Hi Guys,

I've been reading this forum for a few years now but I never signed up.. I've checked in every few months and read, re-read and re-read again the pages that I've missed! Jen, Coast, coheed, ericr, x2, gettingthere(?) etc. I feel like I almost know you all at this stage! Well that's a lie - but you know what I mean!!

So why have I logged in now?! I wanted to respond to a few things I suppose:

1) Another Irish person logged in! I'm Irish btw!

2) "Someone" suggested that perhaps guys were putting there head in the sand. I had to reply to that one. It's true to a certain degree I reckon - but you know how guys are. We don't read maps unless we can avoid it and we certainly don't ask for directions! Well, maybe that's just me?! Also - yeh there is an element of let's grin and bear it!!

3) You guys were talking about scoliosis in the back etc. I have back problems which I picked up playing tennis (badly) in my late teens. But I remember, when all this started for me, thinking that the back could be playing a part? I used to try and sit up straight in my chair and see how I felt. Tired was usually the answer! Well, I can't remember how I got on but I forgot about the idea til you mentioned it there. Could slouching be putting pressure on certain organs? Well I doubt it but I like the way you're all thinking!

Finally,
4) At 2am last night I read Coast's last post about his girlfriend etc. and for whatever reason it sent me into tears! And I don't mean a single tear down the cheek crying. I mean little-girl-watching-4-weddings floods of tears! I'm a 25 year old guy!! Anyway, I can totally relate to all that stuff and have been in that boat. For the good and the bad. Reminded me too of my last uni exam. I was in my standard feeling mortified exam-mode. "Please stomach, do not make noise!" and then just when I was once again on the verge of panic - someone else's stomach made noise!! THE RELIEF! I was sooo happy as if someone had given me some kind of escape clause!! I always remember that!

Well, they're my reasons. I think it goes without saying that my symptoms are very similar to all of yours so I'm not going to go into it all. I would like to tell you a bit about me, for comparison really. I often wonder is there one trivial thing that we all have in common that is causing this whole thing?!

Anyway: I'm a 25 year old guy from Ireland. I'm (otherwise) healthy. I do a lot of fitness stuff (which I find helpful). Hmm.. what else? I got the symptoms when I was around 21 or so and still in college. Like some of you guys I was a heavy drinker but in the last few years I've barely drank at all and at this stage I can practically say I don't drink. Fillings - there's something I'm wondering about also. I have some fillings in my teeth - they say that the mouth/tongue is a barometer of health. I don't know whooo says that - but *someone* said it! What else??? I don't take medicine for anything. Ever. I've never tried any of the paragone-type things you guys speak of. I have a healthy diet and eat "junk" food every six months? No more. Hmmm.. From what I've read I realllly think the gluten-thing that someone (was it marre?) mentioned is a key. I'll post again at some point with my full reasoning but I'd love to hear from someone that has lead a totally gluten-free diet!

I don't know, I suppose I'll say well done to all of you guys for keeping this forum going! At this stage, I'm not so concerned with a cure - I think it's the anxiety of it that hurts me most. So if you guys know a good hypnotist - let me know!! Having said that though, I'm lucky enough as I'm finished with uni at last and no longer have to sit any more exams! In some ways, this whole thing can make you very disciplined - you do things once and right because you know you cant bear to be back! A driving test for example!! Anyway, I know we have it hard - but screw it - what can we do?! I'll be damned if I'm not going to live life to the full because of this.. I know - easier said than done. But everytime I get down/depressed - I hear about someone else that really *is* worse off than me. All I can say is that, thank God I have to read *this* thread and not another

So, best of luck everyone and take care,

A guy from Ireland

ps. Ireland will beat Wales this weekend in Croke Park!!

Hello Irish, I'm happy that you decided to join into the forum posting fun I'm Irish too haha.. just the American kind :/. Ha.

Anyway, I find it interesting that you are so healthy. The main thing that you have in common I believe is that it started in college. But it's so hard to imagine that a stressor could have induced this much health problems.

The anxiety, I understand, so much. It's the worst part for me, that absolute panic that makes me feel like I'm going to pass out (sometimes I just wish I would). But, you seem optimistic, like Jen, so I'm happy to have you on here!

