Uncomfortable tummy

TheKingsChampion

I HATE when my tummy is like this!!!!

Its all noisy and gassy and bloated and sore from gassyness. I don't know why this happens I've thought maybe a food allergy but it just happens randomly. There's no specific food that triggers it. And if I'm not trying to get unconstipated...then I'm trying to stop it from working too much. :-/ I mean what the fudge?? My tummy is just never "normal" anymore. Well actually it never was. I had colic as a baby so have pretty much been having problems since then. And this may be a little TMI -- but I've heard a person isn't suppose to strain when they have a stool. That's "normal". Let's just put it this way... I've NEVER in my LIFE been that definition of normal!

I had blood tests done recently and they were clean. And my doctor always just gives me medicine for a week and then that's it. He and his son have their own practice and they are the only ones here. (I can't make a 200kilometre trip to another doctor. Just can't afford it) But they just kind of diagnose you within 5 minutes without really paying attention and then leave. :-/

Does anyone have any idea what it could be? I know I'm asking strangers on the internet and no solid diagnose can be expected but just an idea?? And maybe a possible solution?

Edit - also those doctors probably don't bother with me because I always go for the same stuff to them. I never have flu or injuries when I go there. Its always either a case of gastro or intestinal infection. Its ALWAYS the tummy and they never bother to do further research...

TheKingsChampion

BUMP

chouflour

The internet is not good for diagnoses.

However, most people find that fiber and water help their bowels. You can increase dietary fiber or add a fiber supplement. Increase it slowly - a few grams per day at a time, with increases about weekly. Some people react badly to fiber, so clearly don't continue if it makes you worse.

Beneficial bacteria supplementation can also help. Sauerkraut, naturally fermented green tomatoes, kimchee, kefir, etc.

Chronic digestive distress could be related to IBS. IBS trends to have food and stress related triggers. FODMAPs are often implicated. Limiting the types of FODMAPs that bother your system, regular moderate exercise, good sleeping patterns, etc seen to be the most common treatments.

I have various digestive concerns, and find that digestive bitters help with the upset stomach. However, I have no acid reflux issues and if I take to many bitters I get acid indigestion, so proceed cautiously.

I worked with a GI for about three years to figure out what was wrong with me and how best to treat it. A lot of the possible treatments are polar opposites, so keeping good logs of trials and symptoms was important.

cw106

do you keep a food diary?
sounds like you are not getting enough fibre.
what tests have been done?
what meds has docs prescribed? and why not for 28 days as is standard in uk.

had a recent bout of constipation.doc diagnosed ibs-c,which i not had for 30 years prior.
treatment is. added fibre sachets called fibogel available OTC. ditto peppermint oil capsules after food.and nightly peppermint tea.
also an anti- spasmodic before food .
be more analytical, get facts from docs and be prepared to ask for further advice from a consultant.
g luck.

TheKingsChampion

do you keep a food diary?
sounds like you are not getting enough fibre.
what tests have been done?
what meds has docs prescribed? and why not for 28 days as is standard in uk.

Yes.
I get 30g a day.
Blood tests by my own choice. (no dr recommendation)
They usually prescribe antibiotics, probiotics, pain pills, and spasmogel.. (which I'm not sure what it does, it's a white drinkable medicine that tastes minty)
And because firstly I'm not in the Uk, and second they never bother further diagnosing the problem and assume it will go away after the antibiotics have all been taken. They always diagnose me with gastro or infection, which is why the meds aren't permanently prescribed. I only visit them in times when it gets REALLY bad...but my intestines never seem to be regular outside those times either.

And it does get better after those meds...but about two weeks later the problems usually return. Though not as bad that I actually have to schedule another visit.

In short, I visit them when I'm REALLY sick...like throwing up and diarrhoea and such...but I'm always struggling with my digestion even after being "better". It's never truly healed.

annrowanjames

That sounds terrible.

I would definitely start a detailed food journal and discuss the possibility of food allergies with your doctor. I have a friend who had these same problems, and finally went through the process of testing and diagnosing several food allergies. Turns out - corn was her main problem, which is in almost everything. It sounds like your doctors are kind-of "backwoods" and may not have the time or attention or education to help you figure out your issues. Tell them, in a very straight forward way, your concerns. Maybe they'll take better care of you or refer you to a specialist that can help.

Don't settle for sub-par care and service when your health is on the line!

TheVirgoddess

Yes on the food journal. Document what you eat and you feel like 30, 60, 90 minutes later.

Are you on any medication?

