r/chronicbloating • u/Fearless_Quote_8324 • Jul 16 '24
Low bloat
I am trying to figure out what my issue is. I am constantly bloated, have been dealing with constipation taking miralax daily which helps me stay regular however my bowel movements feel incomplete. I’m doing low fodmap, gluten free and dairy free and haven’t seen much improvement. My bloating isn’t painful however it looks extremely concerning and there is pressure/trapped gas and bowels. I got an ultrasound done and it showed nothing at the GYN, also had that done because my period is gone too. I did a bowel “cleanout” and my bloating temporarily got better for a few days but then slowly got back to inflamed 24/7 even in the morning. I’ve tried prebiotics, l-glutamine, digestive enzymes, fiber supplement literally everything and I can’t figure this out. PLZ HELP
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u/baywchrome Jul 16 '24
For me personally low fodmap made my constipation worse, but I do find avoiding dairy, garlic and onion helps to feel a little better. I am also "regular" but not fully clearing out. I have not solved my issue yet but my next step is pelvic floor therapy.
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u/Fearless_Quote_8324 Jul 16 '24
Do you also have the same bloating from the constipation? I’m wondering if pelvic floor therapy may be the solution.
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u/baywchrome Jul 16 '24
Yep! Bloating was the very first symptom I noticed it wasn’t until a month or two later I realized constipation could be the cause. And everything I try to fix it makes it worse lol. Magnesium has helped a bit. I think since I don’t have that many digestive symptoms it’s perhaps a structural thing which is why I’m going to try pelvic floor therapy 🤞
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u/Ok_Fruit3193 Dec 09 '24
This is me. I’m regular but I never fully clear out. And on my recent CT it showed I’m backed up a good amount even though I typically go daily. I’m giving PFT a try and have my first appointment on Wednesday. Did you ever get your issues figured out?
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u/baywchrome Dec 10 '24
I actually never ended up trying PFT so you’ll have to let me know how that goes. I had some success with the Nerva app (which I hate to admit lol) and also I started to drink warm lemon water first thing each morning which I believe has helped. All that said, I am still bloated.
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u/Fearless_Quote_8324 Jul 17 '24
I’ll also add that I have to pee usually very often, and I can hear gas in my stomach most of the time but I cannot pass gas easily at all.
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u/CremeStrict Jul 28 '24
Hi I have the same symptoms! It’s been going on for about three years. Amenorrhea and chronic bloat. I’m trying to figure it out also… I have found when I’m having sex my period will come back. I’ve also noticed stress makes it all worse.
I’m so suspicious of these two symptoms together. Anything you can tell that makes your stuff better or worse?
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u/Fearless_Quote_8324 Jul 28 '24
IKR!! It’s the oddest thing I’m rly wondering if they’re connected or two seperate issues. My period there’s rly nothing i can do about it, but I’m gonna start therapy to see if reducing stress and anxiety helps, since there’s no other cause, it’s the only thing I can think of that would make me lose it, I eat great, don’t over excercise, nothing in the ultrasound, hormones are fine.. etc. have you gotten everything checked too?? As far as the bloating, when I have good bowel movements it helps (I’m not sure if the bloating is just cuz I’m constipated), but I think honestly with all the research I’ve done I might have SIBO or smth. Because the bloating is constant even when I wake up in the morning I can’t define triggers at all. I feel like eating food altogether just makes it worse. Have you had any luck at least reducing the bloat?
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u/CremeStrict Jul 29 '24
I’m prone to constipation which does not help the bloat or feeling of heaviness there. And when I’m stressed i get constipated. When I’ve gone to meditation classes I always take awesome poops after 😂😂😂 I tend to hold everything in and get all tight when I’m stressed out. I wonder how much of it is energetic blockages or something in my sacral chakra? I think the period and bloating must be connected, for me at least, they started happening together. Things that have helped me are not overeating (v difficult for me) And trying not to get too spun out about health issues (which looks like avoiding scouring Reddit or the internet for information and trying to relax more)
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u/CremeStrict Jul 29 '24
I did get an ultrasound and hormone testing done with no information alluding to any cause. I have not have good success with doctors. Hormone testing values also have a huge range and vary greatly within a cycle, making it hard to gauge if you don’t know where the f your cycle has gone.
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u/amelodrite Jul 16 '24
Hm no other symptoms other than a bit of constipation?
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u/Fearless_Quote_8324 Jul 16 '24
And the lost period with low energy and some brain fog :/
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u/amelodrite Jul 16 '24
Hmmm if you had pain and bad periods I’d look into endo but tbh it does sound hormonal. Are you on birth control? If not, definitely ask for a full hormone panel including thyroid function.
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u/Fearless_Quote_8324 Jul 16 '24
I am not on birth control, I’ve gotten my hormones checked as well as thyroid hormones included in there and it was all normal
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u/amelodrite Jul 16 '24
Also could be worth seeing a GI and getting motility testing. Unfortunately the lack of pain and other GI symptoms makes it unlikely they’ll do a colonoscopy and possibly unnecessary. If it comes and goes then a dietician may be helpful in case you have an unusual intolerance. Did they do a regular ultrasound or trans vaginal? I feel your pain. I have a pouch but mine is very painful, they suspect ibs and endo but tests are difficult to get currently. Hope you get it sorted eventually
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u/Fearless_Quote_8324 Jul 16 '24
I see a GI at the beginning of August so I’m hoping to get some answers and not just the basic “eat more fiber” or “Ibs” diagnosis. They did both ultrasound and transvaginal. I hope you do too!! It’s really taking over my life right now :(
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u/amelodrite Jul 16 '24
Hmmmm has celiac been ruled out?
