Leaky gas is driving me crazy

[nutmego]

I used to have leaky gas when I took antibiotics a long time ago and it went away.

But now it's back and I hate it. I first noticed it when I went to a meeting after taking 20mg of adderall in the morning with just coffee (I just started taking adderall 3 weeks ago and always with breakfast and only 10mg). I thought maybe it would go away after a bowel movement so the next morning I made sure to have a BM before I left and only took 10mg of adderall, but it happened again!

I can't feel the gas coming only notice the smell slowly filling up the room and people's reactions towards me. At first I thought it wasn't me but everyone around me would hold their nose, move away from me, cough, etc. It's so embarrassing! I feel like I could die and I'm so worried about being around people.

The thing is I only notice it in those meetings. Everyone's reactions strongly suggested it was me. But when I left and went straight to my boyfriends house he said he couldn't smell anything. Also, my family and friends tell me they can't smell anything either so what the hec? The 'Is it me? Is not me' thing driving me crazy! I left those meetings early twice because of this and I didn't get any work done because I was so worried about them smelling me.

I have another meeting and class all day on Monday so I'm just hoping if I skip adderall that day, I'll be fine.

How do you cope with the embarrassment?

[Hidden]

He there, I feel for you as I've had embarrassing wind before. Maybe if your work colleagues are holding their noses/walking away from you and your family as saying you are fine it could be your family being nice to you so you don't worry - just a thought. When it's happened to me I have just hoped that no-one could smell it and would sometimes get up and walk away i.e. to use the ladies.

I am much better if I eat a soluable fibre diet. I've never taken Adderall but sounds like a good idea to stop it but I would go back to your GP to see if there is anything else you can take.

[Hidden]

Hi nutmego, I'm in a very similar situation as you! I had this issue a few years ago on/off for ages, and now, due to work and study stress, it's back with a vengeance! At least that's what I think has caused it because my eating habits haven't changed, only my schedule.

For me, I know it's largely psychological, the more I overthink it and worry about it (yes mainly in social situations) the more likely it will happen. And the more likely I will have IBS flare ups too. At home I rarely have the issue as I'm less likely to think about it or stress out, hence why my boyfriend and family also 'can't smell anything'! Knowing that I beat it before by challenging my negative thinking and using relaxation techniques does give me hope though. For quite a while I was pretty much 'smell free'! I am interested to hear that antibiotics helped you before.. which antibiotics did you take?

Altogether it can be very upsetting, especially if I ever feel I have to avoid social situations and the general day-to-day fear of 'when will it happen next?' I generally cope by trying to ensure I have a BM in the morning before I leave, listening to my gut/my limits, and avoiding 'trigger foods' if I'm out all day (not to mention spraying lots of perfume!) As to the coping with the embarrassment, in truth it can be a real struggle.. I guess just try to hold your head up high, and know that it doesn't define who we are.

But I'm refusing to let it control my life or limit my time with friends, and I'm staying positive- if we got over it before we can do it again! Recently I have cut down lactose products which seems to help a bit, and going to try the low-FODMAP diet. Also started taking some 'healthy gut bacteria' tablets and started listening to a relaxation cd in the evening. Maybe some of these ideas will help you too.

Xxx

[Antsy]

For me it comes and goes too . I just avoid people in general not to be embarrassed.