Major Gas Problem! Help!

RoamingDuck · February 2013

Sooo this is a little bit embarrassing, but I am becoming desperate for advice on the situation. Basically, on a daily basis, I have terrible gas that causes me physical pain and makes for a day full of me trying to hold my farts.

The situation is made worse because I am a teacher (actually still an intern), and I have to stand in front of high school kids and talk about history. As you might imagine, trying to make a really dramatic point about the sinking of the USS Maine can be difficult when you are trying to suppress a fart…

So basically what I’m asking is for some advice. How can I minimize this terrible gas diet? I eat a pretty healthy diet. Usually cereal with milk, yogurt, and some lentil chips for breakfast. A sandwich made with flax pita bread and an apple for lunch. Brown rice with chicken or fish for dinner and a salad.

I know a lot of these foods are very high in fiber. I don’t want to give up eating healthy just to avoid gas, but it’s gotten to be such an issue that it’s hurting my effectiveness as a teacher…

I got my gallbladder removed a couple of years ago, so I wonder if there is a connection there. My doctor says that removing the gallbladder has left me with a case of IBS. Is there anything over the counter I can take for this terrible, life-depleting gas, or do I have to start eating differently? I would appreciate tips. Thanks guys.

EmilyOfTheSun · February 2013

I know this isn't supposed to be funny, but I love your writing style. Made me laugh!!

Maybe Beano ?

_DaniD_ · February 2013

You can either take some medication for it or cut some fiber.

Cinflo58 · February 2013

flax=farts

also - could you be lactose intolerant?

here is a great website on FODMAPS diet for IBS:

http://blog.katescarlata.com/fodmaps-basics/

feel free to message me with any questions

bpn80 · February 2013

If you've been diagnosed with IBS, your body is probably having a difficult time digesting some of the foods you're eating. I have a similar issue, and found that my tummy doesn't agree with dairy, wheat, or super high fiber things, like flax. Try eliminating one of the things you're eating at a time and see if you feel better. Or maybe eat smaller amounts multiple days a day (I know-hard if you're a teacher!) Maybe your body can't digest a whole bunch of stuff at one time.

mellonicoley · February 2013

I have a similar problem if I "binge" on wheat- and dairy-containing products. Try reducing the amount of fiber in your diet. Try gluten-free pitta bread instead perhaps, and maybe switch to a different type of fruit as well (apples are very high in fiber!)

RoamingDuck · February 2013

I am going to totally avoid dairy tomorrow and see if that helps.

caribougal · February 2013

You had your gallbladder removed.

There is a link between gallbladder disease and celiac. Were you ever tested for celiac disease? The pain could be caused by this if you're eating gluten and can't tolerate it.

Here's a nice blog post about one woman's experience with gallbladder disease and gluten:
http://paleoparents.com/featured/the-link-between-gallbladder-disease-and-gluten-sensitivity/

And if you like a highly technical musings: http://high-fat-nutrition.blogspot.com/2008/06/gluten-and-gall-bladders.html

ETA: it also adds up if you have IBS
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23246645
Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome-type Symptoms in Patients With Celiac Disease: A Meta-analysis.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23083983

Even if you don't have celiac disease, you may have "non-celiac gluten sensitivity" which is associated with IBS.

Ask doc about getting tested for celiac. If it's yes... eliminate gluten. If it's no... I would still try eliminating gluten for 30 days and see if it reduces pain and IBS.

ltgarrow · February 2013

Or you could just stop caring. Those brats will remember you forever. Hey...remember the teacher that farted all the time, she was awesome.

That's how I'd handle it.

karrielynn80 · February 2013

I'd say some thing like beano as suggested above.

I would also wager to guess you've recently upped ur protein - that's generally where i hear about such things happening - ur body should get used to it after a wk or two. (if that's the case)

knittnponder · February 2013

If you eat anything with chicory root in it that could be the problem. Fiber One bars are also known as "fart bars" because they use chicory root and cause toxic gas in a lot of people. I was eating them when I was doing taekwondo and couldn't figure out why I had such awful gas until I did a little research and figured that out. My jump kicks were never higher though!

