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Posted 12/30/2007 5:52 AM (GMT 0)

Here is my story. I suffer from a constant expelling of gas that is lethal enough to be considered dangerous to anyone who happens to be in the vicinity. Anything I eat, even as small as one hershey kiss is enough to create fireworks! I have tried a lot of home remedies from peppermint and everything in between. Forget Beano! It does not faze me.I take Levbid which is better than nothing at all. I have to in order to be able to function in my job. The side effects are dry mouth and eyes (I look stoned) and extreme sleepyness. I have school on Thursday evenings and so I go the entire day without eating. My husband doesn't understand why I can't just hold it. Most of the time I am not given that choice. I am amazed he stays with me. I find myself up late at night in a different room of the house up to two hours waiting for it to pass, so I can sleep and believe me I am exhausted by then. I do find that if I roll around on the floor, it breaks up the gas bubbles so that I can pass it faster. As I get older it just gets worse and smellier! I gross me out! And please don't even ask about the public incidents! I almost passed out from embarrassment from one situation! I am desparate for help! All will be appreciated. Thanks!

Posted 12/30/2007 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Since you mention the hershey's kiss, I am wondering if you are dairy intolerant.  I suffered from absolutely horrible gas until I cut out dairy (including milk chocolate).  Now I still have occasional gas, but it is much milder.  If I slip up and have dairy, I am soon reminded why I avoid it.

Posted 12/30/2007 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
I feel for you.  I use to suffer from this everyday...I couldn't hold it at work and I just had to let it out....I know the looks, believe me.  Then, I was eating A LOT of protein.  I backed down, and I was doing much better.  Here is a list of foods that my doctor gave me to avoid:

Foods that increase gas:

beans

beer

carbonated soda

broccoli

brussel sprouts

cabbage

cauliflower

corn

cucumbers

mushrooms

peas

radishes

spinach

dairy products

Foods that increase odor:

asparagus

broccoli

brussel sprouts

cabbage

cauliflower

beans

eggs

fish

onions

some spices

 

Posted 12/30/2007 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your responses. I guess I forgot to mention that, yes, I am lactose intolerant. I am pretty intolerant of pretty much everything I eat. It doesn't help that my husband is a chef and since I've been off work, I have gained weight. I hate being a slave to this illness! I am considering trying the elimination diet. Hopefully, it'll help. Has anyone tried the carbon pads that you insert in your underware for odor? Do you know if it works?

Posted 12/30/2007 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried taking a GAS-X or Phazme immediately after you eat. I find these really cut down on gas. I have trapped gas and wish I could release it more easily cause the trapped gas is very uncomfortable and makes me very bloated and cough. My Dr. did say that gas your pass is usually from a bacterial problem or undigested food. Have you been checked for bacterial problems and have you tried the Probiotics.
Posted 12/30/2007 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, thank you, I have tried all the over-the-counter meds and found them an entire waste of my money. I did try the Activa and there were no noticeable changes. Maybe due to the lactose intollerance. My gas is also sometimes trapped. When I was younger my parents took me to the hospital a couple of times, because the severe sharp pains and my crying made them think it was a possible appendicitis attack. I almost prefer the painful times to the smelly gas! I've been in large crowds before and was unable to hold my gas. You can imagine my complete and horrible embarassement. I actually came close to passing out because of one I experienced at a concert. Everyone standing behind me, including my then boyfriend backed way up all at once. Whenever I get up in the mornings, my entire bedroom smells toxic and I'm not entirely sure that it is not! Obviously I am desparate.
Posted 12/31/2007 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Well, what does the Doctor say? If you have not been checked for bacterial causes then that is something you should consider. I think maybe the elimination diet would be a good thing. I cannot use Activa because of the dairy but I am pretty successful with Probiotics like Bifidus and Acidophalous by pill. I have almost passed out from acid reflux so I know what that is like. There has to be a reason.
Posted 12/31/2007 1:35 AM (GMT 0)

Canyonbabe can you tell me more about the probiotics you take?  I saw Dr. Oz on Oprah talking about it. Are there any side effects to taking it?  Will it get rid of bad bacteria? 

