Uncontrollable Gas

    Hello everyone, I'm so glad to finally have some sort of an outlet for my IBS w/ C. I'm tired of explaining myself to family and friends and having them think I'm being paranid or dramatic. My big problem right now is having gas at work. I guess the even bigger problem is not being able to control it. Is there something else wrong w/ me? I'm 30 and should be able to control that, right? I feel like I let them go w/out realizing it?  what do you guys think? 

     This is killing my social life! I haven't had a long-term boyfriend in over 5 years! I feel like I meet a potential and then have an episode (usually at work) and poof that's it- they're no longer interested. PLEASE ANY SUGGESTIONS??

You also need to look at what you're eating.

Chicken and fish don't give me gas, but things like diary, nuts, and breads do.

I know exactly what you're talking about. I had my colon removed a few months ago and DH has to leave the room sometimes or light a candle...seriously. It's so embarrassing.

Have you tried taking extra strength Gas-X? If I'm going out to dinner I take that before I leave.

I would hate to be single and dealing with this. I've thought about that too. If I wasn't already married what would I do!?

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I hope you find a solution that works for you.

((HUGS))
Kim

I would steer clear of fiber supplements and high fiber foods as they definately cause gas. Try and keep yourself as regular as possible, having bm's everyday.  Constipation will cause more gas. 

Probiotics will help minimize gas but you may experience a temporary increase when you first start taking them.  In addition, with C they can sometimes slow down the system too much and cause even more trouble.

For me, the best way to keep gas at bay is to avoid getting constipated.  If that means taking a laxative once a week just to "clean out", then that's what I do.  I don't ever have a problem with gas "accidentally" slipping out.  I struggle with the "trapped" gas that usually requires effort to break up and pass. 

I have IBS-C also and have been able to keep the gas under control by staying away from dairy products.  You might try avoiding all dairy products for at least a couple of weeks and see if that helps.

I think fiber is wonderful for chron's...as I have heard this from others...but for those of us who have constipation...watch out...I ended up in the ER with colon spasms so bad that I thought I was having a gallbladder attach...went off probiotics and cut my fiber back and I feel MUCH better!!!

Probiotics are good bacteria that you put back in your system. Many of us take them regularly, some occasionally. Some names are Acidophalous, Bifudus and they can be bought most anywhere. Everyone seems to have their favorite. YOu can also get some of this from Yogurt with live cultures. I have to second the idea about dairy. My gas smells really bad if I eat dairy and I get so much more of it. I have enough trouble with gas from acid production and air swallowing but at least that is not as noxious when it comes out the other way.

pb4 said...
gutastrophe :)

Initially fibre supplements and fibreous foods can cause extra gas and bloating BUT, this is only temporary until your system adjusts then all the bloating goes away and gas is cut down to a very minimal amount, not to mention the many other benefits of taking enough fibre everyday...cut out my mucus, gave me formed stools and even cut back frequency...fibre is actually highly recommended for IBSers along with probiotics (friendly bacteria) as IBSers tend to have bacterial overgrowth which exacerbates symptoms.

Fibre also helps sweep the bowels clean of bacteria so it works very well in conjunction with probiotics.

Fibre should be started in a small amount and taken with plenty of water and only increased slowly if necessary....it's done wonders for my crohns and IBS.

:)

That has not been my experience for the last 30 years dealing with IBS C.  I understand that there is a seeminly universal rule of thumb regarding fiber supplements, but it does not always work for those of us with chronic C, regardless of the length of time one takes it.  I took fiber supplements religiously for 15 years and always suffered with painful gas.  In addition, I ended up with a full colon impaction as a result of fiber being poured into a slow moving colon.

It is possible to get the necessary soluble fiber through food, which is what I do now.  It is also important to tailor fiber intake to each person's specific issues.  I think we can all agree there is no one thing that works for everyone!

spasman said...
ME!,

Did you had less gas with your colon in?

I'm really curious about that,i tough it was the colon creating gas.

No even if you have your colon taken out you'll still have gas. It'll just smell worse.

I had gas before except it was worse b/c it was with constipation so it wouldn't come out. Now I can eat and be able to go to the bathroom.

