Please! How do I make it stop?!

[Victor10]

Please for the love of God I need to get rid of this horrible bloating and gas! 

I feel pregnant, and like I have a ton of gas inside my stomach, I can feel it like moving around. Every now and then when I burp or pass gas its such a relief. The stomach noise and rumbles are annoying.

 

My only other symptoms are foul gassy floating stools that are slightly mucousy. It's not diarrhea but its not solid. It's a soft chunks I guess. 

I'm not yet 100% diagnosed, just went to the doctor. Had blood drawn to test for celiac and deficiency but idk how that is going to go, doctor already started mentioning IBS. I got an ultrasound done today, he wanted to rule out any issues with my gallbladder and etc..

Next would be to get the results back and I guess an endoscopy. I have the biggest feeling the tests will come back negative and clear and they will just blame it on IBS.

I had experienced all the typical celiac symptoms for like a week or two constantly and then went Gluten free, I felt amazing! My face cleared up, no pains or any digestive issues. My stools were for once normal in my life. I made the huge mistake about a week ago at a wedding and ate alot of Gluten and I've been having this symptoms for a week so far. I know it took two weeks last time to resolve and its only been one week so far but I'm so fed up with the bloating and gas and the floating gassy stools. Will it be two weeks of hell every time I get glutened? That's how sure I am I have celiac. Ulcers, digestive issues, cancer or whatever don't come then completely disappear then return all with or without Gluten. Just doesn't make sense to be anything else other then celiac.

I'm so frustrated and starting to get depressed. I haven't worked in a while, and I'm slacking in school because of this. I'm also a hypochondriac and I'm only 25, otherwise very healthy kid. 

[cyclinglady]

Try a bandaid approach while you are waiting for test results.  Maybe some Gas-EX?  Or...get out and take a walk.  Moving around helps keep your mind off things and keep things moving through your intestines.Walking might not be your thing, but you what I am saying.  

Try not to neglect your studies.  Take baby steps.  Study. walk. Study. Walk.  You do not want to be slammed with work.  The quarter or semester will be over before you know it!  

[squirmingitch]

Actually, when I was having this kind of bloat before I knew I had celiac I found that drinking prune juice really helped. Honest to goodness. I don't know how it works to break up the gas bubble but it worked for me.

It's like this humongous gas bubble is sitting in there taking up all the available room. You literally feel like you will quite simply explode like a balloon popping. I once took so many Gas X trying to get it to budge & they all sat up there on top of that big bubble & I ended up vomiting all the GasX & still had the bloat. I'm not saying GasX won't work -- it did help me numerous times; I'm just saying prune juice really helped more. And I agree with cyclinglady about the walking. Walk, walk, walk, keep moving.

[bartfull]

Another thing that helps is to drink a cup of ginger tea right after eating. It's best to use fresh ginger root. Shave some off, steep it, then strain it. You can add a bit of lemon and honey too if you like. But if you can't do that, any form of ginger will help. If you can find ginger candy, or even gluten-free gingersnaps, make them your dessert after every meal.

[Victor10]

I really appreciate all the replies. It's not seeming to work. I don't know if my stress and anxiety is contributing. I'm a 25yr hypochondriac fearing I have a terminal illness. The anxiety of the results might be making my symptoms more severe then they really are.

Also I'm not sure if I'm getting CC somehow and its not allowing me to heal properly. I'm just so fed up with this. Feels like my stomach has this constant pulsating feeling with what seems to be trapped gas pain.

[LookingforAnswers15]

Hi Victor10,

do not worry about having a terminal illness. Gas was one of the weirdest symptoms I experienced at first and it made no sense to me but I know for sure now it is directly connected with celiac. It is uncomfortable and embarrassing but unfortunately it happens. It will go away after being on gluten-free diet. I have had gas issues (that lasted a few days) twice. One time before my diagnosis and it lasted I think at least a week (this was over a year ago) and recently last month when I ate that stupid granola bar that stated it was gluten free, dairy and soy free. So, you won't be stuck with gas forever. Do not worry about this as long as you are eating healthy. What helped me was just eating clean diet. I do not eat any gluten free processed food and I occasionally drink ginger tea (which is anti-inflammatory and great for you in general). 

Also, cooking with turmeric is great. I know that you said that you do not really cook much but you can buy New Chapter gluten-free turmeric pills. Turmeric is also know to be anti-inflammatory. 

Make sure you drink enough water and eat bananas ( I think you might be the third person that I told this to). I literally lived on bananas that first time and I think they really helped with gas, regulating bowel movement and digestion in general.

Lastly, use bone broth. 

All other suggestions are great but it may take more than a couple go hours for them to work (just like anything else I mentioned). If you get officially diagnosed with celiac (even if you don't but realize gluten is an issue for you), you will learn that there are no quick fixes when it comes to these issues. It takes so little to get glutened but much longer to heal. You just have to keep rolling with the punches. Sometimes we feel better, sometimes worse and it is normal to feel scared and frustrated. I am not a hypochondriac but I have most likely been labeled as one lately since none of these doctors were digging deep enough to figure out what can help me with my symptoms. If I can offer you a piece of advice is that you do not say to a doctor that you are a hypochondriac when you walk into his/her office because that label will stick with you and they might brush off some of your symptoms and worries. It sucks having to justify that these symptoms are not "just in your head". Just because I mentioned that I try to educate myself on some of these health issues, the doctor today said that all the tests I have had done are done on my initiative (did not take enough time to carefully read my tests results because if she did, she would see that each doctor referred me to another). For you, it is good that you know that you are a hypochondriac so you can actually use that as a coping strategy. For example, if you ever get overwhelmed with fear of terminal illness, take it as - I know I am a hypochondriac so it is most likely not the worst case scenario that I am thinking about but I will look into this issue to figure out what is going on. Maybe it will help you control these fears.

