[Kelly Day]

I've had a very bad gas problem for years now. Though emotionally I'm dealing with it better than I did at first, I'm still embarassed and disgusted with myself at times. This is not a problem pretty, demure young women are supposed to have. My hygeine is decent otherwise- I bathe twice a day and brush my teeth, but I often smell like sewege. It's either a constant smell leaking from my ass, or I get very gassy and bloated and need to go to the restroom or somewhere private every thirty minutes. It's especially bad when I'm under stress, which during the school year is very often. My family claims they never noticed the way I smell, but I live with myself 24 hours a day, and I do. I've also heard others around me making comments. Only one person has said anything directly to me yet, but I believe other people are beginning to suspect me.I just feel like a gross, smelly old dog. No matter what I do or eat I always have gas. I've been for days without eating, or just eating the simplest food possible, and it's like I just ate a punchbowl full of chili. It's hard to have any dignity at all. Maybe if I told people about my condition they would understand, but I doubt it. Even though it's mostly beyond my control, it's not an ailment people would really sympathize with. They think they got it bad, spending 8 hours a day with me? I'm with me all day, and I can't just walk away from it.

 

[Katalina]

Hi Kelly,I know exactly how you feel, because I am going through the same thing. I've had bad gas for years, and just recently it was sooo bad that my co-workers started talking about it with each other. A few times I felt so bad, that I had to leave work early, and lately it's been very hard to cope with this problem. I have now decided that I will do my best to find out how to alleviate this problem, and I've done a few good things and bad things so far.I have gone through a number of tests, colonoscopy, endoscopy, x-rays, breath test for some type of bacteria in the stomach etc. Finally I was diagnosed with IBS-constipation. Well, my constipation has been much better in the past month or so, which could be from the acupuncture I am doing, or maybe from eating different. I am not sure. But, unfortunately, there is hardly anything I can eat in order to avoid gas. I am also seeing a doctor (my gastro-enterologist acted like it was all in my mind, and he didn't really know what to do), so I went to a doctor that specializes in internal medicine, who is now putting me on different medications to combat the bowel spasms. My test results showed that there was excessive gas in the colon and that the gas was expanding my colon. For this reason, I just started with a medicine called Bentax, I think. Don't know yet how it will work. I also have a routine, which helps me a little bit. First, I eat no milk products, eggs, onions, vegetables. In the morning I have coffee with lactaid milk, rye bread and butter. Then I do best if I try avoid lunch altogether, or just eat a few rice cakes or bananas to hold me over until the evening. Sometimes I eat some lettuce, spinach, green/red peppers with boiled chicken for lunch. That is also not too bad. But I can't have any cold cuts from the super market (only a special butcher), or cakes, special sandwiches - all of that makes me sick. I also bought this underwear which has a carbon filter, which is supposed to filter out the smell (search for "under ease" on the internet). I don't know if it works, but it sure makes me feel less nervous. Like you, I have to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes (sometimes every 2 minutes!) And it is embarrassing, and, of course, impacts my life. For this reason, I will try whatever I can to get rid of it. I think, the most important thing for us is to not give up and keep trying and trying.I've heard that there is a chance of having parasites; that is something I would like to explore. And I read a book about food sensitivies, in which the author said that sometimes our own body attacks food, thinking it is an enemy. There is medicine for that, too. And that is also something I want to explore. This doctor wrote that it is best to avoid histamine-rich foods, like peptides (beans, lentils etc.), red wine, tomatoes, champagne, fish, and a couple more. None of these foods he mentioned agree with me. Have you tried anything, or seen a doctor? Keep me posted!

 

[orchie]

I have IBS-D, so I don't have this problem, but I once had a boyfriend who did. He explained it to me when we first started dating, and although it was certainly noticeable, and I could always smell it, it really never bothered me. Maybe that's because I have my own digestive issues. But I can tell you, the people who love you and care about you aren't going to care one whit, and your colleagues shouldn't either. It's a medical problem; you didn't create it; it's not your fault. If they are unable to be compassionate, that's their problem, not yours.I know it's easy for me to say that, not having the exact problem, but I do have others of my own (such as going to the bathroom every 2 mins). I agree with the previous post about skipping lunch...that sometimes helps. But really, the last thing you need is another reason to feel bad about yourself. Hang in there. I'm rooting for you.