Good luck, and maybe we can figure out some things finally. On a side note.. have you tried anything to help for the past four years?

welcome irish..
coheed i understand exactly how you feel. the only way i ever get through the things that my stomach is stopping me from doing is just by making myself do them. of course i avoid the things i can go without that will be awkward, but when its soemthing important like a job interview or a relationship... i normally just try to make myself do it and face the anxiety. the naxt thing i have to try and face is the doctor.

with regard to the HCL, took 1 pill before each meal on monday, and 2 with each yeatserdy and i didnt really feel any different ( same gas and bloating) but i didnt really have any noise after ( not until my stomach got hungry again a few hours later) but i dont ALWAYS get noise AFTER a meal so maybe it hasnt done anything. i still had noises before eating.

so i need to up the dose to 3 pills... ive had no burning or anything so from the website that indicated i dont have too much acid, in which case i will have to continue with hte HCL for weeks, maybe even months till it starts to burn, then i know the acid balance is restored...
so im going to stick at it for a little while, ive got nothing to lose, and im still siuspecting that i have thryroid problems, which ive read can cause stomach acid problems. and i also read that candida can cause the thyroid.

my theory now is that when i was young i developed cndida from a poor diet and all the antibiotics i was taking. so by the time istarted my persio i had hormone problems which mae them bad... and the caniddia developed and causedthyroid problems, and together they caused the noises. all my other ailments and symtoms came along with that.

i really dont want to belive i have candida, becasue its so hard to get rid of, but the more i read about it the more it sounds like me. the only symptm missing from the list is noises. but all the stuff about brain fog, difficulty concentrating, reading, short temr memory loss... its just me. i dont think im a normal human becasue i dont function like everyoneelse... if i was healthy, id have the chance to be normal, and be able to socialise normally without all these physical problems holding me back..

so if the hcl doesnt work after a few months im considering attmepting the candida diet again... theres a big section on it on the website i mentioned in my first post about hcl for anyone interested.


who has actually tried the candida diet?

Hi Irish lad,

So glad you've joined us. Im sure you'll find posting here helps, not necessarily to get cured but just finding people to share what you're going through with, although they'll be non of that 'irish beating the welsh' talk on here, not if you want to make friends !!

You're story sound very familiar, the only difference is that you sound very healthy whereas i think most of us only got into the healthy thing after being on here. It's ACE when you hear someone elses stomach make noise isn't it! I like to see how they react as i just go bright red and want to run away! Mostly people just ignore it but then the noises are never as weird or as loud as mine.

Oh no it was me *hold hands up* who said men bury their heads in the sand, hope i didn't offend!!

HW, i'm not on the candida diet (i think eric does it sometimes and Marre aswell) i do try to avoid too many carbs but i can't cut them out completely, it's too difficult and OMG it bunged me up something chronic (sorry TMI)

My noises haven't been too great either coheed but i've managed to avoid any 'situations'. Im off work next week, so can't wait, a whole blissfull week of no silent office!! Im actually off to dublin for a city break, i'll listen out for you irishlad!! Te he he!!

Jen

Me again, i was just wondering who else out there is following this thread but not posting like irish lad was. So, this is a message to anyone reading, please come and join us, just pop on and say hello, we'd love to hear from you!!

pix, good post, i didnt thinka bout that, even thgouth it took me ages before i signed up.

so, 3 hcl pills before meals today, and no direct noies from eating, had hunger noises and random noises and stuff, but no tthe type you get when eating/just after eating, so im sticking with them.

can anyone recommend a fibre suppliment? i cant seem to have a regular easy movement whatever i do. i took phsyllium husk capsules but they gave me really abd gas and urgency to need the loo after my evening meal. now im taking a fibre force or something, wich has phsyllium husk and lots of other stuff, this doesnt seem to be doing anything. i go everyday but its never muchand its not easy...
does any one else have tis problem? ( Sorry for TMI)

Hp, the HCL pills sound somewhat promising. I'd be willing to try those. Just at your healthfood stores you said?

Also, I've tried a lot of fiber supplements, but they always give me gas and stuff... so .. Do you have Activia yogurts over there? Those work well for me.

And I'm glad you get to get away Jen, I have my Spring Break from classes starting tonight... and then it's off to Utah for some snowboarding! Then relaxing back home by the beach. I am so excited for this break from worrisome stomach problems! Very often I realize that my stomach is much better when I'm relaxed and on breaks. It's been acting up in the mornings lately so hopefully this can get me back on my feet!

Good luck to anyone else, and like Jen and HP said, feel free to post. It took me a bit to throw in my information as well!

Ohhh, speaking of vacations, that reminds me....

