Gas Problems

First, be sure you do not have pouchitis.

Most intestinal gas is due to bacterial action on undigested carbs. So, if you are lacking in lactase, as most of the non northern European descent adults are, you need to limit milk based foods. Same is true for a variety of other grain and vegetable carbs. Another strategy is to reduce the gas forming bacteria, as bacterial overgrowth is an issue for many of us who do not have a colon. This can be accomplished with probiotics, with varying results, or antibiotics, also with varying results. Personally, I've had virtually no luck with diet, minimal results with probiotics (but still take them), and good results with antibiotics. Once pouchitis is under control, I have not needed continuous antibiotics.

Jan

i was diagnosed with ibs post surgery and this is my number one issue. for me the next step (after a lot) is to try the fodmap diet. 

I looked into the fodmap diet, but many of those foods on that list are things I wouldn't touch if I was having problems as many are triggers for me. I am now looking into the paleo diet, I've done some research suggesting this diet. Things like dairy and grains are excluded from that diet (I think these carbs might be a major source of my gas problems as I eat alot of bread/pasta/rice) and instead protein rich foods and fruits and veggies are at the center. However, I will be slightly modifying it as raw fruits and veggies are not good, so I will be limiting myself on types of fruits and veggies I know work well and will be cooking the veggies.

Jan Dollar posted:

First, be sure you do not have pouchitis.

Most intestinal gas is due to bacterial action on undigested carbs. So, if you are lacking in lactase, as most of the non northern European descent adults are, you need to limit milk based foods. Same is true for a variety of other grain and vegetable carbs. Another strategy is to reduce the gas forming bacteria, as bacterial overgrowth is an issue for many of us who do not have a colon. This can be accomplished with probiotics, with varying results, or antibiotics, also with varying results. Personally, I've had virtually no luck with diet, minimal results with probiotics (but still take them), and good results with antibiotics. Once pouchitis is under control, I have not needed continuous antibiotics.

Jan

Its not pouchitis, I've had pouchitis. It was like having all my symptoms of UC all over again. I don't feel sick, its just an excess gas problem. Thank you for your reply though.

Cut the dairy for a few weeks and see if it helps. Onions, peppers & beans do me in.

I havent eaten beans or hot peppers for years.  But will definitely be limiting my dairy.

Paula, for the experiment to be most useful I'd suggest *completely eliminating* dairy for a period of time.  You'll potentially learn a lot more than if you just reduce dairy.

I have the same gas issue, I do take Immodium and that seems to relieve it and reduce the bathroom trips.  I think a lot of it has to do with what you eat and alot of foods cause gas.  Good luck

I take Schiff's probiotics with gas defense formula (Digestive advantage) before my meals and that works pretty well for me. No matter what I eat. I suspect it's just a combination of a probiotic with a Beano like substance.

If it's a very bad smelling gas, I take Xifaxan for a week that treats any bad bacteria in the intestines.

Hope it may help someone.

Maxx.

Paula, I have the same issue and I know I do not have any infections or pouchitis. So as I read these comments I think I will try to reduce my dairy intake, this is the only thing I have not tried.  I've tried the diets, probiotics I do not do well with them.  I take Immodium and that helps a bit but I continue to have gas issues.

Good luck and if you have success please let us know.

I have also been having terrible gas and bloating and discomfort. And dang is this gas smelly. I am vegan so I don't consume dairy or anything but maybe it's the bread I can't really eat a lot just bread and nut butter and avocados and protein shakes and even with that I'm in the bathroom 10 to 20 times a day. I tried to be gluten free but that just made me go to the bathroom even more as there was nothing to bind me up. Rice is a recipe for disaster unfortunately it just doesn't digest and I end up in the bathroom all day. I take probiotics but I don't know what else to do. 

What are the symptoms of pouchitis? 

Pouchitis commonly includes frequency, urgency, and sometimes leakage.  It's usually easily treated with 10-14 days of Cipro or Flagyl. People trying to manage these symptoms with diet are generally disappointed.

