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[kk333]

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Hi,I found this site last year and found a topic with a similar name. It was relieving to read that someone else was going through the same struggle but at the same time it was sad that others are suffering too.I have been suffering from ibs since I was 15 or so, around the same time I moved in with my abusive father. I have a history of anxiety and food allergies, my mom has ibs too. I never know if my symptoms are all caused by me or maybe it's not my fault. When it first started I thought I was crazy, and something was wrong with me that was too shameful to admit. Once in high school i passed gas in class and it was so embarrassing. I have managed to avoid any more moments like that but for years I wouldnt go to school or movies, or quiet places with crowds. The fear of my digestive system embarrassing me is always there.This past year has been one of my worst years with symptoms. The gas pain and noises have been so bad I want to quit my job. But I have also had the most stressful year. The noise that the gas makes as it moves through my system is horrifying, then having to pass it is another issue. My office is quieter than a library and meeting with my boss is frightening. I had to leave in the middle of a meeting to have diarrhea and pass a huge amount of gas. My anxiety surely made me have to go, but where the hell does all this gas come from? What is wrong with me :-(So I am going crazy hating myself for my symptoms. But things are not simple at all. Like I already said, I have a very sensitive stomach and food allergies. On top of that I have mental/emotional issues and high stress. Since things have been so bad symptom wise this year my life has fallen apart. It's all I think about and it just gets worse. I constantly try to burp, trying to control what's going on desperately. Ugh, its so sad. I dont see my friends much, dont make plans, dont sleep well, just avoid and feel very agoraphobic. I worry about being at work all the time and am in constant fear.I think a support group would help. Does anyone know how to find one in West Los Angeles? Other than that I need a new doctor. I have been asking doctors for help for over 10 years and the mostly just ignore me. I think there is more going on than just my anxiety.Thanks, sorry my post is so long

[CatUK]

So sorry to hear you are having a rough time. I know just how you feel.I was at an appointment the other day and while sta for an hour in thwe waiting room (which was really quiet and had other people in it) my whole digestive system was making the loudest noises. I was so embarrassed. I also suffer from anxiety and have huge amounts of gas and pain in my abdomen. I know the troubles won't go until I get my anxiety under control but I am trying some things to help the gas. One thing is lay off anything that can produce gas so high fibre products, green veg and also caffiene. Also take enteric coated peppermint tablets (have to be enteric coated like Colpermin because this doesn't dissolve till it hits the bowel rather than dissolving in your stomach and giving heartburn) 3 times a day on an empty stomach (don't take after food). Take these even if the pain is not there as it helps keep it at bay for some people. I'm giving these a try again at the moment. Also try taking a digestive enzyme. If you are in the UK you can get one called Enzyme Formula for £6.49 from Holland and Barretts for 100 tablets. You take 2 with each main meal and it helps process your food faster and better. I too am very gassy (always farting but my family has sort of got use to that now lol) and find passing wind doesn't really help the pain much (as I have so much of it in my stomach). I hope you feel better soon, I know how bad it feels.

[TryingToBeMe]