 

[Kelly Day]

Thanks for the support, Katalina and Orchie.I've been to a gastroenterologist two years ago, but it was no help. He tried two meds and just gave up on me. They referred me to a counselor so I could learn to cope. He wasn't any help, either, because he didn't understand my problem and couldn't tell me anything I didn't already know.I've tried Lactobacillius Acidophilus, chlorophyll pills, peppermint pills, fiber pills, Pepto-Bismol, Gas-X, Maalox, and fennel seeds. I've starved for days and still had diarrhea and horrible gas. I've lived for a year on a diet of rice, yogurt and bread. I've fasted during the daytime. I tried two different hypnosis programs. Mike's tapes lessened my symptoms somewhat for awhile, but they came back in a few months. Nothing has helped. The only thing I've noticed is that beans, dairy products, fatty foods and stress seem to make it worse. But nothing I've done has made it better.Katalina, does coffee make you gassy? Usually that's a major trigger for me.I'm going to try a different gastroenterologist and see if he can help. Two years ago I had a blood test, an X-ray and a stool sample, but I feel like there's still a lot left to screen for. I haven't had a biopsy yet or a hydrogen breath test (which I believe would indicate whether or not there's a bacterial overgrowth problem), nor have they checked for food allergies. On this board I learned of this website: www.gsdl.com, which offers comprehensive diagnosic assessments. Maybe we should ask our doctors to order one of these kits for us. They also offer kits that screen for parasites.

 

[yolo]

Warning: Only mental/emotional side of the problem. Dealing with stress.I had a very bad problem with gas for years too. One day, I just called around to psychiatrists offices and asked to see someone once for advice. Most refused, but one lady said okay to only one session with me. I did not want to get involved with them for any length of time, tried that before. I told her I wanted people to be nicer to me, to understand. She asked me if in the moment that I had an accident ( passed gas in public) could I have compassion on myself. I said NO disgustedly. She asked why I couldn't give myself the same compassion I wanted from others. A very good question don't you think? I swear it changed my inner direction, instead of trying to get others to show compassion to me I studied up on self compassion and learned to love myself in those moments. I knew it was valid because stress made my problem worse and I guessed maybe having self compassion would calm me down. It did. That was a while back but a major turn around for me. And I fell many times because this is some real humiliation we are dealing with. But eventually, it paid off to keep trying self compassion."This is not a problem pretty, demure young women are supposed to have." God, I know exactly how you feel, I used to feel such disappointment in myself. I know my life would be SO MUCH different if this had not happened. But so what, I refuse to treat myself like I’ve lived the wrong life (which I used to), I‘ve lived MY life and it’s a valid one. The dignity issue plagued me. But I've learned something from an author named Guy Finley and it really helps me, he says to never explain or excuse yourself away to others, try to make up for yourself to others or defend yourself. In the moment you’re doing it, it feels right, but afterwards, you feel bad, lost. How can you feel dignity then? As if they can hand you dignity, it's not theirs to give. This was very crazy sounding at first, but it cleared up a lot of my thinking. Because I lived my life apologizing for my existence and trying to figure out how to defend and make up for myself. This has gotten me to go to work some frightening days(like when i figured they'd start noticing), instead of quitting.I've told four different groups of people. A church group (made fun of me), two different groups of people I worked with before (made fun of me), One supervisor to whom I cried to— sad, huh?(actually understood and moved the meannies out of my section- I was surprised, expected the worse but just could not go on without trying to get help whatever the cost). But I really don't want to explain myself ever again. I remember the feelings and Guy Finley is right in my case. “They think they got it bad, spending 8 hours a day with me? I'm with me all day” exactly what I used to say. But I remember that if they are noticing, they aren't losing any sleep over it. If my boss is going to fire me over it, he won't lose any sleep over that. I'm the only one who has lost sleep, too much weight (from not eating--which I'm trying to gain back now-- not eating never helped but I insisted on starving myself), some "friends and family members", dreams, etc. etc. This really helps me put the focus where it needs to be, my well-being.Well, I hope some of this helps someone. I am truly much happier and respect myself. Not a smooth road but a much happier one. And I feel like my courage muscles are growing, it's sort of like emotional weight training. I have to go beyond that point where I truly would rather sit it out.

