Severe Bloating and Distention: How did you find relief?

Posted by htocco @htocco, Feb 18, 2019

Hello,
I have chronic bloating and distention of the abdomen and am very uncomfortable all of the time. I have had a colonoscopy and endoscopy (both negative), have tried a low FODMAP diet for several weeks, with no change. I do take probiotics as well a ginger root and peppermint. I rarely have cramping, except after a bowel movement. After a BM, the distention is more severe for the entire day. My GI doctor is at a lost as to what to do now. It seems much of the GI field is mysterious, and, unfortunately there are no answers for many conditions, including this. Is there anyone out there with similar symptoms? Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Thank you!
Helen

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

@iowaellen27

I had a massive hiatal hernia-one third of my stomach was in my chest. I could only eat a little-very little at a time and was having trouble breathing. I have heart burn for years, but that went away with the surgery. That is all gone, no more omeprezole

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Got ya. Heartburn and acid reflux are the same thing just different terminology. They probably won't undo the Nissen without another plan because if they undo then you'll have heartburn again.

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I'd rather have heart burn/acid reflux and take omeprazole for the rest of my life than deal with this side effect from the Nissen. It all happened so fast that I didn't really have time to do research other than on the surgeon, top-rated in Iowa, over 3000 of these surgeries. Plus the week before the surgery was scheduled, our basement flooded due to 7 1/2 of rain in 2 hours!! Last summer was a major bummer!

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@iowaellen27

I'd rather have heart burn/acid reflux and take omeprazole for the rest of my life than deal with this side effect from the Nissen. It all happened so fast that I didn't really have time to do research other than on the surgeon, top-rated in Iowa, over 3000 of these surgeries. Plus the week before the surgery was scheduled, our basement flooded due to 7 1/2 of rain in 2 hours!! Last summer was a major bummer!

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The meds can have bad side effects like loss of bone density plus they stop working after awhile. I had acid reflux so bad I was getting acid in my lungs. Hopefully they figure something out for you.

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Yeah, I know about the bone loss. I had chemotherapy and am on Letrazole (hormone inhibitor) for life which also affects bone loss. I have a bone density test yearly. I think I can control the acid reflux if I avoid chocolate and caffeine. I don't drink alcohol or soda. I'll see what the dr. says on May 21. Thank you for your concern

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This is my first response soooooooo here goes. I spent a night at University Hospital with a conclusion I had acid reflex with sleep apnea. WOW! what a surprise. Since I disliked taking medication for anything I desisted. A company brought "the" night ware machine to my house, and insurance covered the use of it. I wore it a couple of weeks, it wasn't doing what they said plus I it was very difficult getting adjusted to it. The visiting technician told me it works better if I'd tape your lips together. I did and it worked better, of course, I had to breath through my nose. So I conclude if breathing through the nose helped why did I need the machine. I tried something they wouldn't recommend I starting sleeping without the machine just with mouth taped, it worked I was able to sleep better. Then I discovered sleeping on my back was the problem so I started sleeping on my left side alternating to my right side but never on my back. That helped greatly. Several months later i tried dispensing taping my mouth. WOW! it worked. About my acid reflex problem through experiment, if I drank a lot of water I was able to curb that problem so every morning first thing, I ALWAYS drank a glass or two of Alkaline water and through the day drink a lot of Alkaline water. I'm exceedingly happy, I sleep well at night and take absolutely no medication. It worked for me, but ................

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@patrickl

This is my first response soooooooo here goes. I spent a night at University Hospital with a conclusion I had acid reflex with sleep apnea. WOW! what a surprise. Since I disliked taking medication for anything I desisted. A company brought "the" night ware machine to my house, and insurance covered the use of it. I wore it a couple of weeks, it wasn't doing what they said plus I it was very difficult getting adjusted to it. The visiting technician told me it works better if I'd tape your lips together. I did and it worked better, of course, I had to breath through my nose. So I conclude if breathing through the nose helped why did I need the machine. I tried something they wouldn't recommend I starting sleeping without the machine just with mouth taped, it worked I was able to sleep better. Then I discovered sleeping on my back was the problem so I started sleeping on my left side alternating to my right side but never on my back. That helped greatly. Several months later i tried dispensing taping my mouth. WOW! it worked. About my acid reflex problem through experiment, if I drank a lot of water I was able to curb that problem so every morning first thing, I ALWAYS drank a glass or two of Alkaline water and through the day drink a lot of Alkaline water. I'm exceedingly happy, I sleep well at night and take absolutely no medication. It worked for me, but ................