Why do you think you almost passed out from acid reflux?  This has also happened to me a few times...horrible, especially when you have a baby to take care of.

Posted 12/31/2007 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
I had a colonostophy(?) years ago. I was awake for the entire procedure with no anesthetics. It was so painful I shot off the table twice. He explained that it hurt because he had to use a straight instrument and that he had to manuver around. Imagine my surprise when I found out that most people are given something or put out during this procedure. Needless to say, I did not let him continue. At that point he just gave me a three page list with all the foods I was supposed to stop eating, which was just about everything. I've not had a lot of trust in that area since then. My regular doctor just gave me Levbid and said I have IBS with no testing at all. I really don't want to live my life like this. Are there specialists that I can call that might be helpful?
Posted 12/31/2007 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
I didn't almost pass out from acid reflux. I was so humiliated that my normally very low blood pressure shot through the roof and I almost passed out.
Posted 12/31/2007 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
I didn't almost pass out from acid reflux. I was so humiliated that my normally very low blood pressure shot through the roof and I almost passed out.
Posted 12/31/2007 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
My suggestion is to try an acupuncturist.  I was never a believer but unfortunately traditional medicine hasn't helped people with IBS and/or any other kinds of chronic stomach problems . I've been getting treatment for my asthma from an acupuncturist and it has also helped with my stomach pain/bloating/gas (IBS).   My asthma is better than it has been in 15 years so now I'm going to concentrate on getting treatment specifically for my stomach.  Also one BIG factor of my stomach problems was eating chicken.  I found out that it's one food that many people are highly sensitive to but it never shows up on an allergy test because it's just a sensitivity not a true allergy.  After eliminating chicken from my diet, stomach discomfort was greatly reduced although it hasn't yet disappeared!  Good Luck!

Posted 12/31/2007 5:31 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, and that is what I was told to eat. Must be what they feed them as I handle chicken well.

I don't know if I can explain about the almost passing out but the Dr. said it was something to do with the nerves that can be affected. It was called vasovagal syncope. But at least two other times I had heartburn so bad that it went thru my arms and legs and I alsmot passed out those times. This other time was a one time thing and I suddenly started to feel like I was in a tunnel and blacking out. They were very different.

I have used a different number of Probiotics. Everyone seems to have their favorite. I ge a Probiotics at Trader Joe's where I live but have used different kinds.
Sometimes they will cause some gas in the beginning. Many people have success with Digestive Advantage. They all put good bacteria back in your system to gobble up the bad stuff.

I, too, had my first colonscopy fully awake but I screamed thru it and then changed Doctors and now am fully sedated. My friend just had one awake and had no problems from same Doctor. They use a flexible scope not a rigid one these days. Never heard of the rigid being used lately. ARe you sure you didn't have a sigmoidoscopy? They never let people that have colonscopies go without something and you cannot drive home. I believe they do use a rigid one sometimes for sigmoid as that can only go up so far. In order to have a colonscopy you have to be in a out patient hospital setting. They don't do it in the office.
Posted 12/31/2007 8:09 AM (GMT 0)

makanani said...
Yes, thank you, I have tried all the over-the-counter meds and found them an entire waste of my money. I did try the Activa and there were no noticeable changes. Maybe due to the lactose intollerance. My gas is also sometimes trapped. When I was younger my parents took me to the hospital a couple of times, because the severe sharp pains and my crying made them think it was a possible appendicitis attack. I almost prefer the painful times to the smelly gas! I've been in large crowds before and was unable to hold my gas. You can imagine my complete and horrible embarassement. I actually came close to passing out because of one I experienced at a concert. Everyone standing behind me, including my then boyfriend backed way up all at once. Whenever I get up in the mornings, my entire bedroom smells toxic and I'm not entirely sure that it is not! Obviously I am desparate.

As a gas tooting old timer, I can relate to your predicament.  This is what I have discovered in my 20 plus years with the always unpredictable IBS.

