A Year Later

It has been over a year since my sub-total colectomy with ileal rectal anastomosis for my colonic inertia. I wanted to wait a year until things should more on par with what I should expect for the rest of my life. Earlier this year I had non-stop gas (like at least every five minutes). My doctor put me on some special antibiotic (unfortunately I cannot remember the name) that only stays in my gastro tract. Then a few days later I got strep throat. I went to my GP and got a prescription for that. I was taking both antiobiotics. A few days later I was back at the urgent care as I was vomiting way too much (over 10 times). They were very concerned given my surgery history. I gave numerous stool samples, blood samples, and even a pregnancy test. Ha! The diagnosis? We're not sure.

I recovered from that and a few weeks later I was still have problems with the gas. I did a breath test at the hospital and my levels for bacteria were borderline. My doctor went ahead and gave me a prescription. It improved some, but never went away completely.

A few months ago I returned to the GI doc as I was having lots of liquid stools. At the visit I also mentioned the genetic test for celiac test (I've been tested 4 times for the others). Apparently they cover it and he went ahead and ordered the test. It came back with a positive genetic marker for it. My other results have always shown high antibodies, but never tissue issues. I've never had a biopsy which would confirm it. While I'm not diagnosed with celiac disease (I went gluten free while he was on vacation and decided I could still be gluten intolorent) I have become gluten-free in a very strict manner. My biggest improvement is the fatigue. I can actually stay awake at my desk! I'm still having gas issues. I have cut out a lot of dairy and take Lactaid pills which help some. If I have say eat a ceasar salad (sans croutons) for lunch.. major mistake. However, if I have a tex Mex kind of salad that has beans, chicken, other toppings I'm usually OK if I don't consume any other veggies the rest of the day.

Other triggers:
Beef
Red Wine
Multiple servings of booze
Greens
Apple Juice
Orange Juice
Dairy

As much as I pop Gas X and Lactaid.. and stay away from the list above I still have gas issues. They are not as bad, but still bothersome. I've gone on probiotics which seemed to have no effect after 45 days.

Regardless of what I eat I always wake up extremely gassy. I have pelvic floor dysfunction so I don't think my body can use the muscles to exert the gas while I'm sleeping.

Before I quit gluten I used to get a lot of stomach pain and general discomfort. My biggest problem still is the gas. It also coincides with how my stools will later come out as. My stools are never fully formed (which I'm OK with given my colonic inertia days!!). Except for eating greens and red wine I'm generally OK as far as the forming of the stool goes (soft vs. liquid). I just cannot get rid of this gas I have all throughout the day.

Any ideas?? I only have 2" of my colon remaining, plus my rectum. I can deal with soft stools! Its just being gassy and bloated all day that bothers me.

Hey Snuggle,

I feel like I have extreme gas and bloating everyday, too.  It doesn't matter what I eat!  I had my surgery for colon inertia back in June, and my small intestine goes in spasms all the time.  A lot of the time I feel like I have to lay on my right side in the fetal postion, or bend down to get the extra gas out.  Plus, I still take milk of magensia to help me go to the bathroom.  However, I think my condition might be a little different than yours.  I have had an even harder time eating since my surgery because I found out another reason that I have had pain in my left abdomen for the past 3 years that developed; I was finally diagnosed with gastroparesis in August after my surgery.  So, I don't know if part the problem is just there is extra air, foods, drinks that just ferment in stomach forever, for at least 8 hours or more!  I get nauseous a lot everyday, but it does make me wonder if my constipation, gastropresis caused me to develop some type of bacterial overgrowth in my small intestines.  I know my small intestine works great because I can feel it!  I do have an appt. with a motility doc in Chicago next week after Christmas hoping he had can help me because I know I am tired of feeling icky, and not being able to eat much all the time!

Kyle