Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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There's lots of great info on PH about reducing gas production, i.e. by eliminating FODMAPS and gluten grains. What I still can't figure out, after 15 years of this crazy-making IBS, is why doesn't gas move out of my body in normal way, like it did pre-IBS. And are there any tricks I can try to make it do so - I do massage (to myself or by RMTs), yoga poses, all sorts of body contortions in bed (that sounds sexier than it is), cold compresses to induce blood flow/peristalsis, drink hot liquids (fennel tea is often touted for gas but does nothing for me). Simethicone (in Gas-X) and Charcoal tablets also doesn't work for me. Most of what I do yields nothing.

Trapped gas has been such a problem for me at night, it led to a serious alcohol dependence in my 20s (the only way I could get to sleep) and for the past few years I've been on zopiclone and melatonin to get to sleep, but I'm building tolerance to the meds and my doctor wants me to get off the zopiclone, not double my dose as I'd like to. I am exhausted, but so bloody uncomfortable I can't sleep.

Is the gas not passing because I have sluggish peristalsis - there's just not enough smooth muscle movement in my colon to move it through? Since I get a lot of colon spasm, I know the gas gets trapped between the spasming sections. However, even when I don't feel spasmed, like right now, the gas is just THERE and won't move. It used to be that the gas would pass in the night or early morning. Now, really the only time I pass gas is right before I have a poop, usually once a day.

I know that IBS sufferers have an increased sensitivity to gas in their colons. (In controlled studies, if you insert a flaccid balloon up someone's bum with IBS and then starting inflating it with air, they start noticing it before the person without IBS does.) I don't know how to reduce my sensitivity to gas (if you do, please tell me!), so I take EVERY precaution I can think of to avoid creating it the first place. But I still get a buildup of gas every day, so if anyone knows of any way to get it OUT I will name my first child after you. Of all my IBS symptoms this is the one that is most severely impacting my quality of life.

Would more liquids make a difference? More food, period, to ramp up my digestion/peristalsis? (I do tend to undereat because I'm so afraid that foods will give me gas.)

flag	asked Feb 26 2012 at 13:43 Renee 11.1k●1●4●42

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Renee I hope it will get better. Have you tried ZC as a therapeutic elimination diet? Have you tried trying different amounts of carbs? Do you use gelatin or fermented foods like apple cider vinegar? – Korion Feb 26 2012 at 13:47

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Is the therapeutic effect of ZC the fact that it nukes all of the microflora? – Travis Culp♦ Mar 21 2012 at 20:14

have you had x-rays? – Bread-Eating Beelzebub Mar 21 2012 at 20:56

Melissa, I've had ultrasounds, colonoscopy, defecagram (you don't wanna know) etc. Came back normal. My osteopath says he can feel the sheathing of my colon is twisted and so the colon is too narrow at my upper right corner for contents to move from the ascending to the transverse. He's doing adjustments to correct this - can't say i feel any difference yet. – Renee Mar 22 2012 at 1:17

Travis, I do wonder if the fact that I've limited carbs for years to reduce the bloat has only worsened the problem by starving off my flora. I am now doing more white rice (a cup a day) as well as a little acacia fiber which is prebiotic, and of course a good probiotic. – Renee Mar 22 2012 at 1:18

henny · Answer 1 · 2012-02-26 17:58:05Z UTC

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That has to be uncomfortable! Have you tried doing the kid sleep position with head down, bum up in the air? Hot air rises.

answered Feb 26 2012 at 17:58

henny

Mafalda · Answer 2 · 2012-03-21 13:13:32Z UTC

Hi Renee! I really hope you are feeling better.

I understand what you are going through. I suffer from ulcerative colitis, so gas is also a part of my life.

I believe the best thing you should do is to change your diet. I became a vegan a year ago and my blood analyses are much better. However, I am now adjusting this new lifestyle to my condition, because certain vegetables cause gas.

Probably the same happens to you. I advise you to consult a homeopath. I did it in the past and it really helped me cope with UC.

Next, drink plenty of liquids, namely tea. As you mentioned, Fennel tea is good to treat gas and other digestive problems, but it didn't work for you.

Try Catnip tea instead. It's an herbal sedative, able to relieve stress and sooth your anxiety. It is very useful to treat insomnia as it relaxes the mind too. This tea could help you sleep.

Moreover, catnip tea can also relieve stomach complaints, such as colic, diarrhea, cramps and flatulence.

http://www.therighttea.com/catnip-tea.html

You should give it a try and combine it with other eating options.

Let me know how you are doing.

primallykosher · Answer 3 · 2012-03-21 19:38:50Z UTC

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Seaweed and brazil nuts might help. The combination makes me fart a lot.

answered Mar 21 2012 at 19:38

primallykosher
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Dragonfly · Answer 4 · 2012-03-21 19:58:49Z UTC

FODMAPS really do me in. I do well with only cooked spinach or chard for vegetables, also potatoes work for me, but not sweet potatoes! NO fruit, but plenty of gelatin and liver for micronutrients. Sucrose in small amounts for additional carbs.

Try doing the "wind removing" yoga pose: Lay on your back & clasp one knee to your chest at a time.

Why can’t I pass gas? (sorry this is long and weird but I’d love any feedback)

4 Answers