Digestive and Bowel Disorders Forum - Very Embarraccing Problem

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Q: Very Embarraccing Problem

asked by: Kobe on December 11th, 2004

New User

For a year I have had a very strange digestive problem that must sound humorous, but has been a cause of serious problems in my life, and has recently gotten worse. For some reason I am at times unable to keep gas escaping from my intestines. I have no way of predicting when this will happen, and clearly it makes my personal and academic life extremely difficult and frustrating. The problem is a bit complicated and I have had some time to observe and think about it.

The most important thing is that it does not seem to involve what I eat. I have been sticking to a very healthy diet for months and getting excersise (daily situps/pushups, running) and the problem persists. Diet only affects the smell of the gas that escapes. Thus I think it's a problem with my intestines. I think constipated getting pockets of gas way too low in my intestines, it seems to me that once the gas gets down there it seeps out on its own no matter how I twist and turn. Even worse, when I excuse myself to go to the toilet, nothing comes out, neither feces nor a regular flatulent, and it just continues the same when I go back.

Other relevant factors: I get constipated at times and go as many as 3 days without having a bowel movement. I don't have problems with diarrhea. I have loose stool at times, but this has slightly decreased as i've added some fiber to my diet, though without improving the flatulence at all. I don't think it's ibs, because uncontrollable flatulence isn't one of its symptoms.

It doesn't seem to be caused by excessive amounts of gas. I eat no gas-causing foods and no dairy, and I generally don't feel bloated or have gas pains. I suspect that the problem is connected to issues of stress, in that it gets worse when i'm under stress, but not that it's completely caused by them.

This has caused me to avoid social situations and to miss days of classes, and please don't think this is all in my head, because it has become something of a public joke where I live. It's very real, and yet i'm starting to feel like i'm the only person that has ever suffered from this debilitating condition.

It doesn't seem to be a widespread problem, partly because i've never heard of anyone else suffering from it, and partly because the doctors I visited had absolutely nothing useful to say. Please let me know if there is any solutions for this problem. I live a freshman at university and will definitely drop out if there is no any solution. Please help Crying or Very sad

Replies(11)

tonga

replied on December 19th, 2004

New User

Hi,kobe,

you're not alone. I also have had this quite embarrassing problem for a long time. I really don't know what happened to my digestive tract. It seems that every food can cause excessive gas and flatulence to me. Usually it comes 3 or 4 hours after each meal. I went to see doctors and they said i'm both lactose and fructose intolerance. But even if I eliminate those intolerable foods, I still have the symptoms. Sad

so are you in the similar condition?

Full-Metal-Alchemist

replied on May 19th, 2005

New User

Hey kobe,

i just wanted to let you know that you are not alone. I have simliar problem that has made my life really hard. I have had to structure my whole life around this problem and wake up everyday hoping that today will be a good day. Every morning I always have frequent bm. It's not watery or nothing like that but I always have to go many times. Because of this I can never schedule morning appointments or classes. I even get up ealier many times thinking that if I give myself enough time to do my thing that I will be able to live a normal life. Many of my friends and family including my fiance hate it and think its all in my head. They don't understand what it's like not knowing if today will a good day. I have changed my diet many times, done lots of exercises and nothing seems to help. The only thing that I found help out alot was taking a protien shake before I went to sleep mixing it with a glass of milk. It felt like I was normal again and that I could control this problem in my life. But when I stopped taking them, it seem to just continue right where it left off. Usually after I eat especially in the moringing I can't even finish my meal and I already have to go. The only time I can somewhat control it is in the evening. Because of this I have had to take night classes and now currently looking for 3rd shift postition. I wish I could live like everyone else and not have to worry about this. Like you stated, it's not a joke and for many people including myself, it's a hole you can never get out of.

amy_j

replied on July 6th, 2005

Experienced User

Hi, I have quite a simular problem but the gas doent come out as a fart(excuse the word) with me it comes out of my stomach and makes growling noises and sometimes it can get really loud and I have to avoid quiet situations because of this

sJessicap

replied on October 6th, 2005

New User

Im the same as all of you...And it has caused my anxiety to become worse...But I also think worrying about it makes it worse...Your brain is powerful,...I know its not all in your head I go through the same thing...I used to take really good poops and they were dark in color and big...And it felt really good after I was done (sorry thats so descriptive...) now they are lighter and alot softer...And I dont feel as good as I did when I used to go....I feel liek there is alot of gas in my intestines all the time...And it is very embarassing..And has had a major effect on my relationship...And my academic success....So yeah I think your brain has alot do with it though...It seems to get worse when its quite or the more you think about it right??? Yeah its awful and I feel the same way as you guys do....It seems like no one else is going through it so just being here helps...A little bit.

coriolus

replied on November 1st, 2005

New User

Try a cleansing program like colonix frmo Dr. Natura. It is supposed to really help symptoms like you are having. You can buy it online. I am just finishing my 1st month on it and the results are really worthwhile.

Good luck with that..

Faemoon

replied on November 2nd, 2005

New User

Same Problem...

I have the exact same problem! My husband specifically thinks I just can't control it and that i'm not trying. No, I really try, there's just no stopping it. It's the worst during sexual situations. It ruins my sex life and makes me dread any social interaction. I thought it was just lactose intolerance, but anything I eat will do it. The embarassment this problem causes me is horrendous. I hope someone has a natural solution to the problem.

I have two ideas. Have any of you had your appendix removed? I had mine removed and i'm plagued by the problem. I also know that there's bacteria in our intestines that specialize in making methane and we could have an abundance of those suckers.

tao

replied on November 2nd, 2005

New User

Leaky Gas

Hi there, I also have this problem. I think it is a side effect of ibs (irritable bowel syndrome). For me it can strike at any time, I have no sensation of having gas (like a normal fart) and seems to be worse in social situations or when I am stressed out. There is little advice from doctors as to how to deal with this, some don't seem to understand the problem yet I have been on other bulletin boards where so many people suffer from this (just google irritable bowel syndrome bulletin boards). People from all over the world are complaining about this. Some things that have been suggested which may or may not help: eat smaller meals, drink lots and lots of water, stay away from know gas producing foods such as onions, beans, cauliflower etc. I have had some luck with taking charcoal, it seems to absorb some of the gas. Watch for lactose intolerance (cut out milk and all dairy products). There is no clear answer, if you visit the other boards you will find the people on there have been dealing with this problem for years and have done significant research. Hopefully if more people come forward to their doctors with this very embarrasing problem the medical community will begin to take this seriously. This problem affects every aspect of our lives, our jobs, our social life, our relationships and also the people in our family are also affected.

Rachie

replied on February 5th, 2006

New User

If ur having stomach problems try taking supplements of acidophilus, a form of 'good bacteria' . Or try getting a proper food intolerance test I got one and hav been put on a diet where I cant eat yeast, dairy or sugar, it also cancels out any form of sweeteners like fructose and msg (put in chinese food). Its helping and im taking a range of supplements. It all started after I took very strong antibiotics after an operation which contain yeast and has started a yeast infection in my stomach, and I now kno I hav a yeast intolerance. I dnt recommend that any of u go on this diet cos I think its different for everyone but I think u shud maybe get a test.

fifeldemouse

replied on June 29th, 2006

New User

I never really had this problem until I had a total hystorectomy. Which was done on 05-05-05. And then it was down hill from there.my bowl movements went from every other day to every other week! my Dr. Says it is ibs and has prescribed the medication to treat the pain but that doesn't help with the constipation and flatulance. He also put me on zelnorm and for those of you who haven't been on it, I warn you now. If you have the ibs w/ constipation and your Dr. Prescribes zelnorm it will give you diarriha. So I only take it when I really need it. I hope you can get the relief you need.

Healthyone1

replied on August 2nd, 2006

New User

Try This...

I went through this exact problem for almost 2 years! I finally found a very caring and patient Dr. Who helped me find the solution. I take a medication called "pamine" which slows down the gi tract. I take one pill about 20 minutes before I eat a meal and I promise you....It has changed my life! I can eat lunch at work and sit in a quiet room without any noise whatsoever! I hope you can try it and experience the great results I did. I know how devastating this problem can be. Good luck!

Users who thank Healthyone1 for this post: ericr747

ericr747

replied on October 18th, 2009

Experienced User

Thank you Healthyone1,

I want to thank you for your post. I also tried "Pamine" when I first tried it, it worked wonders. I got kinda sick and then the noises came back. I just tried taking Pamine again and it has helped a great deal. Well I know it's been so many years since your post, but too bad I did not see it earlier. Thank you for posting about the cure you found.

I suggest that everyone try Pamine. I tried Reglan and wow that was a HORRIBLE medication, I had to quit a government job over it. I was in training and I had a bad stomach, so the doc there gave me Reglan and oh man, that made me go crazy. I could not sleep the whole night and I had chills and I just felt so bad.

Try taking Pamine, tell your doctors about it. I was taking the 2.5 mg Pamine 4 times a day and that really helped. I went to another doctor (long story) and he gave me the Pamine Forte 5 mg, but I just cut them in half and take it 4 times a day. I'm not sure if it's better to take 2.5 mg times a day or 5 mg twice a day. I guess I'll try the 5 mg twice a day to see how I feel.

Well once again please try Pamine, I'm sure all of you will be very pleased by taking this.

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