Digestive issues

Posted by bumble81 @bumble81, Apr 14, 2020

I started having digestive issues last fall. By December I was told I had bilary dyskenisa and had my gallbladder removed.
That did not fix my problems.
I sometimes have traditional heartburn but mostly I have sour stomach and stomach pain mostly middle immediately below sternum and to the left. Increases after eating. I often feel like food did not make it into my stomach. Like it's stuck down there.

I will get this weird fast quiver like spasm deep inside. I can feel it with my hand I push down and so can my husband and it goes on for hours at a time. Anyone have that before? It's very strange but something inside is not working properly. I also have postprandial hypotension and intermittent difficulty swallowing.

My blood tests show slightly elevated liver enzymes but doc said they are not dangerously high. My stool is frequently bright yellow and liquid:(

Also I cannot seem to get a straight answer but do those of you with experience with ulcers did it cause excessive burping?

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

Profile picture for hopethereisnothing @hopethereisnothing

Hi everybody. Thank you all for your replies. They are really helpful.
I already started low FODMAP diet yesterday ( Wednesday)..I was actually planning to start next week but after having terrible gas and cramps and sone painful diarrhea over the last few days, I decided to start immediately and to not wait.
I got some resources and did some (studying) on the subject and I think I will be able to manage the first weeks , even with some difficulties. The worst part about this diet is the very limited options regarding fruits as I love fruits and most of the summer fruits are not allowed on the first stage.
I also need to lose weight (15 kg at least) so I need to adjust low FODMAP diet to this goal ( I wish to reach a healthy weight before I turn 40 in a few months).
I have some confusion about some types of food l, listed as low FODMAP in some websites and as high in others. I didn't get the Monash university app as I am not in the US and the method of payment is not accepted from here. I will be on the cautious side anyway.
If anyone has something to add please do
Thans again

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Perhaps you can find a way to purchase the Monash app. It’s the only one that I feel is accurate. There are a lot of discrepancies out there regarding the FODMAP diet.

REPLY
Profile picture for hopethereisnothing @hopethereisnothing

So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did lots of tests, all negative, and tried almost every OTC and prescription medication with no improvement of symptoms. My most bothersome symptoms are: abdominal pain and cramps, excessive gas, belching and irregular bowel habit (sometimes diarrhea, sometimes constipation, rarely normal BM ).
Out of despair and lack of other options, I am thinking of trying low FODMAP diet.
I need your opinion and real life experience: does it really help with digestive symptoms ? And if so, how long does it take to start feeling better?
Are there any tips to make this diet work ?
Thanks in advance .

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You can look up Monash info on foods online without having the app. If you are ever in doubt about a low fodmap food, skip it. This plan is not a life sentence…just seems that way in the beginning. You have to starve those little SIBO critters…that is how it was explained to me. Good luck with your persistence!

REPLY
Profile picture for hopethereisnothing @hopethereisnothing

So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did lots of tests, all negative, and tried almost every OTC and prescription medication with no improvement of symptoms. My most bothersome symptoms are: abdominal pain and cramps, excessive gas, belching and irregular bowel habit (sometimes diarrhea, sometimes constipation, rarely normal BM ).
Out of despair and lack of other options, I am thinking of trying low FODMAP diet.
I need your opinion and real life experience: does it really help with digestive symptoms ? And if so, how long does it take to start feeling better?
Are there any tips to make this diet work ?
Thanks in advance .

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Ps look up IBS Diets,
Low FODMAP foods

I leave it open on my phone, or it’s printable. Bad stuff in pink, good stuff in green. Very easy to use

REPLY
Profile picture for hopethereisnothing @hopethereisnothing

Hi everybody. Thank you all for your replies. They are really helpful.
I already started low FODMAP diet yesterday ( Wednesday)..I was actually planning to start next week but after having terrible gas and cramps and sone painful diarrhea over the last few days, I decided to start immediately and to not wait.
I got some resources and did some (studying) on the subject and I think I will be able to manage the first weeks , even with some difficulties. The worst part about this diet is the very limited options regarding fruits as I love fruits and most of the summer fruits are not allowed on the first stage.
I also need to lose weight (15 kg at least) so I need to adjust low FODMAP diet to this goal ( I wish to reach a healthy weight before I turn 40 in a few months).
I have some confusion about some types of food l, listed as low FODMAP in some websites and as high in others. I didn't get the Monash university app as I am not in the US and the method of payment is not accepted from here. I will be on the cautious side anyway.
If anyone has something to add please do
Thans again

Jump to this post

There is also the Fig app. Fig
Is free and you can scan food labels to see if high or low Fodmap

REPLY
Profile picture for ch47 @ch47

Fodmap saved me…took the second GI doc to do the tests all in two weeks to see what issues were. First GI didn’t test for anything, dairy, gluten, SIBO etc…second GI found SIBO was the culprit. Had all of your digestive issues, but the worst was the abdominal swelling, about an hour after a meal. Lasted for hours. Until the next meal. I am fit and not overweight. (8 months pregnant in 90 minutes 🤣)
The fodmap diet is challenging, but doable. Get creative with proper foods. Carry your phone everywhere and check if something you want to buy or eat is low Fodmap.
It was recommended that I follow diet for 4 months, although I have read that 3 months is ok. I did 4 months because I wasn’t taking any chances…then slowly add other foods in small doses.
Buying inexpensive Fodmap cookbooks online can give you some ideas, and then work off of them.
My husband never complained, as kosher salt can make almost anything taste good! And he didn’t have to cook it. Over and over and over…
Turns out that SIBO swelling caused several hernias that had to be surgically repaired, so if you suspect you have SIBO, take it seriously.
3 years later, I am still somewhat careful, ( eat pretty much what I want, but careful with the worst foods) as I don’t want to repeat any of this process, but all is good!
I can give you a few simple, tasty recipes if you decide to commit.
It is definitely a commitment to heal… no cheating-the SIBO love cheaters!!
Best…