My girlfriend wants us to take a trip to New York this summer. However, the last time I was on a plane was like...10 years ago...way before the noises started. My question is this: have any of you guys flown while having this problem? Is the airplane ride generally noisy enough to drown out the sounds? I cant imagine being in a super quiet airplane for 6 hours with stomach noises...

ok so i was having an ok day. then i got into work and bombshell, they want me to go on a 2 day course which onvolves 2 days of meetings and talks and an overnight stay in a hotel wioth someone on my team. there is NO WAY i can do this, the noises are bad enough, but its hard enough getting through our 10 minute monday office meeting with my anxeity let alone 2 days of silent talks and meetings.
luckily im away in oxford when the course is happening, so ive probably gotten out of it this time, but they said theyd put me onthe next one, WHAT DO I DO? i just cant go. im going to have to have a private talk with m manager and give an excuse, what do i say?

In Reply to "Help Wanted", I can really empathise with the dread you are feeling about those two days of meetings. I've been in situations like that before and the only way I was able to get through it was by taking double doses of the Bentyl/Valium combination that I take.

Also, in reply to Coast. Don't worry about being on an aeroplane. The background noise makes the stomach problem irrelevant, at least in my experience.

I can identify also with what 'Irish Lad' posted. I'm also from Ireland and live a very healthy lifestyle. At one point I thought my problem could have been caused by growing up in Ireland on a bland diet and later in life eating a lot of ethnic foods, but I've abandoned that theory a long time back.

One other thing that I've noticed recently. Whenever I have a cold or flu, my problem with stomach noises gets a lot worse. I've had a cold all this week. I've also noticed that it's worse when I don't get a full nights sleep. Maybe part of the problem is that the intestines go into spasm when the rest of the body is not at it's healthiest.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Welcome to the forum Irish. I'm glad to see that other people are signing up and sharing thier stories. Pix thanks for posting about having others post on here, I hope more people join in.

HW I can relate, I HATE going to meeting and sometimes I take a fan with me everywhere and complain about how hot it is. Taking the fan with me to a meeting is cool, becuase it drowns out any stomach noises. I might have to go for a week long training program and it's like all day training. I think I may just speak with my supervisor about my problem and see if I can avoid going to that training. I think if your honest about your problem they will understand. I told one of my co-workers and she was really cool about it and she stated that her brother was having a similar problem, but I guess he had GERD and he took Prilosec I think and he has been fine now.

Yeah I have to agree with Matt, flying isn't really a problem, because the noise on the plane is pretty loud. You can also turn on the air vent on top for some more distraction noises.

Well I have been taking Pamine off and on. My doctor told me I can take it at most every 6 hours, 4 times a day. I have to say that after I take that pill I feel soo much better. Today I ate a burger, fries and a root beer and I had no problem after that. If I had eaten that like a month ago I would get severe stomach noises. I've also been eating pie and I don't have any stomach noises. I did get a minor stomach noise, but it was barely anything. I think it had to do with me needing to have a bowl movement. I went to the restroom and took care of business and I was good to go. I did not have any other problems until I got home and had some glasses of wine. My doctor gave me a sample package, but I still have to go to the pharmacy and get some more. I will let you guys know how everything works out with these pills.

You guys should try to google search that medication and maybe see if you can get your doctor to get you a sample to try. The only time I do get stomach noises is when I consume alcoholic beverages while haven taken this medication.

Well take care everyone and best of luck. I will keep you guys updated with any new information.

Hi guys,

Thanks for the encouragingly warm welcome! Not that anything else could be expected really. "Get out of here Irishlad!" would have been harsh... or would it?!

Just to answer a few comments there:

coheed/pix - I've never tried any remedy/tablets or anything that have been mentioned on the site. Frankly I feel afraid to do so because I don't want to make things worse than they are! All I have done is try to alter my diet to see if anything makes a difference - so my healthy living these days is a result of this condition(?) rather than something I was doing all my life. For instance over the last few months I have not eaten chocolate bars or sweets or anything like that - and that *has* made a difference. I def feel better eating better food. I'm not as tired and my noises have *definitely* improved. So I would recommend that others trying the same. It's hard to say no to these things but at this stage I reckon its a dietary things - ie that my body can't handle certain foods. Maybe its gluten? Maybe its lactose? Who knows?! This is what I want to find out and this is how I'm going about it..! But if one of those foods *is* causing some allergic/chemical reaction or imbalance or whatever - it has to be cut out totally I suspect because even a few grams will probably trigger it perhaps? I liked some of the posts on the last few pages when people were talking about how the stomach works and that we have strong/weak contraction/convulsions or whatever it is. Its all quite promising I think.

Coast - yeh I agree with the others that the airplane is fine and def not something to worry about! And as mentioned, you can turn on the air etc. but it’s not necessary. Planes are loud. And cool! I love planes!

