Running out of options
Posted , 8 users are following.
For years i have suffered from bad constipation, severe bloating and gas pains after eating. i have tried every diet i can find. i have been in and out of Penn medicine constantly. I have had 2 colonoscopies, 2 endoscopies, a gastric emptying, a barium swallow, various blood work, multiple CT scans of the abdomen, liver and thyroid. i have also had a barium swallow and the radioactive pill swallow and tracking. I have been treated for SIBO as well. Every single one came back normal. i have no answers. Besides all that, i have tried numerous supplements and herbal remedies from around the internet without any success. I am just hoping to find one person who has tried all of these things and found some type of answer to their bowel issues.
1 like, 16 replies
pippa58442 Lurwickk313
Posted
Has IBS been mentioned? IBS doesn't show on scans. Do you experience shifting abdominal pain? Has the Low Fodmap Diet been suggested?
Lurwickk313 pippa58442
Posted
IBS has been mentioned but my doctor wants to find other answers and solutions just as much as i do. i have tried the low fodmap diet with no success
lester90053 Lurwickk313
Posted
If you have the right insurance and willing to take a trip it might be worth it to you to explore the Mayo Clinic or Columbia University Hospital or Johns Hopkins University Hospital. These are the 3 best hospitals in the USA in that order.
Lurwickk313 lester90053
Posted
my insurance is not great. i already have thousands in medical bills. i am scared to do anything else. i am just wasting money at this point.
mary19068 Lurwickk313
Posted
Hi Lurwikk313
What diets have you tried?
Lurwickk313 mary19068
Posted
i have done the low fodmap, the keto, the paleo and gluten free.
mary19068 Lurwickk313
Posted
Hi Lurwickk313
Have you tried adding good oils to your diet. Constipation is dried up stool. So try using flaxeed which is oily as already mentioned, avocados which are oily. Try making veggie soups with added olive oil even veggie smoothies with oil such as oregano oil and hotwater and oil. Also, a good exercise regime using abdominal movements will get the backed up stool moving.....hope this helps.....
pippa58442 Lurwickk313
Posted
I can't think of any more tests your doctor can do for you since you have had many tests and repeat tests showing nothing. Has your doctor suggested any other conditions? When nothing else comes up, doctors will diagnose IBS. I had similar symptoms to you but no gas pains or bloating. I experienced shifting abdominal pain, nausea, back pain and constipation with either loose stools or diarrhoea with my IBS. I had lots of negative tests too.
I would suggest you see a different doctor since your current one can't help. I saw several doctors during my three and a half month wait for diagnosis. Only one doctor confirmed IBS.Maybe try googling specialist IBS clinics in your area to see if you can get answers there.
Lurwickk313 pippa58442
Posted
i think at this point it is just going to be classified as IBS. Thanks for the input. I am going to search for some specialists and see what pops up. After everything, i have just been hoping for some kind of insight into this. i feel like something has to give.
Vish2015 Lurwickk313
Posted
What supplements and remedies have you already tried?
Lurwickk313 Vish2015
Posted
oh man. i have lost track. i basically searched on amazon anything that relieves gas, constipation and bloating. i have tried motility supplements, digestive enzymes, natural stool softeners, different types of natural oil capsules, charcoal, candida and sibo elimination supplements and a whole other variety of stuff.
moon53540 Lurwickk313
Posted
Do you suffer with anxiety or stress? They can play a big part in constipation. There are some psychologists who do cognitive behavioral therapy for IBS.
Flax seeds can help with constipation as well as a couple of tablespoons of aloe vera juice added to another drink. Avoid a lot of fruit because it can bloat you. stick to salad fruit and veg and stir fry type veg for roughage. Make sure you drink loads of water and keep hydrated. Also green tea every morning really helps me. Sugar and alcohol can be really bad for bloating as well.
Lurwickk313 moon53540
Posted
i have bipolar disorder and i am sure that contributes. i have found that sugar is rough on me. i have been cutting back on sugar a lot. i havent tried green tea in the mornings. i will buy some and start doing that. i have tried aloe vera juice. i didnt know fruit was bad for bloating. thank you for that insight.
moon53540 Lurwickk313
Posted
not all fruit is bad for bloating, but things like berries, bananas and citrus fruits can be bad. Also fruit smoothies because the sugar gets concentrated. I can only have a very little bit of fruit because I always have stomach problems if I have a lot.
Lurwickk313 moon53540
Posted
thank you for the tips. i usually eat an apple and banana each day. i will cut out the bananas.