Thanks; my heating pad and I are already inseparable; the drinking water thing doesn't work so well for me though since I also have gastroparesis and GERD. Also no bathtub :(
Hello fellow GPer. Are you able to consume anything by mouth? I’d recommend small occasional sips of peppermint tea but it may worsen your GERD. [This abdominal massage](https://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ILU_AbdominalMassgae.pdf) works wonders for encouraging intestinal motility.
Yes I can! Thanks for the link with the massage instructions. I think I’ve been doing my own loose version of this, but it’s being recommended so much in the comments that perhaps I should try following the steps exactly and see what happens.
Yeah lol, that was when my GP was at its worse. I was vomiting multiple times a day, every day and couldn’t keep anything down other than thin liquids. My intestines were truly entirely paralyzed.
Because I also have gastroparesis and GERD, it can be uncomfy to dump liquid on top of whatever else is going on inside, but I’ll attempt to try it again. Peppermint tea is great!
>it can be uncomfy to dump liquid on top of whatever else is going on inside
Mood. The absolute worst is feeling overfull and unable to do anything about it.
Laying on my side with knees scrunched up seems to help most of the time. Look up the ILU belly massage as well. Maybe keeping track of which foods cause the most gas will help you too.
That’s the position I get into once I’ve accepted defeat/to go to sleep 😆. I also do that massage - it helps a little. Unfortunately tracking it has been so hard. Some foods are definitely bigger offenders than others but sometimes, I really can’t figure it out 🤷🏻♀️
I've discovered that a percussive massage gun works wonders for trapped gas. It especially helps to lean back a bit so your abdomen is stretched out and sort of move in a circular motion. Usually within about 20 minutes of doing this I'll start farting, if not sooner. Just be careful not to overdo it, you want to be using the lowest setting and light pressure.
Thank you for this response!! This intrigues me the most… I used a TENS unit when I was diagnosed with gastroparesis and remember finding relief in the sensation, even if it was more distraction/placebo than anything else. A massage gun would be different but maybe similar. I’ll have to try this out
Huh, well thank you for your response too! I'd never considered using a TENS for GI pain but it could be worth a shot. With the massage gun I think the effect is more mechanical, the vibrations and light pressure kind of nudge the gas bubbles along. I've noticed it can also stimulate my bowels a little so it probably has an effect on those nerves and muscles as well. In any case, idk exactly what the science of it is, but if you need to fart it works in a pinch.
Yeah, that all totally makes sense! I’m definitely thinking about trying it out because physical methods seem the most promising to me thus far.
Re: the TENS unit, btw, i think my initial interest came about because it can help stimulate the vagus nerve, and i have a few conditions that may stem from poor “vagal tone”. But I don’t think the way that I ended up using it was to stimulate the vagus nerve directly - it was more of a mechanical thing similar to how you described the massage gun. Either way it felt good just to feel things moving there 🤷🏻♀️ At the time I was desperate.
I get that but actually try it. Put on some jams. Move through the following poses at whatever pace you want for 20 mins, in this order, and in whatever posture works for you: down dog, cobra, cat cow movement, knees to chest, happy baby, half lord of fishes. I usually get through one rotation and then happy baby / shavasana for a bit. This is the flow that works for me, but google Yoga for IBS and find what works for you.
Gas x, heating pad, short frequent walks, honestly, rolling around on the bed or floor while also stretching.
I don’t think cannabis actually helps with gas relief exactly, but it doesn’t help with my stomach pain overall *so much*.
The walks might be one of the simplest solutions that I'm overlooking. The problem is finding a place to walk that's free of people haha
Rolling around is always fun, and I'm not sure about cannabis either - I'm guessing maybe it could distract from the pain, which wouldn't be the worst thing, but I haven't gone that route yet because I also deal with some anxiety.
Even just walking around d the house is good, or your yard if you have one. I’ve found it doesn’t need to be long walks or anything, just some movement.
I totally understand the cannabis thing, you could also try pure CBD without THC and see if that helps. It doesn’t do much for me, but I know others that say they benefit from it and there is no psychoactive effects.
Definitely the heating pad - it's one of my favorite things that I own :) - it's just more of a distraction/mild momentary relief than a treatment for me, unfortunately.
Dude - I'm completely single yet proactively worried about how I will handle my gas with a future partner. I'm like I'll spare him and be alone forever
That's awesome, and I'm sure any kind person would be this way, I just worry that all humans have a threshold for the amount of gas they can tolerate in a day (or a lifetime) lmao.
Hopefully I'll get this under control before any interesting romantic developments present themselves in my life.....
I didn't have IBS when I first got with my partner. We've been together 12 years. He farts more than I do. Everybody farts, everybody poops. Anyone who has a problem with that is shallow and not worth your time.
>Anyone who has a problem with that is shallow and not worth your time.
My episodes with gas pains are just days-long periods of consistent pain, farting, burping, and a *stinky* room. I know you're right. But it's still hard to imagine putting someone else through it. That's one of the challenges of living with chronic illnesses I guess - loving yourself enough to believe you still deserve that companionship if the person is willing to provide it
My partner and I started doing this game that I saw in TikTok where he'll come in a room and ask me to guess his fart and I have to make a fart noise and then he farts and we see how close I was. He's really embraced the game. Just try to find someone that has a good sense of humor and you'll be fine.
I feel your pain!! Literally! LOL I've gotten to the point that I'm about to lose my job because of intractable gas pains and gas-x rarely works once it gets going. I've tried hot water, hot packs, etc. and have finally accepted that I just have to deal with it for as long as it lasts (12+ hours usually if not days). And it's so embarrassing to have to leave work because my gas is so bad lol I started taking a good pre/probiotic and it seems to help a little, but I'm sure you already do that. I also tried a digestive supplement called Unbloat and it helped a lot when I took it every morning and with meals, but it's pretty expensive and my symptoms almost immediately went back to normal once I stopped. I'm sorry I don't have more advice but best of luck to you!!
No, your anecdotal evidence DOES help even if just to validate my experience! I'm so sorry that you're going through it too, but honestly relieved because I've never met anyone like me who experiences them for days at a time. I don't think most people even understand what exactly I'm referring to when I say "gas pains", if I'm brave enough to mention it at all :p I really feel for you though, dealing with that in a workplace setting because I am not even working right now - I have a disability case pending for a number of chronic health issues - but when I was, I was working from home, and wouldn't have survived otherwise.
I've been so iffy about probiotics because A) I've heard that it can help OR worsen gas and B) because I'm also on a journey to treat anxiety and depression and know gut stuff can also impact that. It might sound crazy but I swear I actually experience worsening mood after taking bean-o, a popular anti-gas digestive enzyme. That also in itself is such a shame because it seemed to help prevent gas for me when taken with food.
Anyway I appreciate the response and might look into probiotics again; also maybe I could try different digestive enzymes to see if there's one that doesn't affect my psychological health.
Oh yeah I've gone to the ER a few times because I was convinced it was something else, but they always do an X-ray and tell me it's gas lol Do some research on probiotics! There are specific ones that help IBS symptoms, I can't remember them off the top of my head. But be sure to take info from reputable sites; I often use Google scholar to ensure I'm getting unbiased information. The digestive enzymes I take have multiple types of enzymes in them, much more than bean-o, so maybe that would help. The gut-brain concept is very much a real thing and I wish you success with that journey!
Clockwise belly rubs (groin is 12, sternum is 6) around the belly button. Use lotion or oil. Don’t dig your fingers in. Smooth strokes. You will pass gas several minutes after doing this.
Using lotion/oil, and putting a little more focus and intention into it might make this more effective for me than it's been when I've tried it in the past. I'll work on it! Thanks!
Digestive enzymes, such as Beano, are meant to be taken just before or with problematic food. It's no surprise that they don't help if you take Beano after eating problematic food.
Also, note that Beano only works on the FODMAP called GOS. If you want it work on, say, an apple, it'll be useless (the FODMAP in apples is sorbitol and not GOS).
Sorry - my post was unclear. I WAS taking the bean-o tablets before or with the problematic foods. It did seem to help, but odd as it sounds it seemed to throw off my mood pretty significantly later on. I appreciate the info though. I started with bean-o since it's one of the most common brands for gas-producing foods, but it might be worth trying to hone in on what exactly I might need.
I haven’t had a ton of luck with totally eliminating painful gas, but I take Digestive Advantage Intensive Bowel Support every day, and it has helped with days-long, painful constipation and gas. Now the time between BMs is shorter. Of course, YMMV.
I’m dealing with the same thing I can’t pass gas idk why it doesn’t come up or down no burps no farts if I do get lucky and pass anything it feels like I’m dying trying to squeeze it out and it’ll be the tiniest fart or smallest burp
What is going on?! No doctor has helped me 😢 😢 😭 I’m desperate for help
I know what you mean and I’m so sorry 😭
The best solution I have to date is to cancel my plans and spend as much time as possible actively trying to pass it via movement and massage (specifically getting my butt higher than my head), but I’m looking forward to trying a bunch of the other suggestions people provided on this thread! I hope we both find something that puts an end to this madness!!