Help_wanted - can relate to that problem. Again eric has beaten me to it to suggest a fan. It’s another reason to enjoy summer isn't it? You can legitimately enjoy the gentle whirring noises of a fan! Quite relaxing I find. I've been known to switch on air-conditioners in the middle of winter - which people keep switching off - and I keep switching back on! If anyone asks I always give some stupid excuse. Also, old overhead projectors/computers make noise too. Another thing is to sit as close to a door as possible - I find that that makes me feel more comfortable knowing that if I need to make an exit I can - I reckon you all do that already though!

Also I often eat no food if I know I'll be a few hours. Yeh I know what your thinking, "this guy's crazy!" But it works. Sure every now and then you get the plain old hunger noises but who cares? You just say "no time for lunch earlier" or whatever.. and be the first to laugh it off! Everytime!.. No one remembers these things but us. Its true!!

I do a lot of fitness stuff and I find that after a good workout/run/match etc. I am often fine for hours after. Before any meeting I always go for a run and I find I can generally sit through it fine. In college I did a million exams with this problem and so even if the exam was at 9am - I would be in the gym or running at 8. It didn’t always work though – but I’d at least 75% of the time I was fine. If I was eating as well as I am now – reckon an even better percentage! I have a lot of tips/thoughts on this area so if you want me to go on - let me know! This message is long enough!!

I do however regret to say that it took me a year or so to figure that training bit out and I have some shocking memories of me sitting in pin-drop-quiet rooms and halls. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Again though, I know we are all different and what works for me many not be practical for another.

matt_user - is everyone from Ireland here?!! Knowing how the Irish are, others will start logging in not because they have a problem - but because they want to have a chat!

Anyway, good talking to you guys again! Have a great weekend. I'll be watching the rugby and nothing else! Did I mention that Ireland are gonna beat Wales!?

Irish.

its not summer, its cold here,fans arnt an option and non eof those things are possible or going to help, bottom line i cant go and im going to have to find a way out of it, i feel like a patheti human being, icant evengo on a simple work trip ecasue of these stupid physicl problems. timeslike this i want to give up

Nope. You can't give up. You can't you can't you can't!!! You can't!!!

If the trips are a frequent thing - I would say talk to your boss. Tell them everything. What have you got to lose? Back whatever you have to say up with a doctor's cert. I know it's hard - and they probably still wont get it - but you'll feel relief if nothing else. Even tell them how much you *want* to be able to go. Its not like your trying to skip work! Tell them that if you really feel you cant go, youll stay working in your office for those 2 days!

If the trips are not frequent - come up with some excuse - again back it up with a doctor's cert. Tell them that you have a dodgy stomach because you are allergic to something like gluten and over the last few days youve been feeling terrible and that you can't go away - on a "just this once" basis. Then when another trip comes up - tell them the same thing again?! Hopefully they'll have forgotten!

Or you could just say to hell with it and go. If you're like me, then the worst that can *actually* happen is that your stomach will make noise. If you are feeling brave and callous, tell people at whatever meeting that you are not feeling well - pass it off as a joke? Why not try not eating beforehand like I said before?? Then its a case that you wont feel bad making noise because you are genuinely hungry!! I once gave a 1 hour presentation and my opening remark was something like "my stomach is broken. and it wont shut up. nothing I can do." And however I said it - everyone laughed, inc. me.

As for the sharing the room that night - tell that person you aren't feeling well. THEY WILL UNDERSTAND. THEY really, really will. Leave the TV on at night perhaps - low and in the background.. If it's a big problem. I'm sure that a single room could be organised. Any trips for training etc. that my friends have been sent on - they've always been put up in their own hotel room. That's how it seems to be in europe/UK anyway.

Concentrate on everything that is good for you too, help wanted Remember all the negative things that are happening to you - that you think everyone else notices - is magnified in your own eyes. The other people will probably not give whatever issues/noises/embarrassments a moments thought! They wont be going to bed that night thinking, 'I cant believe irishlad made that noise today...'

Anyway - thats the kind of stuff i keep telling myself. Its all in my head grrrr.

thanks irish... but going really isnt an option. this is a one off but they wnt me to go and if i miss this one theyll just put me on the next sesion. and backing anything up with a doctors cert isnt possible becasue i havnt been to the doctor about my stomach prolems. i was thinking of sayign to my boss, do i really have to go becasue i hate this sort of thing and if he asks why ill say its becaseu my anxeity, and if i need to explain ill say its due to my sinus problems ( which is slightly is). but i really dotn want to go into this much detail with him. otherwise ill just wait till the time of the next seesion and say i dont want to go then. i dont know what to do. i could try going to my doc about my anxiety, see if they could give me anything, but ill just say its from my sinuses not stomach problems, and see what they see. but i dont think theyll give me anything, just fob me off with another pointless tal about what mite be casuing my sinus problems ( im pretty sure its due to candida but wont dare mention that to the doc, theyll laugh!)

and sorry for the negetive post, ive calmed down now ive had a few glasses of wine. its just getting me down so much lately i just want a normal life so bad. does anyone have anythign they take that combats anxiety?

