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IBS challenges

Digestive Health | Last Active: May 23, 2018 | Replies (195)

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Profile picture for hopethereisnothing @hopethereisnothing

Hello everyone.I have been suffering from digestive symptoms for more than a year. Started with excessive gas, diarrhea, burping and abdominal pain. I had all types of investigations : blood tests, stool tests, CT, MRI, gastroscopy and colonoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound, all came back clear. I was given the diagnosis of IBS. Tried low FODMAP diet for a short period of time but it didn't help and gave me constipation. My symptoms improved a bit with exercising and reducing food intake (as I was attempting weight loss). I stopped exercising more than a month. Now I have all my symptoms back in addition to severe cramping/squeezing abdominal pain whenever I wear tight clothes. Even the normal bra strap causes severe pain in the region.I can't wear a bra anymore at home. Pain goes away or gets better when I remove the tight clothing. I don't know if this could be related to IBS or something else and if there is something that helps with this symptom.

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Replies to "Hello everyone.I have been suffering from digestive symptoms for more than a year. Started with excessive..."

Hernia ?

Well to start I would suggest a stretch bra with no hardware that is quite comfortable. I had to go that route following lung surgery. Likely will never go back to clasps and underwire.

Do you get the same Pain with stretch leggings? I’m going to take a big leap in logic here and assume if you are wearing tight clothing, knowing it will hurt, you’re likely young. Old women would find what is comfortable that doesn’t hurt 😁

I’m not having fun at your expense - I’m just recognizing that this is a young woman’s problem.

So to be serious - does this
Pain really only occur when your clothes are tight? Can you be more
Specific about which type of
clothing is problematic?

Frustrating I know. So they ruled out hernia and any abdominal masses I’m sure? Did they offer any ideas when all that was done?

Your symptoms sound identical to mine when I had gall stones. Pain radiating to the back, etc. I got many of the same tests you have gotten, too, to no avail.

Gas- try over the counter simethecone (spelling?), like Gas X. Try cutting way, way back on fat for a few days or a week to see if that helps. You could try reducing or eliminating these, too: Fried food, spicy food, carbonated drinks, caffeine drinks. You might get some relief, I hope.

Clothing- you have my sympathy. I'm older and retired now so I can do full-out comfy 99% of the time, but when I was working I couldn't wait to get home to get outta the clothes!
Try layering your clothes. A loose bra, under an opaque blouse with a sweater -- if allowed-- or a jacket- works pretty well. Dark colored, patterned blouses can hide a lot. Leggings- try the large or extra large to accommodate the waist bloat. You have to yank up the extra length of fabric under your skirt, but the leg itself should still be pretty clingy and not noticeable.
Wear an oversized shirt over pants or skirt that you close with an extender-- I used extenders early in my pregnancy so I could keep wearing some of my clothes a little longer. Then I used them during the gall stone time-- when I wasn't pregnant. Hey, if it works, why not?
Maybe break down and buy some basic stretch-top bottoms. If you wear a cute shirt or sweater over it, then no one will notice the fruggly-- but comfortable-- bottom.
My pants would fit fine in the morning when I left for work. By the end of the day, my stomach blew up 2 sizes and my waist band was killing me. I would take the extender to work and add it later in the day. A sturdy rubber band also works! HAHA. Binder clips make marvelous fabric holders, too! (I had forgotten about the office supplies as clothing ascessories. )

I know a woman who bought 2 bottoms for every 1 suit jacket. She bought the bottoms in 2 different sizes to accommodate bloating. Brilliant, if you have the money.

I hope you can get this all sorted out-- soon! (sorry about my spelling)

If you drink or eat things with artificial sweeteners, that can really charge up abdominal pain and bloating for those with IBS. I try to stay away from artificial sweeteners and it has helped curb pain and bloating. Products like Gas-X or those that have simethicone can be helpful and I always have them on hand and carry them with me wherever I go. Eating yogurt with live/active probiotics (like Activia) every morning and also a bowl of regular, plain old-fashioned oatmeal (not processed, flavored packets) has been beneficial, too. Tight clothing can indeed cause pain and I long ago stopped wearing clothing that wasn't comfortably loose.

…I try to stay away from artificial sweeteners and it has helped curb pain and bloating. I largely agree. fwiw, I find monk fruit to be the exception.

@hopethereisnothing
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!
I share your complaints. I find it very uncomfortable to wear a bra nowadays- quite a few years actually. I have a couple of bras to use for more formal occasions.
I usually wear a camisole- if it has a built in bra like support I find the elastic too tight. I’m not sure why but when I get bloated it reaches uppermost abdomen.
I also avoid clothing with tight waists. I end up rolling down tights and even underwear if it bothers me.
I also had my gallbladder removed- there definitely is abdominal tenderness mid abdomen if I eat fatty foods.
I’m not sure there is a solution- I just try to find clothing that agree with me.

So sorry for your pain and discomfort…
Of course, rule out any physical problem as you are trying to find your way to pain relief.
I was diagnosed with IBS C, and SIBO-had horrible pain and bloating; there is a pricy antibiotic to use with the FODMAP diet.. the diet takes 2-3 months to “starve” the bad bacteria; then you need to slowly add back foods that are potentially yummy food for the bad guys, one at a time, couple days apart. If you have symptoms repeating, stay away from that food for a bit longer.
I wound up eating lots of baby carrots, radishes, cucumbers, squash, etc. Oats, rice. Chicken, roasted chicken, roasted chicken with roasted carrots and baby potatoes. Kosher salt makes a great seasoning when you’re/my favorite garlic and onions are not allowed, even in small bits. (they are the top no-no foods!) become an expert in reading content labels-start from the bottom.
I was so miserable that I was willing to try and stick to anything.
If you don’t have any physical problems that need medical attention, and you follow the diet, you will probably loose weight and not be constipated.
Last Christmas I had a lot of cookies, sugar stuff etc, and had a little flare. Knowing what was happening, I was able to quit the sugar, do the diet for a week or two, and get back on track.
Good luck with all!
Ps you can buy some inexpensive and interesting cook books online that really helped me with some ideas

Ps…ask your doctor about the best pro and prebiotic they would recommend

I have had these problems for years. I cannot stand anything that is tight. It causes nerve pain. If I even try on a pair of pants in the store, and it is not really loose, it will trigger pain that will last for days. And I cannot stand anything binding on my midriff or abdomen. Many leggings and yoga pants have a seam across the middle of the abdomen, where they squeeze you to give a smooth look. That seam causes me extreme pain. It is almost impossible to find pants that stay up but do not cause nerve pain. And vaginal pain from the seams of pants is a terrible problem. I have IBS, interstitial cystitis, and vulvadynia, all of which are related. It is likely a nerve mediated disorder that affects all these areas and causes pain, and intestinal symptoms. I try to wear lightweight, stretchy pants or skirts that do not squeeze too much. And shirts/blouses that are not tight fitting or need to be tucked in, which causes further restriction. Try to find leggings that do not have thick waste bands or suck you in to create a smooth look. it is very difficult, since I am an attorney and need professional clothing. It is a constant problem.