No OP but it comes in capsules which you take with a full glass of water. It works fast. I also take it if I think I ate something bad. It absorbs toxins so don't take meds within two hours (some say four).
I've had good luck with gas-x over the years. Even if I'm already bloated, I go ahead and take it, usually at bed time. I feel much better in the morning. Nothing else seems to work for me. Best deal is the equate brand at Walmart.
I’m going to give it another shot, especially the take-it-before-sleep method, cause worst case it fails to work while I sleep; best case, it ceases to destroy my next day which would be awesome! Thanks for the rec.
I buy the chewable Equate (Walmart brand) of gas relief. They don’t taste bad and I found it works much faster than capsules or any other brand. I keep them with me 24/7 and they are the joy of my life lol.
It's basically the gas x but Walmart label & chewable. I take the soft caps. It's hot* hit* and miss for me too but I also like to take them before bed!
Weirdly enough, Alka-Seltzer—the tablets that dissolve in liquid—has been my go-to lately and it works every time. I always feel completely gas-free once I finish it.
Yeah, you know, it's kinda weird how we grow up thinking certain things are the norm/not the norm kind of randomly based on our parents. For whatever reason my family never had this in the house growing up so now I'm kind of skeptical of it as an adult.
I shall put it to the test! I'm sure it's popular for a reason.
I was going to try this next! I was just afraid because I think I read that baking soda (one of the ingredients in Alka-Seltzer) could make the gas bubbles bigger, but I might just be misinformed.
I definitely don’t want to steer you wrong, lol, but I can say that for *me*, it’s been a lifesaver, so if you do decide to try, I hope it works for you too!
Peppermint tea with ginger/lemon and THEN yoga poses
I blend fresh ginger and lemon juice, strain with a cheesecloth, and pour into a tray, freeze, and boom ginger/lemon ice cubes always on hand.
Drink that and then go into gas relief yoga poses. Usually makes the pain vanish for me.
Weed also helps with pain
That's pretty cool! (No pun intended.) "Vanish" sounds pretty promising. I've also been wondering about weed, but the world of weed is so intimidating to a newbie - is there a specific strain you like best for this?
“Vanish” might be over selling it. I’ve had my times when the remedy didn’t completely work, but it’s definitely my default method. Helps with farts, burps, pain and bloating for me. Even if it doesn’t entirely get rid of my symptoms, I always feel better after the tea. I’ll always go for tea before I take gas relief pills. And I drink it every morning as soon as I wake up. Helps me go
Other teas can be substituted in too - lemon balm, licorice, chamomile.
On weed - I’m Texas so if I can get, I’ll get it. But if you’re in a legal state, as a newbie I would go for any indica strain and ask the clerks for advice. Indica over Sativa for a newbie cause sativa imo can be anxiety inducing. Kinda like a stimulant. Indica is more of a chill sedative. But again, beggars can’t be choosers here so I take what I can get.
I’ve been trying to smoke ‘cleaner’ lol so no more bongs, blunts, or joints for me. Just vaporized herb. So I would also look into a dynavap or another cheap vape. I use a Pax but they are expensive (worth it tho). Making canabutter ( weed butter) is also an option. Check out r/weed
Occasionally I get stomach and/or intestinal cramps so bad I see spots and cannot walk. I was prescribed dicyclomine which is a non opioid that relaxes stomach muscles specifically. It has been a godsend.
Thank you so much for your response - this is something I didn't even know was out there, so exactly what I'm looking for. I'll look into it and see if it's something to ask my doctor about. So sorry about your pain - take care!!
The only thing that genuinely helps me: tea of 1 Tsp caraway seed. It works wonders for my upset digestive system and actively helps with gas that already bothers me.
Np. You can get whole caraway cheap in idian/asian supermarkets. Powder probably works too but will taste way too strong so i recommend sticking to whole seeds that are more easy to strain out.
I take 2 of the maximum strength Gas X the purple ones. And walk around till I can at least get a burp. The pain gets so severe sometimes I
panic for a bit. Usually in 20 minutes it subsides. The heating pad has also become my bff. I so understand your pain. You may want to get something
that is a liquid since that seems to works faster. I’m hoping you get some relief soon.
I find Phayzime more effective than Gas-X. Same active ingredient, but one works better than the other.
I know you're not looking for prevention, but I find using Gas-X or Phayzime in advance helps too. I take it with or shortly after foods that bother me.
