EclecticWitch Posted April 8 Report Share Posted April 8 Hello! I am new here and hoping to get some support and/or help. I have been struggling with abdominal issues, including EXTREME bloating for no apparent reason, since summer of 2018. About six months ago -- after many tests and procedures -- I was diagnosed with IBS-C. Although it has gotten better with diet / life changes and supplements, the constipation and bloating (I'm even bloated when my BM's are regular and even if I only drink liquids all day) are constant issues. I've had the following procedures: colonoscopy, endoscopy, gastric emptying, upper GI, ultrasounds, CT scans. And been on the following meds: Linzess, Mirtazapine (to increase appetite), and Dicyclomine, none of which helped. I'm a vegetarian. At my GI doctor's suggestion, I followed a low FODMAP diet for a month (although I never ate many of the items on the 'no' list to begin with) and had no change / improvement. I've taken the following supplements and found that only those with an '*' seem to help: peppermint, nutmeg*, ginger*, cardamom*, ACV, lemon, fennel, aloe vera juice, Swedish bitters, licorice root, ginseng, triphala, marshmallow root, berberine / betaine HCI, Butyrate (calcium/mag.), probiotics*, digestive enzymes*, GI motility supplements, psyllium* Can anyone share anything they've tried that has helped with bloating and constipation? TIA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee kerckhove Posted April 9 Report Share Posted April 9 22 hours ago, EclecticWitch said: Hello! I am new here and hoping to get some support and/or help. I have been struggling with abdominal issues, including EXTREME bloating for no apparent reason, since summer of 2018. About six months ago -- after many tests and procedures -- I was diagnosed with IBS-C. Although it has gotten better with diet / life changes and supplements, the constipation and bloating (I'm even bloated when my BM's are regular and even if I only drink liquids all day) are constant issues. I've had the following procedures: colonoscopy, endoscopy, gastric emptying, upper GI, ultrasounds, CT scans. And been on the following meds: Linzess, Mirtazapine (to increase appetite), and Dicyclomine, none of which helped. I'm a vegetarian. At my GI doctor's suggestion, I followed a low FODMAP diet for a month (although I never ate many of the items on the 'no' list to begin with) and had no change / improvement. I've taken the following supplements and found that only those with an '*' seem to help: peppermint, nutmeg*, ginger*, cardamom*, ACV, lemon, fennel, aloe vera juice, Swedish bitters, licorice root, ginseng, triphala, marshmallow root, berberine / betaine HCI, Butyrate (calcium/mag.), probiotics*, digestive enzymes*, GI motility supplements, psyllium* Can anyone share anything they've tried that has helped with bloating and constipation? TIA! Hi EclecticWitch, I’m hitting the 23 year mark of IBS-c. I have found that my intestines stretch when I’m bloated and I’m left with stretched out intestines. SO. I will lay down on my left side for half an hour or so and my abdomen relaxes. Then I wear pants that are a little stretchy but hold in my abdomen because I think my abdomen sometimes needs support not necessarily spanx. And sometimes the bloat goes away. I also rub my abdomen clockwise. It wakes up my intestines . Gets it moving. I’ve learned not to eat a lot especially after 7 or 8 pm. Reduces the strength of constipation in the morning. my constipation simply is what it is. I listen to my body. My body has good ideas if I let go of expectations I.e. I’m suppose to go poop everyday. Tried for years to make that happen and I was miserable. So now I take laxatives every three days and my life is much more manageable. Look at your stools. They say a lot. And look up what the colors mean and the form of the stools. I have open colonics. I feel so good for the break of the IBS-c routine. I eat slow. One bite chewed completely before next bite. I went to an allergist and found out foods I’m allergic to and don’t eat them. Big difference for me. Hope I said something that resonates with you. I’ve got a lot more tricks I’ve learned over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EclecticWitch Posted April 9 Author Report Share Posted April 9 1 hour ago, Renee kerckhove said: Hi EclecticWitch, I’m hitting the 23 year mark of IBS-c. I have found that my intestines stretch when I’m bloated and I’m left with stretched out intestines. SO. I will lay down on my left side for half an hour or so and my abdomen relaxes. Then I wear pants that are a little stretchy but hold in my abdomen because I think my abdomen sometimes needs support not necessarily spanx. And sometimes the bloat goes away. I also rub my abdomen clockwise. It wakes up my intestines . Gets it moving. I’ve learned not to eat a