Desparate! 24/7 Very Loud Intestinal Noises

For over 10 years I've had horribly loud noises that come from the intestinal area, which is getting worse and worse. It's almost constant. When I touch the area where the noises come from (it varies, there are a couple different noises), sometimes it feels like something is bubbling almost. My primary doctor told me there's nothing to be done about it, and it wasn't a big deal, but it is. It's taken over my life. It's all but eliminated my social life; I call into work when we have meetings, I can't watch movies with friends, can't stay the night anywhere (it gets worse at night and in the am). I've developed a phobia of silence and any situation that requires it due to this. I've cut out foods, alcohol, all in an attempt to stop the embarassment. Can anyone give me some idea of how to make this stop? I am desperate...

[guzzler]

Hi. 36 y/o male here with the same condition. Mine seems to come from all directions down there. Left and right side, up, down and in between. What most alarmed me was when I noticed it on the right side. I could put my hand there and it was palpable! I figured it was my liver as well as my stomach. It would gurgle, groan and make noises I don't have a name for. Then again, I've been a heavy drinker for the past 6 years and am currently trying to abstain or cut way, way back.
I guess possibilities include IBS, acid indigestion or maybe something more serious which is what I'm looking into. Currently, my biggest concern is that it's my Pancreas excreting digestive enzymes at inappropriate times. Alcohol not only messes with your Liver, but your Pancreas causing it to do this during alcohol consumption. My theory is that my years of alcohol abuse have either damaged it or at the least messed with it so much that it functions abnormally. Personally, I'm in the process of having blood work done to see what abnormalities may be going on in there. If the tests come back fine, I will have to assume that I just need to either quit drinking or moderate and hope it resolves itself. If the tests are abnormal, I'm probably looking at an Ultrasound or Cat Scan.
This is not to say your condition is dire. Have you tried Prilosec or another Stomach acid med? I do take one and it seems to help. But I do know how embarrassing and  distressing it is. I would express your concerns more to your Doctor. You might even post this on the ask for Medical advice side under Gastroenterology. You may even consider making an appointment with one.
Good luck and let us know what you discover.

[TwilightOfTheDead]

I used to think I was the only one who had a problem w/gurgly stomach!  Mine finally improved after I made some diet changes, but it's returned recently because of medication I have to take that causes constipation as a side effect.  If you don't feel "done" when you go to the bathroom, or even practically unaware of your digestive process, then maybe try some of the following:

- keep yourself hydrated (preferrably w/water--lukewarm or hot...avoid bubbly stuff, unless you need it to have a good burp!)

- make sure you're getting plenty of fiber to keep things moving along (I used to think lettuce upset my stomach, but when I took physillium husk each day, lettuce made me "go", but I wasn't getting gurgly in the interim)

- avoid triggers foods or drinks when you don't have the luxury of just lounging at home for a day or two (I used to have a cocoa, or mocha, w/croissant for breakfast each day...and it never occured to me that maybe something in that combo was causing the bloating & cramping I'd experience a few hrs. later)...it sounds like a pain, but keep a food & symptom diary for just 1 wk; maybe you'll see a pattern emerge

- and finally, find a doctor who cares & won't dismiss your concerns (stress makes things a lot worse, but there are physical causes that need to be ruled out, like intestinal infections, parasites, etc.)

I hope you'll let us know how things are going...

[mifegr]

Hi, I'm a nutritionist.  I assume that you have seen a gastroenterologist and have had all the tests possible to find out what is causing this and all came up negative.  The sound MIGHT be gas.  Try taking Activated Charcoal capsules.  You may have to take 5 at a time.  Don't take when your on meds.  This is not a cure.  But it may help with the symptoms.  Lay off all types of sugar for awhile and see if that helps too.  Including friut and fruit juice.  The only sweetener you should eat is Stevia.  I like "NOW" brand.  You can get it at the health food store.  Sugar ferments in some peoples systems.  I would also find a holistic doctor who does a test called a "Heidelberg Gastrogram" (google this).  Good Luck!  

[Claud160]

I had the same problem and was tested for H pillory and was positive.  I was treated and the noises are gone.  Good luck!

[gurgler]

i had the same problem for some time. i am a student and its really uncompfortable being in a class with everyone quiet and have the intestins gurgling around. and even worse on exams ^^,)
today i went to a doctor after reading this forum and he told me this is called aerofagia (portuguese term at least) and its caused by gas acumulation and its common to happen in individuals with irritable intestins. he prescribed me some pills called Kompensan S (again this is the name in portugal, i dont know if its the same out there), and the active substance is dimetilpoliSiloxane, which works almost like charcoal eliminating the gas. i started taking it today and i will try to come again in a week with an update.

[sadgurgleguy]

ive been having the same problem as well. its so embarrasing everyone thinks im farting =/ it all started last year in social studies. i almost failed the class because all i could think about is oh no here it comes, then try to stop the sound but that only made it louder. and it started again this year in english. the class room is so quiet and im sweating and my face is all red just because im so nervous and embarrased. it feels like air just moving up and down through my intestines, making loud sound as it moves around. if anyone knows how this can be stopped please let me know =[

[andwhat]

it is parasites. it have the same thing. got my dogs vet to check my stool. i had to give 5 stool samples. one each week for 5 weeks because i wanted to be sure the parasites would have their eggs in it. the vet thought it was my dogs. he found hookworms in two samples.

