Endometriosis and bloating

[Haru_chan]

I'm a 27 year old woman and I've been suffering from severe bloating for several years now. It's got worse lately, to the point where I sometimes look several months pregnant. I've been blaming it on IBS and tried all sorts of different diets to fix it, with little or no success, but I've recently found out that I have a large cyst (grapefruit size) on my left ovary which the doctor thinks is probably caused by endometriosis. I'm currently on the waiting list for an operation to remove it. My question is, is there a link between endometriosis and abdominal bloating, and can I expect any improvement in my IBS-type symptoms after surgery and treatment for endo? Thanks.

[Haru_chan]

PS best wishes with your health and good luck with the research if you decide to delve deeper into it - let me know how you get on! :)

[Haru_chan]

Hi Endomummy1981 (I was an '82 baby, so it looks like we're about the same age!) I'm the original poster of this thread and am currently endo- and bloat-free :-)

I've done a lot of research into endometriosis since my diagnosis, as the doctors didn't tell me much after my surgery, beyond 'take these contraceptive hormones to manage it and you should be ok'!

There's a strong link to autoimmune conditions - Google 'endometriosis and autoimmunity' for articles if you're interested. I've changed my diet completely since I started looking into this and am seeing all sorts of improvements in my health, especially with stomach pains and bloating. One of the best places (in my opinion) to get info on the effect of your diet on IBS, autoimmune issues and your general health, is here: www.thepaleomom.com/autoimmunity/the-autoimmune-protocol

(Just need to add that I'm not associated with paleomom in any way and there are lots of other places to get info on the type of diet she mentions - but there's plenty of free info on her website so you don't have to buy the book! ;-)

[Endomummy1981]

I have endometriosis and didn't realise my bloating could be because of that, I feel the bloating has got worse recently and have constant period pains. I actually find exercise helps and go to an unconventional gym, I'm going to make an appointment with the doctor as even though I'm exercising four times a week I'm bloated and not loosing any weight. I'm assuming now it's because of my endo.

[deedee21930]

I found this website helpful...
I hope it helps everyone!
http://www.endo-resolved.com/reduce_bloating.html

[twinner1234]

Wow, I feel really bad for you....I can relate to looking bloated as if you are pregnant, I rarely leave the house for this reason.  It is so hard to find clothes that fit because I didn't gain on my but or legs just my now very round stomach!!!!  I feel very depressed about this.  I have problems digesting food (some days I never know what's safe to eat so I won't have intestinal pain or "trapped gas") I am lactose intolerant and have acid reflux disease.  I have endometriosis for years now and i am 37 almost 38. I love kids but i don't want to suffer 2 weeks (pms, then period) every month and be fat like this (since its hard to exercise due to the pain, my muscles have gotten weak and my joints and back hurt when i try to get back to excericising, just by simple stretches.  I had to get my gallbladder out and at first the intern didn't want to do this, I insisted on seeing a different dr at the er and i got my gallbladder removed...IT HAD GANGRENE ON IT!!! It could have spread and I could have died!! So without my gallbladder, I now have a fatty liver.  I think I am going to get a hysterectomy. I also have a tilted and retroverted uterus and they think I have adenomyosis(endo cells in the muscular wall of my uterus). I also have problems with anxiety and depression and am tired all the time.  I never imagined my life to turn out like this but who knows when I'll meet Mr. Right and I can't have such a ****** quality of life anymore.  Endo is soooooo frustrating!!!  I hope all is going better for you!

[rockstarsingingsam_uk]

I have suffered with endo since 2004 and have had 2 laparoscopy ops. I still have severe pelvic pain, pain in my legs and extreme abdominal swelling. I can swell up to 3 dress sizes on a bad day. I take microgynon 30 as an on going treatment but find it hasn't helped. I have been told no other treatment is available and a hysterectomy is out of the question as I am "only" 30 years old. I am constantly tired, depressed and fluctuate in weight....I still work as there is nothing I can do about it. I have been told that endometriosis is q condition that is not curable only treatable. However, I have not found a treatment that works for me yet. I hope I don't come across as negative...I am a very ambitious and self driven person....I just wanted to let you know how bad endo can be. By the way, it took approximately 6 months before I was able to return to full time activities after both ops. Hope this gives another perspective....

[rockstarsingingsam_uk]

I have suffered with endo since 2004 and have had 2 laparoscopy ops. I still have severe pelvic pain, pain in my legs and extreme abdominal swelling. I can swell up to 3 dress sizes on a bad day. I take microgynon 30 as an on going treatment but find it hasn't helped. I have been told no other treatment is available and a hysterectomy is out of the question as I am "only" 30 years old. I am constantly tired, depressed and fluctuate in weight....I still work as there is nothing I can do about it. I have been told that endometriosis is q condition that is not curable only treatable. However, I have not found a treatment that works for me yet. I hope I don't come across as negative...I am a very ambitious and self driven person....I just wanted to let you know how bad endo can be. By the way, it took approximately 6 months before I was able to return to full time activities after both ops. Hope this gives another perspective....

