Persistent bloating

[Lavender74]

My bloating developed overnight, had numerous test which include gallbladder, ovarian cancer, a flexi sigmoidosapy a ct colonosapy, but nothing found, had camera down the throat only thing found was inflammation

[happytulip]

I'm in a big flare at present but used to suffer with bloating all the time which eventually progressed to intestinal failure and ileus.

After 10 days in hospital and intervention from a dietician I started to follow a low FODMAP diet (lots online about it).

It has really helped improve things by about 85%.

Sorry to be brief, just struggling today but wanted to reply.

Hope it helps.

[Lavender74 in reply to happytulip]

Thank you much appreciated, any advice that could help is a bonus, just fed up with looking constantly pregnant x

[happytulip in reply to Lavender74]

That's exactly how I looked, about 6-7 months pregnant. It might be what's causing it it might not. I hope it does help.

My advice would be to change one thing at a time and diet is often a good place to start.

Good luck.

[Nat61]

I developed Cushings Syndrome from excessive steroid use. Pregnant stomach, round face, facial hair, hump on back. Don't know if this is what you're developing. Endochrinologist or Rheumatologist would know. After getting off prednisone it took a couple years for these problems to go away. The pregnant stomach took longer. I had gone from 130 pounds to 205 at the height of my disease, with constant bone fractures, including spinal fracture from sitting down too hard. I am in remission now for about 7 years and doing great. Don't give up hope. You can get through this.

[Lavender74 in reply to Nat61]

Thank you, the only longterm medication I am on is sertaline, stay safe x

[svfarmer]

Sorry can’t offer any advice but must not be very nice for you - sending hugs 🤗

[Lavender74 in reply to svfarmer]

Thank you your kind words mean a lot x

[eekt]

Hello lavender, what a lovely name - there's intestinal pseudo-obstruction if everything stops (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

It's called 'pseudo' because normal tests show no obstruction!

The preggers look and feeling is very uncomfortable...hope you find a doctor to sort it soon

Be safe xxx

[happytulip in reply to eekt]

That exactly what I get. I need an IV drip and sometimes they consider an NG tube but I've refused that far.

It's extremely uncomfortable and you feel like the skin on your stomach will split?

I have definitely had help from a low FODMAP diet. It worsens with hormones and I get a gastroperesis at times and need a little help to kick start my gut with metaclopramide which is an anti-emetic but also helps gastric emptying.

It tends to be a complaint experienced by people with connective tissue disorders.

[Lavender74 in reply to happytulip]

Yes my stomach feels like something is go to rip out of it, will definitely look at the fodmap, many thanks

[Lizard28 in reply to happytulip]

Hi, I didn’t know it was a complaint with people with connective tissue problems, I have MCTD and have also been diagnosed with gastroparesis, I was told to eat 5 small meals a day, no fibre, only cooked fruit & vegs, keep away from anything with skin on it and I don’t do well eating loads of veg, it’s a very unhealthy diet. I also take domperidone to help food move quicker. I can wear loose trousers in the morning only to find later on they are so tight as I’m so bloated.

[happytulip in reply to Lizard28]

There are elements of that which are low FODMAP. Alot of people with EDS suffer and it can be made worse by hormones for some.

[Lavender74 in reply to eekt]

Many thanks, will definitely have a read, take care x

[Mimma]

Hi Lavender,

I suffer from severe bloating too. Have had ultrasounds but nothing conclusive was found from that.

I have just come off prednisone ( 3 weeks) and was hoping that would make a difference. No change so far so will look into the low fodmap diet. Can’t fit into anything and am feeling pretty depressed about it all so do sympathise.

I’ll let you know how I get on.

[Lavender74 in reply to Mimma]

I'm sorry to hear that, stay strong. I Know how you feel, it's embarrassing also, I work for the NHS and can't even fit into my uniform and the amount of people who have asked when are you due, I laugh it off but I feel very low some days, thinking of you x

[Mimma in reply to Lavender74]

You too. We should compare notes in a few weeks time. I’ve just downloaded the low fodmap food chart.

[Lily77]

Hi Lavender, i am sure you have considered it already but of course lots of those with immune disorders are intolerant of gluten, if not downright allergic (coeliac). I Having been down this route myself, i know that a bloated stomach is a classic symptom. There are other types of foods which lupies are also intolerant to but let me know and i will give more info. Best regards, Lily

[Lavender74 in reply to Lily77]

I had blood test for this, and everything was fine, thank you for your reply x

[Hamptons]

Haha, I suffer from bloating and looking pregnant it’s not so constant now but before I took Hydroxychloroquine I had a giant stomach. One day a lovely lady that I did occasional work with asked me when the baby was due. She was pregnant and trying to bond. I had to tell that I wasn’t, it was a symptom of my illness. Bless her she was mortified and never really spoke to me again. That shirt went in the bin. Poor lady.

Sorry no medical help but a shared suffering

[Lily77]

Hi, very sorry to read that you are like many lupies...highly sensitive to all kinds of foods. I had a great friend who was allergic to lactose and it ave her severe eczema on her lovely hands...I know it must be very distressing for you. I have just replied to Puffyface also re: that the other major allergic group for lupies is the solanacea family or so called "nightshade" vegetables so tomatoes, potatoes (but supposedly not yams and sweet potatoes, aubergines and peppers, not just bell peppers but also chillies, paprika, and cayenne. This also mean that you may get reactions off of processed foods such as tomato sauces, tabasco,, salsa, ketchup, mexican and italian foods, pickles,, soups and pizza. Also, as you have discovered lupies are also sensitive to alfalfa and soy, and to highly processed white flour, highly processed oils such as palm and corn and above all to highly processed white sugar. Complete details are contained in chapter 11 of my book published last year - see my profile for more details and directions to Amazon. Let me know if you need further clarity. With my very best regards Lily

[miccika1]

Definitely do FODMAP as others suggested. But evaluate for SIBO. If you do have SIBO you will need antibiotics to get rid of the bacteria.

[Coral7]

Until recently, I had years of bloating, looking really pregnant morning and night with a rock hard uncomfortable lower abdomen. I had to wear loose clothes every day. Had lots of tests but nothing found, put it down to peri menopause. In the last month my bloating has gone completely! I don’t know what has been the cure. Whether it is the Hydroxychloroquine I started in March or it is related to me being ill with a ? virus or flare in April where I didn’t eat for a few days (fasting, done safely, may help reduce inflammation). Or maybe the antibiotics I was prescribed then. Or the fact I have cut out gluten and lactose. I honestly don’t know but wanted to share my experience. Hope something helps.