gassy,ashamed at times

When was the last time that you went in for tests honey? Honestly, you should give that another try. I had horrible gas problems, and my primary care doc, my gi doc, and a colo-rectal surgeon I was seeing for other problems all shook their heads at the gas problem, said they could do nothing. (simethacone helps some!) Then I started of taking note of the pain I was blaming on the IBS, it got worse with the gas, and was getting worse and worse... INSISTED on tests. (pain was comparable to gall bladder pain by that point, pretty severe) Turned out I had duodenal ulcers. As soon as I got started on a proton pump inhibiter for that, the gas stopped being a problem. Honest. Sure I still get a little gassy from something I ate, like anybody else, but it is never worse than anybody else would get. Make sure there is not something treatable going on with your upper gi system before accepting this as a lifelong thing. DO you get stomach pain with the gas (I mean other than that painful bloated feeling?) Any other symptoms you might have? Give us more to work with as far as suggestions go!------------------Praying for a cure for this NASTY IBS!

Hey, I am 23, also. I know how much this bs can suck. I suffer from C/D and gas. It is AMAZING how I can be fine at home, and the very second I walk out the door, I have cramps, gas, anxiety, urgency. . . . I also feel depressed. Some suggestions: I took Paxil for four years which worked a miracle for depression, anxiety, and sort of IBS. I had less symptoms, I think. I interpreted them differently, at least. I had to go off of the Paxil due to sexual side effects. I told my doc I would rather be happy than sexual. He seemed to be surprised by that suggestion. He thought I was ruining my relationship with my bf because I never wanted it. ANyway, I went off about six months ago, and since then DOWNHILL> I never would have checked this bulletin board obsessively like I do now!!!!So, I have gone on another antidepressant called Serzone, it's been less than a week, so I will keep everyone posted.Many people have success with antidepressants. ANd not cuz they are mental, but because it fixed some chemical gut connection in your brain. Maybe someone else could explain that better. . Also, there is something called chlorofresh which people have been having success with. Do a search on the board, but it is supposed to make your gas smell less or something. I can't relate because I SURE CAN smell mine I am sorry I couldn't offer any better advice. This bb has great suggestions, and super advice. Take it all (including mine) with a grain of salt cuz what works for one may not work for another. All I know, is that the anxiety you (me too) feel is not necessary, and I felt a time when there was no anxiety.LALA

I'm right there with you and have had the same symptoms among others since I was 19 (i'm 32 now). I'm still not cured, some days are better than others. I have exactly the same symptoms as you do...although they have been better over the last few years. I think the symptoms actually can make someone who is a little anxious feel worse about themselves. Try cutting up some slices of ginger root and making tea with it. I also drink lots of peppermint ot chamomile tea. Changes in my diet have helped significantly. I know its hard to deal with expecially at work. Sometimes I just go home sick.There's lots of good advice here and it at least makes me feel better that I'm not the only one out there with this

gyrl15,I can relate, I have had this since I was 19, shortly after HS. I hve the same thing you do. Gas, bad smelly stuff. The thing is I ususlly can't smell it and sometimes don't even realize that I am releasing it. It truly does destory ones social life, and no one seems to understand. But hang in there, I have learned more things from this board than from all the doctors that I went to.one thing that helps is cut way back on the carbs. sugars and starches, most fruits, some people find that cutting out dairy helps. Others finds that even potatoes cause gas. You just have to do the elmination test and see what might be your problem. Keeping a journal is not easy but is the best way of keeping track.I am like you the gas is my problem more than anything and worrying about it probably makes it work. But you are not alone I have found several on this board that know what you are talking about. I have a wonderful husband but always wondered why he would want to be with me when others run away or shun me. meggiew you wrote: ( Turned out I had duodenal ulcers. As soon as I got started on a proton pump inhibiter for that, the gas stopped being a problem. Honest ) What is a Proton pump ?? My problem is mostly just the gas.. so probably not the same as what you had.------------------Prayer doesn't change God , it changes the one who prays..

OH forogt to add, some have used Chlorofresh by Nature Way, can get it at healthfood stores Or over the net. It helps take away the smell.Didn't help me much but others say it did help. ------------------Prayer doesn't change God , it changes the one who prays..

Hi. Welcome to the board. I'm new here too, and have already found so many nice people and so much information. I'm going to make sure my doctor has the URL for this site, so I can tell him to please tell people when they are diagnosed to check this site out for support/information if they have access to the net. I wish someone would have told me earlier so I did not feel so alone. I'm 24, female, and I have IBS also. Mostly D though, and don't have much gas. I don't know what I would do if I had the gas, the way I am now...I am afraid to FART! I never just assume it is gas....I hot trot it to the bathroom, just in case! I'm glad you posted. There are so many nice people here. I agree though, I would demand some more tests. You have to make sure the doctor knows the hell you are going through! Hang in there, and know that you are not alone. There is always someone here on this board.

Hi,and Welcome Gyrl15You are not alone. My #1 problem is gas! It drives me crazy. Im starting a new job where I have to relate to people face to face for about 1 hour intervals and I am terrified. I have found a little relief in Dill Tea, Peppermint and Ginger Teas. These seem to help my digestion and gas a little but I still have not found the cure.Im sure the people here will be helpful!DorisD

Hi Gyrl - I have D with lots of gas. I totally understand what you are going through. It's very hard to even be around people with this condition b/c it's just not socially acceptable. I have found though when I cut down on sugar and carbs that my gas is less. Also, dill tea seems to help loosen up trapped gas. I wish so much I could give you better advice, but I'm still searching for answers. Just know that you're not alone - I know how lonely it can be. I pray one day we will find a solution that will work for everyone!!

