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Severe Bloating and Distention: How did you find relief?
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
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@keetafox ,
What else is in your "mocktail"? Can you share with us? Also, what symptoms were you having to begin this journey? And how
about now? Thanks!
Elemental diet supplement ( prescription only) stur fruit punch filtered water and ice that’s it.
My journey which continues includes all the typical SIBO GI symptoms with sulfur smelling gas bloating and distention mixed constipation and diarrhea undigested food in stool fat malabsorption and worse of all debilitating fatigue. I also have Sjogrens with a lot of other issues but told that did not cause SIBO
I am a middle aged male. 6 feet tall and around 125 pounds. I can't gain much weight. In the last 10 years or so I have been unable to increase the calories I consume without getting stomach discomfort. It usually feels like I ate too much or sometimes I get some burning or discomfort in my stomach. In recent years I have found more and more foods and drinks that don't agree with me. I also have problems with constipation.
I have seen a number of dieticians. I am on my fifth GI doctor. I have been treated twice for intestinal bacterial overgrowth. The first time helped a little bit.
I don't think that the doctors have been able to really figure out what's wrong with me. I have had blood tests for different conditions. I had a gastric emptying study.
The doctors have had me try some medications for reflux. None have helped so far. I wonder if this is not the right type of thing to treat my problem.
Has anyone out there had similar problems and have any suggestions for me?
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1 ReactionHello @schnoz and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You are not alone in what you are experiencing. I found an existing discussion where members have been sharing similar experiences so you will notice I've move your post here.
Members like @keetafox @clutch @njh and @ken82 may be able to come in and share more with you. You can also click on the "View and Reply" button and read through what they've already shared.
Have you thought of keeping a food journal to help identify trends with foods that may flare symptoms? What about also looking into gut health practices?
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2 ReactionsHas anyone suggested IBS?
I look forward to hearing from @keetafox, @clutch, @njh and @ken82 because my situation is somewhat similar to Schnoz' - very thin, can't gain weight, and very bloated and uncomfortable. Unlike Schnoz, I am an elderly female with height loss due to serious scoliosis and kyphosis that impacts my lungs and other organs in addition to the bloat's effects.
Hi Notmoff
So sorry for your situation it sounds like you have had a small intestine bacterial infection those are so hard to get rid of I have one as well when I was at my wits end I turned to integrative medicine as I couldn’t find any help anywhere there are different stool tests that they can run that might help determine if there are other things at play there including parasites and fungi and they may be able to give you some supplements that can ease some of the gastrointestinal symptoms unfortunately none of that is covered by insurance but I do find they spend more time trying to find recalls than traditional medicine I know that’s not a lot but I wish you all the best
Thank you @keetafox - I hope you can give me a little more information. It is good to hear that apparently your infection is gone thanks to guidance and supplements from integrative medicine. Was yours called SIBO? Did you keep a food diary (as suggested by Amanda) to help discover and eliminate the foods that made it worse? Did you find any book or website particularly helpful?
Parasites? Fungus? Yipes!
Kidding aside, I wonder if I am beyond help as it has continued for several years and only gotten worse. With daily gi issues (obstipation and noisy gas), life is much more of challenge.
@notmoff ,
What have you tried so far for constipation and/or nausea? I may can recommend something for those symptoms.