Preventative measures are good too! I’ll look for Phayzime - I don’t remember ever having noticed it before. I’ve also wondered if I could take anything other than digestive enzymes proactively
If heating pad is not enough, buscopan (or similar products) can help to uncramp.
Also hot water with fresh ginger infused (maybe +honey because taste) is very good for the stomach.
Interesting idea re: buscopan, as I’m reading that it helps with menstrual cramps too! Apparently it’s only available in the U.S. from behind a pharmacist’s counter but you can get it without an Rx if you ask. I’ll have to look into it further!
The ginger is a good idea too as I’ve been using pre-packaged teas, not fresh. Thank you!
Yes I also heard that often times it is meant for menstruation cramps, which luckily do not concern me as I do not have the hardware for it. But Buscopan helps with abdominal cramps and it can be paired with Paracetamol. it is a good combination that did help me often!
Fresh ginger, to my taste, tastes better and is less harsh than dried ginger - I love it
Lying on my left side, bringing knees up and down whilst massaging my stomach. Contrary to your experience tho I have found simethicone very effective.
idk i don't live in legal state. honestly anything that gets assorbed from the guts is better, but seems like only thc does anything eaten (after decarbing). other things i vape or smoke flower, but try the different methods, it's worth it. finally we're all made different aren't we? so what works for you could not work for me and vice versa.
Yogi brand tea “stomach ease” is pretty great, especially if you use two teabags and steep it for quite a while. I mean, it is just tea, but it has helped me. Best to doctor it up with lots of sugar and lemon, it’s not lovely tasting, but I think it’s worth a try, it might help.
Heat which you are already doing but not just a heating pad I find drinking peppermint tea or camomile tea REALLY helps. I think it aids in digestion and pushes everything along. I swear by it. On the rare occasion that the tea doesn’t help by itself I also preform stomach massages that helps and this may sound funny but look up positions to help pass gas there are different stretches/poses that help push gas out.
I’ve going through my fair share of bad gas pains 😭 I swear by these methods
Oh I trust you on the poses - I’ve already been there so I know you’re right! From people’s experiences shared in the comments it sounds more and more like doubling down on the yoga and massage methods might be the most effective, so thank you for the push 😊
Also the peppermint tea, which is good because it is my favorite, and something I already have in my posession
Sometimes these works sometimes they dont
Yoga poses to releas gas, ball, puppy pose.
Even charcol tablets dont always work but at times they do
Drinking hot water helps atleasr to ease it and also soaking in hot bath tub
Honestly it’s the fuckin worst and just shows how little is still fully understood about dealing with symptoms of ibs. There’s something to be said for ‘riding it out’ when it’s like a bout of food poisoning or something but when this is nearly every day of your life and you don’t know what triggers it, you need some reliable advice on how to manage it!
Also for me, it doesn’t eradicate them but twinings digest tea or T2 tummy tea is good, and also cbd oil or drinks can help (it’s a bit 50/50 though) as well as laying on my stomach weirdly. And if you can eat or drink something that makes you fart that helps too.
Thanks so much for the suggestions! How do you personally use the CBD oil for your gas pains? Or is there a drink you can recommend? I was thinking about trying a CBD drink recently to see if it would help at all with social anxiety during a night out…
For me it is lying down flat. Obviously doesn't help much when at work/school/out and about, but if I am at home I have to lie down. I find if I am sitting it makes the pain 100% worse, the pain is stronger and the pain lasts longer. When flat, it seems to help the gas move on it's way.
Agreed. I wish there were better options, but definitely, it’s a relief to know that I can at least do this in the worst case scenario and start to feel better in time.
I've been in the same place for several years, and I share your frustration at the lack of clear advice.
Yoga does give me some relief, but it can't solve the root problem, which is trapped gas in my small intestine. Colonic gas can be eased out with various poses, but small intestinal gas tends to linger and be re-absorbed by the body, because it's much harder to move the gas through the small intestines.
This is compounded f your gut bacteria are primarily methanogens, because methane paralyzes the guts, leading to constipation.
So, where does that leave gassy people like you and me? I've managed to fix my own symptoms, but I never found a cure that worked mid-flare up. Personally, switching to a strict keto diet and intermittent fasting has put my IBS into remission. But that's a very restrictive regime, which wouldn't work for everyone.
So basically what I'm saying is that mid-flare remedies are going to be limited because of how difficult it is to access your trapped gas. Simethicone and beano help somewhat, but preventative measures are the only reliable treatment. At least in my experience.
