Chronic Abdominal Bloating and Pain

Welcome to Connect @lovelyladyxo.
I moved your message to this discussion thread so that you can meet others talking about a similar situation. Please meet @gloriaeb @luladavis @upnorthnancy @boogirl @nicole14 and others. You might also be interested in the thread started by @monicam called "I had a flat stomach and then it looked like I was 6 months pregnant" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/a-f-years-ago-i-had-a-flat-stomach-and-the-next/

On the topic of acid reflux see the advice shared here https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/i-have-acid-reflux-so-bad-it-is-coming-up-into-my/

9 months ago I saw a Naturopath who had me make some big changes to my diet; adding soy, whey, increased protein,healthy fats, greatly increased protein. After about a week on new diet my belly started to bloat and despite many elimination diets and doctors visits I have a 20 pound (almost overnight) weight gain and I cannot tolerate diary and have now been diagnosed with soy allergy.
Even with a very careful diet I am unable to get rid of my bloat.My stomach is distended in upper abdomen and looks like I am carrying a basketball. I had to buy an entire new wardrobe and it is really discouraging to carry this around.
I do not really have other symptoms other than bloat. Anyone have experience with this?

Hi @hikergal. Welcome to Connect. It's interesting to hear about your experience with a naturopath because we've had a number of people posting about the benefits of a naturopath recently. I'm sorry to hear it didn't work for you.

I moved your post over to this thread because there was already a discussion happening about this exact topic. I'd recommend you read back through these posts, there are some great suggestions. And I hope @gloriaeb, @luladavis,, @uneeq1, @upnorthnancy and @nicole14 will jump back in to welcome you.

Have you spoken to your doctor about this? What did they say? Have they been able to rule anything out?

Hi Kelsey<br><br>Thanks for your response and the link to the other posts. My Doctor has<br>done ultrasounds, blood work and tested for Plyori.<br>She has referred me to a GI specialist but the appointment is still months<br>away. I also tried medicine for acid reflux but it did not help.<br>I am very fit and healthy except this. I may try another naturopath but it<br>is odd that the first naturopaths suggestions put me in this position ( or<br>brought something to light).<br><br><br>

Another similar option is eating low FODMAP foods. A study by researchers at Monash University in Australia has defined and listed problem foods for those with IBS symptoms. Kate Scarlata is a great source. Look her up on FB, Pinterest, Google. I have become completely intolerant of garlic and raw onion and found this elimination diet, food diary and re-introduction of foods to be very helpful. Most Registered nutritionists can help you follow the plan.

Hi @keysgull. Welcome back to Connect. I noticed you posted earlier in July and came back yesterday. Thanks for engaging in our community! I'd love to know a little more about you. What brought you to Connect? I noticed you posted a few times in the digestive health groups. Besides the garlic and raw onion intolerance (two of my personal favorite, so i'm sure that's hard!) do you suffer from any other digestive health issues? IBS? @agr205 recently posted about the FODMAP diet and I was so fascinated... i'd never heard of that!

We're happy to have you here!

Thanks'

What about cyclical edema? Also, what about ingesting too much sodium? It is a devilish problem. Has anyone had endocrine testing to see if it is handing fluids properly? Hope this helps some!

I will look into the FODMAP an give it a try. Right now I eat no bread, nothing with soy in it, no peanut products, sugar or diary so I am familiar with restriction. Thanks for your response.

Interesting, myself I do not use salt or eat processed food but I will research cylclical edema. That has not come up in any of my research. Thanks