EVERY food is causing cramps and gas
#350110 - 09/19/09 11:27 PM
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Hi to everyone out there. I have had quite mild IBS symptoms for years (the occasional gassy episode after food, and constipation)but just within the past month EVERYTHING i eat, and i literally mean everything, has been causing excessive bloating, gas, and constipation, not to mention the accompanying cramps! I am very frustrated and if it were an option, id have given up on food all together weeks ago! Have any of you had this problem?? And more importantly, have you been able to over come it?? I desperately need some advice!
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Hi Ashleigh,
I sympathize with you. I've had IBS-C for about four years now, and had my gall bladder removed three years ago. Please read this, as I think I can help.
I struggled with severe constipation (living on Milk of Magnesia two or three times a week to have bowel movements). Fat has been an issue for me, especially since gall bladder removal. But my digestion kept getting worse, to the point that any meal which had a fair amount of protein would cause instant bloating, gas, and increase my constipation. This really created problems, as I am an avid cyclist, and found myself so deficient in protein that I developed chronic tendonitis. I tried everything: peppermint, licorice, stool softeners, etc., but at best, these treatments only made life a little less miserable.
Here is the recent revelation that changed my life. An astute friend of mine suggested that I might have low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria), which is much more common than people realize. His son had this problem, and began taking acid supplements which greatly improved his digestion. I decided to try it, and it instantly changed my life. My bloating is quickly disappearing, I can eat normal amounts of protein again, and my bowel habits are quickly returning to normal.
The supplement is called Betaine Hydrochloride (or HCL), which is stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) derived from beets. It's cheap, and you can get it at any vitamin/health supplement store.
To find out if you have low acid, buy a bottle of these tablets. Try taking one tablet at your next meal, and make sure you eat some protein. If you develop heartburn, then you don't have low acid, and your problem probably lies elsewhere. If you feel no discomfort, try two at the next meal, and so on, until you reach four tablets, or begin to develop heartburn. Most people's threshold is around two tablets (I take four at every meal with protein).
If you feel improvement, I would suggest including a probiotic with each meal for a while (my favorite is Digestive Advantage). This will help displace any pathogens which have set up shop in your colon and help reduce inflammation.
What few people realize is that stomach acid is the primary driver for most of the other digestive enzymes in your system. Without sufficient acid, pepsin cannot do it's job, which floods your intestines with undigested proteins (bad). Worse, without sufficient acid, pathogens get a free ride right into your colon, complete with free food, setting up perfect conditions for overgrowth of pathogens irritating to the bowel. After recently researching this issue heavily, my suspicion is that low stomach acid may be the root cause of most cases of IBS.
For more information on this issue, check out the following sites:
http://www.medical-library.net/Hypochlorhydria.html
http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=13388
http://www.modernherbalist.com/betaine.html
I hope this helps you as it did me.
Todd in Vermont
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Welcome to the board 
Have you been back to see a GI specialist to determine if you now have something other than IBS?
It would be helpful if you posted the meals and snacks you have eaten for the past 2-3 days.
--------------------
STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Hi Todd. I have heard and read about this before. Since I am one of those people who pops a Prilosec almost daily, I have wondered about this for myself.
I guess Big Pharma wouldn't want too many to know of this, since it would cut into their big profits from the patented acid blockers/reducers they cram down our throats on a daily basis. 
I found a great new naturopathic doc and I will bring this up to him next time. 
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Hi guys! Todd, thankyou so much for your suggestion! I will go to the health store today and pick some of that up! Just posting this before i head off to work so havnt had a chance to get to those links, but i will! I am currently taking a probiotic, that was suggested to me by a pharmacist. So fingers crossed that by adding HCL ill see improvements!
In response to whether i have looked into other medical reasons for my symptoms, im going back to the doctor today to insist some blood work and an ultrasound or scan of some sort! - Just to rule out anything serious.
Does anyone else get sick of doctors saying "well it's probably IBS, just change your eating habbits and see if that helps" Argh, frustrating! I also get alot of "you're too young for it to be anything serious" (im 22) anywho... enough of my ranting on the subject of doctors!... 
Thanks so much for the info! I'll definately keep you posted on the results
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I see so many posters with IBS symptoms and heartburn. What is it with western medical doctors who say those two are not in any way related? It seems like they know less about our bodies than we do, even though they are supposed experts.
I am just starting to see a naturopathic doctor as well. She did her full exam last week. We spent 2 hours just talking about all of my health concerns. It was a huge relief just to be heard. I look forward to hearing her treatment plan at our appointment this week. I love how she took so much time getting to know me, and is going to look over all of my previous blood tests, my medical history and symptoms, and will spend time working up a treatment plan. This, is as opposed to spending 15 minutes with me, then telling me to take this medicine or that, as all other doctors have done in the past. She's also going to work with the EFI diet. She says she doesn't want to change things that are working for me. Awesome!
I just hope she can help heal this heartburn/reflux. It sucks!!
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Yes Frygurl, I think it's all interconnected.
Insurance companies dictate a doc's time with a patient (it's all about profit, ya know),so hence my decision for a naturopathic doc. I really like her. And you are right, it is great to be heard instead of being dictated to. All most of us want, is just to be heard.
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Hi Gerikat,
I forgot to mention in my first post that it seems that low stomach acid can produce the same symptoms as too much acid (i.e. heartburn, GERD, etc.). As a result, many doctors react to what they perceive as an obvious case of "too much acid," and prescribe antacid based medications. I also wonder about a possible connection between low stomach acid and Osteoporosis, since the body is incapable of absorbing calcium when acid levels are too low.
Regarding "Big Pharma," I agree that there's not much profit potential marketing stomach acid supplements which only cost around $10 a month. But I wouldn't be too critical of doctors on this issue. My physician is also a friend of mine, and a really good guy. When he diagnosed me with IBS about three years ago, his primary advice was to use occasional doses of laxatives as needed, and he shrugged his shoulders and told me "we really don't know what causes it." I think that's probably true for most physicians, and in fact, is why I'm scheduled to see him later today to share with him my recent discoveries.
Good luck with your naturopath.
Todd
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Yes, you are right. I am very tough on doctors. I guess it stems from my very bad experiences. I don't have a problem with a doc saying, "I don't know", as a matter of fact, I respect that. I get upset when some docs I have seen won't 'hear me', but dictate and poo-poo any ideas I have. You should be able to work in partnership with your doc, and that is the kind of relationship I prefer. I have even had a doctor tell me Heather's diet was ridiculous, to eat more fiber, and I just got up and walked out of the office. I don't owe that doctor a darn thing. They don't have a clue. So, I guess as with anything in life, there are good docs and bad docs, ya know.
Yes, I have also read about the osteoporosis connection and acid blockers/reducers. It does make sense to me, if too little stomach acid were to be your problem.
I will surely have it checked out. You take care, and stay well.
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Hi Todd, I tried your lastest discovery with the betaine and I also tested myself with baking soda and Im low acid. I was wondering what your doctor has to say about it cuz Im reluctant to take anything without knowing its safe. It did work but Im wondering if I would have to take it for the rest of my life. Good Luck at the docs.
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