Constant Gas/Flatulence for Months PLEASE help me

[MikeyBee]

Back in August, I saw a Urologist who prescribed an antibiotic for a urinary infection. Cleared that right up, but at the same time I noticed that I was using the bathroom more frequently and having more gas. I asked him if it was a side effect of the drug, and he said he never heard of it. At any rate, my infection went away soon enough.

However, the embarrassing bathroom issues did not. I started to notice that I was having gas constantly. Without fail, every single day for the past 6 months I have had gas constantly all day, especially in the mornings and very especially a few hours after eating (1-3).

I had a gallbladder scan and a colonoscopy. All that was found was some diveriticulitis. My gastroenterologies suggested the motility was somehow out of whack and put me on Flagil. No good. Still farting all day, every day. No matter WHAT I eat, I'll have this problem.

This is RUINING my life. I NEVER had this problem before -- a fart was a random thing that happened maybe once a week before. Now its all day, every day. I cannot believe there is nothing that can be done about this. I'm at the end of my rope here.

[mommyduck]

Have the same problem since surgery in March.  I, too, had several different antibiotics so that might the cause but what is the cure?  I have tried just about everything including digestive enzymes but no thing has worked yet.  It is ruining my life as well as it is impossible to go anywhere public.  Please help.

[idesofmarch]

I took had an experience like yours.  I had surgery to correct a(hiatal(SP?) hernia. The surgery was a success but added gas at the same time was humilating.  I don't even pass gas in front of my husband!  I run to the bathroom or someplace quiet at home and at work.  But anyway I did ask the surgeon if that was a symptom of the surgery & of course he said no, some people just have more gas than others.  Bull, it came on after the surgery & never left.  Anyway it doesn't matter what goes in my mouth, and I too have sleep apnea and I'm a mouth breather.  I have a chin strap to wear with my C PAP but it either comes off or I take it off (when sleeping) plus it makes me break out in a rash and leaves a strong imprint several hours after I take it off. I do worse when I chew gum or anything really chewy and when I drink thru a straw. Those things cause you to suck in more air.Also smoking! There is a vitamin suppliment you can get at a drug store (It's cheap) the exact spelling?? but a pharmacist can tell you. Just ask for the suppliment that starts with an A that helps corrects bowel flora.  Or try the new yogurts and drinks on the market that help the digestive system.  A natural food store for more natural suppliments is a good idea if nothing else works or if you have a good amount of money to spare. IBS is probably what we have now because of the yeast and off balance flora from way back.  Good luck with whatever you decide to try. I feel your pain and embarrasment. Let me know how it all turns out. Sharon

[MikeyBee]

I've already had a Stool Study, and it turned up nothing out of the ordinary. Celiac disease came back negative, although the doctor said there were three things measured, and the third, and most insignificant one, was high. He didn't elaborate but said I didn't have CD.

I haven't had that breath test yet. I'll bring it up to my doc. Yesterday he referred me to a colorectal surgeon to see "if he missed anything."

While at first I was relieved when these tests all turned up nothing -- meaning my health wasn't in danger -- I soon began to see the other side: if the tests aren't finding anything to treat, nothing can be offered to help me.

As to the post about the antibiotics messing up the flora -- that would make sense, as I can pinpoint precisely when this started, and it was when I was taking that anitbiotic. This didn't just develop: it went from nothing the day before to gangbusters the next day and it's remained that way. Weight, sleep apnea, air swallowing (I'm a mouth breather) are all logical guesses, until you consider that I've had all of these for the past 10 years and never had this issue before.

[bradpa]

A related discussion, Constant burping and flatulance was started.

[mob100]

A related discussion, Constant gas flatulence was started.

[ace113]

A related discussion, constant flatulence was started.

[Jasmine523]

Wow, I hear you!


Right after I took Flagyl for BV, my system went ballistic with gas/acid/burping!
It is FINALLY 2 MONTHS later settling down a bit.
I am eating activia every day and have been taking probiotics.
I hope whatever it is goes away eventually.

[leebowman]

In the past, UTI's were generally given sulfa drugs like Bactrin. Today, it seems that broad spectrum antibiotics are being used, and I've read of cases where serious colon problems have developed, and sometimes in a single day from administration. The culprit is clostridium difficile (c-diff for short), a gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacillus which often presents itself when normal colonic flora are eradicated.

People who have have had it (or still do) are vociferous in their disapproval of antibiotics, especially broad spectrum ones, since they feel that it led to their c-diff infection.

Not saying that's it, and maybe it's been ruled out, but there is some general unfamiliarity with the disease 'out there' according to what I've read.

Check out this forum, and FAQ page
http://www.cdiffsupport.com
http://www.cdiffsupport.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=2465

Also their topic page:
http://www.cdiffsupport.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=2931&start=0

WikipediA also has info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clostridium_difficile

Prayers are with you ...
Lee Bowman

[pjgovitz]

Can you tell me if carbohydrate intolerance is at all related to thyroid disorders?  I have Hashitoxosis and when my thyroid is "swinging" I seem to get belching bloating, diareah etc especially after eating breads, sugar and sometimes potatoes.
Thanks

[yoshi]

The anti biotics you took for urinary infection probably upset the flora in your digestive system,yeast overgrowth when good bacteria and bad bacteria have been wiped out,
You need to restore the flora,take probiotic /yogurt or that friendly bacteria tablets ,go to a good health food store,they will know what you need/
simethecone will neutralise gas already formed in your system,it wont stop your body from producing more,alka seltzer can do the same except it contains salt,so would chewing gum which makes saliva .Saliva contains bicarbonate and it will neutralise gas .
Good luck.
Do you feel bloated,is your stomach bloated and do you have an urge to eat starchy stuff,thats yeast food-like bread,beer,cake ,all starchy stuff .

[MikeyBee]

Sorry to leave this so incomplete, but let me add some more things that may help.

I have sleep apnea. Rather bad. I can't use a BPAP or CPAP because I take it off while half asleep.

I am a white Irish-heritage male, 33 years old.

Celiac's disease test came back negative.

I keep in good shape (bodybuilding) but have been lax and my weight has gone up -- up to 250. I'm down to 242 now. (But again, I weighed this much before and had no problems)

I have started a new job, the old job was very stressful.

The gas seems to die down if I can have a bowel movement.

If I try a bowel movement, and nothing comes out, I have a horrible feeling of discomfort inside the anal area for an hour or more.

[MikeyBee]

No matter what I eat, I have this problem. Even yogurt. The only thing that seems to help is to do clear liquids (broth, water), and even then I still have the morning flatulence.

I also notice a lot of bile leakage down in the anal area, and a lot of discomfort (some very minor bleeding and swelling) which I assume is being caused by the constant flatulence.

Can I take simethecone every day? It does seem to help it a little but I don't know if taking 360mgs over the course of a day is gonna have other reprocussions.

I'm really hoping someone can help me. No doctor seems interested in taking this seriously, since it's not life threatening. But my quality of life is nosediving. I'd RATHER have a life threatening disease than this, it's making me that miserable.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The ultrasound and colonoscopy would rule out many of the major disorders, including gallstones, inflammatory bowel disease, polyps, masses or colitis.  

Irritable bowel disease remains a possibility, as it can make the bowel more sensitive to gas.  Antispasmodic agents can be tried if this is the case.

You should also test the stool for malabsorption, and obtain breath tests for carbohydrate intolerance.  A blood test can also be done to rule out celiac disease.  

These options can be discussed with your personal physician, or in conjunction with a GI physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_