Discussions By Condition: Digestive conditions

Distention, noises, constipation, and gas

Posted In: Digestive conditions 11 Replies
  • Posted By: Anonymous
  • May 11, 2009
  • 05:24 PM

As the title says I've been suffering from these issues. I've had noises and abdominal distention since about September or October last year (2008) that would come from my stomach AFTER eating. About 2 months ago I started getting problems with gas and constipation. I feel a lot of gurgling/fluttering in my lower right abdominal area which sometimes is non stop as well as embarrassing noises coming from that area (sounds like flatulence but is not). I go to college and ever since this started 2 months ago I've missed loads of classes and my grades have took a nosedive. I can't stand being in a classroom setting at all anymore and avoid quiet situations as much as possible. Some days I wake up and I can feel the gurgling happening nonstop while I'm laying in bed, before I even eat anything, that's when I can tell the symptoms will be bad that day (excessive gas, constipation). I've gone to the doctor for the last 2 months and took numerous stool and blood tests as well as an ultrasound and they say I'm normal/fine. I've heard about IBS and I'm not sure if I have it, but I hope not because there is no cure. The only thing that I could think of was the fact that I was taking minocycline acne medication for 6 months, that's when the noises started (I also tried having live yogurt every day for a while because I've heard about bacterial overgrowth, but that didn't work either). I've tried everything and not sure what to do. Any help would be great thanks

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11 Replies:

  • Just want to tell you, you are not alone and I understand. I am in my 40's and have had problems for years, got bad in college too. I have tried a lot. I was on a lot of Acne meds also, not sure if that had an effect. Anyway, not sure I have answers for you. I will tell you my bloating is not as bad as it used to be. I take tea at night called "Smooth Move" (Traditional Medicinals).(I have no affiliation w/them) It is in the health food section of the supermarket. You are not supposed to take it regularly, but it is all that moves me. My constipation and pain was debilitating. I never knew when it would kick in, just like the commercials. Now, with the tea, I go first thing in the morning. My stomach goes flat unless I drink a lot of water it stays pretty flat all day. My doctor told me basically the diagnosis of IBS is when they can't really pinpoint the problem. I was diagnosed with that years ago. I have the horrible stomach noise too. I just started taking an Art class, only 5 people in it. Silence as we examine the work on the front wall for critique. We are all standing very close. My stomach is roaring, sound like gas. I was mortified. I thought the evening would be safe. I tried not eating and filling myself up, neither worked. I have decided I am going to announce my problem to the class and tell them where the sound is coming from and I will offer my apologies, otherwise I would not want to go to class either. I thought about printing up a t-shirt, like "Those crazy sounds are coming from my stomach." I used to eat Idaho instant mashed potatoes which I made in a hot pot when I was in college. I have no idea why that settled my stomach. Maybe it was psychological. I might try it again. Good Luck to you. Don't let it effect school, really. Talk to your teachers and I think you may feel better. Maybe they will call you "Gurgle" or maybe someone will have a solution that neither of us know about. Peace to you.
    Anonymous 42,789 Replies Flag this Response
  • Thanks for the response, I forgot about this thread and I just found it again. I went to the gastro. specialist doctor over a month ago and I go back wednesday. Symptoms have continued despite taking parasite cleanse, Amitiza medication (although it helped with the bowel movements, but not the noise), and align probiotic. Aside from the amitiza (which has also caused me to have diarrhea several times) they have been totally useless in fixing symptoms. I noticed some foods make it particularly bad, after eating pasta (with tomato sauce), after 5-10 minutes after eating-> non stop gurgling in the intestine and gas for over 2 hours..after eating a few slices of pizza, 5 minutes later non stop rumblings as well for over an hour..had steak and rice the next day with no problems. Sometimes I wake up with the noises but seem to be amplified after eating, also sometimes I feel a cramp in the lower right abdomen which is usually where those noise come from. There is no digestive disorder history of my family like ibs or celiacs disease, I'm 100% sure it's the antibiotics or a parasite (I took antibiotics for about 6-7 months last year, and also had food poisoning (very very bad) in april 2008.) September or october noises began in the mornings which made going to school every morning difficult. As I said symptoms are still continuing and have not found a solution. If I learn anything on wed. when I go to the doctor I will post it here. right now my life is pretty much on hold due to this problem so I'm trying to get it solved quickly
    Anonymous 42,789 Replies Flag this Response
  • Thanks for the response, I forgot about this thread and I just found it again. I went to the gastro. specialist doctor over a month ago and I go back wednesday. Symptoms have continued despite taking parasite cleanse, Amitiza medication (although it helped with the bowel movements, but not the noise), and align probiotic. Aside from the amitiza (which has also caused me to have diarrhea several times) they have been totally useless in fixing symptoms. I noticed some foods make it particularly bad, after eating pasta (with tomato sauce), after 5-10 minutes after eating-> non stop gurgling in the intestine and gas for over 2 hours..after eating a few slices of pizza, 5 minutes later non stop rumblings as well for over an hour..had steak and rice the next day with no problems. Sometimes I wake up with the noises but seem to be amplified after eating, also sometimes I feel a cramp in the lower right abdomen which is usually where those noise come from. There is no digestive disorder history of my family like ibs or celiacs disease, I'm 100% sure it's the antibiotics or a parasite (I took antibiotics for about 6-7 months last year, and also had food poisoning (very very bad) in april 2008.) September or october noises began in the mornings which made going to school every morning difficult. As I said symptoms are still continuing and have not found a solution. If I learn anything on wed. when I go to the doctor I will post it here. right now my life is pretty much on hold due to this problem so I'm trying to get it solved quicklyI have those similar issues as well. After YEARS of bathroom urgency, gas, pain, waves of nausea, I am taking some pro-biotics. I would typically have 2 to 3 URGENT bathroom visits per day. Mine too is worse when eating pastas and pizzas. Since taking the over-the-counter pro-biotic, I have NOT HAD any more events. This is working for me (and eating yogurt might do the same trick if you can stomach it), so it may be worth a try. I wish you luck. I am hopeful that after a month's time I will be normal like most people!!Hope this helps!
    Anonymous 42,789 Replies
    • August 23, 2009
    • 07:28 PM
    • 0
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  • I have those similar issues as well. After YEARS of bathroom urgency, gas, pain, waves of nausea, I am taking some pro-biotics. I would typically have 2 to 3 URGENT bathroom visits per day. Mine too is worse when eating pastas and pizzas. Since taking the over-the-counter pro-biotic, I have NOT HAD any more events. This is working for me (and eating yogurt might do the same trick if you can stomach it), so it may be worth a try. I wish you luck. I am hopeful that after a month's time I will be normal like most people!!Hope this helps!Hi...The anti-biotic can definately cause tummy troubles like you have described. Pro-biotics are an awesome way to help. Also be sure to limit or stop your intake of artificial sweetners (aspartame/Splenda), high frustose corn syrup and large amount of dairy products. I have IBD and used to be in the ER or doctor a lot for abdmoninal pain but since I have cut those items out, it is like a miracle. Feel better!!
    Anonymous 42,789 Replies
    • August 30, 2009
    • 11:00 AM
    • 0