I don't work outside the home and I haven't had any problems with gas when I've gone out.

Excellent explanation on gas and exactly what my Dr. told me. Dang, he was right again.

http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DG/00014.html

Hello All,

Though we're not cured at all it sure helps to know that someone else feels my pain and understands.  This disease of not being able to control ones gas just occured one year ago AT THE MOVIES!!!!!  Yeah I wanted to jump of a building. Well the dieting helps to minimise the strong odor level but doesn't stop the gas from passing.  My doctor could care less about this so my next stop is the GI.  Just one question for you all..or maybe a few but please tell me if we at least have some things in common outside of this horrible disease. 

Were any of you big drinkers?  I was until this happend.

Did any of you smoke Mary Jane often?  I did but not anymore.

Did any of you live active(meaning sports etc.)lifestyles and this just pop up from nowhere? 

Is this something that is possibly hereditary? 

Have we decided yet on which day to have an IBS sufferers reunion where we go and eat our brains out(meaning whatever food we desire that we can't have regularly do to our condition) and talk crap or shoot the breeze on the mild rememdies that have worked for us individually?  Its something we should think about.  The money we save not eating our favorite items can go to us meeting and eating and ......shooting the breeze.  We should also consider having a GI specialist come and speak along with a nutritionist.

Just a thought friends.

FL

I have been suffering with IBS for a number of years with having abdominal pain in my left side around lower back and left rib cage mainly. I have tried many herbal remedies and been to the doctors so many times I just forget how many it is now! I was loosing hope and thought there was no cure for IBS sufferers. I really find it hard to also stick to a particular diet aswell. I seem to also have very bad gas which is extremly embarrassing, especially when I am in a meeting at work or I have to visit the dentist or something.

Has anyone heard that activated carbon works to help prevent offensive flatulence?
I recently came across some form of Activated carbon in underwear! I was so shocked when I saw what they did and how they worked on my local East Midlands news. I thought that is was a big mystery and I was intrigued to find out what they did so I bought some. They really do work! I can't believe how much my life has changed in a short space of time due to wearing this underwear. I hope that all sufferers in my situation are able to come across this amazing invention! I got them off the internet- where I do most of my research for my IBS problem. They are called Shreddies. They truely are the best rememedy I have come across by far!

Although these pants are amazing for that aspect of my problem and have helped me to get my confidence back, I am still suffering with abdominal pains. Does anyone know of any rememdies for this without having to necessarily rely on a certain diet?

Thanks

Hi all, new to this board but I know exactly what the poster is talking about.

Its not so much the gas but its the fact that the gas appears out of nowhere, without warning and without any kind of control.

I have this problem also. Makes it so I don't go to movies or any kind of social event where i am in close quarters with people. It seems to be worse when stressing out about it.

I have had this problem on and off for over 10 years. Sometimes it goes away for many months at a time but always manages to come back. I have tried pretty much everything. I am losing hope that it will ever be cured and I just make sure I try to keep out of situations where the gas will be noticed. Not always easy, especially since I work in an office.

Hi there Dennis - many here will tell you carbonated beverages, especially ones with caffeine and colas in particular will create more problems for IBSers, than help relieve gas, bloating, etc. I do know that doctors used to recommend Coca Cola to settle upset stomaches because I worked for ENT and plastic surgeons years ago, after they removed nasal packing patients often felt quessy. We would pour them a cup of Coca Cola. Doctors orders (this was 1975-85). Personally speaking, I've suffered from headaches and sometimes migraines for over 30 years now. I find that a Pepsi and pretzels combined with Motrin or Aspirin take care of them. So on one hand, a cola can help but on the other, it can create more problems (added gas as it goes thru your system).

I work for in a school cafeteria now and our boss drinks about 2 to 4 Coca Colas a day. She's had lots of dental work done because of this habit too. She's in her 40s and all this sugar has eaten away at her tooth enamel. She has many crowns (I actually do too! I'm 53).....but she seems to be in a different category. I have never consumed that many colas per day, in my life. More like 4 or 5 at the most, on a given week.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, go easy on colas. I am addicted to Pepsi myself, but I limit myself to 1 can, every other day and even then, I pour it into a glass, waiting for some of the carbonation to dissipate.