lot especially after 7 or 8 pm. Reduces the strength of constipation in the morning. my constipation simply is what it is. I listen to my body. My body has good ideas if I let go of expectations I.e. I’m suppose to go poop everyday. Tried for years to make that happen and I was miserable. So now I take laxatives every three days and my life is much more manageable. Look at your stools. They say a lot. And look up what the colors mean and the form of the stools. I have open colonics. I feel so good for the break of the IBS-c routine. I eat slow. One bite chewed completely before next bite. I went to an allergist and found out foods I’m allergic to and don’t eat them. Big difference for me. Hope I said something that resonates with you. I’ve got a lot more tricks I’ve learned over the years. Hi, Renee. Thank you for sharing your 23 years of experience! I also like to wear pants that aren't tight around the waist but provide some 'support' in my lower abdomen. I have been doing an intestinal / abdominal massage after meals as often as possible (not really easy to do when I'm at work ), which does help move things along. I have learned that it's not necessarily 'bad' not to have a BM every day, but if I don't go at least every other day, the pain is horrible! I do look at my BM to gauge the 'healthiness' of it (the Bristol chart is a good reference). I forgot to mention that I also have celiac disease and am lactose intolerant, which makes my diet even more fun (ha, ha). I have been thinking about getting a colonic (hydrotherapy) once in a while to get really cleaned out. From the sounds of it, you've gotten relief (at least for a little while) from that? May I ask what laxatives you take? I try to maintain regularity through my diet (insoluble / soluble fiber) but sometimes one just needs a little help. I like senna tea / tablets, magnesium citrate, and/or cascara sagrada. However, while the laxatives do help things move along, if I take even a little too much, it causes bloating; like a vicious cycle. I'd love to hear any other 'tricks' you've learned throughout the years, if you care and have the time to share. I greatly appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee kerckhove Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 17 hours ago, EclecticWitch said: Hi, Renee. Thank you for sharing your 23 years of experience! I also like to wear pants that aren't tight around the waist but provide some 'support' in my lower abdomen. I have been doing an intestinal / abdominal massage after meals as often as possible (not really easy to do when I'm at work ), which does help move things along. I have learned that it's not necessarily 'bad' not to have a BM every day, but if I don't go at least every other day, the pain is horrible! I do look at my BM to gauge the 'healthiness' of it (the Bristol chart is a good reference). I forgot to mention that I also have celiac disease and am lactose intolerant, which makes my diet even more fun (ha, ha). I have been thinking about getting a colonic (hydrotherapy) once in a while to get really cleaned out. From the sounds of it, you've gotten relief (at least for a little while) from that? May I ask what laxatives you take? I try to maintain regularity through my diet (insoluble / soluble fiber) but sometimes one just needs a little help. I like senna tea / tablets, magnesium citrate, and/or cascara sagrada. However, while the laxatives do help things move along, if I take even a little too much, it causes bloating; like a vicious cycle. I'd love to hear any other 'tricks' you've learned throughout the years, if you care and have the time to share. I greatly appreciate it! EclecticWitch. Nice to hear from you. So we both take laxatives for IBS-c. I can’t handle amitiza or linzess. Too harsh. So when I’m out and about if I suddenly feel omg I’m going to have an accident. Not gonna happen that’s because when I feel the diarrhea coming I stand or sit still and clench my butt till the diarrhea backs up a bit then continue walking towards a bathroom, then stop again and clench then walk repeat till I get to the bathroom. I will use men’s single restroom if women’s is being used. That clenching is also kegeling which strengths the bladder. A silver lining. that bloating is a real real aggravation. If I’m in a situation home or otherwise, and I get stressed by the news or family matters, I remove myself to a quiet place for as long as I can and relax my mind. If it’s not my problem I don’t stay where the problem is happening. It takes my mind off the bloating. You’re on the right track of awareness of how your body reacts. For me in the past (notice I said past) I would go in bathroom at work and relax for five minutes. Relax my mind. I get more gas out, which is where my bloating comes from, by laying on floor pull knees up to chest and roll