[nippo]

Hi there Lulu,

Can you tell me if yr bloating returned?

I had my lap and the bloating went away for 6 months. I was so happy, I thought my problems were over.  But today it has returned and I feel very upset.

It leaves me uncomfortable and just horrible. I have to wear loose clothes and I hate it.

[medsec76]

kI+have+had+endo+for+10+years+and+had+a+partial+hysto+3+yrs+ago.+It+is+now+back+with+severe+adhesive+diease+and+it+all+attached+to+my+colon+wrapping+around+it.+I+also+was+diagnosed+with+diverticlosis.+I+have+severe+bloating+to+where+i+look+pregnant.+I+stay+in+pain+all+the+time.+Im+going+for+another+surgury+in+june+to+remove+the+ovaries+and+adhesions.+I+do+wish+you+the+best+it+can+be+debilitating.

[Haru_chan]

I agree that there seems to be a definite correlation between digestion problems and endo. I sometimes just don't want to eat because of all the hassle it causes, but I love food too much to deprive myself for long! My operation is on Thursday, so I'll have to wait and see how I feel afterwards. I'll post here in a week or two with an update!

[skepticalpeach]

My bloating is finally starting to go down after 1.5 weeks after my lap. I'm enjoying the vacation from it. This may sound weird, but smoking helps me be less constipated.

[joe199]

Hi,

Just to update you, finally got results from colonoscopy and barium enema from gastroenterologist and they found nothing. So diagnosis is irritable bowel syndrome. Just find it strange that it started at the same time as I was diagnosed with the cysts and endo. Constipation, gas and bloating are unbearable some days and better other days.

probiotic yogurt like Activia daily seems to be helping me and eating lots of fibre. Can't seem to tolerate green vegetable like brocoli, brussel sprouts, salad makes my gas worst. Still feel like there is a correlation between the endo and the irritable bowel syndrome.

[KrisNJ]

I too suffer from gas and bloating.  It is so uncomfortable and frustrating.  I really feel the discomfort on my left side.  It seems like no matter what I eat it still happens.  I thought it was GI related, but had a lap in Dec 09 and was diagnosed with stage 4 Endo and cyst on left ovary about golf ball size.  The discomfort/pain went away for a little while but returned last month.  It almost makes me want to not eat at times.  Especially when I'm on my cycle.

[Haru_chan]

Thanks for your post - I hope the gastroenterologist helps sort things out. Let us know how you get on! I've recently found that having lots of rice based food (plain rice, not stuff flavoured with onions and spices!) helps calm my bloating down, so maybe you could try that :)

[joe199]

My bloating is much better since my laparotomy in June but I can't say it is completely gone. I still have gas and bloating issues and have been referred to a gastroenterologist.

[Haru_chan]

Thank you! A month doesn't sound too bad - I'm really looking forward to feeling better after the op :) I have a date for that now - May 13th. Hopefully by the end of June I'll be healed up and feeling great *crosses fingers* Will keep you updated! x

[Lulu0712]

I think that it was about a month after the surgery that I noticed the bloating had subsided. I agree, it's frustrating when anyone tells you that it's nothing and should go away on it's own. I was having severe pain since I was about 16 years old ( I am now 28). It's unfortunate that this disease never goes away. Good luck with getting your surgery! Definitely keep us posted on your progress!

[Haru_chan]

Thanks for the message, it helps to know that there may be an understandable reason for the bloating and other stomach problems. I've been trying to work out what's behind it for years now and I get frustrated with people telling me it's all caused by stress and I just need to calm down to fix it! I hope your treatment goes well, please keep in touch and let me know how you feel afterwards :)

[skepticalpeach]

I too have really bad bloating and IBS symptoms. My doctor told me it was probably due to endo. I'm having surgery soon to diagnose and treat it so I will let you know if it helps with the bloating. I know it helps with the IBS symptoms. I'm going to a privately owned clinic so I do not have to be on a waiting list.

[Haru_chan]

Hi, thanks for replying, that's really encouraging! How long did it take for the bloating to lessen after your operation? I'm so glad to hear that it's helped you, as digestion problems have been plaguing me for years and I'm excited about seeing an improvement but didn't want to get my hopes up too much in case there isn't one! I'll post again after my op (which should be in April or May, hopefully!) Thanks again :)

[Lulu0712]

Hi there. I was diagnosed with Endo in September of last year. I was having all the symptoms of Endo, but had no idea. I just thought it was severe menstrual symptoms. I had severe bloating from Endo to the point where I had to where pants 2 sizes bigger. I had surgery to remove it and seems to have helped somewhat. I did not have a cyst, only adhesions. I think that the surgery should help with your bloating. Keep me posted. I hope that you get the surgery soon! Hope this helped.