What you are experiencing could be related to nervousness and digestion. Personally I would recommend going to a naturopathic doctor who can perscribe something for your digestion and gas. Also look at what you are eating in the morning or the night before. Are you eating fruit combined with food? This can cause a gas effect in the stomach through fermentation as fruit digestion is different from regular foods. Digesting fruits takes a different digestive acid as other foods and the process is shorter than regular food. So when combined this can cause gas and strange sounds in the stomach. It can be as easy as taking a digestive enzyme.
If you find out what it is you have let us know. Keep us posted on what you used and how it worked for you.

Hi HockeyGuy,

What you wrote is eerily similar to my situation. Whenever I am nervous, I have had the same problem and it is embarrassing. For me the nervousness leads to gas and, perhaps, even more of a problem for me is that this gas usually gets trapped in my colon not my abdomen. Hence, the only way to relieve it is going to the bathroom.
I can fully sympathize with as I have also taken the actual LSAT. Combining with the psychological effect of this situation, taking a 4 hour something test is a nightmare, nothing short of a trauma. The problem, however, is that in law school this reoccurs every time you have finals. I'm not even gonna mention the 8-hour bar exam.
Unfortunately, I have no answer to this problem, and I have been in search of one since I was 7 or 8 years old and then, more so, when I was diagnosed with IBS.
From what I gather, no one knows what causes IBS but, basically, our brains have a short circuit to our bowels (i.e. nervousness leads to gas and bloating). Interestingly enough, my IBS symptoms have evolved and changed throughout the years. Although, the symptoms manifested themselves differently, I still have the same short circuit problem.
If only someone would do research on this problem...because I am sure that you and I are definitely not alone (it's a sensitive subject that many are not willing to discuss). I would be so willing to donate to funding of such research!!!
I have found that to a limited extent GasX can help and also anxiety/depression drugs like Xanax can help. However, I am not a doctor and this is just my personal experience.
I read somewhere that IBS can be caused by a single traumatic event. This may be. But, unfortunately, this is a vicious circle that never ends and your fear only makes it worse. Unfortunate it is that one's fears cannot be controlled.
I wish you the best of luck and I hope that, one day, someone will have an answer to this chronic problem that we and so many share.

Regards,
Frank

I seem to have this same problem. Sometimes its so bad that it makes me fear being in quiet rooms with other people. The funny part is, is that they are usually just loud and don't stink. This sounds silly to say but it really is embarassing, especially if I'm at a job interview or sitting in a classroom. I think the problem really only arrises when I'm nervous which normally occurs in these type of public situations, mainly because of my fear of such incident occuring. It really is a viscious cycle and is hard to cope with at times. I have visited a doctor and was diagnosed with IBS which pretty much means my digestive tract is pretty unstable. I try to eat healthier foods that don't have so much grease. Laying off soda and drinking more water also helps. I've also found that taking some fiber capsules seems to help at times. I feel that I shouldn't be having to worry about these issues as a 21 year old, and could be more productive and outgoing if this wasn't a problem for me. I am however concerned as well because my biological father is diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and has much more severe issues than I. I just only hope that I don't develop this condition as well. I believe maintaining a healther diet now is the best way for prevention of this occurence.

I am 24 years old and this problem started for me when I was 19. I thought I was alone with this nightmare. It pains me to be in a quiet classroom, job interview, elevator, at work etc. It started one day when I had an almost panic attack and was full of anxiety from the quiet of my classroom. I started imagining having a gas attack and my stomach turned and became insanely bloated. The more I thought about it the worse it became. I had such intense issues with this problem I dropped all my classes because it was becoming too traumatic. I noticed water is key to calming it down but it still happens from time to time. I dont think I have IBS because this only happens when Im in school or when I think about how scared I am.

Try letting the gas out as quietly as possible directly into your chair to muffle the noise and filter out the stink. Of course if you are sitting in a wooden chair this won't work. Digestive system transplant?

Digestive system transplant? Not funny.

I'm sure hockeyguy62 knows how to release gas but that is not the answer in which he seeks. By the way some farts don't filter too well no matter what seat it is released into.



If changing your diet does not help; might I suggest you make an appt with a GI doctor. Before heading to the docs...try pro-biotics, it works well with your digestive tract. Take one before a meal...works wonders for me....

Also, you might want to try going poop more often.

I have this too and I just use farting strategies to overcome this. But I understand, sometimes in the test room, it is just too embarrassing to fart. Just calm yourself down during the test, its the nervousness and thought of doing bad that's causing. Learn some relaxation techniques that work for you.

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Or just get those diaper/underwear things that absorbs farts and no one can smell it but be careful to position your butt hole so that the configuration of your anus doesn't cause noise.

try taking 2 phayzmes (2 at 180 mg) after meals (not to exceed 2 a day) (OTC in heartburn section at your local pharmacy). and ask your doctor about aciphex, protonix, or omperazole (in case you have a burping problem too.) i hope that works. if he gives you aciphex be sure to print out a coupon online - saves you 35 bucks since aciphex is brand only. oh and if you're sick, and your doc prescribes you antibiotics, be sure to tell him about your bowel, in that case he can prescribe you something that's not to hard on your stomach. hope that works.