Hi KK,I sympathize with what you are going through - I am the same way! I have also had it since I was 15 and high school was a nightmare for me!Luckily my office is very noisy and we rarely have meetings. But I have terrible trouble with social situations - I hate to go to friends and families homes where I may have to sit in a quiet living room with people!Would it be possible for you to get a white noise machine for your office? I bought one on Amazon, it's about the size of a stack of CDs and sometimes a fan noise helps calm me down. Or maybe just a small fan for your desk? You could tell people you are too warm, they won't know the difference. When you are panicking in a quiet room, any kind of noise can be a godsend for your nerves.Don't be so hard on yourself, this problem is not your fault! And people can actually be quite nice and accommodating. I tell people at work that I am claustrophobic and have a 'nervous stomach' and meetings freak me out. Now they tease me good-naturedly but they don't even notice if I slip out of a meeting. Maybe you could tell your boss that you don't like closed spaces and ask if he/she doesn't mind meeting with you in a different place? Like a noisier break room or meeting area?I found the IBS Michael Mahoney CDs to be a slight help - it doesn't help the physical problem but it kind of retrains your panicky thought patterns. Also, this is kind of silly but it helps me, if I am nervous in a quiet situation sometimes I will tap my foot or drum my fingers on the table. It makes a noise and also distracts your brain a little bit. And it doesn't draw attention too much like a stomach rumble does. Also I use the Gas-X strips that melt in your mouth. I use about 3 before a nervous situation. I think it helps a little. Peppermint tea is good, too.Sorry this is so long, but I have suffered with this for a while, and I know it is hard to find any info on the Internet for this weird problem specifically. These are some of the things that have helped me. I am freaking out this week because I have been dating a new guy and he wants me to visit his home. I am afraid we will be sitting on the couch and my stomach will make one of its terrible gassy noises. Mine is worse (MUCH) when I am tired, so hopefully I can get a lot of sleep before I visit him. Ugh, what a embarrassing problem to have! Good luck, KK and CatUK, it helped to read your stories!

[vodoomoth]

Hi people,I have had this problem too, for nearly five years but it got worse in the last 10 or 12 months. I went to my doctor who diagnosed me with IBS, with blood tests and a colonoscopy showing nothing that could explain the bloating, gas, pain and belly noise.I signed up to this forum an hour or so ago because I was looking for more info on this post from ehealth.com, where someone posted a link to ibsgroup.org on page 7. I've already given some info and talked a little about my specific situation on this thread.I think you should read it but a summary of it is: change your diet, avoid sugar as much as possible. Idem for gassy vegetables and fruits. If intolerance tests are readily available in your country (they don't here in France, or at least, they are not affordable), take them. If they don't, use your own body as a lab: remove foods from your diet, reintroduce them and write down how your "problem" is affected in good or bad ways by the food and draw your own conclusions.I know what you are living as I am living the same situation (although in a less acute way these last days): it's hell, especially at work and silent places. I am only hoping the day it would disappear will come quickly. Unlike nearly all the posts I read, it doesn't alleviate the problem, comfort me or else, to know that others suffer from the same problem. The most difficult to bear for me is not the physical pain, it's the embarrassment from the rumblings.P.S.: I think the role of anxiety (as a cause or aggravating factor) in this is overestimated. I too am naturally anxious, people even say I'm a perfectionnist, but I don't WANT to believe in it. Why ? Because many doctors (and people) have told me "it's in your head" as if I were fabricating the symptoms out of stress. If so, how come the symptoms were divided by more than ten from wednesday to thursday ? How do you get rid of anxiety and/or stress overnight ? I prefer the physiological explanantion of sugar (or else) not being digested in the stomach or in the small intestine and feeding gas-producing bacteria in the large intestine.

[kk333]

Hi Everybody! Thanks for your posts. Sorry for taking so long to reply.CatUK - I have been in the exact situation, I think I may start taking some tranquilizers while I try to get myself sorted out. The anxiety is just amplifying the symptoms :-(How have the peppermint tabs been working? I did try enzymes last year, as I took a test showing I cant digest fat, I didnt notice a difference. My doctor at the time also recommended Betaine and that made my heartburn so bad. SO do you think anxiety can cause gas?

[Kathleen M.]

I think it is more that the anxiety effects things so you might have more noise or more pain from the exact same amount of gas.I can't see how it would suddenly make the bacteria in the colon start digesting carbs more than usual.Unless the anxiety makes you start to swallow more air. Some people will do that when they as part of their anxiety.

