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Intestinal Gurgling :( Anyone Else?

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Posted 10/28/2008 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

For the last 6 months on and off for periods of 1 to 3 weeks at a time I keep getting these bouts of severe intestinal "gurgling" and irregular bowel movements. This has happened maybe 6 times in the last 6 months. But it doesn't just come and leave quickly. When I get these symptoms, it lasts for a few weeks. I have had Crohn's disease for 6 years now (I am 27) and until 6 months ago I can't say I ever had any real issues other than the occassional run to the bathroom after a meal or some minor pain. But one day I ate a cheesesteak sub (which I didn't do often) and bam, I have seemed to be on a downhill slide ever since. I don't know how to keep from getting like this or what to do when it comes on. It is extremely uncomfortable and hard to work. I find myself in the bathroom multiple times daily (I was used to going once in the morning before). I seem to have shoe string like stool when I get like this. When I am normal, I am normal. Solid stools and once in the morning. My GI told me to take some more fiber (metamucil) when I can't say I have been religious about doing. I hestitate to take fiber because I read so much about people saying crohns people should stay away from fiber. I read about people taking charcoal tablets for similar symptoms as well to help with the gurgling. I am scared to eat when I get like this and when I eat I don't know what to eat. I have been struggling with this round for 2 weeks now, with near constant gurgling. Does anyone else have these symptoms ever? Can anyone offer some advice that works for you is you do? I take asacol each day and do my best to eat right (whatever that is, I don't know exactly). I stay clear of dairy and many greans as well as raw fruit or veggies. I am pretty down when I get like this and distance myself from everyone. I am a 27 year old male when is normally outgoing and just want to feel at least as normal as possible if I can. Thanks for reading this. I pray for everyone that has crohns worse than me as I know I am lucky to only have to deal with my symptoms.
 
Posted 10/28/2008 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Brian, YES, I experience the gurgling from time to time. In my case, it's usually when I've eaten something that doesn't agree with me and makes me sick. It can take several days to resolve itself, and during that time I always make sure not to eat anything that might make it worse. Like you, I do not tolerate raw fruits and vegetables very well and can only have a couple of small pieces of something like that if I'm going to eat it, and I can't have whole-grain foods or too much fiber at all. I've had mild Crohn's for 12 years and also take Asacol (2 tablets/3x daily). Try to eat plain foods for a while and see if it helps... you can do a search on bland diets to get some ideas. Good luck!
Posted 10/28/2008 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
In regards to the metamucil, have you tried the wafers? I eat 1 or 2 of them a day without any trouble.
Posted 10/28/2008 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the responses. It is always nice to know I am not alone. I think I will give adding some fiber a try for awhile and see what happens. It is just like when I am good, I am good and no issues, but when I am having these symptoms, I don't know how to deal with it. I just met a girl that I am having a lot of fun getting to know, but I don't know how to explain that I have these issues sometimes :(
Posted 10/28/2008 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Brian have you been tested for narrowing? Seems like a bit of obstruction to me .Could be caused by inflamation or stricture. As far as what to eat low roughage as in easy to chew easy to digest. Creamed soups, tuna on white bread, jello, piddings , pancakes, french toast, bananas, minced meats ,fish , chicken things like that. Is it relly loud and can you see your abdomen moving around?lol gail
Posted 10/28/2008 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gail,

As soon as my symptoms began 6 months ago I met up with my GI. He did a colonoscopy and an small bowel series. He told me both looked good with no inflamation and he didn't see any narrowing, and told me as he has before that I have a very mild case of crohns. I am glad to hear all this, as it is always good to get "good news", but that doesn't explain my symptoms. He said gurgling might be from my diet, and to increase fiber and stay away from dairy. That is what I have been offered at this time. It is pretty loud sometimes, but it is more about the way that I feel that bothers me. I can see my stomach move too :). I do have a pretty good sense of humor with everything, but this is keeping me from being myself. Thank you for the listing of food above, I apreciate that and will try these out. No one has ever really given me a diet, and I understand what works for one may not work for another, but I am just in a state of not knowing what to do I guess. Instead of going all the time, I tend to not be able to go which is just as bad.
Posted 10/28/2008 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Brian,

That sounds just like the obstruction I had. Lots of gurgling, thin stools, D, gas and bloating. After the resection all of the gurgling went away. I've been having pain and some gurgling in just the past couple of weeks, and I know I active disease and inflammation, so I'm worried that I am narrowing again already. I just started Humira so I'm hoping that works. Have you had a SBFT to see if there is narrowing where the doc can't see?
Posted 10/28/2008 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
It scares me to think about having to have surgery. I would have thought the Small Bowel Series I had just 3 months ago would have showed this if there was an issue as I was having these same symptoms then. I've told the doctor about all of this and he said the tests were good. maybe there is another explaination for my symptoms. I hope the humira helps you and you get back on track. Good luck!
Posted 10/28/2008 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Brian I would think the test you had would have showed any obsrruction. The only other thing I can think of is that things just are being moved along. If the metamucil don't work then I don't know .How long did it take for the barium to go threw? Steak is hard to digest. Hope it will work for you . lol gail
Posted 10/28/2008 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
The barium went through pretty quick I think. I was out in under and hour and the doctor that saw me at the end said all looked well. I stay away from steak and ribs as I know my stomach doesn't like them. I will up the metamucil tonight and see if that helps. I am so thankful for this site and for caring people. I have been a member for a few years and some days this was all that kept me sane. At times I could have just cried. Thanks for the replies!
Posted 10/28/2008 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Brian,

I have constant bowel noises-for me, it's the worst part of this disease as it makes it obvious to everyone that there's something wrong and i feel i can't get too close, physically, to people as i get embarressed. im pregnant at the moment so this problem is on the back burner but i'm going to tackle it in the new year as it's been years since i had an examination so it could be due to narrowing.

Anyway, i've done some research over the years and there's lots you can try. I think the main thing is playing with your diet and eating natural yoghurt daily. If you type 'noisy abdomen' into google, there's a massive thread all about this problem-you might find some ideas of things to try from there. Good luck and if you find a cure, please let me know!xx

Posted 10/28/2008 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have stomach gurgling as well!! Mine happens first thing in the morning and its SOOOO loud it wakes me up like an alarm clock! My fiance calls my tummy "the Gremlin" b/c it talks so much! It happens every morning, it doesn't matter what I have eaten. But then I constantly have an upset stomach first thing in the morning everyday. I have YET To find something to stop the gurgling, if you do, let me know!
Posted 10/29/2008 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
I am just going to increase my fiber and hope that by moving things along I won't have this feeling and gurgling anymore.  I will let everyone know how things go. 

I will continue to work with my diet too.  I don't think I ate unheathly before, but I also am going to start a food journal.  I am only 27 and can't stand to be messed up for weeks at a time like this anymore.  Good luck to everyone with this issue. 

Thank you HealingWell!  I am so glad this site is available.  What a support system.  My family is always there for me, but sometimes they just can't relate.

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