[~crisann~]

i was just wondering if anyone here seems to appear more bloated/swollen on their left side? i am planning on making a doctor's appt. if i can't get this to relieve itself within the next few days. i can't feel anything there-no lumps/masses... it almost seems as if it's constant, except briefly after waking up. there's no doubt that my entire lower abdomen is bloated/swollen, but it just seems to appear slightly moreso on my left side. i've considered scar tissue (it seems the point that protrudes the most is right to the left of an appendectomy scar from 1993), which i'll ask about, but i've also "heard" that most pain-bloating/swelling that occurs on the left side is related to constipation... has anyone else experienced this or something similar? is it common in ibs to appear more bloated/swollen on the left side or is it more likely that this is either related to a previous surgery or a completely seperate issue? thanks in advance!

 

[BQ]

but i've also "heard" that most pain-bloating/swelling that occurs on the left side is related to constipation...

Never heard that. But the descending colon is located there so probably all IBS'ers have more sensations going on there.

 

[xyz123]

My left side is slightly more distended than my right, but at the moment I cannot offer any correlations between that and my other symptoms! From what little I have read I don't think it is anything to be concerned about unless the distention increases.

 

[MaryAnn51]

Hi - my left side is where I have always had more spasms and yes, it sticks out further than my right side. Feels more "puffy" for lack of a better word. And hurts way more when I am really constipated and cannot go.MaryAnn

 

[screeb]

It might not be that you have more gas on the left side, but that the left side is more sensitive to the gas distension than the right. Read my blog, "EXPLANATION OF GAS ELIMINATION PROCEDURE USING CERVICAL TRACTION".

 

[~crisann~]

thanks to those that responded...i did go to the doctor and ask about it... he called it "spastic colitis," which is apparently another term for ibs. no surprise there... told me to eat more fiber. um, yea. i'll get right on that... looks like it's time to completely rearrange my diet... now the real question, how do you get rid of the bloating in general? lol...

 

[BQ]

Some folks find that using Digestive enzymes can help with bloating. Also eating the low flatulence/gas prevention diet helps:http://www.endowsec.com/pated/edtgs12.htmSome other suggestions that may help:http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/tc/gas...-home-treatmentMy suggestion to you is to read the forum here to locate things that have helped others. Sorry your Dr wasn't all that helpful...