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Have you tried the little rubber inserts you put in your nose. They dilate your airways. They worked great for me.

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Hello. I’ve been on this page for awhile reading and giving suggestions on the bloating, has and all the other fun stuff. The doctors just told me I have delayed colon transit, along with Gastroparesis, Crohn’s disease, IBS, scar tissue..... you get the idea. I’m trying lots of things. Bionite clay, bone broth, orenago pills, MiraLAX, linzess, pretty much anything. I’ve just picked up a book called “ Tissue Cleansing Through Bowel Manag” when it came in the mail my 12 year old was a little grossed out, lol. Anyway, I’m about 60 pages in and learning some weird stuff..... i haven’t gotten to the part where I’m supposed to do something to see if it helps, just getting information on how things work and “tells” that something is wrong. I have a question for everyone. Has anyone done a colonic cleanse ? I believe that’s what they are called? Just wondering if it helped? I talk with GI next week and since no one has anything solutions, I feel like I’m on my own. And what a struggle.

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I did a colon cleanse once and it actually made things worse for me in the short term.

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@bentley33

Hello @faithful55
I’m sorry to hear your having these problems. I’ve slso started a chat “exhausted with digestive issues”. I’ve had many surgeries and issues. Lots of SBO due to scar tissue. This last one has myself and my doctors stumped. I have been severely bloated and my stomach is bruising (didn’t know that was a thing) nothing is working. I’ve started Physical Therapy for PFD and massage to get my insides moving to help with the bloating. I’ve had all the laxatives, I barely eat, constantly in pain and uncomfortable. Have you ever thought of acupuncture Or anything like that? I have tests the rest of this month and then I’m looking for “ alternative healing methods” I’m willing to try anything and it can’t hurt. I’ll let you know if the acupuncture helps at all. It’s one thing walking around with a big belly when I was pregnant, now it’s just wrong and painful.
Good luck to you 😊

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Hi Bentley33,
How is the acupuncture going? Did you start it yet? I had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy done last week that revealed nothing. My surgeon is baffled by my symptoms. I will be taking a Sitz marker study next week. Did you ever have this test done? Please let me know how you are progressing is finding help for your stomach problems. Take care.

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@faithful55

Hi Bentley33,
How is the acupuncture going? Did you start it yet? I had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy done last week that revealed nothing. My surgeon is baffled by my symptoms. I will be taking a Sitz marker study next week. Did you ever have this test done? Please let me know how you are progressing is finding help for your stomach problems. Take care.

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Hello @faithful55. Yes, I’m still doing acupuncture and physical therapy. Unfortunately due to the amount of scar tissue and the time it’s been there it may take a bit longer. They have both given some relief and sort of showing signs of things softening up, but very little. I did have the colon transit test done and that showed that my colon is not functioning properly. So we can add that to Crohn’s, Gastroparesis, IBS, scar tissue. A whole lot of things working against me. Doing the breath test now to see if any bacteria or anything is hanging around as well...ugh. When that’s done I’m going to try some new herbal pills I’ve been looking into. And if nothing works they are going to give me a temporary colostomy bag ( I can’t remember the medical term they used) that way they can give my insides a “total rest” and hopefully things will work. But it still doesn’t help my Gastroparesis or stopping obstructions. I’m also looking into medical Cbd and thc to see if that will help and not have the side effects pain meds and everything else has. Unfortunately mine is going to take some time and I’m so over it, lol.
On top of that my 12 year old will be having A colonoscopy and endoscopy in a couple weeks because he is having stomach issues. It’s a hot mess at this house, lol, but hoping it all works itself out. Honestly if the doctor is coming up with nothing then I’d try the acupuncture or look into some herbal stuff. My GI doctor is really open for me trying whatever works. He’s more concerned with my health than pushing pills. And I’m so thankful for that. I’m hoping in another month I should be more confident in an answer about the acupuncture. I wish you the best and please let me know how your test turns out. I will let you know if I have a sudden break thru, otherwise I’ll be keeping up with acupuncture and herbal medicine. Something has to work🤞
Good luck and thank you for checking in, it’s been a little crazy here.

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