 

[bellyknot]

Yolo,I know you are new here so I'm going to repeat myself, try a probiotic. It really works. I suggest VSL#3 found at vsl3.com this is the best. Its expensive but I recently quit taking it and the smell came back. This stuff really works.

 

[Kelly Day]

Thank you for the hard-earned advice, yolo. I really did appreciate that. I'm glad that at least one of us has been able to respect themselves and find peace despite this weird handicap. If I can't find a remedy for this IBS, I hope I can cope well enough to not let it get in my way.If this had been happening to another person, I would have laughed at it. I tried to, at first, until I realized that this wasn't just a stomach bug, or bad week, or something I ate, but a permanent part of my life. After that I had no strategy. I do try to feel compassion for myself, at least as far as realizing that there are certain things in my life I don't know how to change and that this is one of them. I'm doing the best that I know how. If anybody doesn't like the way I smell, they don't suffer any more than I do.

 

[Katalina]

Kelly Day,Actually, coffee helps me in the morning (with lactaid milk), because it helps me go to the bathroom. All,I am sorry for what you are going through. And I can relate to each and every one of you. But: I know that there must be a way to be normal again. And I am confident that we can find it together. I am currently doing acupuncture, and I think it helps because I don't have constipation anymore at all. And I am going through different anti-spasmatic drugs. I noticed that Librax helps me more than Benzyl. But they are still not good enough. I am negative for celiac disease and helicopacter. I'll keep you posted on other meds I will try.From what I am reading here, people are very mean. Don't let it get to you! Things will turn around for us, I just know it! I think that stress makes things worse for me. I get stressed out at work, for example, and do really bad all day. As soon as I am at home the next day I am just fine. Therefore, I'll try to relax more at work. Maybe it helps.

 

[Linda mac]

I feel so sorry for what you are going through. I know exctly what it is like to desperately try to make it to the bathroom and fail!I have found that being on a low carbohydrate diet(Atkins) has helped me a lot. I also take Lomotil, first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach...no side effects, but the roiling and spasming in the gut are alleviated.I've founf that artificial sweeteners, like sorbitol almost make me explode...I have horrible gas, then explosive "D".I also take probiotics, as was suggested to me on this BB. It has helped tremendously with odor.Luilu

 

[Paulo]

Hi Katalina,I really liked your post.You are positive and optimistic.I try to be positive and happy but it is very hard sometimes when you have this terrible wind all the time.Your life changes.But I like this site because I have learned alot from other people here.Thanks alot everyone

 

[percy]

I'm 23yr old female and know exactly how you feel. I realized through time that the only person that can help myself is me. I suffer from Ibs C, interstital cystitis, and a hernia. I always had sever gas and constipation. My life revolved around my IBS. I had a lady at work who continuely make comments like it smelled liked sewer. I was so embarassed i din't want to work anymore. Then i found this sight and explained to Heather how i was eating asking if this could be causing my gas. She was very upset for the way my doctor told be to eat focusing on insoluble fibre. She explained the benefits of soluble fiber. So I have help changed my life for the better. I eat a lot more soluble foods, exercise daily(even if its only a 40 min walk), drink lots of water, avoid coffee(that i find is only a temp fix), have a small dose of metamucill daily and let my self relax. If i find myself getting upset i just step a side and breath in and out. I don't think my symptoms will truley ever be gone but i am doing what i can to control them and hope to learn more as life goes on. I can now go to work and not be stresssed cause i stink and am running the bathroom every 1/2 hour. Good luck and hope you can make some lifestyle changes to help you. I know stay away from red meat(have some maybe once every 2 weeks), i focus on chicken and fish. I eat lots of rice and peas, french bread no whole wheat, for fruits i have a pear, apple(peeled), fruit cups, and strawberrios on occasion. I find that raw carrots and oatmeal also help me. Potatoes and pasta are also high in soluble fiber. Everyones different but thought i'd just give you an idea so you know how differently we are eating. Good luck to you.Keep fit and have fun