from side to side or lay on my tummy briefly. Stand up and twist. I do the twisting on toilet too and lay back on toilet and massage belly. Some gas comes out. I would not expect something to happen, if I did and I did have expections, I was miserable. I learned to be kind to my body. Be compassionate. If I had tight gas, then I had to figure out what food caused it. Some foods cause mucous and that can cause more constipation. Eating too fast makes a huge difference for me to not bloat. Eating less food for me makes a huge difference in not bloating. Right now I take dulcosate sodium, stool softener and Bisacodyl. I’ve been on your laxatives but eventually after a few years, they stopped working. But I keep researching new ideas. But for now using these ideas have made my IBS-c tolerable. Sometimes I still have to cry it out. When I feel like sobbing, I lay down for awhile in quiet. It helps. My body appreciates it you didn’t ask this but I wipe side to side and use Vaseline when needed. I don’t push hard anymore. Sometimes the bloating is so much so I have an enema and that over the hours helps me release. Not always everything comes out. I need to let that be ok. Sometimes my bloating was so bad I felt nine months pregnant and sometimes I’d cry but then I’d start rubbing my belly with compassion. Relaxed my mind. Then I’d research more about IBS-c. Researching makes me feel proactive and that feels positive. Goodness. Hope I’ve given you more tricks. ✨ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee kerckhove Posted April 10 Report Share Posted April 10 3 minutes ago, Renee kerckhove said: EclecticWitch. Nice to hear from you. So we both take laxatives for IBS-c. I can’t handle amitiza or linzess. Too harsh. So when I’m out and about if I suddenly feel omg I’m going to have an accident. Not gonna happen that’s because when I feel the diarrhea coming I stand or sit still and clench my butt till the diarrhea backs up a bit then continue walking towards a bathroom, then stop again and clench then walk repeat till I get to the bathroom. I will use men’s single restroom if women’s is being used. That clenching is also kegeling which strengths the bladder. A silver lining. that bloating is a real real aggravation. If I’m in a situation home or otherwise, and I get stressed by the news or family matters, I remove myself to a quiet place for as long as I can and relax my mind. If it’s not my problem I don’t stay where the problem is happening. It takes my mind off the bloating. You’re on the right track of awareness of how your body reacts. For me in the past (notice I said past) I would go in bathroom at work and relax for five minutes. Relax my mind. I get more gas out, which is where my bloating comes from, by laying on floor pull knees up to chest and roll from side to side or lay on my tummy briefly. Stand up and twist. I do the twisting on toilet too and lay back on toilet and massage belly. Some gas comes out. I would not expect something to happen, if I did and I did have expections, I was miserable. I learned to be kind to my body. Be compassionate. If I had tight gas, then I had to figure out what food caused it. Some foods cause mucous and that can cause more constipation. Eating too fast makes a huge difference for me to not bloat. Eating less food for me makes a huge difference in not bloating. Right now I take dulcosate sodium, stool softener and Bisacodyl. I’ve been on your laxatives but eventually after a few years, they stopped working. But I keep researching new ideas. But for now using these ideas have made my IBS-c tolerable. Sometimes I still have to cry it out. When I feel like sobbing, I lay down for awhile in quiet. It helps. My body appreciates it you didn’t ask this but I wipe side to side and use Vaseline when needed. I don’t push hard anymore. Sometimes the bloating is so much so I have an enema and that over the hours helps me release. Not always everything comes out. I need to let that be ok. Sometimes my bloating was so bad I felt nine months pregnant and sometimes I’d cry but then I’d start rubbing my belly with compassion. Relaxed my mind. Then I’d research more about IBS-c. Researching makes me feel proactive and that feels positive. Goodness. Hope I’ve given you more tricks. ✨ P.s. my experience is that there is always a reason for bloating. I just have to figure it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EclecticWitch Posted April 13 Author Report Share Posted April 13 Thanks for the additional tips and personal experience, Renee. With IBS-C, I never have to deal with diarrhea, but I'll keep your advice in mind if I ever do. I follow a lot of the protocols you do with regards to the bloating. I practice yoga and meditation daily and am currently studying to be a spiritual healer so I've learned how to handle stress, be compassionate