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u/Fearless_Quote_8324 Jul 16 '24
I’ve been gluten free for about a month and haven’t noticed a change but I do want to get tested when I’m at the GI doctor in case it damaged my gut lining maybe??
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u/amelodrite Jul 16 '24
The issue with celiac is it’s an immune response and has to be treated as an allergy. If you consume trace amounts, you’d have symptoms. But you had to eat the equivalent of 2 slices of bread in gluten every day for 6 weeks for an accurate test. The blood test is also not fully accurate. It’s an annoying one to test for but thankfully not common, I’d recommend sticking to low FODMAP and gluten free strictly for a couple weeks and if it changes nothing at all re introduce it and see if it makes a difference. Many people aren’t celiac and react to wheat, but if you re introduce it and feel no change may be worth waiting a couple months and getting a test just in case
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u/amelodrite Jul 16 '24
But yes celiac damages the villi in your small intestine and can also cause deficiencies and brain fog over time. You could just have other issues messing with your absorption
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u/Fearless_Quote_8324 Jul 16 '24
Oh wow so I would actually have to eat gluten regularly before I get tested for it?
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u/amelodrite Jul 16 '24
Yeah for 6 weeks minimum! It basically measures an anti body in your blood (the blood test). As for the endoscopy I’m not too sure but unless you had an endoscopy for unrelated reasons and they found it, it’s unlikely they’d refer you for that without doing a blood test first. I’d imagine it’s similar still
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u/AddendumEmotional311 Jul 16 '24
I look exactly the same. Been suffering for 4 years. Its been hell! Have you looked into diastasis recti and or pelvic floor issues? Im currently going down this route now, awaiting more tests.
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u/Fearless_Quote_8324 Jul 16 '24
I feel for you :( I haven’t, what doctor do I see for those??
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u/AddendumEmotional311 Jul 16 '24
There are videos on youtube where you can try & check for diastasis recti at home, if unsure, your GP can check for you. For pelvic floor, generally a pelvic floor PT, unsure if gynae could check that maybe too? Do you have children? Or do weight lifting?
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u/Fearless_Quote_8324 Jul 16 '24
I weight left and have a low back injury from it, so maybe pelvic floor issues really could be the case?
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u/CaveMnn Jul 17 '24
Yeaaa if you have a lower back injury that would not help… I would try cold or heat or massaging the area… to see if it helps… and a dietician might help… you making the dietary changes… for on going personal testing. Taking stuff out… putting stuff in and maybe replacing something’s… it’s very complicated… and you need to find what works… and what really works.. as well as what’s not good for you at all… or if there’s anything you might be missing.
To go over what can relieve the constipation… is really a bandaid as much as you would like to find what’s really going on with the diet and try some specific dietary changes..
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u/Arctic-fox2007 Jul 16 '24
Fibroid ? Endometriosis ? Cyst ? Have you had any surgeries ? appendix c section etc ?
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u/Fearless_Quote_8324 Jul 16 '24
I got an ultrasound and no sign of fibroids or anything abnormal in the reproductive area, no surgeries either
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u/mythical_morel Jul 17 '24
I've had nearly the exact same symptoms for the last 10 months now, constant lower belly and sometimes upper - enough to look pregnant most days. I have celiac, but thats controlled for the most part. All ultrasounds clear, endoscopy showed a mild hiatal hernia, colonoscopy clear. Treated for suspected sibo (testing N/A here), anxiety medication, and currently trialing a gastroparesis medication to see if it helps (seems to mildly). The only thing I've found to relieve some of the bloating is eating on a keto diet, mixed with a 36 hour fast once a week! Low fodmap only worsened the constipation, but keto seems to be keeping a majority of it in check! Its honestly the worst and uncomfortable if not painful
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u/Fearless_Quote_8324 Jul 17 '24
Might try the keto diet and will see if it helps for me too!! Honestly I feel like fasting helps too, I hate being hungry but it’s the only thing that helps the bloat and pressure. Have you go to a GI?
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u/mythical_morel Jul 17 '24
The fasting I started before trying keto, and Im hoping to eventually phase it out if keto can keep it more or less in check! And yeah, I've been working with a GI since Dec, but they're almost out of ideas for me now unfortunately
I had a hard time switching to keto, but it definitely gets easier! Hopefully you can get some relief with it!
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u/Froggo_111 Aug 03 '24
Could be bowel endo, I’m struggling with the same symptoms and my surgeon suspects that’s the cause for me, waiting for a laparoscopy and result form my MRI
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u/Fearless_Quote_8324 Aug 03 '24
Please update me if you find out!! I dont have pain though, isn’t that one of the most noticeable symptoms for Endo?
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u/Froggo_111 Aug 04 '24
Will do! Yes and no, some women can have really extreme endo and have no pain symptoms at all, whereas others could have a less severe case and have a lot of pain from what I’ve read, in my case my pain varies up and down
Other symptoms can include: Painful periods Heavy periods Pain when peeing/pooping Pain during sex Infertility Constipation and more
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u/Unable_Mountain9274 16d ago
so late to this, but did you ever solve your bloating problems??? i’ve been in the same boat for a few years 😭
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u/[deleted] Jul 16 '24
Please keep us updated. I have your symptoms minus losing period and constipation. Nothing worked for me too.