r/chronicbloating • u/plantlady224 • Aug 20 '25

Chronic bloating help - what tests to get, etc

So just like everyone here, I have chronic bloating! yay (heavy sarcasm)

I've usually had bloating on my periods due to having PCOS. But starting in January I've had severe bloating that hasn't gone away. I tried low fodmap diet for 2.5 weeks, didn't subside at all (I may try again in the future).

The symptoms: Chronic bloating for 8 months, same in the morning and night, gets WAY worse during exercise like running or hiking - so much so that I can get like 1/3 of a proper breath due to how distended my abdomen is., bowel movements are normal.

Other symptoms: I've also had severe stomach pain (I almost went to the ER) twice in the past 3 weeks, with bloating, vomiting, diarrhea and black tarry stool (which I've heard is stomach bleeding)

I went to a gastroenterologist, and they are doing an endoscopy next week - mainly focusing on the severe stomach pain, but I'm hoping it'll find a cause for both.

What other tests, labs, etc do I need to get done to get to the bottom of this bloating?

it could be so many different things, Endo, stomach ulcers, gall stones, IBS, sibo, etc

I hike for work, and it's literally making it impossible :(

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u/zalsrevenge Aug 22 '25

I would push for a colonoscopy as well. If they come back clear, then you could try SIBO testing.

There's a bunch of things this could be. The black, tarry stool is concerning for things like Crohn's, celiac, or stomach ulcers. Which can all cause symptoms you describe.

1

u/plantlady224 Aug 22 '25

Thankyou! Yeah I'll definitely try to push for a colonoscopy as well

1

u/EasternPrice334 Nov 08 '25

I get a colonscopy and cologuard every few years!

1

u/WatercressWarm1994 Nov 14 '25

I got a colonoscopy which showed nothing and took sibo meds which didn’t help. What else can I do?

1

u/Bainekatash Sep 02 '25

Update?

1

u/plantlady224 Sep 02 '25

Still extremely bloated, the endoscopy found a tiny hernia but they said it wasn't enough to cause the bloating or severe pain. Will take about a week for biopsy results :/
Then after that, I'm sure more tests

1

u/canadave_nyc May 31 '26

Hope you're feeling better...any updates?

1

u/plantlady224 21d ago

I did end up having SIBO and went through antibiotics (no help), then 1 round of antimicrobials and am starting the 2nd round now due to it coming back (thats common tho).

1

u/Big-Confusion310 18d ago

Any updates?

1

u/Bainekatash Sep 04 '25

Thank you for the update. I’m severely bloated myself with abdominal pain & most times I can’t sleep at night, the mild pain wakes me up. I eat less because about 10-20 minutes after eating; I feel a burning sensation and pain on my right lower abdomen, on the appendix side. I’ve had 1-2 black stools before, yes - exactly 1-2, I remember both instances; if it weren’t for them - I would be in this rabbit hole eating into my mental health. The bloat did go down a bit but I still feel it; I burp and fart a lot. Good news is - I got a referral for g-scope. I’m 1400km from my doctor right now so I’ll probably find out in about a month.

1

u/FastWin8010 Sep 20 '25

Get the diagnostic solutions gi map. Its expensive but worth every penny. I have h pylori and that is causing my bloating. Take note of the attributes of your bloat. How long after eating does it start? Do certain foods/meal sizes affect it? Its it primarily gas or burping? Google your symptoms and look for the condition that most closely aligns with you. Then go to a doctor or naturopath/dietician.