurance pay for it?

I hope you don't mind that I also reply. I went through much of the same as you. Some of my side effects was due to, they think, hitting the vagus nerve. The doctor that did my Nissen refused to undo it unless I let him do other surgery. I didn't agree with his approach on what to do. I went to this surgeon because I had trust in the doctor that referred me. I did a lot of my own research and found a different doctor. After some more testing it was determined that the Nissen wasn't right for my situation. The new doctor undone the Nissen and fixed me right. I'm a little over a month after this surgery and I haven't felt this good in a long time.

Thanks, Lelia, I ended up having an allergic reaction to the medication and had to stop it. The bloating and distention and constipation are now back. Waiting to hear from the team at St. Mary's as to what happens now. I thought the medication was the answer but I guess not. They said that my intestines were not moving fast enough and the medication would help with that. I was able to eat real food for 1 day but not today. They decided against a feeding tube and said Medicare would not cover nutritional infusion. I'm trying to stay positive but I'm having a hard time today. Elaine