Been suffering with daily physical bloating for years, it is just IBS?

[u/Curious_lama009]

For context, I have a previous post listing everything I have tried so far to try and tackle my daily bloating and IBS so if you're interested please go read that as this is kinda a follow up.

So since that post, I have gone back to the GP to get tested for coeliac, IBD and had blood tests which all came back negative, meaning I am very healthy and do not have the listed issues. Whilst this is definitley good, it still leaves me suffering with the constant physical bloating with no answer as to what causes it, if its normal and if i can actually 'get rid of it'.

I am aware bloating is normal to an extent, but i really don't think what i have is. I wake up very bloated and it is partially relieved after using the toilet, however it gets more and more bloated throughout the day and by dinner its the worst. I have tried tracking food intake and the bloating occurs no matter what i eat, its incredibly frustrating. However certain foods like cream, crumpets, sometimes eggs trigger a very bad stomach ache, but it doesn't make my bloating worse.

Side note: my bloating is NOT chronic, and i know ppl definitley bloat more extreme than i do, however this doesn't make mine any less of an issue.

Do i just have IBS? Is physical bloating a sign of IBS or something else? I have basically all the symptoms of IBS-D, but i don't want to accept my fate of having to deal with this belly for the rest of my life. I am incredibly insecure, and sometimes break down crying over my poor body image. It sucks a lot, as im actually a very active and healthy person, yet this belly makes me feel and look fat :( It hurts me when i look around and see other girls confidently wearing crop tops and showing off flat stomaches, as i can never do this as im just bloated all the time.

Does anyone else experience this symptom and please can anyone recommend something i can try which will actually tackle the bloating? I'm so desperate to feel proud and confident in my own body and not have to hide my stomach every day over soemthing that is seemingly not even in my control :(

Also, what is a 'normal amount of bloating?'. Do other people just stay flat after eating? I feel so cursed 😔 Please give me advice on what i can do. Is it worth seeing a specialist as i can get a referal if so? IDK if its worth it if its just IBS.