and listen to my body. It's just so frustrating when we want answers / relief NOW! LOL I'll look into the laxatives you mentioned and give them a try if/when the ones I'm currently taking become ineffective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee kerckhove Posted April 13 Report Share Posted April 13 4 hours ago, EclecticWitch said: Thanks for the additional tips and personal experience, Renee. With IBS-C, I never have to deal with diarrhea, but I'll keep your advice in mind if I ever do. I follow a lot of the protocols you do with regards to the bloating. I practice yoga and meditation daily and am currently studying to be a spiritual healer so I've learned how to handle stress, be compassionate and listen to my body. It's just so frustrating when we want answers / relief NOW! LOL I'll look into the laxatives you mentioned and give them a try if/when the ones I'm currently taking become ineffective. I think you sound great. Thank you for your thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee kerckhove Posted April 13 Report Share Posted April 13 Just now, Renee kerckhove said: I think you sound great. Thank you for your thoughts. One more thing. I need laxatives because I am constipated then when I go, I have regular bowels and diarrhea afterwards. If you don’t mind me asking what you take that keeps your constipation regular and no loose bowels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EclecticWitch Posted April 13 Author Report Share Posted April 13 48 minutes ago, Renee kerckhove said: One more thing. I need laxatives because I am constipated then when I go, I have regular bowels and diarrhea afterwards. If you don’t mind me asking what you take that keeps your constipation regular and no loose bowels. It is hard to get the right balance with laxatives. I often have to experiment when I try a new one because my system is VERY sensitive and if I overdo it even a smidgen, I get diarrhea as well. To maintain regularity, I currently try to make sure I get enough soluble and insoluble fiber in my diet, but if I get backed up the natural laxative I've felt helpful the past few months is TAM https://www.amazon.com/American-Health-Herbal-Laxative-Tablets/dp/B000KFRSW8 I recently purchased a book that has been very informative -- 'Freedom from Constipation - Natural Remedies for Digestive Health' by Christopher Vasey, N.D. It not only explains how the digestive system works but gives many tips and remedies to maintain regularity. Although it's not specifically written for IBS patients, anyone who suffers from digestive issues can benefit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee kerckhove Posted April 14 Report Share Posted April 14 15 hours ago, EclecticWitch said: It is hard to get the right balance with laxatives. I often have to experiment when I try a new one because my system is VERY sensitive and if I overdo it even a smidgen, I get diarrhea as well. To maintain regularity, I currently try to make sure I get enough soluble and insoluble fiber in my diet, but if I get backed up the natural laxative I've felt helpful the past few months is TAM https://www.amazon.com/American-Health-Herbal-Laxative-Tablets/dp/B000KFRSW8 I recently purchased a book that has been very informative -- 'Freedom from Constipation - Natural Remedies for Digestive Health' by Christopher Vasey, N.D. It not only explains how the digestive system works but gives many tips and remedies to maintain regularity. Although it's not specifically written for IBS patients, anyone who suffers from digestive issues can benefit. Thank you EC. I will look into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayla Posted May 6 Report Share Posted May 6 Well after I had PID, the doctor determined that my continued pain was probably gastrointestinal & they put me on dicyclomine so in September of last year I saw an gastroenterologist & she changed my dose & wanted to do a follow up with me in a few months. I had the bowel urgency, bloating, gas & severe abdominal pain. I wasn't able to see her again till January then she put me on lactulose until I could get on Trulance & told me to try the low FODMAP diet for 6 weeks.I feel like the low FODMAP diet plus the Trulance helps. She said no to linzess because a lot of people experience diarrhea bad on it, I've doing a lot better but I do eat some high FODMAP foods lightly like bread & garlic. Stress is a big factor on my pain too so I try to stay calm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kayla Posted May 6 Report Share Posted May 6 I do not recommend Lactulose, it gave me excessive gas more than I was already having & it irritated my stomach. I eat a lot of oatmeal & grits & drink water so that keeps me regular Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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