Bloating

Hi, I’ve suffered IBS for about 6 years but was only diagnosed after heaps of tests 1 year ago. My worst symptom is probably pain which has sent me to the emergency department a number of times because it’s been unbearable. I alternate between diarrhoea and constipation and get quite a bit of nausea, bloating and really noisy tummy gurgling.

My question is does anyone have any tips on managing bloating? It’s been particularly bad the last 2 months to the point where I look really pregnant! It’s so hard and sore and sometimes I can’t even wear jeans. Some mornings I wake up and it has gone down over night but others I’m still really bloated!

I’m currently taking buscopan and colese for pain, IBS support probiotics, and Metamucil.

Thanks

[Idalmis]

Hi. Have you tried the low fodmap diet? It worked for me.

[Hidden in reply to Idalmis]

I have just bought a couple of books on low FODMAP, I’ll give that a try! Thanks

[SophieC22]

Hi! I said this to another one who posted about bloating: I am exact same position as you, really takes a toll on self esteem☹️ and like you, nothing helps. However have just seen a gastroenterologist who has recommended infacol- which contains Simethicone, a treatment for colic (infants suffering with wind, reflux which causes pain-basically ibs in babies😂) apparently it breaks up all the wind bubbles in your belly. This is the only thing I haven’t tried, sounds a bit silly to me but I’m willing to give anything a go and I’m sure you are too!

[Hidden in reply to SophieC22]

Thanks for the feedback! I’ll definitely give that a try!

[Rcp1 in reply to Hidden]

You need to really change your diet, I follow stage 1 FODMAP since beginning 2017. I should have gone to stage 3, but unfortunately my diet needs to be restrictive so I suffer less. No gluten, no diary. Very little sometimes. No broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, garlic. No pepper. You need to do dramatic changes. I still suffer from bloating and wind everyday though because I always can’t resist a little thing and eat something wrong. But I never have pain. There is an app for the FODMAP diet.

[Hidden in reply to Rcp1]

Thanks for the info, what’s the app called?

[Rcp1 in reply to Hidden]

FODMAP. But I’m in the UK. Hasn’t any doctor told you about changes in your diet?

[Rcp1 in reply to Rcp1]

I cannot have lactose, gluten and sugar. Drink coconut milk and decaff coffee, eat gluten free bread and very little sugar. Forget junk food etc. Also onion, garlic, brocolli, cauliflower, pepper, caffeine, alcohol. Only in moderation.

[Hidden in reply to Rcp1]

Thanks for the info

[StevoP in reply to Rcp1]

Rcp1, I’m with you with the onion (cripples me), garlic I seem ok on, broccoli is my go to veg when I diet (bodybuilding). With the peppers have you tried red peppers? Green, yellow and orange are no go for me but red I am fine with as it’s the way it digests compared to the others! My IBS is obviously no where near as serious and we differ as I can’t drink coconut water, doesn’t agree with me (although I don’t like it so it’s not a massive loss).

[Frillylili]

I stopped eating gluten and that has really helped. I follow fodmaps pretty closely and that too helps. I eat six very small meals a day. I take gas pills those help.most of the time with bloat. Diet changes have made a big difference for the IBS. It can be hard to make the big good changes but worth it. I also drink a nutrition drink each day. I have energy again and for the last 4-5 months have started back exercising. I feel alot better. Not perfect but better. I hope you can find what works for you and know it won't be easy but worth it.

[StevoP]

Windeze is my go to product and have had great success with this! Have tried others but they don’t seem to be as good! We are very similar, I can be bent over with pain when I’m full of wind and get a big hard stomach.

It’s never got to the point of needing A&E.