Wellness

[AussieLuvr]

@LilacTree

I battled stomach bloat and the pain and discomfort all of my life. No reasonable explanation from medical experts.

About ten years ago, "just because" it was time I went for a routine screening colonoscopy. No family history and no particular issues (other than the bloating). Well, it turns out I had redundant bowel, which is basically "extra bowel". It isn't necessarily abnormal but it can create a real detour for stuff to make it through, gas included.

I never knew I had it until they ruptured my bowel during the colonoscopy, trying to push their way through one of my extra loops. End result: emergency, lifesaving surgery, a long miserable recovery - and no more bloating. The surgeon told me he took out the extra bowel with the loops during the repair. Now everything has a straight line to get through. I wouldn't know a thing about how to get a diagnosis for this; mine happened by mistake and oh what a mistake it was. I do not know if there is something they could have done for my bloating before the surgery; quite honestly I just got used to it since I'd had it since teenagehood. It certainly was NOT why they were in there doing a repair surgery on me, but as it turned out it completely fixed my problem.

From Google:

The average colon size is 120 to 150 centimeters (roughly 47 to 60 inches) in length. However, an individual with a redundant colon has an abnormally long colon, especially in the final section (called descending colon). A redundant colon also has additional loops or twists.

[HiLo]

My digestive problems turned out to be a lack of seritonin in the gut.  The only thing that could be done was to take antidepressants for the seritonin.  I finally discovered acupuncture and that is one of the best things I have done for this problem and for my overall health.  Yes, I've been really keen on a few alternative methods for quite some time now and they have worked for me.

[LilacTree]

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@AussieLuvrwrote:

@LilacTree

I battled stomach bloat and the pain and discomfort all of my life. No reasonable explanation from medical experts.

About ten years ago, "just because" it was time I went for a routine screening colonoscopy. No family history and no particular issues (other than the bloating). Well, it turns out I had redundant bowel, which is basically "extra bowel". It isn't necessarily abnormal but it can create a real detour for stuff to make it through, gas included.

I never knew I had it until they ruptured my bowel during the colonoscopy, trying to push their way through one of my extra loops. End result: emergency, lifesaving surgery, a long miserable recovery - and no more bloating. The surgeon told me he took out the extra bowel with the loops during the repair. Now everything has a straight line to get through. I wouldn't know a thing about how to get a diagnosis for this; mine happened by mistake and oh what a mistake it was. I do not know if there is something they could have done for my bloating before the surgery; quite honestly I just got used to it since I'd had it since teenagehood. It certainly was NOT why they were in there doing a repair surgery on me, but as it turned out it completely fixed my problem.

From Google:

The average colon size is 120 to 150 centimeters (roughly 47 to 60 inches) in length. However, an individual with a redundant colon has an abnormally long colon, especially in the final section (called descending colon). A redundant colon also has additional loops or twists.

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@AussieLuvr

Wow, now that is something else!  It's unbelievable that they never did a scan or even an ultrasound on you.  I would think they would have seen that immediately!  How lucky you were that the colonoscopy itself didn't kill you right then and there.  "Emergency surgery" for sure saved your life!

I'm happy for you that the result was excellent and cured you despite a painful recovery.  Eating must have been a whole new experience after that.  What a story!

[LilacTree]

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@HiLowrote:

My digestive problems turned out to be a lack of seritonin in the gut.  The only thing that could be done was to take antidepressants for the seritonin.  I finally discovered acupuncture and that is one of the best things I have done for this problem and for my overall health.  Yes, I've been really keen on a few alternative methods for quite some time now and they have worked for me.

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@HiLo

I would love to try acupuncture for both the RA pain and the gastrointestinal issues.  I did call an acupuncturist's office once and asked about the cost.  Unfortunately, Medicare doesn't pay for it, and the cost was prohibitive for me.

I'm happy for you that you were able to afford it and that it has helped you so much.

ETA:  This also proves the value of our discussions here.  I had no idea that 90% of serotonin exists in the gut.  I always thought it was a neurotransmitter found only in the brain.  For all I know it might be part of my problem too.

[LilacTree]

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@OKPrincesswrote:

@LilacTree I wish I had good advice for you but I don’t have a clue. I’m learning as I read your exchanges with @cherry. I’ve always heard a person has to be proactive about their own health because we know our own bodies better than anybody. I hope you are able to get the help and relief you need and soon.💐🙏🏻💐 

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@OKPrincess

We all learn here.  Thank you for your good wishes.

[stevieb]

@LilacTree I didn't take time to read the whole thread, so overlook this if it's addressed or redundant, but have you ever tried any of the yogurts offered as promoting digestive health? At this point it sounds like anything might be worth a try and when, for a time, I was having digestive upsets I had them daily, enjoyed them and did find they helped.

[LilacTree]

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@steviebwrote:

@LilacTree I didn't take time to read the whole thread, so overlook this if it's addressed or redundant, but have you ever tried any of the yogurts offered as promoting digestive health? At this point it sounds like anything might be worth a try and when, for a time, I was having digestive upsets I had them daily, enjoyed them and did find they helped.

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@stevieb

Unfortunately, I am lactose intolerant and most yogurts make my symptoms worse.  Most of them contain artificial sweeteners which are also triggers for my symptoms.  I wish I could eat yogurt because I always did when I was younger and not sick, and I liked it, especially frozen.

Thank you for your thoughtful post.

[stevieb]

@LilacTree You might want to follow this link... I did a quick Google search on yogurt for lactose intolerance and there appear to be a number of articles about options... These are simply the search results but a number of the articles look promisinng. Good luck to you!

https://www.google.com/search?q=yogurt+for+lactose+intolerance&oq=yogurt+for+lac&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i5...

[Big Joanie]

There is plain soy yogart out there....You can flavor it yourself ....

[GingerPeach]

There's also goat yoghurt which has the A2 protein that is said to be easier to digest than most other milks that have A1 protein.

Or capsules of probiotics are, of course, available.  I know, however, that adding one more capsule is one too many if you already take a lot of supplements, etc.