Please Help...this is going to ruin my marriage

Hello, I'm a 25 yrs old female suffering from severe gas and some constipation, I've been to 2 doctors so far, one prescribed some acid medicine (didnt work) and the other prescribed some suppositories to induce bowel movement, he said this would take care of the gas...its not working.
I have tried just about everything over the counter, gas x, maalox, beano, etc...
This is really becoming a problem because I don't want to be intimate with my husband fearing that I will pass gas during...(he has told me that its ok, but come on...)

Please help...I'm pretty desperate and will try anything.

Thank you.

Michelle.

[Concerned lady]

I can really relate to this. I used to have lots of gas, including at the wrong time! OK, to get serious now, here's what works for me, and for others:

1)Lactase enzymes ("Lactaid") will stop the gas due to lactose intolerance (milk sugar intolerance). You can buy this directly from the Lactaid company by calling 1-800-LACTAID, for less than at stores.

2)"Pro-biotics" such as ACIDOPHILUS AND BIFIDUS (beneficial bacteria) will stop the gas due to side effects of anti-biotics or due to other medications. You can buy these at health food stores. If you use yogurt, or kefir, or buttermilk, try using the Lactaid with these milk products, in case you are lactose intolerant. (Or, just avoid milk products).

3) Digestive enzymes can do wonders for gas due to indigestion. My husband likes "Acid-Ease" by Prevail, and I like "Total Enzymes" by Nutri-West. You can buy "Acid-Ease" at health food stores, and you can buy "Total Enzymes" from Chiropracters, etc.

4) A good Nutritionist can give you advice on improving your diet, and meeting your specific nutritional needs. Good Nutritionists can even advise you about supplements (vitamins, minerals, enzymes, etc.

5) Exercise, such as walking, does wonders for helping constipation.

6) Dehydration can be a factor in constipation. If medically OK for you, drink more good quality "hard water" (has minerals in it). Avoid distilled water "soft water", which can contribute to osteoporosis. Avoid water that has water softening chemicals in it. Best is well or spring water. Second best is using a NON-silver water filter like a solid carbon filter on the sink faucet, like Culligan, Pur, etc.

7) Try avoiding WHEAT and other glutenous foods (Rye, oats, barley, buckwheat) for a week, and see if you find improvement. A nutritious non-glutenous grain is BROWN RICE (organic).

8) "Fletcherize" your food, meaning, chew each bite 35 times. OK, at least 10 times. This really helps with digestion! Don't gulp food. Don't eat when upset or angry.

9) Avoid "denatured" foods like WHITE bread, WHITE rice, junk foods, etc. Avoid packaged foods. Cook "from scratch", using fresh, organic foods, if possible. Lentils seem to cause less gas than other beans, and are very nutritious.

10) Avoid artificial ingredients, like artificial sweeteners, such as NUTRASWEET (Equal/Aspartame), which has terrible side effects, including upset stomach, headaches, weight gain, seizures, etc. This means, avoid diet soda pop, etc. READ LABELS THOROUGHLY!

11) Avoid fake fats, such as OLEAN, OLESTRA, etc., which can destroy digestive systems! READ LABELS!!!

12) Eat a wide variety of VEGETABLES, cooked and raw, NUTS, SEEDS, NON-GLUTENOUS GRAINS, etc. (organic, if possible).

Read about gas and constipation in books at health food stores. Others may have more advice for you! Good luck to you. When you get it figured out, let us know what helped you! :-)

And last of all, trust that your husband loves you, and if it happens, just laugh, and don't worry!!!

Sincerely,
Concerned lady

***@****
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[Keeky]

Irritable bowel syndrome causes bloating and gas.  I am 33 and am unlucky enough to have it also and it does affect intimacy at least for the ones who suffer from it.  With irritable bowel, there is no one food that can be pinpointed as the problem causer.  Gas is usually caused by constipation.  My gastro gave me Miralax which is very gentle.  It adds water to the stool.  If you cannot find something to help, ask your doctor.  I find that over the counters like gas-X and digel, etc., make it worse, not better.  Irritable bowel is usually more irritated with certain medications so maybe that is why.  Also activated charcoal will help.  If you have irritable bowel, beware, increasing your fiber by a great margin will make it worse.  Fiber itself will give you a lot of gas if you have IBS.  Spinach is a good source and seems to be okay for me.  Metamucil was the worst thing they could have ever prescribed for me.  It was horrible.  The doctors still have a lot to learn about IBS.  Stay off any type of carbonated drinks and don't chew gum. You swallow air with both of those.  Alcohol is also a culprit.  Also try to eat six smaller meals a day rather than three because it keeps your digestive system going continuously.   Good Luck.

[too_much_gas]

Thank you so much for your help, to both of you!!
I did try the charcoal, that didn't really work...I will try the lactaid next...one of these things might just work :-)
Also, you mentioned the gum, the alcohol, the white rice and bread...I just stopped chewing gum about 3 weeks ago, so hopefully that will help, I do drink alcohol on the weekends, I didn't know that causes gas, can you explain?
All of your advise was very good, I will let you know of my progress, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

Happy Holidays!!

[Concerned lady]

Dear Michelle,

I urge you to try MORE than one thing, because you may have SEVERAL gas-causing factors, that ALL NEED TO BE ADDRESSED!!!

Try a bunch, and if it works, THEN, start removing one at a time, to see which you don't need to do!

If you ONLY try ONE, it might have been helpful, but because you didn't try the OTHERS, you won't know that the ONE was necessary!!! Hope this makes sense!

Good luck, and let us know how you're doing!

Sincerely,
Concerned lady

***@****
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com