Stomach problems

[LuvOrlando]

I have Ulcerative Colitis and even when it's in remission I swell up like you are describing, HUGE... it looks like I have a balloon in my belly that only settles down overnight. It's such a problem I sometimes skip meals so I won't swell up if I have to be somewhere that looking good is super important. I can't wear anything that won't give or I can end up in agony, all my jeans HAVE to have lycra. Last night I had some couscous that didn't agree with me and I was miserable during our DF's son's graduation ceremony. I am also prone to unspeakable bouts of pain where i think I might actually black out. Get checked but in the meantime I'd suggest picking up some Gas-X and Beano and use it often. The Beano before any food that might be a bother... sometimes it works like a charm and sometimes it's not enough but even when it's not enough the pain is less than if I do nothing at all. Oddly, I don't really eat any breads so that's not what's getting me, most days I don't touch breads of any kind. In my case it's all the beans & legumes I love plus the onions i put in my dishes, and the tomatoes... they kill me but I haven't found anything to help with the tomatoes yet.

You have my sympathies. If the Dr is right and it's IBD you are not alone, for me this all started when I was about 20

I do not think skipping a visit with a specialist is a good idea since some kinds of IBD, like mine, can put you at a greater risk for cancer. If you have IBD all the good dieting in the world won't save you from that, you need a Dr to watch you.

 

[C.Ann]

I have IBS and used to bloat to the point where it hurt to have my clothing touch my body.. It was sooooooo uncomfortable and nothing any of the doctors suggested worked until my PCP sent me to a gastro who in my estimations turned out to be a miracle worker!!

After having some tests to rule out other more serious issues he assured me that my bloating was definitely from the IBS and there were several things that were contributing to the bloating.. Of course the first thing was constipation.. He had me start taking a very small amount of Miralax for a short time until that was under control.. The next thing was that I was breathing through my mouth while I was sleeping and swallowing air - which ended up in my intestines (causing bloating, of course).. And lastly, the air swallowing was also causing a large build up of gas in my intestines - which was creating a blockage of sorts and not allowing "things" to move along as they should..

Solutions? The Miralax till I was regular again (now no longer needed).. Breathe right strips every night.. (I have never been able to breathe with my mouth closed until I started using them and the added bonus is that I sleep much, much better with my mouth closed).. And lastly, Digestive Advantage Gas Defense Formula - 2 tablets per day.. (There is NO other over-the-counter product on the market that prevents or moves trapped intestinal gas along like that does!!)

I haven't been bloated, uncomfortable, or irregular - even the slightest bit - in well over a year now.. It's truly like a miracle - after all of the years of suffering I went through..

It might be worth a try for you - unless you truly believe there is something much more serious going on..

Whatever the case may be, I wish you the best of luck..

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

I just thought I would share what's been going on. So for the past few days I have been eating gluten Free and have had no bathroom problems so stomach cramps and pains but nothing bad. we tonight I had bread sticks from papa ginos and right after I was done I was in the bathroom so I am going back on the gluten free for two weeks before I call the doctors. Thanks so much!

I know this sucks but in order to have accurate tests and figure out what is making you so ill you need to have gluten in your system. When you call the doctor you need to make sure you tell them you have been gluten free so they can schedule an appointment giving you enough time to get gluten back in your system. If you do have Celiac, your body needs certain amounts of gluten to develop the antibodies necessary for the blood test and visible damage of your intestines for a colonoscopy/endoscopy.

Also remember that gluten is in wheat, oat, rye, and barley. Despite what some people say spelt is not okay.
If it says modified food starch but does not indicate the source as corn, then it most likely has gluten in it. Also steer clear of as much MSG as possible.