Bloating so bad I look PREGNANT

Hello everyone!

I am 20 years old, and have had IBS since I can remember. Alternating constipation/diarrhea, which I have learned to live with. Recently had a fissure due to constipation, which was a joy if anyone has had one they know what its like!! I have had a colonoscopy (was definately the youngest person in that place that day ha) and came back normal, drs are not helpful,etc. So my main problem (which fluctuates along with my c/d) is this almost scary bloating. I literally can go from a normal size stomach to literally looking 5 months pregnant in a second. This distention is to the point where it is disturbing..and its hard for a doctor to really see how large it gets because I can't time when it happens...it is very random. It is not extremely discomforting but if I press on it (or press on my stomach at any time for that matter) it is painful. I am a athlete and while I am not a toothpick, my stomach should NEVER get this big.  Does anyone have any advice for me??  Is this totally normal?!

 

pcvb

check back to your thread here as I post stuff. I don't have a ton of time this week, bu there are things you can do to help this and the symptoms.

The symptoms are common.

Part of this has to do with the way the bowels are not working right in IBS. There is altered gas intestinal transit time. But there is also research on how the abdomen muslces are putting pressure on the lower gut.

I will post some research.

One thing that has shown to help this is gut directed Hypnotherapy for IBS.

Take a look at the graph on the top of this page. This is a legit page from an IBS expert. Its worth reading this website.

http://www.ibshypnosis.com/IBSresearch.html

pcvb, let me know what you thought of that site.

You should watch this as well from a top senior GI specialist in IBS in England who has been doing this for twenty years.

hypnosis for IBS

Several years ago we published an audit of the first 250 patients treated and found that hypnosis not only helps the symptoms of IBS but also significantly improves quality of life.1 Interestingly, it also relieves the additional symptoms from which so many patients with IBS suffer such as nausea, lethargy, backache, and urinary problems. This is in sharp contrast to the medications currently available for IBS, which often help one or two symptoms if at all.

http://aboutibs.org/site/about-ibs/management/hypnosis

Do IBS patients have impaired intestinal gas transit and tolerance?
Research reported in the January 2001 issue of Gut has shown that IBS patients have impaired transit and tolerance of intestinal gas loads.

A team from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain investigated intestinal gas transit and tolerance in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients compared with healthy subjects.

A gas mixture (N2, O2, and CO2 in venous proportions) was infused into the jejunum of 20 patients with IBS and 20 healthy controls, at 12 ml/min for 4 hours.

Gas evacuation, initially flatus from the anus (2 hours) and then intrarectally (2 hours), was continuously recorded. Symptom perception (0-6 scale) and abdominal distension were measured at 10-minute intervals.

18 out of 20 IBS patients, compared to 4 out of 20 controls, had impaired intestinal gas transit and tolerance.


The team found that after 2 hours of external gas (flatus) collection, 18 of 20 IBS patients had developed gas retention (>400 ml), increased gastrointestinal symptoms (score >3), or abdominal distension (>3 mm girth increment). Only 4 of the 20 control subjects developed such symptoms.

During intrarectal gas collection, 13 of 17 patients still exhibited abnormal responses.

Dr F. Azpiroz concluded on behalf of the group that, "A large proportion of patients with IBS can be shown to have impaired transit and tolerance of intestinal gas loads. This anomaly may represent a possible mechanism of IBS symptoms, specifically pain and bloating."

http://www.gastrohep.com/news/news.asp?id=221

LMW WHAT DID THE Dr give you for the Bloating?

Have you found any relief yet? I am 22, have IBS and have been experienced the stomach distention for most of the year. Although its no laughing matter, its funny that everyone I see describe this problem references looking 5 months pregnant..not 4 and not 6 lol. I myself say the same thing. Anyhow...I kept blowing the problem off at first, not wanting to go to the doctor over something stupid. It finally got to be too much and I scheduled an appt with a gastroenterologist. Unfortunately, I didnt know until I got there that my insurance had cancelled me for being two weeks late on my payment =( So, I have been doing ALOT of research online. I have recently come to the conclusion that I have SIBO (small intestine bacteria overdose). It happens when bacteria from the large intestine manuever into the small intestine...which is like a breeding ground. The bacteria go crazy on whatever food you eat; sweets and carbs are the worst because of sugar. Extra gas is created because of the bacteria, thus leading to the stomach distention. I know how horribly awful it is and there is not a day that goes by that I do not have some type of bloating or pain. I will go days without a bm and be bloated 3 or 4 sizes larger. It literally feels like I cant fit anything else in there so I skip meals. Usually after a day fast, the bloat goes down some, but not completey.



Saturday I decided to try some natural remedies to help. I purchased 100% pure organic coconut oil, local organic honey, and an internal toxin cleans. I am taking the coconut oil orally (it taste like coconut cream pie without sugar lol) with a little honey on top. It looks like its going to taste horrible but it really isnt bad at all. I have begun the toxin cleanse (2 weeks) and hope it really helps clean things out. The coconut oil is proven to combat the specific type of bacteria that grow in the small intestine (and cause the distention) and the cleanse will help flush it all out. In addition, many cleanse programs contain probiots, which are the healthy bacteria in the intestine. Antibiotics prescribed by a doctor are not completely safe for clear out the bad bacteria because it takes the good too, whereas coconut oil does not harm to the good ones. Lastly, I have been drinking a ton of water; 2 or 3 times a day I mix about a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of lemon juice in my water. Lemon juice and honey are also both bacteria fighting antisceptics and help reduce acid (and acid reflux).



I cant attest to whether or not this will work yet, but im giving it a try. I can say that since Saturday morning when I started this, my stomach has not gotten more than about 50% of the distention which usually occurs. I have not had any acid reflux either. If I know for sure that you still check these posts, I will keep you apprised of my progress. Best wishes to you!