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I am about a month into the diet and still experiencing major bloating and gas, belching, and pain but the diarrhea has pretty much resolved. GI gave me Hyoscyamine but I’ve only taken it a few times. Tried Metamucil which he also recommended but that seems to bloat me more although I know there’s a period of adjustment needed. I just don’t feel as if anything really helps with the gas and bloat - and pain from the gas. Someone on a previous post said they feel like if they could “just poke a hole into their ‘stomach’ and release the gas like deflating a balloon they’d get relief” and that’s exactly how I feel - as well as the “8 mos. pregnant in 90 minutes” even after a BM when one would thing the bloat would be relieved. I’ve tried Gas-x with some minor relief. I had been feeling okay after two weeks on Low FodMap so tried to reintroduce wheat and lactose, following the Monash app protocol and I didn’t feel much different either way except having terrible pain the first day of lactose - then the next two trials of a bit more of the food went fine, which was very puzzling. Maybe I rushed that phase? So I am back to restrictions. My SIBO test came back as “SIBO is suspected” but my GI hasn’t reviewed with me. I’ve scheduled a session with a dietitian familiar with IBS for a consult because I feel as if I’m not getting anywhere.
Questions: Am I supposed to be symptom free before trying reintroduction?
Other tactics to address gas and bloating?

REPLY
Profile picture for lsdd13 @lsdd13

There is also the Fig app. Fig
Is free and you can scan food labels to see if high or low Fodmap

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Thanks ! Going to look at it now

REPLY
Profile picture for hopethereisnothing @hopethereisnothing

So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did lots of tests, all negative, and tried almost every OTC and prescription medication with no improvement of symptoms. My most bothersome symptoms are: abdominal pain and cramps, excessive gas, belching and irregular bowel habit (sometimes diarrhea, sometimes constipation, rarely normal BM ).
Out of despair and lack of other options, I am thinking of trying low FODMAP diet.
I need your opinion and real life experience: does it really help with digestive symptoms ? And if so, how long does it take to start feeling better?
Are there any tips to make this diet work ?
Thanks in advance .

Jump to this post

Great that they let you use it free for first week to see if you like it! Wonderful way to get started reading labels. In the beginning I spent lots of time getting the hang of it.

REPLY
Profile picture for hopethereisnothing @hopethereisnothing

So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did lots of tests, all negative, and tried almost every OTC and prescription medication with no improvement of symptoms. My most bothersome symptoms are: abdominal pain and cramps, excessive gas, belching and irregular bowel habit (sometimes diarrhea, sometimes constipation, rarely normal BM ).
Out of despair and lack of other options, I am thinking of trying low FODMAP diet.
I need your opinion and real life experience: does it really help with digestive symptoms ? And if so, how long does it take to start feeling better?
Are there any tips to make this diet work ?
Thanks in advance .

Jump to this post

My Gastro recommended eating organic foods, at least during the first 3-4 months. A little more money, but it all worked!

REPLY
Profile picture for hopethereisnothing @hopethereisnothing

So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did lots of tests, all negative, and tried almost every OTC and prescription medication with no improvement of symptoms. My most bothersome symptoms are: abdominal pain and cramps, excessive gas, belching and irregular bowel habit (sometimes diarrhea, sometimes constipation, rarely normal BM ).
Out of despair and lack of other options, I am thinking of trying low FODMAP diet.
I need your opinion and real life experience: does it really help with digestive symptoms ? And if so, how long does it take to start feeling better?
Are there any tips to make this diet work ?
Thanks in advance .

Jump to this post

Twocoastsm,

I believe that it takes about 3 months for the issue to resolve.
You literally are starving the bad bacteria (and their offspring 😂) from the foods that turn into the yummy food they thrive on. This is how it was explained to me. Takes time.

(Who would think that garlic and onions, two of my favorite foods, are the worst things you can eat when trying to cure SIBO?)

Don’t give up, take a big sigh and restart the diet; give it more time.

REPLY
Profile picture for hopethereisnothing @hopethereisnothing

So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did lots of tests, all negative, and tried almost every OTC and prescription medication with no improvement of symptoms. My most bothersome symptoms are: abdominal pain and cramps, excessive gas, belching and irregular bowel habit (sometimes diarrhea, sometimes constipation, rarely normal BM ).
Out of despair and lack of other options, I am thinking of trying low FODMAP diet.
I need your opinion and real life experience: does it really help with digestive symptoms ? And if so, how long does it take to start feeling better?
Are there any tips to make this diet work ?
Thanks in advance .

Jump to this post

After SIBO was gone for about 7-8 months, I made Christmas cookies…and ate a bunch of them! symptoms started and I immediately went back to the diet, was better in a couple weeks this time. All about the sugar…I guess some of those creatures were still hiding

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