Severe Bloating and Distention: How did you find relief?

Posted by htocco @htocco, Feb 18, 2019

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

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

@dianesgk

I found out in May 21 that I have redundant/tortuous colon , but no physician followed up and I guess I only looked it up to see what it was. Now it is giving me major problems. I especially like your description of the "feeling moves elsewhere." Does anyone know if any x-ray/MRI or CT scan actually shows where the loops and sharp turns are. I want to know where mine are, which might help me understand what I am feeling. Does it change? Thanks for the idea of keeping a poop diary. Great idea. I currently am just increasing fiber, water, walking and using MiraLAX nightly which is working pretty good. See the gastroenterologist on Thursday for the first time since my colonoscopy and upper endoscopy. I just have no idea what cause it to begin giving me problems. And unfortunately it took 3 months to get answers.

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Increasing fiber may not be the solution. I would talk to your doctor first. I have had many blockages and a few surgeries to know that until your bowels settle it is best to do a low fiber or low residue diet for up to 8 weeks. Not forever but talk to your dr first

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Could be SIBO...or SIFO. It can cause the gas and bloating, not sure about the pain after BM though.
If you suffer from constipation or diarrhea could be IBS....
Wish you health and wellness.

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I use charcoal capsules . The black ones not the pink ones. Sometimes there is stuff in your stomach that's no good and the charcoal absorbs it. Don't be surprised with dark bowel movement in the morning. Absorbs the gas too. Don't take any pills too close to the charcoal or it will absorb that too!

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@selane1114

I have been dealing with so severe since having C diff and being on antibiotics for over 4 months. I feel like I am 7 months pregnant. Just walking around cause my stomach to blow up like a Helium balloon. The swollen goes down a little when I’m sleeping but the minute I get up and start moving around, it gets increasingly worse. I do not have a Lotta gas but do you have Gerd. Has anybody else had this after being on antibiotics or having C diff. A colon specialist I went to saw my stomach getting larger as I was sitting in front of him. He did blood work and CT SCAN AND ALL CAME OUT GOOD. Ugh....I am so uncomfortable - any suggestions. I understand the frustration. GI doctors just shrug their shouldersa 😩Shrug their shoulders.

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I am in the same situation. I had to take Vancomycin for 4 months to get rid of a C-Diff infection caused by an antibiotic. I lost hearing and now I have a bloating problem that makes me look pregnant. I was told by the Gastroenterologist's P.A. that it takes a long time to recover from a C-Diff infection. I'm still experimenting with the correct amount of fiber and what I should eat. I have multiple bowel movements throughout the day. At least they are solid. Hahaha.

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@danceswithhammer

Good luck with your procedure, sounds like it has been a really long road.
Thanks for mentioning your licorice remedy, I will have to try it with my belching disorder ( separate GI thread).

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I've read that licorice raise blood pressure quickly after consuming it

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You could have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). It causes bloating. Have you had a fecal elastase test?

Also, you may want to see a gynecologist. Bloating can be an early sign of ovarian cancer.

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