Prolonged bloating - endo or IBS?

[Runner1818]

Hey everyone!

I’ve been incredibly bloated since about June last year. Some days I look 4/5 months pregnant, others I look a couple of months pregnant. I was diagnosed with endometriosis a month ago and put on the pill for the period pains and am on the waiting list to see gynaecology.

I keep getting told the bloating is IBS but I’ve tried the low FODMAP diet for 2 months, cutting out dairy, gluten, caffeine, tomatoes, everything, but there are just absolutely no consistencies as to what causes my tummy to flare up, and absolutely nothing has resulted in the bloating going completely.

Has anyone else had this? Could the bloating be part of the endometriosis? Sorry if this is a really silly question, just not getting much out of the doctors!

[femacrae]

I am in the exact same boat. Constantly bloated, and my GP kept saying it was probably IBS. I tried low fodmap for a couple of months and slowly introduced food back in but it didn't seem to make much difference. I've now seen a gynaecologist and they think this could be due to endo but I need an MRI/laparoscopy to confirm. Bloating is a symptom of endo (have seen people call it endo belly) caused by the inflammation.

[Escapologygirl]

Yes I am in the same boat since 2018 and am finally getting an MRI on my pelvis this week and really hope it will result in a surgery as my 6months pregnant look is really getting me down. Like you both I've tried fodmap cutting out foods and the constipation is so bad it's making me so depressed

[Runner1818 in reply to Escapologygirl]

Thank you for replying! While it hasn’t helped much with my bloating, I have found 1 or 2 small glasses of prune juice a day has really helped with my constipation - could be worth a try!

[Escapologygirl in reply to Runner1818]

Thank you for sharing your story and I've discovered fennel tea and tried it for the first time yesterday and it worked, I went to the toilet. I will keep prune juice on hand too as whatever it takes to feel better

[EmB18]

I used to get a lot of bloating when my endo symptoms were bad and found making diet changes made a big difference. If you haven't done so already it may be worth keeping a food and symptom diary to see if you notice any patterns. It may also be worth asking your GP to test for SIBO and do a stool test to see if there are any underlying infections that might be making your symptoms worse.

[Doyoulikepinacoladas]

I have been told I have IBS for year's, since I was 15 I'm in my 40s now, been pushing for Endo tests for year's, finally saw gyno in December and had an ultrasound that showed chocolate cysts on right ovary and a large mass/cyst on left one that I'm still waiting for further testing. I am a big believer that knowledge is power, so I've researched the heck out of this and found that the cysts can cause bloating, weight gain, cramps, back pain, nausea all these I have every day not just when on period, I have also found that fibroids can cause consistent back pain and all the about symptoms. I did go gluten-free about 5 years ago and was amazed at the difference, I truly though that was what was caused, (except it's all come back with a vengeance now) I've been back to a pre gluten free state for 18 months, I am in stretchy or elasticated clothes everyday! Hopefully I will have an MRI and this will reveal more information. Keep pushing and fighting if it isn't right for you, you know your body. Good luck.