[kk333]

Hi TryingToBeMe,I really enjoyed your response! Just curious, did you have any event that may have started your symptoms?Sadly, my boss doesn't care very much about my work comfort. I have a small desk with no personal space. I feel so exposed, that causes major anxiety. I bought a little fan at my desk but the worst is... I have to meet with my boss in his office 1-2 times a day. Usually short but I anticipate it all day. Especially when I get there in the morning I have diarrhea and gas all morning. Just lovely!Your suggestions are great! But again my boss is not accomidating. I asked him to switch me to another available desk before someone else got it, as we were having lots of changes in the office. I told him it was important to me, it would help my anxiety etc., but he did nothing.Thanks, I wil try that cd. I took gasx once at work..omg. What it does is make your gas bubbles come together and form bigger ones. That was a bad day for me lolUgh, so embarrassing. I hope your date goes well. It's great that you have been able to date. I stopped last year.SO have you been to doctors about your problem or been diagnosed?

[kk333]

oops my post posted twice

[kk333]

Hi Kathleen,One thing I have noticed is when I have anxiety gas seems to come out of nowhere, my gas is more like large amounts of air. I must swallow a lot. But also, when you have anxiety your system speeds up and your body cant absorb the gas like it normally does. This past year my anxiety has been so bad and gas like crazy. I went on vacation and my symptoms were so much better. Why is this so complicated!Thanks for your reply!

[kk333]

Hi Vodoomoth,Of course i am having a lovely gassy day. THankfully I am off! That ehealth thread was great.I am vegetarian and it is hard to limit my diet more. I found soy was making me sick and got rid of that but not causing the gas. I take prilosec for acid reflux, but I dont think that is good as I need the stomach acid to properly digest my food and prevent gas.I have really tried to see which foods may cause gas or not and had no luck. I did allergy tests and not sure what to think of those.Why do these somewhat natural bodily noises have to be so embarrassing? I am sort of bothered that our society shuns any natural noises. We may have amplified bodily noises but its not worth our suffering at all! If only I could change societyI think that it is our perfectionist, obsessive ways that make this a bigger problem than it is, but I strongly feel that our bodies are sensitive and may also have a problem that needs treatment. A good doctor would really help. Those who say its ALL in your head are just bad doctors or are afriad of the reality. Only 1/2 is in your head

[grumblytummy]

I also have this embarrassing gas problem with diarreah! Oh how I hate it. I hope that all of us that have this problem can find a solution together. This is no way to live!!

[kk333]

Hi GrumblyTummy,Cute screenname. Funny thing, last night after reading at the library, which went okay because I had taking Klonpin that day for work, I walked by a church and thought I am so glad I am not in there. I would have so much anxiety being in a church with my symptoms. I feel for you, that is really difficult.Courts, and jury duty happen to be one of my biggest fears. I applaud you for even going. Most people dont ever have the thought, what if my body makes embarrassing sounds what will I do?, I wish I knew what that was like. I can remember as early as 12 worrying about my stomach grumbling in class in the am because its hungry. I dont get hungry in the am but in order to avoid embarrassment I would eat.Again, why do these natural noises cause us such panic and fear.So you have a daughter, how does this affect your relationship? Does she know what a hard time you have?Have you been to doctors trying to find out what's causing your symptoms?I just scheduled a Hydrogen Breath Test today. This is a gas test to see the bacteria level in my stomach. I am excited because the gas comes from my tummy, just out of nowhere. I also have a colonoscopy/endoscopy scheduled, as well as a CT scan of my abdomen.I seriously worry about my stomach acids and digestive enxymes. All the antacids are probably making me worse and I dont have what I need to digest food, especially fat properly. I had a stool test as well that told me.So after all these tests will I get anywhere. I wonder and hope. I kills me to know that my quality of life is compromised so much by this. I have stopped dating the past year and stopped everything. School, career dreams, marriage and family dreams. THere has to be an answer!

[grumblytummy]

What does help me somewhat is a low-carb diet. I just have such a terrible time on it. I just can’t seem to stick to it. It’s very hard when you are constantly making all this carb-rich food for your family and you can’t have any! Trying to eat a very low carb diet is sooooo miserable. I hate hate hate it. I hope one day we can find an answer!