I have belly issues, too. Have for a long time. I'm also on medication that stops things from moving. My pharmacist recommended daily Magnesium. I took one pill last night and I pooped (for the first time in a week) this morning. Could very well be coincidence - I'm going to see if the trend continues. You could also try Miralax powder daily. My youngest had lots of tummy issues and that's what her ped put her on - for two years. It's really gentle.

For the gas/bloating - I use a heating pad for relief, and yoga (sounds weird, I know - but it works). If all else fails, I take Gas X.

Weird question maybe, but do you use those water flavor squirt bottles? Like Mio?

Sorry (a little) for the poop over-share above.

It also sounds like maybe you need a new doctor - someone who is invested in your care.

TheKingsChampion

That sounds terrible.

I would definitely start a detailed food journal and discuss the possibility of food allergies with your doctor. I have a friend who had these same problems, and finally went through the process of testing and diagnosing several food allergies. Turns out - corn was her main problem, which is in almost everything. It sounds like your doctors are kind-of "backwoods" and may not have the time or attention or education to help you figure out your issues. Tell them, in a very straight forward way, your concerns. Maybe they'll take better care of you or refer you to a specialist that can help.

Don't settle for sub-par care and service when your health is on the line!

I've tried doing a "test" for allergies on my own by using a food diary. But the thing is all of this is so contradictory!

For example, let's say I'm suspecting gluten as the culprit. Then I'd eat bread and get problems, but I can eat flour and nothing happens... or even today I eat bread and it causes problems, but tomorrow I will eat that same bread again and be absolutely fine. :-/ I've tried this with everything that I know of that could br allergy related but everytime I get mixed results like this.

It also goes like this with fibre. If I'm backed up I would increase fibre, until I'm normal. And then keep that amount of fibre to keep me normal. After a few weeks I'm peeing poop on the same amount of fibre! And then I have to tone it down again. So I lower it for a few days and what happens? For the next week I struggle with constipation again. Then I up it, and the whole process repeats.

I'm so sick and tired of this I wish I could have them replace all my intestines with plastic bags or something. :indifferent:

TheKingsChampion

Are you on any medication?

Weird question maybe, but do you use those water flavor squirt bottles? Like Mio?

It also sounds like maybe you need a new doctor - someone who is invested in your care.

Yes I am on BC and asthma medication. Which I doubt would have any effect. (I started using recently but have had problems since long before)

Water squirt bottles? Never heard of them. I drink water from a glass

I agree. Unfortunately they are the only ones here. And to make matters worse they charge a ridiculous amount of money for the 5 minutes of half-attention they give you. (They are very busy since they are the only ones which explains it)

And the doctors at the clinic are...well...not so well educated. I had tummy problems and they diagnosed me with bladder infection. :indifferent:

TheVirgoddess

Have you ever had a colonoscopy? The camera up the butt?

If you're super constipated, your body will produce loose stool in an effort to help flush out the stuck poo. So you may think "I just had water poop, I'm all cleaned out now!" and it's not necessarily the case.

The bloating and gas might not be connected to the poo issues, either. It could be that you have something like GERD and it's causing you to be gassy if you eat trigger foods. It seems related, but maybe not.

I think you should stick with the same amount of fiber for a while - don't change even if you get the water poos. It could be that you need that fiber to be regular, and when you get water poos, it's something else (like a lactose sensitivity, or excessive amounts of Vit C or something), so you cut down the fiber, get stopped up, and start the cycle all over.

I would also recommend keeping that food journal, but without any condition in mind. Just record everything for two weeks or so, and then sit down and see if there is a pattern.

I really hope you get relief!

kobiemom

The most common cause is gastric reflux. It took me 50 years to get an accurate diagnosis. Search for it and look at the list of triggers. I was eating healthy foods, but some of them set off my stomach. I'm not saying that's what you have, but it's worth looking into.

TheKingsChampion

I think you should stick with the same amount of fiber for a while - don't change even if you get the water poos. It could be that you need that fiber to be regular, and when you get water poos, it's something else (like a lactose sensitivity, or excessive amounts of Vit C or something), so you cut down the fiber, get stopped up, and start the cycle all over.

I would also recommend keeping that food journal, but without any condition in mind. Just record everything for two weeks or so, and then sit down and see if there is a pattern.

I really hope you get relief!

Thank you I will try this. Perhaps my body just needs to get used to the extra fibre and I'm not giving it enough time to. I've never actually just let the water poo happen and see where it goes. I always panic and take a weak pill to stop it, but not clog it. (which works fine on the first day and the next I'm stuffed up like a Christmas sock!)

I'll still keep the journal too.

Thank you for the advice. :flowerforyou: