OT: Bloating

[Deb61]

Any of you have this problem?  I've had a history of it for several years.  I thought the GI problems were related to MS, but lately, I've been thinking differently.  I posted also in the GI forum, but they don't post answers as much as we do in this forum.

Here's what I posted:

What are some causes for severe and chronic bloating?  I've had this for years and this year, I've really noticed.  Even though my weight is the same, I've noticed that my stomach distends so much that I can no longer wear the same shirts without it showing off my stomach area.

I have a long history of health problems--most noteably MS diagnosed in 2007.  As far as GI problems, I've had a history of this for many years.  In 2008, I had an episode of severe bleeding--probably about 1/4 cup full.  A colonoscopy I had a week and half later revealed nothing besides hemorrhoids which I probably obtained in preparing for the test.  The GI specialist said that if I was having a bout with colitis that I would need to have the colonoscopy within 3 days of the event because the ulcers tend to heal quickly.  He also said that he didn't think hemorrhoids caused the bleeding.  He had examined me prior to colonoscopy and I didn't have them.  So, I went on my merry way and waited for another bout of bleeding--which I've not had.  The stomach bloating continued.

Also noteworthy is that I've had positive ANA tests.  This could be related to MS, but I also have hair loss which is not related to MS.  They are low in titer at 1:160 and 1: 320.  

About six months ago I started developing a pain in my side and back area.  I believe it was the right side.  Blood work revealed no problems with my liver or internal organs.  However, an x-ray revealed lots of gas.  

Two months ago, I've noticed I cannot fit in my regular sized clothes in the top--I am fitting in at least two sizes up.  I've not gained that much weight (2-5 pounds).  Pants I can wear the same sizes, but my belly protrudes over the waist line.

A week ago, I got really sick.  I had to make constant trips to the bathroom.  I ran a 102 temperature which went away in a day.  Two days later, the fever continues with a pain in my lower (like bladder area) left side.  I started getting lots of mucous-- even when passing gas.  I went to the doctor, who diagnosed me with colitis.  He said it could be started on with a bacterial infection and gave me two medicines to get rid of it.  

Here's a list of GI symptoms I've been having.  Let me know what you think.  I know this forum is of non-doctors, but if you have any advice or recommendations for me let me know.

Bloating!!!!!!!!!  Chronic problem.  I now look at least 9 months pregnant which hasn't gone down.  Many years history of this.
Rectal itching (non-stop for 3 years-- worse at night or in the mornings)
Mucous (off an on)-- most markedly noted a couple of days ago
BM range from going too often to not enough (which I used to contribute to MS)
Bleeding-- that one episode was the worst, but there has been others--very mild.  Some stools I though looked dark
Severe pain in an area before having to go to the bathroom (like my side).  After the stool passes through the area, relief.  I've had a long history of this.  
Fever-- typically in the late afternoons about 99.5 - 100 degrees.  Then, periods of no fever
hypothyroidism
MS
migraines
high blood pressure
history of lupus-like symptoms, but several (three) rheumatologists say no

What does this sound like to you?

Thanks,
Deb

[Dee5112]

Last April for 6 month I had a problem with bloating and had pain in upper part of stomach close to my ribs. I gained 25 pounds in one month. I was miserable. Gi doc had no clue what was wrong with me . I had GI workup that showed nothing, then he sent me to another MD who right of the bat said that people who have their gallbaldder out can have a malfunction where the bile/pancreatic ducts merge to release fluid called Spincher of Oddi. It goes into spasms and will not let the liver and pancreas fluid flow like they should which in turn cause bloating and pain. They did surgery to cut that muscle. No more bloating and within two week weight back to normal. Corrected the problem, but now I wonder if this could be related to MS. Another muscle problem?? Just a thought for you.

[Deb61]

This sounds all too familiar.  My sister is having the exact same problems that you've described.  She's in an electric wheelchair, so she's not able to walk around to help with some of these issues.  I also have many of the problems you've mentioned.  It's hard to figure out what is and isn't MS related.  

I ate a whole lot of sherbet the other day.  I made punch with sherbet for my daughter's bridal shower and have lots of sherbet left over which I've been helping myself to.  I wonder if this is what has killed me.  Plus, I have been drinking more sodas.  I was not drinking many before because I always took water to work instead of sodas.  But now since I've been on summer break, I've not done this . . .