Keeps hanging here. I feel it is so much a relief to talk about something that is socially innaceptable! And also to see some people can get over it, for the love of someone... husbands among other. Great relief for a single like me who still hope, someday, to find the One! LOL! Did you get tested for intolerance to Lactose, Fructose, Sorbitol and Glucose? That is where my Gastro sent me after I felt in tears in is office, saying that I could not take the bus anymore, or even accept to have a simple beer/coke with a friend/date (no public place for a long time, due to gas, smelly or not, I get both)Question to fellow members, re: the above suggestions. When you say cut sugars and carbs... can you be more precise? What are carbs? (Carbonate, I assume, but this include which food?)

I know exactly what you're going through. I've had the EXACT same gas problem since I was 15. I'm now 26. I, also, am paranoid constantly because I cannot smell it, either. I know when I stink because other people tell me. It's unbearable and I don't know how to function either. I almost dropped out of high school. Somehow I stuck it through by attending as little as possible, but enough to pass my classes. I don't know how gas that is SO stinky to others is not detectable to us. I only smell my gas when I forcibly push it out. But, there's apparently this stink cloud that follows me around that I cannot detect. This is where the paranoia comes in. You do not know when or where you are going to be embarrassed, who you'll be around, if they will make a loud comment in front of everybody. When it does happen, I practically can't breathe, my heart races, and I can't concentrate on anything. All I can think about is how to leave the situation; very difficult at work or during a college exam. I have a boyfriend also who has no idea how much this effects me emotionally. It has effected our relationship and social life in so many ways that he doesn't even know. He loves me, but I sometimes wonder why when I feel like such a rude, disgusting person. When this first started happening to me, I thought I was actually going crazy. I didn't know it was ME who smelled bad and I didn't know what the fuss was about because I didn't smell anything. Then it started happening everywhere I went and I finally figured it out! Whenever I'm around, parents smell their kids' diapers, etc. Sometimes I wonder how I'm going to live the rest of my life. How am I going to work? I was diagnosed lactose intolerant through a breath test and avoid dairy (even reading labels on prepared foods). I still have this problem. Just wanted to let you know I know how you feel: like you're living a nightmare; but it's real. It is the loneliest feeling in the world. I even have dreams about it. The paranoia is awful; you feel like every whispered conversation is about you. You don't want to make friends because you'll just be embarrassed. The doctors understand that you have gas, but they don't understand the "not smelling it" part which makes it so much worse (For example, how do you know if you've improved from a treatment if you can't smell it in the first place?) If it's any consolation, YOUR post made me feel a little less crazy and alone.

PalomaI have had some of the same experiences you have. In fact sometimes I think its other people.. It does make me a paranoid too. I have totally altered my diet and this did help. Although when I get stressed it all comes back. I think part of it is when I don't completely expell a stool. Gross I know. You'll find a lot of gross postings here and that's part of what makes us (well me) feel inferior. As for being socially unacceptable..well thats me to. I know people talk behind my back sometimes, but you just have to move on. One thing this does is it shows who your friends really are. It certainly makes me feel completely disgusting and I wonder if I can handle working... You just have to put things in perspective...sometimes thats not easy I know. I have always found it odd that doctors say there is nothing wrong with me. Then why do I get depressed about it? Its not all in my head..if it were it would be easier for me to deal with.Well at least there are a lot of us out there, although I'm the only one I know personally who has this problem. Don't most of you feel like that?

gyrl15,Gassy is my middle name, my ID at a party, my calling card in a meeting, and by far my biggest worry. Gas is the one movement in my intestines that sends my mind into overload thinking "can I make it to the can?" You're definitely not alone. I watch what I eat for acidic foods. These tend to irritate my intestines alot. I always eat, even when I travel, because I found out that I'll have alot more gas if my stomach gets hungry. If I eat then, look out.Jane93,I feel exactly the way you feel most of the time. I've had tests and everything comes back negative. The symptoms keep coming though. Like you and everyone else, I know it isn't all in my head. I know I have a sensitive GI tract. But I have found that my thoughts play a major role in bringing on my IBS symptoms. I watch my diet and exercise regularly and have for years, but I'm still plagued with IBS. I will say as I learn about it, through this BB and talking with people, I feel like I can tolerate it more. I feel funny bringing the subject up to people, but once the ice is broken (which is a real trick) they usually respond sympathetically to my situation. Some are even very interested or know someone with similar problems. A couple of times I met people with the same exact problem.What I try to do now when I go out to a social gathering is to say to myself; "I can leave when I want or need to. I may only be there for 5 minutes, so in that time, I'm going to be the life of the party." If I can make it through the first 5 minutes, then I dare myself to go a little longer. This helps me alot around people. I still get the symptoms often, but I've noticed that I am more tolerable of those situations now than I was a couple of years ago. I continue to find new ways to challenge my IBS, and dare myself to do something scarey at least once a week. I still take meds when I need to, but not near as much as I have in the past.[This message has been edited by race_ttc (edited 01-26-2000).]

I've noticed too that it doesn't seem to matter if I eat or not.. I can't control my gas..sometimes I smell like hot dogs sometimes worse. I'm fasting today for the dreaded BE tomorrow, but I still stink..How does anyone cope with this at work? I've just started a new job and people already are talking behind my back? For the most part gas is my main syptom. I've managed to tame my previously alteranting D and C...but the most embarrassing is gas.. How can I get some control?I know plenty of people with terrible C, but all of them can control their gas...Its not fair..its so depressing

for another thread like this check here http://www.parkviewpub.com/bulletinboard/F...TML/005371.html ------------------Prayer doesn't change God , it changes the one who prays..