 

[Reeta]

Hi Kelly, I've only just discovered this website & until now I thought I was the only person in the world who suffered this constant humiliation, particularly from work colleagues. So many times, I travelled home from work just sobbing uncontrollably. (Nearly as uncontrollably as the disgusting smell that eminates from me frequently). I could understand it if I were a dirty person, but I am so meticulous and would love to smell as fresh and clean as I actually am. Thank God I've retired now, but I cannot make friends or socialise with this anti-social problem so live almost like a recluse. I've suffered this for years now and accepted the fact that "it" will be with me til the end. Maybe our rewards in heaven will be that we'll smell delightful! I suppose life could be worse if I had the awful D problems that I've read about. Small consolation though.

 

[puffy]

Kelly and Percy, my heart goes out to both of you. Kelly, I have lived with this smelly problem for over 20 of my 40plus years of life. Society makes us feel like the gross, smelly dogs you mentioned. Just look at all the products marketed to eliminate smell. Our underarms, breath, feet, vaginas, and hair all should smell like flowers. Heaven forbid a human smell comes out! Sometimes when I hear insulting comments I want to say "Knowing me as you do, do you really think I would sit here and make this smell on purpose?". At times I don't feel feminine. Especially when someone makes a comment on how sweet my female coworkers perfume smells. That's a compliment I fear I'll never hear again in life. But I still treat myself to perfumed soaps and sprays because I like how they smell.I used to quit jobs left and right due to the shame and embarrassment. Not anymore. You have to tell yourself, that "those people who degrade and insult me, mean nothing to me". Do your 8hrs and forget them. I'm not saying it's easy,(after all these years sometimes the comments and actions still get me down) but those times are becoming far less frequent.We have a disability just like someone who is deaf, or has a speech impediment, some type of physical deformity. For some reason, our disability doesn't warrant much sympathy. That is why I am soooo thankful for this board. I knew I couldn't be the only one in the world who had this problem even though it felt like it. I gave up trying to explain to drs how it is to live like this and try to fit into a perfumed society. None of them understood. But here, I know I can talk about the humiliation & shame and have listeners who know exactly what I'm talking about. I had one dr laugh at me and tell me I should move someplace where smells didn't matter, like India. How stupid and thoughtless could he be? I'm sure people in India don't want to smell feces all day long either.Anyway ladies, be strong. Find something to do with your spare time that brings you much enjoyment. Something you can look forward while you are at work. Believe me, it helps. Spoil yourselves a little. You deserve it. And we will all hope and pray and look for a cure. I believe God put us all here to take care of each other. I'm just glad I found the people here. When you feel the need to cry or vent, just come here and you will find a sympathetic ear.God Bless you all!

 

[ZenDog]

quote: "Hi Kelly, I've only just discovered this website & until now I thought I was the only person in the world who suffered this constant humiliation, particularly from work colleagues"

quote: I used to quit jobs left and right due to the shame and embarrassment.

Hi this is my first post,I'm in tears as I type this. I've been living with this and have been through stages of depression, thinking I was mentally Ill, feeling suicidal.I'm a chef and working in small kitchens, well I just can't describe the humilliation.It has ruined my life, my career, is ruining my relationship everything.I'm a good chef, a very good chef I should be working in a top class resteraunt.My last job was in a care home cooking the type of food that any untrained cook could do.Even there the humilliation was more than I could stand. I don't wan't to leave the house anymore because I just can't stand the humillation. But I have to earn a living I can't expect my girlfiend to support me indefinately.I've run out of steam now. I guess I just needed to get that off my chest (like most men I find it hard to talk about this type of thing).