When the gas is that toxic, it is usually a symptom of conjested bowels and a proliferation of bad bacteria that results from improper transit and elimination.  In other words, ya ain't poopin' properly or enough and there's probably excess fermented waste hanging around your colon.  These days, I still suffer from viscous bouts with gas, but they don't smell.  It's mainly air trapped in the colon.  As long as I am having BM's with some regularity, the odor is practically non-existant.  The moment I "back-up", watch out, gas mask time!

So, I guess the question would be how are your bowels moving?  If you are experiencing frequent C, that could be your problem.  For me, even one day of C will cause noxious gas.  I have found that food is not the culprit.  As long as the food keeps moving out and doesn't hang around the colon long enough to ferment the bad bacteria, I can eat almost anything.

Posted 12/31/2007 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Gutastrophe...I agree with you about the fermentation and smelly gas...constipation will cause this.  But there are people who go everyday...my husband for example...and he has terrible gas depending on what he has eaten...meatloaf, mexican, etc.  I know sugar does cause more fermentation in the bowels...

Posted 12/31/2007 4:26 PM (GMT 0)

gutastrophe said...

 

As a gas tooting old timer, I can relate to your predicament.  This is what I have discovered in my 20 plus years with the always unpredictable IBS.

When the gas is that toxic, it is usually a symptom of conjested bowels and a proliferation of bad bacteria that results from improper transit and elimination.  In other words, ya ain't poopin' properly or enough and there's probably excess fermented waste hanging around your colon.  These days, I still suffer from viscous bouts with gas, but they don't smell.  It's mainly air trapped in the colon.  As long as I am having BM's with some regularity, the odor is practically non-existant.  The moment I "back-up", watch out, gas mask time!

So, I guess the question would be how are your bowels moving?  If you are experiencing frequent C, that could be your problem.  For me, even one day of C will cause noxious gas.  I have found that food is not the culprit.  As long as the food keeps moving out and doesn't hang around the colon long enough to ferment the bad bacteria, I can eat almost anything.

 

YOU RAISE A GOOD POINT GUTASTROPHE!!!

I ALWAYS TOUGTH IT MAKES SENSE THAT BACTERIAS BUILD UP WHEN CONSTIPATED.

It seeems that some people dosen't creat much gas but can be severly constipated tho.My question is:

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT GOD CREAT GAS TO PROMOTE MOTILITY?

Posted 12/31/2007 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Makanan,

I too have a similar problem.  I have 2 conditions, Ulcerative Colits and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  I have had a consultation with a dietitican in Australia who does phone consultations.  She has helped me considerably.  Please read the theard on FODMAPS.  You may find that this help with your condition.  I know it has help with mine.  https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=998680

Good Luck, I'm sure that some of the tooting will stop if you look seriously at your diet and keep a diary in consultation with a dietician who has done research into this problem.  The dietitican I consulted with was involved in the research.

Good Luck

Posted 1/1/2008 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your most wonderful advice. I have made a few friends along the way in my research. I work in a very well known bookstore and have been looking at several books and will continue to research. I met 2 people today in our store that were looking for books in the same general areas! One girl was about twentyish and had lost 100 lbs. and improved her situation by getting rid of all toxic foods. She  was looking for a good cookbook that she could use that would apply. She had also had several conolostopy's. She did highly recommended colonics. Another lady in her 40's stated that she also has suffered from IBS and Activa worked for her, except that if she misses just one day, she suffers for it. I was offered a permanent position with the company today and felt that my boss should know about my problems and he pulled open a drawer with Citracel and other meds. He was very empathetic. There are more people out there than I clearly realized! I would like to contact the lady doing the research. I will email her immediately! Thank you and Happy New Year. Let's hope that this a good year for all!

