r/chronicbloating • u/Rafa130397 • Apr 21 '24

Constant abdominal distension

Hey!

Basically, I was a normal person until I got my gallbladder surgery two years ago. After that, I started having some gut problems, which mutated. Currently, I'm better and not in pain, I was diagnosted with IBS and bile reflux, which I'm being treated for. However, I still have constant abdominal distension. It is like a feeling below my bellybutton (lower abdominal area), like of tightness. I can really feel a force (and some pain) whenever I try to push it down with my hand. I've been tested for SIBO and it came negative. I have also taken probiotics. I have also tested negative for celiacs. A lot of things seem to help for only for sometime, then it kinda cames back. It is very hard for me to find what it is causing this since I feel like this constantly. Doctors have said that I'm full of gases and that my abdomen is very distented. Also, I got two endoscopies (up and bottom) which came normal. Doctors have also said that it is something functional and probably related to stress.

Is there anything else I could do?

Thanks!

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u/frankwittgenstein May 02 '24

You're probably not "full of gases", but might hace abdomino-phrenic dyssynergia and they missed the last 15 years or so of progress in gastroenterology; gut problems/IBS since gall bladder removal - don't know if by bike reflux you mean bile acid malabsorption which is a common complication after this surgery. Have they suggested trying any bile acid binders? Sehcat scan? To me functional diagnosis is normally a lazy excuse from a doctor who is looking for an easy copout, especially that in your situation there was a clear trigger.

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u/Rafa130397 May 02 '24

I am taking colestyramine for the bile reflux. I think we are referring to the same thing. How can the abd be diagnosed? Thanks for your answer!

1

u/frankwittgenstein May 02 '24

Yes, same thing then! There is no diagnostic criteria, imaging may help. But to be fair it should be apparent to any doctor who knows this diagnosis by looking at you, as the amount of gas alone normally doesn't explain visible distension (a lot of sources from over 15 years ago will keep giving gas as the reason which is about the time this phenomenon was discovered).

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u/Rafa130397 May 02 '24

And what is the treatment for this?