 

[HipJan]

Kelly, I am sorry.

So many of us here have been through so much.yolo, what an inspirational post!

It's likely that nothing is going to work like magic for us. For the rest of our lives, most of us will need to continue to persevere. I agree about taking probiotics, such as PB8 or Culturelle, though they won't help overnight or provide a complete "cure." I also see no mention here of consuming essential fatty acids, such as ground flaxseed, flax oil, walnuts, etc. Another thing to try is aloe vera juice; it's soothing.

 

[bonniei]

Remember it is not your fault if you have gas or can't control it. It is an illness like any other illness and I agree with what yolo said. You need to have compassion for yourself and not treat yourself as a terrible or bad person for having this illness.Please tell others you have an illness without getting into too many details if you don't want to. Further I like Evie's line on another thread which you can say to people who try to humiliate you when something embarassing happens- "If you are writing a book, please leave this chapter out... Thank you". It is an assertive and humorous way of saying, "Hey look I have an illness. Please be kind to me. I don't exactly like it myself. Thanks for your understanding and cooperation"And remember people can only try to humiliate you by behaving with you as if you don't deserve to exist. But you can feel humiliated only if you "buy into" the notion that you don't deserve to exist.You have as much right as the next guy to exist because God made your bodies to behave the way they do and you are ill. Your system has broken down and the docs have not found a cure for it. But would you condemn a person with cancer or ostracize her. Please try to show yourselves the same compassion.All you can do is try to do what you can to minimize this problem. And gas is a particularly difficult problem to get a grip on though I agree that Atkins type problems and probiotics are a big help.

 

[bonniei]

ZenDog, if you are so depressed, try to read Feeling Good:The New Mood Therapy by David Burns. It is only $7.95 and if you can afford it get the book Breaking The Bonds of IBS by B Bolen. These two books have really helped me gain a new understanding of myself.

 

[Davin]

Hi allI'm a new member and have had IBS for 6 months. Not very long compared to some of you.I'm in the exact same situation as most. Excessive gas that can't really be controlled. I've had those traumatic experiences at work, with friends, meeting new people, etc etc. I've left work feeling like i wanted to jump off a bridge. I've met new people only to notice that they want nothing to do with me. I've had friends make comments, coworkers.. everything. There have been times where i've felt so low about myself that I didn't care whether i would wake up the next morning. Friends don't have any advice to offer, doctors don't consider it serious. It leaves you feeling like there's no one else who's on your side.Well.. there are people on your side.. and it looks like this forum is full of them. We've all had days where its so tough you just want to let it all out to someone. If anyone is in that situation don't hesitate to get it out in an email or PM. Quite often just talking about it makes it much better.. and when it comes to this only someone else going through the same thing understands the tole it takes mentally.There is hope and you gotta believe there will be brighter days.. .. there will be!Davin

 

[5069]

I too have this uncontrollable gas most of the time and rarely socialize because I have embarrassed myself so many times as the gas can happen almost anytime without warning. But what I really wanted to say was there is hope that one day a medicaion will be found.

 

[Joy_less74]

Hi Guys,Just a little thought regarding all this "mean co-workers" situation. I pass trought it every day from monday to friday 8-4 pm, living hell, hearing them coughing, covering their noses when they come to talk to me or ask me something, it is so painful ( I even thing I give them alergy as when I pass close to them they start sneezing!)Anyway, I feel really sorry for the girl who sits behind me ... I always try to sit at the very end or last row in every place I go (movies, classroom...etc.) , but I couldn't choose my seat at my job, so I feel bad for her.

I really feel like I owe her an explanation for all the discomfort I caused her.. I am thinking to tell her... but I am scared...one day I will probably do it.Even my bosses noticed it, I think, so I just tried to do my best at my work, and they know I am a good worker, so hopefully they won't get me fired for all this smelly issue.Well guys, only a thing, you should do the same, keep the good work going, show your bosses and co-workers that despite your health problems, you are an important element in your company, even smarter than most of them!!!

(sorry for my bad english)Hasta la vista!Joy_less