[vodoomoth]

@grumblytummy: I left a post in this very topic days ago. You should read it. You should also follow the link to the ehealth forum I mentioned. There are many useful tips, including Rachie's post on page 3 about treatment of IBS.What you describe about carbohydrates relates to what other people have described on the forum as a candida infection. Your doctor is not right: bacterial overgrowth problems can be found in people who have never had bowel surgery and who are not immuno-depressed. You may try going under a candida diet, which is just too restrictive for me so I just removed added sugar, and carbonated and fruit drinks along with dairy products. It brought the symptoms to a point where the are "manageable": less gas (which builds more slowly) and "preventive" trips to the toilet when I feel like my belly may make some loud noise due to gas pressure.There are still times when I get embarrassed, but they are less frequent. Some days, I can sit at my desk in a room shared with other people, in church-like silence most of the 9 hours I spend at work, and the noise is low enough that only I can feel (and not hear!) it. However, to achieve this, I NEED to not have a breakfast in the morning (don't know why). I am also taking an anti-spasmodic, a simethicone-based medicine and digestive enzymes (oddibil, lactase and beano). All this helps me with the noise, which one exactly, I don't know. The anti-spasmodic helps me with the cramps and pain.An interesting subject you guys brought is why we are so embarrassed by this problem. I said a few words on the subject on a french forum about the same noise problem. In fact, I think most people just don't care. I mean, if we who are sufferers were to come across another sufferer's noises, what would be our reaction ? It happened to me and I just thought "poor him!" but I acted like I didn't notice or it was totally normal... I'm really interested in your thoughts about why it is so embarrassing.I know what you are going through so I can only say "take courage" (is that valid English ?)

[persian001]

Hi my friendsI have this problem same you .I am happy that is not alone and so on I am very sorry. But this problem happened and we all have .I think we withstand against this problem . If I be alone in the silent room noise is few but in crowd noise is start. It means that stress is work and it is important .Anytime stomach should not be empty.sitting in long time is not good. Every 30 minute stand up and walk around a little . we alwase should have cake or biscuit for eat .Dont drink anything between eating.With wish of peace for all . bye

[TryingToBeMe]

Hi KK,Ugh, your boss sounds not helpful at all. Oh well, that probably means he is so wrapped up in himself that he wouldn't even notice if you had a noisy stomach during a meeting. I feel for you though, when you say your office is as quiet as a library - that made ME feel nervous just reading it!It's comforting to hear that we all have the same bad scenarios - church, jury duty, funerals. And I am one of those people that gets jury duty every 3 years like clockwork. I even had federal jury duty where I had to go to Boston! Last time I had jury duty the room was terribly crowded and quiet and I was silently freaking out. Finally I couldn't stand it and I lied to the woman in charge and told her I had hurt my tailbone falling on the ice that week and that it hurt to sit so long. She let me stand just outside the room looking out the window. I felt like an idiot though! I had the funeral trouble too, sitting in the front row of the funeral parlor with my best friend after her Dad died. Of all the times to be worrying about myself, but my stomach made this wicked loud noise and all her aunts commented on how I should have eaten something for breakfast! So embarrassing at such a totally not-about-me time. And not an empty tummy noise but a gassy tummy noise. I don't know what started my gas problems. Sensitive stomachs do run in my family, though I come from people who NEVER talk about bodily functions. I started having trouble at age 14-15, sophomore year in high school, so I always wonder if it had to do with hormonal changes. I'm not seeing the guy I was talking about anymore, but I did wind up going to his house once. We went out to dinner and I already felt gassy. The hostess gave us a 'romantic' quiet table but it was so still and quiet that I was sure my stomach would make a loud noise. The gut and brain are very much connected, which is why they call it 'nervous stomach' - I can be sitting at home on the couch by myself feeling just fine, but if somebody were to sit beside me, I would tense up and start imagining how embarrassing it would be to have gas and, voila, I have gas! For me, anyway, a lot of the situation is in my head, I know.Anyway, I only ate about 2 bites of my dinner so I wouldn't feel worse, he probably thought I was crazy wrapping up my whole meal to go. We went back to his house and his living room was very quiet, and I told him right away, "quiet rooms make me really nervous" so he put a quiet CD on, but nice and loud. This is terribly long, but I hope some commiseration makes you feel a little better. I'm trying a new probiotic right now, Dr Ohheara's (spelling?) that has me taking 5 pills in the morning and 5 at night! Mega good bacteria! I'm feeling pretty good but not really in any nervous situations to know for sure. I haven't gone to a doctor about this because others in my family went through all the painful tests and were told "You have a nervous stomach. Try not to be nervous." NOT helpful!!The low carb thing helps me a bit, but it's soooo hard to stick to! I can't live a whole lifetime without chocolate chip cookies! Mostly, I think, be good to yourself. Nobody knows what you are dealing with, so sometimes you have to be your own best friend and look out for yourself. Don't be afraid to say, 'my stomach is a little upset, I'm going for a short walk' when you desperately want to leave a room. Do you others out there have coping mechanisms that you use? Do you find that your mind is the hardest thing to overcome?

