[leiram2182]

Hi everyone--I am 22 years old and have a problem with flatulence. Often it is loud and excessive (way more than the average 10-14 farts/day), and most of the time it has an odor to it. I hate it because I can never tell if I'm going to accidently pass gas, and worse yet, it usually happens when I'm in public!I also involuntarily pass gas during the night when I am sleeping, and I often wake up from it, which is embarrassing enough to admit, let alone share with another person (it happened to me all the time during college when I shared a room with my roommates...talk about humiliating).I have other IBS symptoms (such as bloating/abdominal distension, pain, and constipation), but this is by far the most obvious and embarrassing of them all. I found that exercise does help with the gas, so I am trying to be more active, but I still have bouts of flatulence that are becoming harder to predict and deal with.Does anyone have any suggestions? I would greatly appreciate any advice.

 

[flux]

What happens if you don't eat for a couple of days?

 

[deirpg]

Your symptoms sound a lot like mine.Flux, in my case, the symptoms don't ease up much if I fast. Any input?Deirdre

 

[flux]

quote: the symptoms don't ease up much if I fas

It suggests the gas is from the atmosphere. A standing flat plate x-ray could also confirm this by showing excess gas in the upper gut.

 

[leiram2182]

flux, i haven't tried fasting yet. is that a surefire way of telling what causes my flatulence problem?

 

[5069]

I'm sorry, I know how you feel. Have you eliminated all carbonated beverages? Can you tolerate milk, cheese, butter, all dairy or do you need to cut those out too. What about potato chips, they will give you gas in a hurry and doesn't take much to do so. If you want to cut down on the flatulence, then cut down on your carbohydrates. Try leaving out potatoes, especially french fries and fried onions. I know all of this is hard, I've been there but play like you are on a diet because you are on a diet so to speak. Eat cereal in the morning if you can as this gives you fiber and that helps. Try something light for lunch like tuna sandwich or boiled ham sandwich with just a little mayo. Maybe an apple or a few raisins for dessert. Watch very carefully what you eat and see if you can figure out the food or foods which give you gas, then eliminate them from your diet. Good luck! PS-TEll us what you eat during a typical day. Maybe we can help you. Annem

 

[flux]

quote:is that a surefire way of telling what causes my flatulence problem?

Yes, it wil distinguish between bacterial production or air ingestion.

 

[mangoneinsanefromibs]

I have a similar problem. I use Phazyme. I typically take 3 at a time, and usally lasts at least 8 hours. Its the strongest gas aid on the market.

 

[bonniei]

"The distinctive sound is dependent on the elasticity of the sphincter, the presence or absence of hemorrhoids, and the muscle tone of the surrounding flesh. ""Hemorrhoid removal and weight loss can reduce the telltale noise. " http://www.kudzumonthly.com/kudzu/dec02/BreakingWind.html An unrelated fact from the article"Though, based on relative body mass, men do not have more gas than women, they do release more frequently - twelve times per day [b[as opposed to seven[/b] - and are less reserved in the delivery. "

 

[stinky too]

quote: I use Phazyme. I typically take 3 at a time, and usally lasts at least 8 hours. Its the strongest gas aid on the market.

Phazyme releaves gas doesn't it. What I need is something that prevents it. I have no problem passing it.

 

[bonniei]

phazyme or Gas X can help to get all the gas out of your system in one shot until you eat again.

 

[flux]

[quoote]can help to get all the gas out of your system in one shot until you eat again./quote]It could conceivably help with gas in the stomach, but not gas in the intestine.

 

[bonniei]

quote: but not gas in the intestine.

You are probably referring to this study http://www4.infotrieve.com/newmedline/deta...ulence&count=19 In this study there was a huge amount of gas produced. But when people complain of gas it is less than that and Gas X or phazyme can help. it is worth a shot.

 

[mangoneinsanefromibs]

I'm telling you it works most of the time. I've been popping 3 at a time, though this week I'm ruffing it, cuz I"m sick of buying them all the time.

 

[christiane53]

This is the first time I have posted on this forum. I have no particular advice, but I can certainly relate to your problem. I have recently signed up for some classes. I am IBS-D, and gas is definitely not a good thing for me. Lets just say I never know if I am just going to be firing blanks, so with every gurgle I run to the ladie's room. Have you ever noticed that the acoustics in bathrooms are better than anywhere else in the house ... or public buildings for that matter. The ladie's room at the college where I take classes is right across from the lecture theatre. The toilet seems to act as a megaphone. I am sure I am making quite a name for myself. I have tried elimination diets, total fasting, no carbonated drinks, using pro-biotics ... you name it. I have even been tested for bacterial overgrowth. So far I haven't found a solution. I try to maintain my sense of humour about it all, and merrily go on tooting my own horn. I am sure I hold the world title for the longest, loudest and most frequent gas emissions. I can literally walk from one end of the house to the other and back with a "clap of thunder" accompanying each step. The title passed to me (sorry about the pun) when my parents died. They both had the same problem. The only serious contender for my title is my grand daughter. I have hemmies and my ab muscles are shot. She is 2 years old and has neither of these problems. It makes me wonder if genetics plays a part. Is there a flatulence gene? My main point in answering your question is to let you know you are not alone.Take careKristy (alias thunder down under)

 

[leiram2182]

I just wanted to say "thank you" to everyone who responded to my post about flatulence. Even though it is embarrassing to admit, I am glad I am not the only one out there with this problem. Someone before asked me what I ate on a daily basis. Well, I tried cutting back on my usual foods and realized that the following foods cause excessive gas and bloating: fried foods especially from fast-food restaurants (someone mentioned french fries or fried onion rings...yup, my favorite foods, but it gives me gas for the rest of the day), garlic, raw onion, soda, gum, cheese, and milk (before I used to drink about 3/4 gallon per week, but it gave me horrible gas...now I try to drink milk with just my cereal, and it is much better). Am I also lactose intolerant because of my body's reaction to the latter part of my list? Thank you all for your suggestions. I will try them, and hopefully they will yield results! I just want to be normal!

 

[thepurplelollie]

heh.. I'm so glad I never grew out of finding flatulence amusing. It does make it harder to hide though, when I start giggling and going red.. Maybe I'll try cutting out potato crisps (I'm a fan of the odd salty snack) - it sounds like that could be a culprit..

 

[leahmonahan]

Hi treehugger,If you want to get rid of your gas problem, I would start by completely eliminating all the foods you listed, including the milk with the morning cereal. Switch to hot cereal, like oatmeal made with water. After a week or so, you can try adding soymilk or rice milk to the oatmeal. I just wouldn't add it right away because you might have a soy intolerance.Most people don't realize that they can have food intolerances, which is not the same as being allergic to your food (life threatening). Common intolerances/allergens: dairy, sugar, gluten (in wheat and some other grains), and soy.Laylo

 

[bonniei]

quote:Common intolerances/allergens:...sugar...

I haven't heard of table sugar being a common intolerance/allergen although many IBS'ers cannot absorb fructose.

 

[flux]

quote:Most people don't realize that they can have food intolerances,

Food "intolerances", whatever they are, have nothing to do with gas.