Blood I've not had with this episode (just past ones that I went to the doctor for).  That one time I thought I was going to die.  I was in such hideous pain and when I saw the blood, I blacked out.  I could actually feel the stool brushing up against the area of the bowel that was affected (like the feeling you have when you have a mouth ulcer and having a sugary food touch it).  I've not had any episodes like that since, thankfully, but have many, many painful bowel issues.  I also get very painful esophageal spasms.  It seems that I get way more than I used to.  They occur when I'm just sitting in a chair and not even eating/drinking anything.  Additionally, I find myself choking easily on food.

Thanks for sharing what your diet is.  If no one gets to the bottom of what's causing these problems, I will be modifying my diet.  I will do anything to avoid this!

Deb

[HVAC]

No problem with venting.

Gas is extremely painful. Many people end up in the ER with gas.

My MS has caused my the nerves in my GI tract to stop working. Looking back it has been years I have been like this. I had to go on a special diet. I have one area of my intestine which down right hurts when I get constipated on my left side. Basically my system works on gravity and I get full. I feel urgency but nothing happens. I was up half the night the last few nights with pain. I think the heat also makes it worse like everything else.

I have to eat small meals of fruits and vegetables all day long. And minimal lean meat. When its really bad fruit smoothies. Also drink lots of water.

I have to stay away from sugar, breads, too much olive oil, eat only lean meat. Processed food is out for me.

I ate some sherbert and had a coke this week end which set everything off again.

I can't afford Doctors especially Specialists so I try to handle it on my own. I can't in good conscience tell someone else to not go to a Doctor especially if they have something seriously wrong. When you say blood and fever that can mean something or nothing but I am no Doctor.

I got so bad awhile back I was could not eat I was so bloated and losing weight. I also do what is called bowel training I sit on the toilet at certain times to train my bowel. I also mark the calendar so I know how many days it has been. With my MS I forget.

On top of the yogurt I take probiotics and fiber pills ( you have to drink lots of water or they stop you up ) .  Most laxatives make MS GI problems worse because the magnify the symptoms. I have recently learned all this through my research.

It is tough because I would have to avoid most of the wedding food and drink. I went to a reception yesterday and was hungry but stayed away from the food. It think about being sick later. It takes practice.

Alex



Alex

[Deb61]

I forgot to mention that I've even gone to the urgent care center with the pain that felt like was my liver.  All my internal organs checked out to be fine, but the only thing found was excessive gas.  I don't know if it was in the peritoneal cavity (probably not, this is serious) or in my intestines, but whatever it was showed up on the x-ray.  I was sent home with little explanation as to what caused the pain (which by the way continued for weeks later) other than gas.

I have a history of being cavolier when it comes to symptoms because I have so many of them.  I hate taking time out my day dealing with yet another health issue.  I've been very, very busy preparing for daughter's wedding (which was beautiful) and preparing my home for guests who stayed until a couple of weeks after the wedding.  I simply didn't have time to tune into my health issues.  Work starts up for me a couple of weeks and now I"m trying to get all of this stuff behind me.

I hate being sick and running up the bill!  Sorry to vent, but I know you can relate.

Deb

[Deb61]

Thanks for your reply.  I went to my doctor yesterday and was placed on two different antibiotics.  He thought it could be bacterial and since I'm now 50, it could even be that the bacteria is hiding out in a divercticula pocket.  

Looking back, I've never put too much thought in this stomach distention problem.  I've had so much going on with my health as far as MS goes.  I chalked almost all of my symptoms up to MS.  I figured it was because I was constipated most of the time.  However, now, I'm beginning to think this bloating/distention problem is unrelated because some of the symptoms I've mentioned above don't seem to fit the MS symptom profile.  The blood issue problem I thought was just an occasional isolated issue.  

I'm going to see what happens with this latest round of blood tests that the doctor ordered.  After that, I may see a GI specialist once again even though I really, really hate going through another colonoscopy.  The prep for the last one nearly killed my rear-end (LOL) and produced no results.  

Medical stuff in an MS patient or a person with autoimmune disease is so complicated.  I wished it wasn't like this for us.  I wished there was only one doctor that knew everything that could tell us what to do and make all of the diagnosis.  I remember when I was seeing several rheumatologists, no one suggested that my problems could be neurological.  Now, none of my doctors suggested seeing a GI specialist.  I have to figure out everything on my own.  

[HVAC]

Sounds like you need to have it checked out by a Doctor. I would not be comfortable making guesses since your symptoms are complicated and could be many things. Blood and fever are things a Doctor needs to deal with. Sometimes these things can be very complicated and require multiple Doctors and many tests. Sometimes the answers are easy to deal with such as infection and all you need is antibiotics.

Alex