Waking up in early hours with gas

[BFlying]

Writing on behalf of my mum. She has been on 3 lots of antibiotics this year...which have messed her stomach up and she gets anxiety. Nearly every night, she is waking in the early hours with gas...she says she feels like she's really hungry...it really disturbs her sleep. The docs recommended buscopan, but she's worried about side effects? Does anyone else suffer this? Any tips on how to help? Many thanks

[Luisa22]

Has your mum tried a good probiotic? Something like Alflorex or Symprove which often help people with IBS. The gut flora might be a bit messed up after 3 courses of antibiotics probably. I am surprised her doctor didn't suggest it.

I always (ever since 7th March 2020!) pass a couple of huge toots when I first get up in the morning. Not smelly and not painful, but obviously wind in the gut has worked its way down during sleep. But it doesn't disturb sleep for me.

Feeling "hungry" can also be caused by what's called the Migrating Motor Complex which are natural contractions of the gut that do a clean sweep during fasting times, and during sleep, keeping everything moving in the right direction. They can make the tummy rumble and growl. It's usually painless, but IBS sufferes can have a super sensitive gut nervous system and may feel it more negatively?

Low blood glucose can also cause "hungry" feelings which don't always feel very nice. But that's easy to test. If a spoonful of honey solves it and makes you feel better that's a clue. If not, that's probably not it.

And so can gastritis.

[Campoverde in reply to Luisa22]

I have a very similar problem brought on by antibiotics.s except I can’t get to sleep in the first place. I have found Alflorex probiotics have helped a lot. I also have a peppermint tea in the evening.

[BFlying in reply to Luisa22]

Thankyou. I didn't know about the migrating motor complex. Sounds like it could be that. She has been on biokult, but not consistently. I think it's one of those things where if you don't see quick results, you feel like it's pointless taking them. But I personally think she needs to persevere with them and hopefully they'll make a difference to both her gut health and anxiety

[Luisa22 in reply to BFlying]

Perhaps Biokult doesn't have the bacteria strains she needs? I'm not sure exactly what's in it but it might be Lactobacillus, and she needs a different strain?

Plus, Rennie Deflatine can help break up wind in the gut so it's a lot less noticeable or painful etc. I've seen those in most stores...Tesco's Morrison's etc.

[xjrs]

Try a good probiotic like Alflorex or Symprove.

[Superzob]

Does sound a bit like a microbiome imbalance, as the bacteria causing the wind might also be causing her to feel hungry. Whilst waiting for the probiotic to take effect (a couple of months), she could try mebeverine (Colefac - which is pretty innocuous) if she is concerned about Buscopan. There are also some over-the-counter anti-flatulence formulations which might help.

[winfong in reply to Superzob]

As for the last bit, try anything with simethicone in it