Trapped gas - have tried everything!

I have terrible trapped gas and bloating also. I keep meaning to try apple cider vinegar, but I’m super phobic about things and I haven’t yet. I hear it can help with food that doesn’t get digested and I have that problem also. Anyway, have you ever tried any digestive enzymes? I use chewable original papaya enzyme by American Health, and it doesn’t cure everything, but it does help my food go down and sometimes help me burp. I used to drink a small can of Sprite, but they said that wasn’t good for Gerd, which I sometimes have, so I stopped it. My doctor recommended aloe vera gel, and I haven’t tried that yet, either! That’s more for burning I think. I sleep sitting up, which helps. Not quite at a 90° angle, but almost. There’s also a meditation on YouTube by generation calm, called stomach anxiety meditation. I think it’s the one that’s 9 minutes and 58 seconds long. I don’t know if you suffer from stress at all, but this one is really helpful for me and I’m not a meditator. When I do this one, though, my stomach will actually start to move, and I can hear my stomach gurgling and food starts to go down. I hope you can find some relief. It’s just terrible to have trapped gas all the time. I never know when I can eat, and I’ve lost a lot of weight. I hate it! Take care.

Have your tried activated charcoal? You can find it in capsule form. Sometimes this helps me with gas problems.

I have posted before about my constipation issues, COVID, etc. For the past 6 months at least, I have been experiencing gas buildup as soon as I awaken in mornings, behin walking, and then when drinking or eating anything. I am very bloated and haven't seen my waistline in a very long time. I am having to wear larger clothing because of it. Cramping occurs infrequently but when it dies, I take a simethecone gel cap, which helps minimally. Needless to say, it is very uncomfortable. I don't feel like eating or drinking, and walking becomes difficult. The worst is when it affects my head and causes a sort of headache pressure. Nothing helps that.
Anyhow, I am wondering if anyone out there had experienced something like this. Thank you, Beth

Hi, @bkatz43 - just wanted to let you know that I moved your discussion on trapped gas in your whole body here to this discussion so that you could chat with others encountering similar symptoms:

- Trapped gas - have tried everything! https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/trapped-gas-have-tried-everything/

I had incredible bloating personally at one point, so that I had to change into sweat pants or something stretchy every evening for comfort. In my case, the bloating problem was relieved after I had vaginal prolapse repair surgery, before which I also had a number of other symptoms bothering me. But I can empathize with the inconvenience and frustration.

Hoping that here members such as @blessedwildapplegirl @marlenec @jlstjohn and others can share a bit about their journeys and what has been helpful to them with any bloating, trapped gas or other gastrointestinal challenges.

bkatz43 - you mentioned not feeling like eating or drinking due to the gas buildup and bloating. How have you managed sometimes losing your desire to eat or drink?

Hi,
I'm so sorry to hear that you have this awful condition! That must be so hard to deal with. I have a home remedy that my mother gave me for years for constipation that also gets rid of bloating and gas. I'm 79 and still use it. It's natural but may be a little harsh. It's a teaspoon or more if needed, of baking soda (the kind you cook with – Arm and Hammer) dissolved in a glass of water. Drink the whole glass. You may want to squeeze a little lemon juice in it to make it taste better. It tastes awful, but it works. Stay near the bathroom. It works fairly fast. After it works, try and drink a lot of water to keep from being dehydrated. I hope this helps.
PML

Thank you very much. I will give it a go and see. Much appreciated!!

Beth

The symptoms you are describing sound very much like SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth). I was diagnosed with it back in 2018 after having symptoms for 4 years. Ask your doctor to test you for it (most common test is a breath test).

How. It very well could be. About 2 years ago, I sent for my own SIBO breath test. Results were negative. However, my G.I. doc then said that these tests are "often" false negatives, and he proceeded to treat me with xofaxin I believe. Couldn't tolerate the Rx. Anyhow since then, I have read that SIBO comes and goes and that to be treated every time is dangerous as we know. So I have opted for the latter.

Try taking oregano oil and black seed oil. I would start with low-dose of each and see how well you tolerate it. I hope this helps. It will not be a quick fix but be patient. My heart goes out to you.!

These might provide some useful further reading and viewing on oil of oregano and black seed oil:

- 8 Benefits and Uses of Oregano Oil https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-oregano-oil-benefits-and-uses

- What Is Black Seed Oil? All You Need to Know https://www.healthline.com/health/video/black-seed-oil#1 (note that this is a video)