Posted 1/1/2008 9:44 AM (GMT 0)

makanani said...
Thank you all for your most wonderful advice. I have made a few friends along the way in my research. I work in a very well known bookstore and have been looking at several books and will continue to research. I met 2 people today in our store that were looking for books in the same general areas! One girl was about twentyish and had lost 100 lbs. and improved her situation by getting rid of all toxic foods. She  was looking for a good cookbook that she could use that would apply. She had also had several conolostopy's. She did highly recommended colonics. Another lady in her 40's stated that she also has suffered from IBS and Activa worked for her, except that if she misses just one day, she suffers for it. I was offered a permanent position with the company today and felt that my boss should know about my problems and he pulled open a drawer with Citracel and other meds. He was very empathetic. There are more people out there than I clearly realized! I would like to contact the lady doing the research. I will email her immediately! Thank you and Happy New Year. Let's hope that this a good year for all!

I highly recommend colonics, or colon hydrotherapy as it is called in professional circles.  I do believe this helped me a great deal with the gas.

Also, just wanted to mention that one can have a BM every day and still be constipated.  For years, I had daily movements (although never felt "emptied") and never considered myself constipated.  Only after an x-ray revealed that I had a fully impacted colon was I told by a GI that insufficient daily movements can still result in C.  That might not be the case with your hubby, of course.  C is not the only reason for gas.  But in the case of really noxious emissions, one should consider that something deadly is laying way too long in the colon.

Good luck and check into colon hydrotherapy!


Posted 1/1/2008 9:51 AM (GMT 0)

YOU RAISE A GOOD POINT GUTASTROPHE!!!

I ALWAYS TOUGTH IT MAKES SENSE THAT BACTERIAS BUILD UP WHEN CONSTIPATED.

It seeems that some people dosen't creat much gas but can be severly constipated tho.My question is:

IS IT POSSIBLE THAT GOD CREAT GAS TO PROMOTE MOTILITY?

What an excellent question!  And one I have pondered for years!

For me, medications that calm the colon like Bentyl or Levsin constipate me.  Because they eliminate the gas, which often propels the bowels, they will also eliminate the BM.  With IBS, the spasms occur all throughout the instestines, rather than one giant spasm that pushes the contents out in one big sweep.  So what you get is a few small eliminations and alot of gas trapped between the remaining contents.  At least that is how it works for me. 

The first few times I went for colon hydrotherapy, I actually wept because it was the first time in years and years that I actually understood how "normal" people have BM's!  It's a completely different experience from what I know.

Posted 1/2/2008 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Gas in the gastrointestinal tract has only two sources. It is either swallowed air or it is produced by bacteria that normally inhabit the intestines, primarily the colon. Swallowed air is rarely the cause of excessive flatulence. The usual source is the production of excessive gas by intestinal bacteria. The bacteria produce the gas (hydrogen and/or methane) when they digest foods, primarily sugars and polysaccharides (e.g., starch, cellulose), that have not been digested during passage through the small intestine. Sugars that are commonly poorly digested (maldigested) and malabsorbed are lactose, sorbitol, and fructose. Lactose is the sugar in milk. The absence of the enzyme lactase in the lining of the intestines, which is a genetic trait, causes the maldigestion. Lactase is important because it breaks apart the lactose so that it can be absorbed. Sorbitol is a commonly used sweetener in low calorie foods. Fructose is a commonly used sweetener in all types of candies and drinks.

Starches are another common source of intestinal gas. Starches are polysaccharides that are produced by plants and are composed of long chains of sugars. Common sources of different types of starch include wheat, oats, potatoes, corn, and rice. Rice is the most easily digested starch and little undigested rice starch reaches the colon and the colonic bacteria. Accordingly, the consumption of rice produces little gas. In contrast, the starches in wheat, oats, potatoes, and, to a lesser extent, corn, all reach the colon and the bacteria in substantial amounts. These starches, therefore, result in the production of appreciable amounts of gas.

:)
Posted 1/2/2008 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
I've decided to explore the hydrocolonics. I don't know where I can get this done or whether or not it can be covered by insurance, but that is the direction I plan on going.
Posted 1/2/2008 6:04 AM (GMT 0)

makanani said...
I've decided to explore the hydrocolonics. I don't know where I can get this done or whether or not it can be covered by insurance, but that is the direction I plan on going.

Look for a clinic that has licensed hydrotherapists.  The one I went to took insurance AFTER my GI doc referred me.  See if you can get a referral from your primary.

Good luck!

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