Every time I eat, I get bloated (also a bit TMI)
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Anonymous
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For the past 2 months (yes I know, I'm awful but I'm in a foreign country where I don't speak the language well so really don't want to go to the doctor), almost every time I eat, I get uncomfortably bloated. It first started when I came back in February (I was home in the states for 3 months over the holidays) as having some stomach issues, cramps, and very loose stools. Thought maybe my body was just adjusting to the different food down here. Now it has gotten progressively worse to the point that after I eat, I can't sit comfortably because I'm so bloated. It is noticeable both in appearance and also in how I feel. Stool is about the same although don't have as much cramps as usual. I also have heartburn/acid reflux from time to time.
I've noticed it happens after eating lunch and dinner, because my breakfast just consists of coffee and fruit or yogurt. I'm not overeating, so the bloating isn't caused by that. I return to the states permanently and a couple of weeks and will get a work up when I go back, but trying to prepare myself for anything it might be. Anyone had something like this? DH says I should get tested for celiac but I'm not sure if my case is that severe. Anyways, just thought I'd put it out there and see if anyone had suggestions. |
Anonymous
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I also wonder if gluten is the culprit.
Keep a food journal and vary your meals. How much water do you drink and when? Do you take probiotics? Those could help. Also digestive enzymes. |
Anonymous
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OP here. Ah man...I'm reading a website on gluten intolerance and have realized 1. My knees have been hurting more lately (I have knee problems that were once resolved and cannot figure out why they have been hurting so much lately) 2. I've had weird bumps on my elbows and inside of wrists that look pretty similar to Keratosis pilaris which is another sign of a gluten intolerance.
So new question...to those who have been diagnosed with a gluten intolerance, what did you tell your doctor in order to get the full work up? |
Anonymous
| What are you eating? Could you try a modified elimination diet? Also, if you're concerned about celiac, could you try eliminating gluten as much as possible? |
Anonymous
| My GI told me a lot if people with IBS type symptoms see improvement when they quit dairy. |
Anonymous
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My very first thought was gluten issues. Sounds classic.
I'm not as extreme as you, but when I eat wheat products I bloat out like I'm 3 months pregnant. If I eat a ton of it, I get the runs. |
Anonymous
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These were my sister's symptoms before she was dx'd with celiac disease. I'd get a full work up if I were you, but celiac can be dx'd with a blood test.
Good luck! |
Anonymous
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OP here. Thanks all. Will try to do a modified gluten free diet the rest of the time I'm here (a little difficult since gluten free is just becoming a thing down here so not many options). When I get back I plan to do a full elimination.
I drink a good amount of water, about 2 L a day depending on how much I work out, how hot it is out, and how much I'm chasing after my toddler. Not taking any probiotics, not sure if I can even find some down here. Will add that to my list of things to try in the states. Ugh not looking forward to cutting out gluten. Although maybe it will help me lose the last 10 pounds? haha |
Anonymous
+1 I have IBS and cutting dairy and gulden helped me a lot with the bloat, gas and discomfort. |
Anonymous
| Keep eating gluten until you get the blood test for celiac. |
Anonymous
This! Don't cut it until you get the test. |
Anonymous
| Have you had any surgery recently? These kinds of issues were happening to my mom after she had abdominal surgery. She was tested for Celiac and I was sure it was a gluten intolerance, but apparently it's not. Her dr said it was something to do with the surgery messing with her system and that it could take several years for things to reset. She can't eat many things that are surprising, and not the obvious culprits like beans and other food with fiber. |
Anonymous
| I don't known if you would consider this good news or bad. Last year I started to have similar symptoms, particularly troubling were the loose stools (not watery diarrhea and not even too frequent, but a nuisance nonetheless). After two months I saw a GI doc who tested me for Celiac, parasites (I lived abroad too), and did a colonoscopy. He did find a parasite, but it was one that doesn't usually cause symptoms, and it wasn't present during the repeat testing. He recommended probiotics and told me I might have IBS. Thanks. Tried the probiotics and it was like magic! Symptoms that I had suffered with for months disappeared. After a couple months, I started getting lazy with the probiotics but (so far!) my symptoms have not reappeared. YMMV. |
Anonymous
| Also, tried elimination diets to no avail except I did find out that onions and garlic give me gas. |
Anonymous
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1) Keep eating gluten until you get to the gastroenterologist
2) If it's not Celiac or gluten intolerance, see your gynecologist ASAP to rule out ovarian cancer. |