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  • Hi...The anti-biotic can definately cause tummy troubles like you have described. Pro-biotics are an awesome way to help. Also be sure to limit or stop your intake of artificial sweetners (aspartame/Splenda), high frustose corn syrup and large amount of dairy products. I have IBD and used to be in the ER or doctor a lot for abdmoninal pain but since I have cut those items out, it is like a miracle. Feel better!!Have you been tested for SIBO? It is a bacteria overgrowth in your intestines, sounds like a lot of the same symptoms.
    Anonymous 42,789 Replies
    • August 31, 2009
    • 02:52 AM
    • 0
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  • I have a long history of bloating, gas, etc. My gastro recommended Citracel. It is good for both diarrhea and constipation as it is a bulking agent that smoothes the digestive process, unlike adding lots of fiber from food. Usually gas is caused by fermenting food so this product could help your food move more smoothly through the intestines causing less gas. Only use Citracel as Metamucil can cause more gas. It has worked for me and others I have recommended it to. Also you may have a "bacteria overgrowth" diagnosis which there is a simple test for. This is where the more potent bacteria in the intestines comes up into the stomach and causes unwanted symptoms like a lot of gas. The treatment is a round of antibiotics and sometimes has to be repeated later because it can come back up again. I take probiotics after a treatment to restore the natural flora. Good luck!
    Anonymous 42,789 Replies
    • November 1, 2009
    • 07:35 PM
    • 0
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  • Have had similar issues for the last 6 or more months. Started at night when i go to bed my stomach would girgle really, really loud. Got so bad during the night my husband would wake me. Then it started to do it more frequently, morning, day and night and now I've notice a lot of gas first thing in morning and sometimes during the day. Just bothersome cause never had these problems before. I am in my early 40's so I don't know if this is just part of old age or something wrong. So far can't be diagnosed??? Would luv to know what the problem is.
    Anonymous 42,789 Replies Flag this Response
  • I'm only 17 years old and i've had this since i was 14. One day in class my stomach started making noise but i knew i had to go to he bathroom. ever since that day I always have to go to the bathroom, I just get mad that it never happened before and now everyday it gets worse. Someone help. I'm tired of this "gas" problem.
    Anonymous 42,789 Replies
    • August 18, 2010
    • 11:11 PM
    • 0
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  • I'm only 17 years old and i've had this since i was 14. One day in class my stomach started making noise but i knew i had to go to he bathroom. ever since that day I always have to go to the bathroom, I just get mad that it never happened before and now everyday it gets worse. Someone help. I'm tired of this "gas" problem.I've noticed these problems come from tomato sauce and soybeans. Yes....soybeans. Even soybean oil which means if you have a product that contains soybean oil or soy sauce, get ready for a symphony. With tomato sauce, I can only have it occassionally. What happens is that I think that soy destroys natural enzymes in your stomach that can cause your stomach not to breakdown foods thus the distended abdomen. Eventually you will gain weight as well. I also suggest not eating nuts at all for this reason as soy and nuts cause similar reaction. No almonds and no peanuts. I'm not sure about Macadamians either. I also suggest not eating raisins and any dried fruits at all as if the soy has destroyed an enzyme in your stomach then you can't breakdown dried fruits as fast which can cause a gas buildup very fast. Most of these problems is not necessarily because you can't have these foods, I believe it's because soy has destroyed the enzymes in your stomach to digest these most of these foods like dried fruits and tomato sauce. It's even well known that animals cannot digest soy and it can actually kill them. Then there are some foods that are going to cause gas no matter what. Not that you can't digest them, but they are just gaseous foods and again...not having enough stomach enzyme to break it down can make it worse eating them. Like green leafy vegetables or certain types of hard beans that has to be boiled. I can eat dairy products with no problem as long as it's not a cheese that is sticky when it melts or cream cheeses. I can drink a bit of half-half, but not 2% or Whole milk. And I just can't overdo it on the icecream. It's only recently that my stomach started acting up again, but for a good 2-3 months my stomach wasn't making those gurgling, demon growling sound that you can't squelch if you tried. Yeah, I must admit....this has ruined my college life and social life. And it all started when I started eating soy burgers everyday for a protein source as a vegetarian. So much for a normal life. I had a future when I was 19 and now it's gone now that I'm 36. That's how long it took me to pinpoint my problems. I won't tell you what else happened to physical health because of it.
    Anonymous 42,789 Replies
    • February 16, 2011
    • 08:48 PM
    • 0
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  • I'm a 29 year old female. When I was about 14 I started having all these symptoms too and sitting in a silent classroom was miserable. I went to the doctor with symptoms and had all kinds of test ran. Finally settled with IBS. I was always bloated after lunch and the classroom was my torcher chamber. I was miserable. I was also embarrassed as a teen to admit I had gas so bad. I have struggled with these problems thru highschool, college, jobs and relationships. Found it has affected me in all sorts of ways. Over the past few years I have been trying to find ways to live better with this. I feel like stress plays a HUGE part in many of the symptoms. Also found that routine helps. Better sleep, better diet (eating multiple times through out the day). Have not mastered any of this. Just really wanted to note that for so long I felt ALONE with this. Like I was weird and I think that only made it worse. Finding this makes me feel alittle more normal that there are others who suffer with the same problems. Thanks all for sharing.
    Anonymous 42,789 Replies Flag this Response
  • I have only just started getting this problem. Maybe been for 3 weeks now and I feel alone and embarrassed. I get such loud noises almost immediately after eating and I don't have large meals, mainly contain salad and either fish or chicken. I have recently gone through a very traumatic situation and I don't know if it is just coincidence but it seems to have started around the same time.
    Reading through everyone's comments is very helpful though, thank you for sharing.
    Anonymous 1 Replies Flag this Response

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