Waiting for the results is stressful  and scary for sure. As much as I was happy that they tested me for specific things this last time, I have been waiting for my results for a very long time and having to call the hospital to see if my test results are in is truly scary. During this time, I have went through ups and downs and my emotions have ranged from feeling terrified to hopeful. It depends on how you also feel that day and stress definitely does not help. I would describe this as a roller coaster ride. At some point, you just want to find out. That saying 'what does not kill you makes you stronger' could be applied here. Although I would be the first one to say that I do not feel that I am strong at this point, I as well as other celiacs are and have to be strong. We go through so much that we learn to deal with things that people without chronic illnesses do not even know how because they did not have any experience with this. I see people complain on fb about having a cold or something like that and I literally miss those days when these were my only worries. 

Wish you good luck! Hang in there. I really hope and think that things will be much better than you expect them to be right now.

[knitty kitty]

 

A little anatomy lesson, if you don't mind... remember, it is all one tube, just named according to location in the body.

The Ascending colon is on your right side, flowing from your pelvis up to under your ribs.  The Transverse colon runs across the body. The Descending colon runs down your left side.

This is your Curly-Q exhaust pipe. Remember bubbles always float at the top.

So, lay on your left side, rubbing tummy in clockwise motion gently. When bubbles feel like they've gurgled into the Ascending colon, sit up, and lay down on your right side.  Bubbles hopefully will float to the top, across the Transverse colon, and gather into the Descending colon. Rub as necessary. Repeat procedure as needed. 

Oh, and never trust a fart.  Hope this helps.

[bartfull]

Oh, and never trust a fart.

[notme]

Oh, and never trust a fart.

LOLZ !  "here i sit, all broken-hearted....."  

 

it took me years to re-learn the art of the fart.

 

OP - have you tried digestive enzymes or probiotics?  i have experimented with them until i have the perfect combination that works for my body.  digestive enzymes will help to break down food in your stomach (i take them with every meal) and probiotics will help to restore the flora (good bacteria) in your intestines.  i hope you feel better.

[Victor10]

Thanks everyone. i am feeling abit better but i still have some abdominal pain. i noticed its alot more intense when i have an empty stomach. i think i may have been getting CC'd so i started today making 110% sure that doesn't happen. lets see how that goes. My results were supposed to be in today so i'm guessing if its not terminal or serious since i haven't been called about it? follow-up is on Tues. in a few days so lets see if the blood shows anything postive.

 

Its just this almost constant stomach gnawing sometimes a slight burning sensation. followed by the floating stools. seems to be alot of gas.

[bartfull]

If you're scared of eating because it hurts you may not be eating often enough. (You say it's more intense on an empty stomach.) Try eating small meals several times a day instead of larger meals three times a day. An empty stomach can very well lead to all of the symptoms you describe.

[Victor10]

If you're scared of eating because it hurts you may not be eating often enough. (You say it's more intense on an empty stomach.) Try eating small meals several times a day instead of larger meals three times a day. An empty stomach can very well lead to all of the symptoms you describe.

 

Yes im terrified of eating now. too be honest i haven't eaten correctly in days. Its ruining me. so my stomach is constantly moving, hurting and burning. i get stressed out not knowing if its hunger or something like an ulcer or cancer. i'm a hypochondriac and only 25yrs

 

all i had to eat today was two bananas and three bottles of water with a probiotic and a digestive enzyme. 

[bartfull]

You need to eat! Honestly, by not eating you are making both your symptoms and your anxiety worse. There are plenty of gluten-free foods you can eat without worry. Bake a potato. Cook up a burger or a pork chop. Shred the meat onto the potato. Throw some of your favorite cooked veggie on top. Then eat a third of it. In a couple of hours eat another third. Then have another banana. Later on eat that last of your potato/meat/veg meal. Have some Planter's cashews later on. Keep food in your stomach and I guarantee you will feel better.

[knitty kitty]

Sorry you're feeling so awful.  Bananas are easier to digest if they have lots of black spots on them. Eating bright yellow ones might be difficult for your inflamed tummy.  

I agree with Bartfull, small frequent meals are better. I go by the five bite rule.  Five bites of food at one little meal. And protein is important. The body needs protein for repairs.  Try chicken or lamb, they're easier to digest. Plain white rice is easy to digest, too. Or a baked sweet potato.

Don't have any cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and brussel sprouts) because they make copious amounts of gas in the digestion process. 

Try to relax. Your brain and tummy are connected. The more upset you get the more your tummy gets upset and vice versa.  I know that relaxing is easier said than done. Find a good movie to distract you and try not to fret just for the length of that movie. Comedies help distract me, and laughter is healing. 

Hope this helps you to feel better soon.

 

[Victor10]

I just got home and ate some meat loaf and sweet potatoes. All Gluten free and carefully prepared. 

My stomach hurts a little and abit of gas but I think this is to be expected from a stomach that has been pretty much empty for almost a week. 

Here's to hoping I feel better after eating more now and not stressing as much.