Hi everybody,

I haven’t check the forum in a while.  Really poor health last 2 years. I have my JPouch since 2014 because UC, and it have been a very bumpy road since then.  Right now my biggest issue is gas elimination. According to my surgeon in Cleveland Clinic FL., my pouch is kind in an angle and it is no way to fix it without taking the risk of losing it.  This situation makes extremely hard for me to eliminate gas (and stool as well).  I tried pelvic floor therapy, knees on my chest laying on my left side, walks, different ways to seat in the toilet, kneel. etc. The gas produce me so much pain, blockage and bloating sensation, sometimes I can’t even bear and cry in pain.  Have tried laxatives, Castor oil, and those cause me watery diarrhea and no solution at all.  Does anyone have an idea, advise, or simply having a similar issue?
Thank you in advance!
Laura

Have you tried doing the downward dog pose with head down low and butt higher? Even give your butt a shaking. This moved the gas around and allowed it and stool to be expelled easily.

Thank you so much for your response 🙏🏼  Ill give it a try.  I’m pretty desperate.  It feels I have constant urge to go to the bathroom, because the gas is moving inside of me,  but I’m not able to pass it.  Sometimes Im able to pass just part of it.  That relieves the pain for short periods of time.  

Hi all,

I know I am stating the obvious, but two things to consider:

1. trying gasx or similar simethicone product.  It does not work for everyone but for me taking one pill after meals and bedtime eliminates 95% of my gas issues.

2. Being tested for SIBO. I had it, and a two month course of antibiotics relieved the very horrible gas I was having at the time.

Hi! Thank you for the advice,  I’m on GasX (the strongest one) right now, but on the indications I read, no more than 2 pills a day.  I take one after bfast and one after dinner.  How many do you take daily?  Maybe I should increase my dose.

I’m on Xifaxan right now, I think that eliminates the chance of SIBO right? I do prefer Vancomycin but my GI is against it because cause me constipation.  

Was gas the only symptom of the SIBO?  What was the most horrible thing about it the SIBO gas?

Xifaxin is a first line drug for sibo. I was on bactrim for a month for unrelated UTI’s and it knocked out the SIBO. My GI was not surprised and told me that his preference is xifaxan, doxycycline and bactrim.

the worst part of the SIBO gas was that gasx could not stop it, I had a-lot of frequency and worst of all I thought my BMs smelled like horse shit 😣

as for gasx I take at breakfast, dinner and bedtime, sometimes 2 at dinner. Bottle says 4 per day max, dose of 125mg.

hth

Thank you for the info.  In my case my JPouch hardly function correctly without antibiotics regarding consistency.  I usually deal with watery diarrhea about 10 times a day.  I would be ok with that but the gas elimination is the awful part.  I noticed sometimes I bend over, I have urges to pass gas or doing #2.  It works, but sometimes it doesn’t.  

@Clark_00 posted:

I have also been having terrible gas and bloating and discomfort. And dang is this gas smelly. I am vegan so I don't consume dairy or anything but maybe it's the bread I can't really eat a lot just bread and nut butter and avocados and protein shakes and even with that I'm in the bathroom 10 to 20 times a day. I tried to be gluten free but that just made me go to the bathroom even more as there was nothing to bind me up. Rice is a recipe for disaster unfortunately it just doesn't digest and I end up in the bathroom all day. I take probiotics but I don't know what else to do.

What are the symptoms of pouchitis?

Symptoms of pouchitis for me include greenish or yellowish output that’s more liquid than usual and smells different, increased frequency, aching muscles, feeling a bit feverish, and abdominal cramps.

I’m not an expert and I’ve never had it diagnosed officially as it was always mild and went away within a week. I would get it two or three times a year.

It's so good to read what individuals experience with their pouch.  I also have never had pouchitis officially diagnosed, but I know what "itis" means and if things feel inflamed and there are other symptoms of mild infection like the fever, etc., I can guess that must be it or near it.  When I have soreness in the pouch area or anal area but no other symptoms, I have found that drinking a small amount of aloe gel or juice in water a few times a day really helps soothe and heal the tissue.  I also add a couple drops of chlorophyll because it does the same.  I usually notice a difference right away, and only do this for a day or two.  Aloe can also act as a bit of a laxative but if I'm regulating the rate of passage with psyllium, I don't find the aloe speeds things up to the point of irritation.

I have been experimenting on myself a lot lately and really paying attention to the results.  It's been good learning and I know I have much more to do.  I also learn a lot from this group.  I really appreciate y'all!!