Sdavid Posted December 8, 2004 Share Posted December 8, 2004 "For a year I have had a very strange digestive problem that must sound humorous, but has been a cause of serious problems in my life, and has recently gotten worse. For some reason I am at times unable to keep gas escaping from my intestines. I have no way of predicting when this will happen, and clearly it makes my personal and academic life extremely difficult and frustrating. The problem is a bit complicated and I have had some time to observe and think about it. The most important thing is that it does NOT seem to involve what I eat. I have been sticking to a very healthy diet for months and getting exercise (daily sittups/push-ups, running) and the problem persists. Diet only affects the smell of the gas that escapes. Thus I think it's a problem with my intestines. I think I'm getting pockets of gas way too low in my intestines, It seems to me that once the gas gets down there it seeps out on its own no matter how I twist and turn. Even worse, when I excuse myself to go to the toilet, nothing comes out, neither feces nor a regular flatulent, and it just continues the same when I go back. Other relevant factors: I get constipated at times and go as many as 3 days without having a bowel movement. I don't have problems with diarrhea. I have loose stool at times, but this has slightly decreased as I've added some fiber to my diet, though without improving the flatulence at all. I don't think it's IBS, because uncontrollable flatulence isn't one of its symptoms. It doesn't seem to be caused by excessive amounts of gas. I eat no gas-causing foods and no dairy, and I generally don't feel bloated or have gas pains. I suspect that the problem is connected to issues of stress, in that it gets worse when I'm under stress, but not that it's completely caused by them. This has caused me to avoid social situations and to miss days of classes, and please don't think this is all in my head, because it has become something of a public joke where I live. It's very real, and yet I'm starting to feel like I'm the only person that has ever suffered from this debilitating condition. It doesn't seem to be a widespread problem, partly because I've never heard of anyone else suffering from it, and partly because the doctor I visited had absolutely nothing useful to say. Please let me know if know or heard any solutions for this problem. Thank you." Link to post Share on other sites
mike78207 Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Dont eat alot.. Link to post Share on other sites
SoleMate Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Beano. Search for it on LS, and buy it at the store. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Sdavid Posted December 9, 2004 Author Share Posted December 9, 2004 I don't eat that much. Usually, I skip breakfast and sometimes I eat two meals a day. I don't think the problem is due to the amount of food I eat since I eat less than an average person do. Link to post Share on other sites
SoleMate Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Here is a fellow sufferer, and her happy solution: http://www.loveshack.org/forums/t50442/?highlight=beano Link to post Share on other sites
Author Sdavid Posted December 9, 2004 Author Share Posted December 9, 2004 I heard about beano before but i couldn't find it in any store here in Europe. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Sdavid Posted December 9, 2004 Author Share Posted December 9, 2004 Thank you for the link you mentioned. She seemed to have the same problem as mine. I will try to get the beano as soon as I can and give it a try. Then I will let you know about the result. Link to post Share on other sites
magda Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 If that doesn't work, try visiting another doctor who takes your condition more seriously and possibly refers you elsewhere. Good luck, that sounds awful to have to live with everyday. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Sdavid Posted December 11, 2004 Author Share Posted December 11, 2004 It seems that the beano is out of reach for me since I don't live in the US. Could any body suggest any other idea. I am a university student and could most probably drop out if the embarrassing problem persists. please help me out Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 Originally posted by Sdavid It seems that the beano is out of reach for me since I don't live in the US. Could any body suggest any other idea. I am a university student and could most probably drop out if the embarrassing problem persists. please help me out You need to see a gastroenterologist which is a physician that specializes in stomach and intestines. Link to post Share on other sites
moimeme Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 Buy it online at the Beano site, or ask your local pharmacists if they have an equivalent. Tell them it contains alpha-galactosidase enzyme 'derived from aspergillus niger' . Maybe you can get a compounding pharmacist to make something up for you but absolutely see gastroinestinal specialist first to rule out any potentially dangerous conditions. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Sdavid Posted December 11, 2004 Author Share Posted December 11, 2004 I went to see gastroenterologist. He referred me to another hospital for lactose intolerance and malabsorption test. It turned out to be I was lactose intolerant. But since I am not taking any milk and milk product that wouldn’t be any problem. Then he examined my stomach using endoscopy. He said there might be some bacterial infection in my stomach and gave me amoxicillin and klacid tablets for seven days. But still no improvement. Personally I suspect the problem might be due to too relaxed anal muscle. The problem usually get exasperated during social situations…like lecture halls and dinner halls. I think I have a social phobia problem that put me under stress that problem worse. Due to that I don’t go to lectures and don’t eat with friends. I have stopped socializing completely. I am staying almost 24 hours in my room Link to post Share on other sites
Author Sdavid Posted December 11, 2004 Author Share Posted December 11, 2004 I will try to find an alternative drug for beano in my local drugstore. I am also looking for a US drugstore that exports beano to other countries though I am not successful yet. Many thanks for the replies Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 Due to that I don’t go to lectures and don’t eat with friends. I have stopped socializing completely. I am staying almost 24 hours in my room Sdavid...You sound like you have an anxiety problem as well. I have an anxiety disorder, panic attacks etc...I avoided places, people, situations...Thing is, it got out of hand and I became abit agrophobic... It is fixable. See a Cognitive Behaviour Therapist. They specialize in coping skills, how to re train your brain and thinking more positively...What you are doing is teaching yourself it is OK to be alone, hide and avoid situations that make you uncomfy. That is a learned behaviour right there...with the CBT you can beat this and slowly learn how to deal with these feelings. Get the beano if you can and see how things go. I'm sure it's been rough for you, and I can why too. I do hope things get better. Take Care. Link to post Share on other sites
moimeme Posted December 12, 2004 Share Posted December 12, 2004 Did you go to the Beano site? It appeared that you could buy it directly from the manufacturer. Link to post Share on other sites
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