*Warning: I am not a doctor and my advice shouldn't be taken as medical advice, this is my own personal opinion through research and common sense.*

Since, I was diagnosed with GERD, acid reflux, and gastrits. I have been researching and thinking about the too much/ too low stomach acid. Anyway, I went to the Health food store and purchased a PH Test Kit to check my PH levels. Each PH test that I have taken has shown that I have too much acid. I've been doing this for about 3 days. Here's my reasoning. I wonder if the adbundance of stomcah acid is irritating my stomach lining and causing the noises? My doctor told me that I had inflammation, and prescibed me aciphex to stop stomach acid. Of course, I want to take the natural route, and have I not been taking the medicine. So, I went yesterday to the Health food store to purchase PH Basic enzyme. This product is supposed to neturalize the stomach acid and keep it at its normal levels. I also, purchased more Aloe Vera Juice (George brand)to try and heal the stomach lining. My thought is control the stomach acid and then heal the stomach lining.

Many people that have IBS don't have stomach noises, and associate stomach noises to food intolerances, parasites, food combining, poor digestion, candida, and other illnesses. It's not a common symptom of IBS. So, I see why our problem is difficult to know what causes it.

We have tried modifiying our diets, parasite cleaning, candida supplements, antibiotics, probiotics, gas medicines, and yet, no cure. But has anyone here, ever monitored their stomach acid? PH levels? We could be facing both too much or too little stomach acid, but don't know which one is causing the problem. So if we don't know which one is which, how are we solving the problem? This is just a thought that I'm seeking. Something is causing these abnormal noises, and we need to get to the bottom of it.

I'm on the stomach acid route right now. I will report back with my findings.

Take care.

Hey everyone.

Great to hear from you again GrowlGurl, I'm glad we are trying a new angle, I was getting a bit skeptical about our previous attempts.

Eric, I'm interested to hear how the Pamine places out for you .. and I seem to have lost the post about whoever mentioned that they take valium for their anxiety. I was wondering if there are over-the counter kind of things that I could try? I haven't been able to get around to a doctor, and probably will not.

On a side note, I found it interesting, but when I drink alcohol, it's a hit or miss with me. If I'm HAVING stomach noises.. then they cease. The next day, I may have stomach noises, but it's also easier for me to go to the bathroom and once I do, they stomach noises pretty much end for the rest of the day..

HP, I always dread situations like that.. I wish we had something to say. By chance have you tried Maalox? They make one that's Extra strength to control gas. If I'm intending to be somewhere for extended periods of time, quiet - I take a digestion pill of some sort, maybe make some Fennel tea, and then take as much Maalox as is safe (liquid kind), and it tends to hold me over. And of course I eat fish ONLY the night before. I know you said you won't go... but if for some reason you must. Anyway... I hope you can figure something out for this, it's truly a terrible place to be..

growl girl, see my previous posts on stomach acid, this is my latest theory and im trying trestment for low stomach acid.
coheed, what is maalox? i dont think ive seen that here

Hi Help Wanted,
I feel really bad for your situation, probably because I've been in very similar situations myself and there is the potential the I will be again.

My advice to you is to be honest with your boss. This problem is partly psychological and partly physical. Even though your boss won't fully understand what is happening to you, I would be very surprised if he doesn't at least understand how upsetting the situation is for you.

I haven't told my own boss, but if it ever comes to a situation where I will have to be in day long meetings, I intend to.

One other thing, I would strongly advise you to go to see your doctor. He will be able to prescribe something that will relieve your symptoms for emergency situations like this. I have posted before that my doctor has given me a combination of Bentyl and Valium that works quite well. I think something stronger than Valium for the psychological part of the problem might be better and I may eventually go back to my doctor to ask him for something stronger for that, but for now I'm ok with Bentyl/Valium.

Also, I am not advocating that anyone should take this on a daily basis. Only take this for emergencies because you shouldn't let this condition take control of your life.

OK... I really hope that you come to grips with this and hope that you first go to see your doctor and then talk to your boss. Unless your boss is a complete a**hole, just talking to him about it will help you a great deal.