HELP ME PLEASE!! My Stomache is bloated all the time!!

[LoveAnSqualor]

I need advice terribly please!! Here's the deal: I constantly have gas and am bloated. I do not have any sharp pains, but most of the time my stomache will feel dull and achey. When I say my stomache is bloated, I mean BLOATED..the the point where my pants don't even button. If I press on my stomache (which hurts), it rumbles and grumbles, like my insides are moving around. I have been to a GI many time..I have Acid REflux and take prilosec. I first thought that could be the problem, but I am now only taking 20 mg of it, and I have before been on 80 mg a day, and my problems have not abated. Also take Zantac and Levbid for stomache pain (which helps, but not the bloating) Have had endoscopy (nothing wrong), PH Probe (reflux) and manometry (nothing really wrong) I avoid all foods that cause gas. I hardly can eat at all because if I eat, the bloating gets 10 times worse. I can eat NOTHING and I will be bloated, though, too!! I just can't take this!! I barely out of my teens and am an actress and college student and this is affecting my entire life...My self confidence is zero, I have to get up in front of people and feel horrible! I am exhausted. I just had an X ray of my stomache and waiting results. HELP PLEASE!!

[mattj]

Hi LoveAnSqualor -

I don't really know what to tell you except that I feel your pain!

As it seems my story is long, but the long story short - I have been experiencing the same thing for 4 years.  The funny thing is when I read your posting, you sound just like me when this all started.  Now, years later, and making nearly NO progress, I also feel stuck.  

I am (was) a very busy, high energy, always on the top IT consultant.  This condition seemed to have ruined my life as I knew it.  I have made many many changes and sacrifices to accomodate this condition.

My condition started with gas and bloating all the time like you described.  Over the years it has graduated to pain in the stomache, mild continuous nausea, and major heartburn; often all at the same time.

I've tried, gastro-docs with prilosec, prevacid, nexium; most of which just gave me headaches.   I've tried anti-anxiety drugs(Klonopin); I've been scoped (endoscopy) and biopsied for spru.  I tried accupuncture, I 've tried herbs and chinese medicine, I've tried chiropractors, I've tried massage, I've tried eating habit changes, I've even tried therapy with a psychologist.  What else is there?

Anyway, the only thing I can tell you is that I stress about it and that does make it worse, ... worse.

You just sound like me; ready to take on the world, but how can you?  

Good luck in your search.  Feel free to write more in e-mail if you want some more head to head on what the heck could be causing this.

P.s.  - I have been going back in time unitl the first time I could remember this happening and have recently come across another avenue perhaps.  I'll tell you more if you're interested.

Matt
***@****

[wolly11]

A related discussion, bloating was started.

[mamasbinky]

I  had a c-section 2.5 years ago ,and my stomache has always
felt twisted, and  bloated. I do workout, regularly.
    My question is how come my stomache will not get any flatter
if I have a good workout. I feel like my body stopped losing
weight. My stomache has been feeling cramped for 3 days now after
drinking sams club water. I finished my period 2 days ago.
  I'm pretty sure I am Not pregnant again!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Robinsue]

Hi I have very simular problems, I keep hearing a lot about delayed empting possibly the problem. I have extreme constapation
If it were not for Miralax and enimas I would probably blow up. I will go three weeks without a BM. I have gained about twenty pounds I have been tested and I do have delayed empting and a stitz mark study that the markers still showed 6 weeks later I have acid reflux and take previced for that But my biggest problem is the enlarged stomach it is huge I look pregant and have just awful foul smelling gas. PLEASE HELP.

[katya]

I have the same problems. I'm in my twenties and have had this unexplainable bloating after some meals for about six years now. It's very odd and happened pretty suddenly when I was in college, I've had the same tests as you but everything came out normal.

However, I do manage this ok. I think I might have irritable bowel syndrome coupled with lactose intolerance and some dairy allergy. So, I avoid dairy products, and also wheat, oats and barley. Basically, I eat fruits, vegetables, corn, rice, meat and fish. If I stick to this diet I have no bloating at all.  

Anyway, hope this helps. It's very frustrating, I know. Every now and then, I decide I'm crazy and try to eat some pasta or cheese. I bloat like a pregnant woman- you just can't believe it until you see it, but it's hard not to miss!!

So good luck, and don't stress- you might just have to avoid some foods, and it's totally worth it. If you want to talk more you can email me at ***@****.

[BANDIT2]

I HAVE ESOPHOGITIS AND THE BLOATING PROBLEM...DRINKING COKES HELP ME BELCH AND THEN I DON'T FEEL SO BAD ... ALSO RAGALAN AND GI COCKTAILS HELP TREMENDOUSLY!!!

[cjl]

Bloating, gas, and achy stomach can be a sign of gastroparesis/delayed gastric emptying. Ask your GI doctor to order a gastric emptying study, which shows how long it takes your stomach to empty. Some tips to try: drink liquids separately from meals, eat small amounts of food at a time (but more often), eat lowfat foods, no gaseous foods like cabbage or beans, and try walking after eating to improve digestion. Hope you find the cause of your trouble soon and best of luck!

[divad]

I have similar problems, but probably not as bad.  I find that drinking a lot of H2O helps with my gas problem.  Also, you should try to relax, maybe do some Yoga or Walking/Running.  Many times Anxiety and Stressing over what your problems are, tend to make them worse.

[CCB]

Really sounds like an ulcer.  Bloating is very common with ulcer and heital hernia they have similar symptoms.  the dull achey pain and pain when your stomach is touched really sound like ulcer and if you have a hypersecretory acid conditon for which you are taking prilosec you are at an increase risk of developing ulcer.  X ray might show something but endoscopy will be more definitive but if it is ulcer or heital hernia they will treat it with Sucralfate-an aluminum compound that coats the stomach and with prilosec, aciphex, other proton pump inhibitors etc. Thats all they can really do.  There are some over the counter medications that releive bloating, these include anything that contains simethicone (over 100mgs per dose) like gasX or malox anti-gas, a combination of sucralfate (Carafate-you will have to get from your doctor) and Aciphex(maybe changing from prilosec if you have been on it for a long time) and some of these products containing simethicone.