[charly_xx]

All,Reading this thread is like reading my thoughts. I also work in a really quiet office and I dread it when I have to go to meetings - especially in the mornings. I too had to leave a meeting with my boss a couple of weeks ago to go to the toilet to pass gas. I also had to stop a training session halfway through last week to go - its so embarrassing. The thing is its not nearly so loud when i'm in noisy environments. I just sit there when I'm in a meeting worrying about it the whole time. All I concentrate on is my bowels. A couple of years ago I was completely fine. I so miss the days when I was in university and I could sit in 3 hour long lectures and not think twice about it. I couldn't possibly do that now. I am so close to leaving my job because of it and I keep trying to think of career paths where I would be in a relatively noisy environment.Does anyone else find immodium helps their gas? I take it and it helps my D, I'm not sure whether it helps my gas or whether I just think it does, and the placebo effect calms me down. Do these things ever just run their cause or do I have to live with it for life?

[LucyAnnabel]

Wow I'd no idea so many people felt the same way as I do. KK I'm so sorry to hear about what you're going through at the moment...I have to say in response to your question about a support group - DO IT! I've been trying to battle anxiety for 3 years and I found just 6 counseling sessions changed the way I look at it completely. I'm by no means 'cured' but I know how to deal with feeling nervous and how to stop slipping back into agoraphobia all the time. Going to a support group will get you meeting other people again and making you feel much more keen to meet up with friends again. I know how scary it can be to try and get back into a social circle you've drifted out of so do it slowly and surely - your friends will understand. As for IBS it seems such a shame we all worry about what others think of us when we're out and about. I know it's the sole cause of my anxiety...let's hope that in the next few years people become more aware of the condition and know that we can't help it when we make embarrassing noises or need to use the bathroom at awkward moments! xx

[grumblytummy]

Please keep us up to date if the probiotics help you. I've tried some in the past and the gas was so horrible and never went away even after months. Everyone said my body would get used to it but it never did.

[charly_xx]

Actually its interesting you should ask whether we think our mind is hardest to overcome. I definately think so. Today I was in the office, working away. Both people who sit either side of me have left so I'm now very relaxed in the office and dont worry too much about gas, as theres no one close enough to hear. But then an office meeting was called. It was all really quiet and I was sat at the front, and immediately I started worrying about getting gas. I was so tense and nervous, which immediately brought on such an embarrassing loud noise infront of my whole office. I then got up and walk to the edge of the office. Argh it was so embarrassing. The annoying thing is that I was so calm before that and the only reason it happened is because I worked myself up so much!I've decided that I'm going to tell my boss that I get panic attacks when in meetings or formal situations. That way I can leave a meeting more easily without it looking rude. Its so strange how I find admitting to a panic attack less embarrasing than having gas.