Bloated - help please

Wine_of_the_World

I have started suffering again from a really, really bloated stomach.

It ONLY ever happens on work days - I have no idea why because my job isnt stressful, nor do I change my diet.

My tummy starts off normal in the morning with my trousers loose but by the end of the day they are really tight with my stomach actually painful.

I have been to the doctors about this a few years ago. There was no underlying serious problem and I was prescribed tablets (which can be bought over the counter) which didnt make much difference. The problem went away when I stopped working, and has now only just come back.

I have tried cutting back on wheat - but I dont think this could be it as I eat lots at weekends. I have tried those yogurts too but have heard they are more a marketing thing anyway.

I also seem really gassy (sorry if its too much information) and when I get home sometimes my tummy is just so big (proportionally) I look like I'm about to give birth. This is not only embarrassing but also painful. I am not overweight.

Has anyone experienced anything similar and found a solution?? I am aware they are lots of things for sale supposed to help with bloated stomachs but I dont want to waste money on silly gimmicks.

I am open to suggestions that may help.

Wine_of_the_World

I really dont think it could be stress as a little while ago I went though a really stressful time and did not suffer this at all. I know this kind of thing can be bought on by stress, but I am certain not in my case.

I dont want to waste the doctor's time as I have already been, and found not underlying serious cause.

I do wonder if it is because I am sitting at my desk talking all day??? I have no idea if this could affect the digestive / bowl system, but it is the only thing I can think of as being different to my weekends (although if I lounge in bed / in fornt of the TV this never happens)

jenniewb

I have similar problems, except my stomach is bloated with gas and never seems to go down- I saw a personal trainer as I waas so sure it was fat. He explained to me that it was bloating and even if I took up 50 sessions with him, training would not make it go away. Its not pinchable like excess fat is. I notice it more first thing in the morning, its like at night I sleep, but my body forgets to digest everything like normal people do!

I don't eat wheat at all, but after abour 2.5 years of complaining, my GP tested me (it does rule my life: I only go to the gym so I can justify it being there, if I know I'm doing everything in my power to try to get it to go away or stop it getting worse it somehow doesn't feel as bad). But it hurts like hell when I get asked daily if I am expecting, offered seats on public transport or complete strangers walk up to me (when I clearly have earphones on too!) and ask me how far gone I am...I'd like to slap these people but don't want to risk some sort of ASBO, it happens that often I'd likely end up with one.

I have also tried the little bacteria drinks and I have to say, odd things happen when I take those drinks- I get pain in my abdomen about an hour after, the bloating still remains and I also get alot of gas. I don't think those bacteria drinks work for everyone.

I do think its worth going to your doctor, theres more then wheat they can test you for such as parasites which can make you bloat and other random things. I have been referred to a gastreoentreologist. My GP said she thought it was IBS, (after sending me for scans as she didn't believe me when I said I was not pregnant) and packed me off with some buscopan, I really thought it would work...and nothing, no effect what so ever. I then did some reading up on IBS a year later, I was so sure I had it and wanted some further advice, and I just don't seem to match the symptoms, even after seeing a gateroentreologist, he said it can happen that you just get bloating and gas but that it is very rare. I have been told to go back for further tests.

I hope you get yours sorted, it is worth seeing the doctor if this bothers you enough to affect your day to day life then please get some medical help.

Snow_White_5

OP, it sounds like it could be related to your desk job.

I had something similar once when I had the kind of job where due to the nature of the work I had to sit leaning forward 8 or 9 hours day and wasn't free to get up and walk around when I felt like it. I would be in terrible pain by the end of the day with a swollen belly. I changed jobs and it cleared up.

Of course, it would be good if you can get tested for everything possible as well. All my tests came back negative, so I really do think it was posture-related.

retro_bluebell

I get this all the time but I suffer from IBS...it may be worth the time making a food diary as other things can affect you not just wheat. I cant tolerate certain dairy products or red meat for example. If you write down what you have eaten over a week then you would get a clearer picture to see if it is food related.

foxy-roxy

I used to get this alot, and now every so often, for me it was down to food that i was eating, white bread sandwiches for lunch and fizzy pop.

Obviously you would already of tried cutting out these things so i really have no idea, but i hope you sort it soon.

londoner1998

Wine_of_the_World wrote: »

I have started suffering again from a really, really bloated stomach.

It ONLY ever happens on work days - I have no idea why because my job isnt stressful, nor do I change my diet.

My tummy starts off normal in the morning with my trousers loose but by the end of the day they are really tight with my stomach actually painful.

I have been to the doctors about this a few years ago. There was no underlying serious problem and I was prescribed tablets (which can be bought over the counter) which didnt make much difference. The problem went away when I stopped working, and has now only just come back.

I have tried cutting back on wheat - but I dont think this could be it as I eat lots at weekends. I have tried those yogurts too but have heard they are more a marketing thing anyway.

I also seem really gassy (sorry if its too much information) and when I get home sometimes my tummy is just so big (proportionally) I look like I'm about to give birth. This is not only embarrassing but also painful. I am not overweight.

Has anyone experienced anything similar and found a solution?? I am aware they are lots of things for sale supposed to help with bloated stomachs but I dont want to waste money on silly gimmicks.

I am open to suggestions that may help.

Hello- I suffer from something very similar, with a touch of IBS- It gets very bad when I am not moving enough, and certainly at work, sitting for 8-10hours. Another factor is not just what you eat, but how much and how regularly. I have started to take smaller portions and the same time every day and also upped my vegetable and fresh fruit count. This has really helped me.

I practice yoga and when I am too busy to do my normal routine, it all goes crazy, with a heavy, hard belly and very difficult digestion. So I think being too sedentary is definetely a factor.

I would say, note what you eat and how it affects you (I know I can not touch white sliced bread) and above all, move a bit, do some streches and have very regular routines. It is very important you keep the belly area spacious and not compressed and also don't eat too much-give it time to digest propoerly. And have pelnty of fluids- you have my sympathies, it is extremely uncomofratble and can be quite painful, apart form making you feel slow and heavy...
Good luck

violetta

I find that the thing that helps most is to try not to snack in the evening once you have eaten your evening meal - quite difficult sometimes, but it does make a difference to me, and I feel the benefit very quickly.

pjk_3

You might consider taking the supplement glutamine - it's an amino acid (the most abundant non essential AA of them all) and some people with gastric symptoms find it helps. Google glutamine and IBS to get an idea of its function. Bodybuilders use it so a good (cheap) place to get it is somewhere like myprotein.co.uk or bulkpowders.co.uk. When I had digestive problems (stomach ulcer) I took a teaspoon three times a day.

Bunny

if you're feeling bloated try some boiled water, obviously let it cool a little, some people add a slice of lemon to the water for taste, I don't, to me it tastes fine without. My Grandad swears by it and he had a bit of IBS.
It's a cheap thing to try, give it a go.

savingwannabe

You could try avoiding certain foods eg milk, chocolate, fizzy pop and see if it makes a difference. I used to be sick every morning and 7 years later when i was really unwell they discovered i was allergic to dairy milk, cheese, yoghurt? Since i gave it up and went for soya milk i am a new person.

NB fizzy pop still makes me bloated!!!! I can look like a balloon!
It sounds really difficult i would go back to the dr if the suggestions on here are not helping.
Good luck, I hope you find out the cause soon.