IBS and swelling abdomen

[Mdsagirl]

I had a colonoscopy last Aug. Result was diverticulosis and IBS My concern is my abdomen seems to swell up as the day goes on with pain. Seems the swelling goes down a little after I wake up in the morning. Doctor has not given me a solution to what this is. I've had many scans and tests. Does anyone else have this problem?

[Luisa22]

I get swelling in lower abdomen but mine comes and goes. It can be gone for ages, then mysteriously come back for a few days, and goes like that. Mine isn't painful either, there's just a slight heavy feeling of mild discomfort. I haven't really any idea what mine is caused by. It's not diet. Possibly when stresses happen or disruption of routines.

I get some relief from the sensations by passing wind, and it always happens later in the day and is gone by morning too.

I don't know what it is, but mine might be wind building up or moving through in a peculiar way. It's not severe, but look about 3 months pregnant when it happens.

Then it just goes away inexplicably for ages again. It's been like that for 3 years.

[Scottydoggy]

Hi, I'm new to this but have tried colpermin, it's slow release peppermint & it calms the system down, if my tummy is really bad I take them (up to 3 a day) speak to your gp & see if they will be suitable & OK with your biabetes meds 🍀🤞😁

[GwenDee]

I usually eat one meal a day and then something light and liquid about 7 hours later -- called time-restricted eating. It has helped everything: IBS-D, diabetes T2, and more. I almost always have bloating after eating -- mid to lower belly. I think I've done this all my life, looking back (as a teen, when clothing styles were tight-fitted, I usually skipped lunch because it always showed on me).

So my experience is different. How many times a day do yo eat, and does it correlate with food (or drink) intake?

When I first discovered IBS info, I drank a few drops of food-grade peppermint oil in a cup of water, and it seemed to help. I could do so again, if it bothers me; haven't for quite a while. No help, but definitely interested.

[ukrain]

I too had a colonoscopy 18months ago after suffering significant weight loss, frequent loose bowels, abdominal bloating along with severe discomfort throughout the day.

I was diagnosed with colitis which is basically inflammation of the large intestine.

I had a course of steroids for just six weeks to try and calm the inflammation without getting to rely on drugs permanently, which I was very reluctant to do.

Afterwards to keep the bloating and pain under control I adapted my diet.

I started with omitting onions, garlic, leeks and foods like tomatoes that I would consider acidic to a sensitive intestine and tummy.

I stopped eating bread for a while as I am sure that the wheat creates bloatubg

I now only have sugarless oat milk on gluten free breakfast cereals along with a greenish banana and a few grapes.

Keep potatoes at a minimum, but eat plenty of protein (fish, chicken and plain yoghurt) and fresh veg.

Rarely touch alchohol as I really don’t think it’s very kind on the gut!

All in all I am managing very well and have regained approx 7lbs which is fine as I’m only 7.5 stone.

So really I think you have got to work through your diet to see what upsets your system and then eliminate or at least reduce your intake.

I know when I have strayed from my routine and suffer as a consequence.

I also think age had a lot to do with it! I am the same age as you are.

Good luck getting your diet sorted.

[Mdsagirl in reply to ukrain]

Thanks

[drax83]

Hi l have had IBS many years, but was only when wheeled into hospital along with my wife with (CAP) Community acquired pneumonia, I had some first CT scans of my life. I was shocked at 60 in 2016 I had a few conditions, one was sigmoid diverticular, I had a hiatus Hernia(wierd my mother had one to). These were discovered via the scans. Plus I had two small cysts on one of my kidneys, after much worry. A CT Biopsy found these were none malignant cysts. Diverticular and IBS are annoying, they both present more wind, so bloating is sometimes a problem. I don't eat or should not eat hard peas, no nuts, sweetcorn, or seeds. These have been known to get trapped in the diver pouch causing a local divertulitis. Fortunetly only had one emergency. Had blood in my stools one day ended up 24 hospital. Another scan this time MRI. But doctors told me was good, blood vessel probably broke at the site, blood levels were all good, no infections found so sent home. But wind from divertic is very common, with IBS obviously going to be a nuisance. YEah changed diet. No veg allowed like sprouts cauli or broccoli. Very rare a few baked beans. Avoid butter beans like the plague. I only eat root veg now. Stopped all fried breakfasts and battered takeaways. But fresh cooked chicken curry and bioled rice from our usual takeaway very rarely effects me. But factory curries and processed food I try keep away from. Best of luck Girl😁😁

[Trenholm]

yes. Not much help from GP. Specialist nurse suggested Buscopan before every meal and it is helping.

[Angrybelly]

Many people with diverticulosis have ibs too. Lots of gas, cramping ,change in bowel habits etc. I know I've had this for years there's nothing much to do except follow ibs diet and try to keep your sanity.

[drax83 in reply to Angrybelly]

This is spot on. Lately because I love my salads, I always have at least one large vine tomato cut into quarters, but sometimes I wonder if these are causing issues some weeks. I grew up growing tomatoes along with my father. I cannot pin down why tomatoes would effect my IBS, but heard some people mention them in posts