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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Constant Gas/Flatulence for Months PLEASE help me
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Constant Gas/Flatulence for Months PLEASE help me
by MikeyBee, Apr 20, 2007 12:00AM
Back in August, I saw a Urologist who prescribed an antibiotic for a urinary infection. Cleared that right up, but at the same time I noticed that I was using the bathroom more frequently and having more gas. I asked him if it was a side effect of the drug, and he said he never heard of it. At any rate, my infection went away soon enough.
However, the embarrassing bathroom issues did not. I started to notice that I was having gas constantly. Without fail, every single day for the past 6 months I have had gas constantly all day, especially in the mornings and very especially a few hours after eating (1-3).
I had a gallbladder scan and a colonoscopy. All that was found was some diveriticulitis. My gastroenterologies suggested the motility was somehow out of whack and put me on Flagil. No good. Still farting all day, every day. No matter WHAT I eat, I'll have this problem.
This is RUINING my life. I NEVER had this problem before -- a fart was a random thing that happened maybe once a week before. Now its all day, every day. I cannot believe there is nothing that can be done about this. I'm at the end of my rope here.
However, the embarrassing bathroom issues did not. I started to notice that I was having gas constantly. Without fail, every single day for the past 6 months I have had gas constantly all day, especially in the mornings and very especially a few hours after eating (1-3).
I had a gallbladder scan and a colonoscopy. All that was found was some diveriticulitis. My gastroenterologies suggested the motility was somehow out of whack and put me on Flagil. No good. Still farting all day, every day. No matter WHAT I eat, I'll have this problem.
This is RUINING my life. I NEVER had this problem before -- a fart was a random thing that happened maybe once a week before. Now its all day, every day. I cannot believe there is nothing that can be done about this. I'm at the end of my rope here.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Apr 20, 2007 12:00AM
, Apr 20, 2007 12:00AM
The ultrasound and colonoscopy would rule out many of the major disorders, including gallstones, inflammatory bowel disease, polyps, masses or colitis.
Irritable bowel disease remains a possibility, as it can make the bowel more sensitive to gas. Antispasmodic agents can be tried if this is the case.
You should also test the stool for malabsorption, and obtain breath tests for carbohydrate intolerance. A blood test can also be done to rule out celiac disease.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician, or in conjunction with a GI physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
Irritable bowel disease remains a possibility, as it can make the bowel more sensitive to gas. Antispasmodic agents can be tried if this is the case.
You should also test the stool for malabsorption, and obtain breath tests for carbohydrate intolerance. A blood test can also be done to rule out celiac disease.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician, or in conjunction with a GI physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
I also notice a lot of bile leakage down in the anal area, and a lot of discomfort (some very minor bleeding and swelling) which I assume is being caused by the constant flatulence.
Can I take simethecone every day? It does seem to help it a little but I don't know if taking 360mgs over the course of a day is gonna have other reprocussions.
I'm really hoping someone can help me. No doctor seems interested in taking this seriously, since it's not life threatening. But my quality of life is nosediving. I'd RATHER have a life threatening disease than this, it's making me that miserable.
I have sleep apnea. Rather bad. I can't use a BPAP or CPAP because I take it off while half asleep.
I am a white Irish-heritage male, 33 years old.
Celiac's disease test came back negative.
I keep in good shape (bodybuilding) but have been lax and my weight has gone up -- up to 250. I'm down to 242 now. (But again, I weighed this much before and had no problems)
I have started a new job, the old job was very stressful.
The gas seems to die down if I can have a bowel movement.
If I try a bowel movement, and nothing comes out, I have a horrible feeling of discomfort inside the anal area for an hour or more.
You need to restore the flora,take probiotic /yogurt or that friendly bacteria tablets ,go to a good health food store,they will know what you need/
simethecone will neutralise gas already formed in your system,it wont stop your body from producing more,alka seltzer can do the same except it contains salt,so would chewing gum which makes saliva .Saliva contains bicarbonate and it will neutralise gas .
Good luck.
Do you feel bloated,is your stomach bloated and do you have an urge to eat starchy stuff,thats yeast food-like bread,beer,cake ,all starchy stuff .
I haven't had that breath test yet. I'll bring it up to my doc. Yesterday he referred me to a colorectal surgeon to see "if he missed anything."
While at first I was relieved when these tests all turned up nothing -- meaning my health wasn't in danger -- I soon began to see the other side: if the tests aren't finding anything to treat, nothing can be offered to help me.
As to the post about the antibiotics messing up the flora -- that would make sense, as I can pinpoint precisely when this started, and it was when I was taking that anitbiotic. This didn't just develop: it went from nothing the day before to gangbusters the next day and it's remained that way. Weight, sleep apnea, air swallowing (I'm a mouth breather) are all logical guesses, until you consider that I've had all of these for the past 10 years and never had this issue before.
Thanks