18 months bowel problems

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For 18 months I have had various symptoms - trapped bowel wind, wind, pain usually caused by wind just about anywhere, occasional tenesmus, changes from fast motility to slow e.g I can urgently need a bowel movement (large) after my first cup of coffee on a morning, or when slow will sometimes be constipated or not have a b.m for hours and then just a small one. Some days I am symptom free. I don't have bleeding or diarrhea. I kept a food diary but without any conclusion as I can eat the same things from week to week with different outcomes

I've seen my g.p and had 2 fit tests, full blood counts, test for coeliac disease, abdominal ultrasound, calprotectin test and 4 years ago gastroscopy as I suffer from acid stomach. Last week I had a sigmoidoscopy, I had to stop it half way through because I was in so much pain from the air they were pumping into me. My bowel cannot cope with excess air/gas. Was offered colonoscopy but would find prep for that really difficult both because of acid stomach problems, fasting and the laxatives and because of the diet leading up to it - I am vegetarian and most of my diet would be banned i.e wholemeal, veg, fruit etc. After having the sigmoidoscopy I don't think I could handle a colonoscopy!

Has anyone had similar symptoms? I feel I'm left to work this one out on my own.

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Edited

    Hi Angie,

    Are you around perimenopause age? I am and I have a lot of symptoms similar to yours and have read it can be hormonal

    • Edited

      Hi Sasical,

      Thanks for replying. I should have said that I'm 63 and past the menopause.

      I was being treated for IBS and have tried peppermint oil caps, Mebeverine and Buscopan, none helped. The only thing that does help sometimes is simeticone which I take as Windeze caps. If you have similar symptoms to mine they're worth trying.

  • Posted

    hi angie, veggie and tummy problems? i am veggie, coeliac and have allergies too! For the trapped air try ginger when you cook then gaviscon advanced to form bubbles and put water in your bowel. try it twice a day and the wind should hopefully ease. try no cabbage, cauli or broccoli, greens, kale or sprouts or raw onions for a while.... drip feed them slowly in to your diet after a while.... good luck failing that or just fart, lol!!!!

    • Posted

      Thanks for the tips Sam. I already use gaviscon for acid stomach which I find helpful but it does nothing for trapped wind. I cut out the obvious 'windy' foods like beans, sprouts etc months ago.

      I haven't tried ginger so will give that a try if it doesn't set off my stomach acid!

      Oh how I wish I could fart sometimes 😄 it's the trapped wind that causes the pain!!

    • Posted

      hi angie, it sounds like you're doing all you can. the ginger dampens down any nausea and the acid strangely enough, i use it because i have gastritis, anything is worth a go! have you tried talking to the chemist about trapped air as i know how you feel it really hurts. i"ve stopped asking my doctor's, they'll probably be of more use!

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