I know that feeling when bloatings build up once I lay down at night. But only for a short time, till I can release them (or visit the bathroom once more).

If that keeps bugging you for hours, even if you didn't eat for several hours before going to bed, then there is something wrong. One idea is to change antibiotics (like trying doxycycline for SIBO) for some time or going off antibiotics for one to two weeks so they can have better effect afterwards. For me the combination of Cipro + Flagyl (at low dose for chronic use) has always been the best, but that is individual.

Another thing I always think of when I hear about serious gas and grumbling that makes sleep impossible for hours is an experience I once had during a rehab. After some days I was exhausted and tore my mattress out of the bed to sleep in a different corner of the room (the bed was bolted to the wall). That helped immediately, no more problems afterwards. I also validated it by trying to sleep in the bed again some days later. No way. That was a really striking experience and it never happended to me again in that intensity. So changing the sleeping berth position may be worth a try.

So sorry you’re experiencing this!  I’ve had similar uncomfortable gas & bloating, and hate it. I think it’s common with J-pouchers. I’ve always thought I did best on a low fiber diet. I read on this site someone suggested Metamucil, which seemed counter-intuitive to me since it’s a fiber supplement, but thought I’d try it.
Since starting Metamucil tabs 10 days ago my gas & bloating is SO much better. Drink plenty of water with it. I’m taking 2-3 tablets twice a day. You can buy the powder also, I’m assuming it works the same. My abdomen isn’t distended from uncomfortable gas like it usually was. I’ve had my pouch since 2003. I wish I would have started this years ago. I just started this 10 days ago so hope it continues to work. ?
Don’t know if it will help you like it has me. You may have a totally unrelated issue, but I thought I’d mention my recent experience with such an easy fix.
I also have had pouchitis for years which responds to Zithromax antibiotic, which I’m still taking. I also take Culturelle probiotic daily. I’ve taken Pepto-Bismol, Imodium, Gas-Ex, Mylanta, Alka-Seltzer, Tums, Pepcid, as the dr says I have acid in my stomach & I thought maybe that was causing the gas. They help somewhat sometimes, Pepto-Bismol helping the most, but I haven’t had to take any of these the last 10 days. I’ve also found that keeping my meals small & not overeating helps with the gas. (Easier said than done sometimes).  
Good luck!  I understand what you’re going through.

In addition to the good suggestions others have made, you might try reducing (or even eliminating) carbs (both sugars and starches) for a couple of days, just to see if the sugar in your gut is encouraging the wrong sort of bacteria.

Beano works great, but only on a very specific source of gas: beans and cruciferous vegetables. It does nothing for other sources of gas.

Is it possible that you’re swallowing a lot of air? Things like rapid eating and anxiety can make that worse. Or maybe too much soda or seltzer?

Good luck!

Hello,

I think the replies above should help you. As a point of reference I have been going thru the same issue for the last few days, and I take gasx 3 times per day.

out of nowhere I am experiencing a high amount of overnight gas. Not the stinky kind, but thankfully my partner is a heavy sleeper

i don’t know why this is happening but I suspect it will abate at some point and I will go back to my normal routine. I am not going to panic or change eating habits for now.

Thank you all so much, for your advice, related stories, and well-wishes! Everything so far has been hugely helpful. I especially intend to revisit both Metamucil (tried it years ago for different GI issues) and Pepto. In my original post, I didn't mention that I've struggled with constipation and difficulties in emptying the pouch over the years, and that's part of why I tend to avoid fiber completely. But, perhaps a balance can be struck.

I also very much appreciate all of the helpful antibiotic and carb-related suggestions, as I further narrow things down. I picked up one of the more popular digestive enzymes, which has Amylase in it (for carbs), to see if that might also make a dent in things.

And, yes, I do suffer from anxiety and likely swallow more air than I'd like, so those are excellent points too!

Hang in there!  I’m not sure my advice of Metamucil & Pepto would help you if you have problems with constipation. I have the opposite problem, acid burning watery stool x 10 times a day. But like you said there may be a balance. We’re not always comparing apples to apples!  There are so many variables dealing with J-pouch issues. Not only are our bodies different, but it depends on the surgeon & result of surgery.  I’m still learning after 20 years!  Thank goodness we have this site to bounce ideas & experiences off each other.

I don’t know whether this will work or not, but as we (mostly) tend to pass gas while lying down, maybe you could try lying down (or getting into whatever position is most conducive for you to pass gas) for say 15 minutes at an earlier time in the day.

Also, there is a recent thread about the low FODMAPS diet. Maybe you could have a look at your diet and see whether anything you are eating is high in FODMAPS and cut back on those items for a trial period to see whether that helps.

I’ve had intense overnight gas too - it started about 1.5 years ago when I started to catheterize (per instructions from Dr. Tracy Hull) because my pouch doesn’t empty properly. I’ve thought that my problem was related to catheterization but I’ve tried all kinds of tricks to make sure I’m not introducing air into the catheter and nothing has helped. However, Dr. Hull also recommended that I stop taking Metamucil, which I’d taken for years. Now, after reading your posts, I’m wondering if stopping Metamucil is the culprit.  Why would this be the case?  Any ideas?  I also stopped taking elavil after seeing Dr. Hull but I decreased from 10-0 mg very gradually.  Dr. Quazi at CCF suggested that this might be the problem but I”d much prefer to stay off the elavil and the timing isn’t quite right. Thanks so much!  (Catheterizing sucks!)

@scallop

Whenever you change multiple things at once the results can be very hard to figure out. In any case, it’s very easy to try Metamucil for a few days to see if adding it back makes a difference. Lots of gas can also be a sign of SIBO, and if that’s the case it’s worth treating.

SIBO test negative (although I know it’s not completely accurate).   And gas is way worse at night - wouldn’t expect that with SIBO - probably related to too much fiber with dinner.   (I love to eat fiber which is not optimal j-pouch food!). Thanks

Not all fiber is created equal. When I eat broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, etc. I *always* take Beano to reduce the gas. Gas can fill up a pouch pretty easily, and then there’s no room for poop.

Of the foods you mentioned I only eat broccoli and occasionally teeny amounts of cauliflower but I might as well give beano a try.  

Thanks!

I honestly think that gas is going to be a part of our lives. The colon absorbs gas so since the colon is gone- were always going to have extra gas unfortunately. I think its just a matter of accepting.

What helps my gas is Maalox, its treats painful gas too! https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/...alox-ms-oral/details