[cursedtummy]

I understand what everyone is going through. I, too, have had to deal with this for the past 5 years now. I doubt it will ever stop. Every forum I go to in search of answers mention people that have been suffering with this condition for 10 or more years. I do not want to live like this. It is embarrassing when no one understands these noises are natural, but just louder in some and not others. At least this is the information I have been told and have seen floating around online. If you ask me there is nothing normal about it. If it were normal then everyone would have a loud digestive system. It is not the need to relieve flatulence or have bowel movements but the digestive process in its entirety. My stomach even growls loud when I am hungry. I have tried antispasmodics, I have tried diet changes, I get plenty of fiber and water. I have even done cleansing. Nothing helps and I do not think anything ever will. I will keep searching for answers and I will continue to have hope but deep down I know I should give up. This is a curse and I wish everyone affected by it luck in the future.

[tressley]

dgirl24, you described my problem to a tee, even to arranging to be elsewhere when meetings come up. You have my complete empathy; I *do* know what you're going through. In fact (this is stupid), for years what I dreaded more than anything was being called for jury duty. Well, the day came and I panicked. I did what I'd never done before and have never done again - accepted some Xanax from my wife. Not legitimate, I know, but it was either that or, well, I don't know. This absolutely did the trick, because anxiety exacerbates it like crazy. If that's the case with you, you might discuss with your doctor something like that to be taken only in those quiet, stressful situations that you can't avoid. Please post back how you're doing.

[El_Fartismo]

Hey guys, i completely understand what all of you are experiencing.  For about the past 3 years i was suffering from those loud and embarrassing noises.  It was severely affecting my college studies (Microbiology B.S.).  I would leave class early, turn in exams early, all because my intestinal noise was so embarrassing.  After 3 years of people telling me its a "mental" anxiety that triggers it, i suddenly had a light bulb go off in my head.  

In biochemistry, we had began studying artificial sweeteners and their effects on the LARGE INTESTINE!  They tend to cause irritation, inflammation, and spasms which can all lead to those noises we hear.  These zero calories sweeteners are bad news, trust me!  Long story short, i realized i had started a daily routine of using splenda in my coffee instead of sugar about the same time i started having problems.  I used artificial sweeteners for about 3 years and now that i have eliminated them completely ALL THE NOISES ARE GONE.  I finally have control of my social and school life.  I hope this helps you guys out....  You have nothing to lose, just try eliminating them from your diet.  You maybe be consuming them without even knowing it.  They are used in almost everything now.  You should even think twice about the gum you chew.  Read packages and look for sucralose (splenda) or aspartame (equal).  Sugar alcohols, although not as dangerous, can causes excess gas and also lead to internal noises.  Best of luck and i hope it brings you the same success!

[riversideliberal]

I read on another thread that a teaspoon of olive oil would help, and it has.

I take it on an empty stomach in the morning and it has quieted my loud stomach noises almost completely.  It's much better, anyhow....  

The thread I saw explained that digesting fats produces fatty acids that relax the noisy stomach contractions we hear.   Maybe that's why, or maybe it's just that a little oil helps everything move along.   Who cares?   It seems to be helping (5 days in) with no noticeable side effects (except a little burping).  

I wonder if an Omega-3 pill would have the same effect?   does anyone know?  

[john4660]

Hi everyone! I am a fellow frustrated individual with excessive stomach noises. I have been reading all of your blogs for over a year now. I always thought about writing here (and other forums similar to this), but procrastinated since I didn't find any cure to this disease. So at last, I've taken the time out to sit down and update you all on my version of the story. Well, mine got really long; so I just decided to upload it on Google Doc. This way I also get to update my post as any new findings come up and you always get the latest version of the story. Here's the link:
http://docs.google.com/document/edit?id=1W3pJ42gtngtAmg3ecyHRv9BNztI8n-_inLNiRgKfa9A&hl=en

[Post744]

Someone posted about the use of artificial sweeteners on this or another forum.  They were the problem in my case and after two years of having changed from those sweeteners containing only saccharin to a supermarkets own brand containing Sodium Cyclamate as well (could be incidental they also 'contain' milk) I realized it was then I developed the constant digestive noises/gurgling. After swapping back to saccharin only sweeteners, noises fast disappearing and digestion returning to normal, all over the space of one day.

Wouldn't have thought that two sweeteners in a cup of tea every now and again and diluted by all that liquid (the tea:-)) could have caused such a severe reaction.  Probably won't solve it for everyone but worth checking and omitting all artificial sweeteners from the diet for awhile (cola etc) including solid food containing them.  Hope this helps.  Didn't know whether to post or not but thought it was worthwhile if it helps just one person and also reinforces what others have written about artificial sweeteners.  Thanks.

[Stillme3]

I am so glad I found this thread. I've been suffering from these loud noises and gas since I was 14 ( just before starting high school which I regretfully shudder to remember) . Im 32 now. I think it's easy for guys to laugh it off if they make a farting noise in class but it was horrifying as a girl. I got so many disgusted looks from guys. I never participated in anything as a result of the anxiety of it happening in a quiet setting. I would have loved to do some acting in the school play but of course, I couldn't... I thought I was the only one. It makes me feel better knowing there are other people out there with the same affliction.  I've tried to explain it to only one friend why I get anxious about going to the movies and it just seemed like she thought I was being dramatic.  I've even switched jobs because of it even though I loved my coworkers. I now work from home for half the money I was making before. The thing is I love being social. I love hanging out enjoying people's company. I dread dating ( even though I'm still hoping for the one) and I fear sleepovers.  I wish I could just be "normal".. Anyway I second the fact that peppermint tea helps a little with the gas and as a result, the sounds aren't so bad... I'm going to try fennel next... Good luck to everyone with finding what works for u.

[lynnie73]

I know exactly how you feel, since I was a teenager I have suffered loud digestive noises and tried everything, the only thing I have found helps is taking digestive enzymes and avoiding wholegrain which has lessened the noises a lot. Unfortunately anxiety still upsets my digestion so in quiet situations I get nervous and my guts start churning, I just wish I could have a normal life where I'm not having to avoid quiet situations :(