You didn't say you're eating them but I thought I'd throw it out there just FYI.

gioisa75 · February 2013

Just let it fly and blame it on your students.

daniellealys · February 2013

I had severe gas and gas pains most my life. I totally understand your pain. My gas pains were 100 times worse than the worst cramps I have ever had. So, it is painful, I sympathize. The only thing that helped was that I took a delayed allergy test and found that I am allergic to dairy, wheat (and others). I didnt eat wheat so I knew dairy was the culprit. Cut out dairy and after a month of dairy free..... I hardly ever have gas. Its a miracle. I feel like a new person. I suggest getting a blood IgG and IgE allergy test. Good luck!

daniellealys · February 2013

I am going to totally avoid dairy tomorrow and see if that helps.

just one day of avoiding dairy wont help. You will need to avoid it for a few weeks before you see results. so, dont be discouraged if you dont feel better tomorrow. dairy sticks in your system for a while, you wont see results until its out of your system completely.I also suggest doing the same with gluten. those are two common irritants.

twinketta · February 2013

I am going to totally avoid dairy tomorrow and see if that helps.

just one day of avoiding dairy wont help. You will need to avoid it for a few weeks before you see results. so, dont be discouraged if you dont feel better tomorrow. dairy sticks in your system for a while, you wont see results until its out of your system completely.I also suggest doing the same with gluten. those are two common irritants.

I agree with this post

lfinley2010 · February 2013

It could very well be the mIlk...giving you gas..trying not using milk for a while and see if that helps. YOu may be lactose tolerante.

Silver_Star · February 2013

i eat a lot of flaxseed bread and i can tell you , you need to be drinking entire tanks of water....or the gas will make you explode.

Also...lentils can make you sing...errr from the other end. So again...drink lots of water throughout the day.

issyfit · February 2013

If you are eating sugar free foods with sugar alcohols (sometimes referred to as crapitols) that could do it. They include SF candy, ice cream, granola type bars and Zevia,

lunnay · February 2013

I second the lactose bit. Cut all dairy. You should feel improvements in a day or two (not a few weeks as mentioned before - the gas pain comes from not digesting lactose properly and as soon as everything's out of your intestines you won't have those pains or gas). If it goes away, awesome, have milk for breakfast one day the week after. If the gas and pain come back, congrats! You're lactose intolerant like a bunch of us. Just avoid milk (buy the lactose-free kind), heavy/light cream, and icecream. Yoghurts should be good, but YMMV.

XLMuffnTop · February 2013

If you eat anything with chicory root in it that could be the problem. Fiber One bars are also known as "fart bars" because they use chicory root and cause toxic gas in a lot of people. I was eating them when I was doing taekwondo and couldn't figure out why I had such awful gas until I did a little research and figured that out. My jump kicks were never higher though! You didn't say you're eating them but I thought I'd throw it out there just FYI.

That's what my husband calls them. He doesn't eat them, I do. :laugh:

Shonja · February 2013

I have a similar issue, without the IBS and I use lemon juice. Try fresh lemon juice on your food or add it to your water when you eat. Also try hot water and lemon with no sweetner. I do not measure, but use the lemon juice to taste. You want to taste the lemon, but not so much that you make the sour face

wjleffi · February 2013

taking digestive enzymes could help, and/or probiotics

Sheeshy · February 2013

My 5 year old came home the other day and told me that her teacher said that if we don't burp or fart we'd all explode, so you know, farting kinda beats the alternative! :laugh: Although, now that I think of it, I'm wondering what brought it on. Probably my kiddo - we are a quite farty family!
Hope you find a solution - if you do, let us know! I have to work out alone because I fart with every jump! :blushing:

Alatariel75 · February 2013

My brother swears by charcoal tablets. You can get them from the healthfood store or chemist, or even the vitamin area of bigger supermarkets. They apparently work a treat and and completely natural!

krickeyuu · February 2013

GAS-X (simethecone) 125mg after you have symptoms should help with the pain. Beano may help if the gas is from fiber-ish foods but it won't help with lactose intolerance. If it is lactose intolerance then you can use Lactaid pills, drops in your food or Lactiad products--they help some people. I am lactose intolerant and I eat dairy everyday, but I limit my servings. I also get fiber-related gas--especialy from cruciferous veggies and the like. I have learned to live with it. I have tried probiotics and they did not do much form me (cost outweighed benefit), but you might have a different experience. Your Dr. can test you for Lactose Intolerance as well as Celiacs. Good Luck.

GoTeamMeaghan · February 2013

I had emergency galbladder surgery when I was 20. Having your galbladder removed does not necessarilly cause IBS. Your galbladder produces bile which help break down different foods, so without it you can definitely have some gastrointestinal issues, without it being IBS (which is kind of a catch all term when the dr doesn't know what to tell you). I also have Crohn's which can cause severe GI issues, affecting anything from the throat to the colon. I eat a high fiber diet to help try to keep the Crohn's in check (along with medication). If I eat anything high fat (especially avocados) I have horrible stomach cramping, bloating and gas pain for like 2 days. I suggest trying beano or gas-x first, it may just take your body a few weeks to adjust to healthy food.

Major Gas Problem! Help!

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