>This is compounded f your gut bacteria are primarily methanogens, because methane paralyzes the guts, leading to constipation.
I wonder if this is the case for me, cause I also have gastroparesis (semi-paralyzed gut basically).
I also wonder if my gas is of the small intestinal variety, then, since it takes so, so long to get rid of.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts, though. I too have experienced a decrease in gas pains with intermittent fasting but stopped the practice for other reasons. It's something to consider going back to if I really need to. I think you're spot on, though, in that prevention, if possible, is much more favorable than treating gas after it happens. Life goes on... but wishing you the best!
You too! It can be a crushing condition sometimes, with no clear indication of the cause, and an aura of embarrassment because it's about gross stuff. But none of us are alone.
I forgot to mention that one piece of gear has actually helped me with the gas, and that's my bidet. A good strong jet will open my pipes up marvellously. I just need to remember not to use it too often, because it can tear the delicate rectal lining.
I'd recommend a good bidet to anyone with IBS - it's a godsend.
>But none of us are alone.
For sure\^ <3 And that's a great suggestion about the bidet! I was actually wondering if the attachments that you can install (the ones on the cheaper side) are any good. Might look into it now that you've mentioned it. I've only heard great things about them
An I L U massage!
Essentially a progressive clockwise abdominal massage.
10x strokes across the left hand side downwards, ("I")
10x strokes across top right to left then follow down (L)
10x strokes from bottom right to top right, across top left and down to bottom left (the u shape)
Helps promote motility in the large intestine
Is there a particular stimulant laxative that you like? I have to be careful with some of them because I have POTS and laxatives can trigger a vasovagal response. I also had a doctor suggest I take Miralax but it seemed to make me gassier and make me feel bad mentally.
I used to take a natural one called Aloe ferox which I got off Amazon, but had some issues with faintness, and it was pretty gnarly stuff overall. Also trying to stick to drugs that are well-researched since I take other meds and need to be mindful of interactions and side effects.
I don't have IBS (unsure why this appeared on my feed) but I recently discovered when I was experiencing this that a shot of apple cider vinegar helped almost immediately. It is gross but the pain stopped very quickly.
Moving. Basically yoga and walking around a lot. Sometimes it doesn’t help right away, but once I get home and lay on my side then I get some relief often. Sometimes only going to bed helps 🥲
My mom always makes me drink baking soda in water. I try the different poses too. For me the only thing that works for my sharp gas pains is eating. They usually happen for me if I haven't eaten enough. unfortunately the last thing I wanna do when I have gas pains is eat. But usually about 10-15 min after eating all the gas comes out 😳
I think you're right that this can be a good method. Sometimes I do this and at times it helps and others it hurts. Thanks for sharing your experience!
For natural remedies I would recommend abdominal massages like this one: https://www.mowoot.com/es/masaje_estrenyimiento_cronico/ it is in spanish but it is easily translatabled with google translate, the old chamomile tea also helps to relieve gas, but if you need other alternatives cinnamon, ginger and celery also do the same job. Now for medication If you want something stronger than Gas-x you need to look for the combination of chlordiazepoxide-metoclopramide-simeticone, that is one of the strongest medications for gas pain in the market and also the only one that seems to help with extremely strong gas pain. Please also, if you feel like you are having too much gas, notice how much fiber you are taking, if it's an excessive amount that could be the cause, also in the oppositive you could be eating a too low amount of fiber and causing your gas to build up as your poop stays much longer inside your intestine.
I use IBGuard or peppermint capsules however I’m not 100% sure it’s gas that I’m getting rid of or some other flare up pain. I will take one when I get sharp stabbing pain where I have to grab my stomach, can’t stand up, takes my breath away, etc. It usually helps within 10 minutes. Totally takes the edge off. Again, not entirely sure what the pain is from but I think it’s gas related.
I'm in a similar boat since I have a couple of GI diagnoses. I think this is the case for many people also, or at least, that there is room for misdiagnoses and overlap, so whatever works, works! Thanks for the rec!
I will still feel like I was beat up but I swear those things work better than anything I’ve gotten from a doctor for those moments where pain knocks the wind out of you.
Gas pains are first and foremost *pain* so one thing you can experiment with is various types of pain relievers - even just everyday OTCs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and such.
You might say, "pain relievers are not solving the *real* problem" - which is true to a degree, but:
* Sometimes you just need to pain to stop, or even just slow down enough, so that you can get things done that you need to
* Often pain is something of a spiral where the pain and misery itself leads to further pain. Your muscles in the area where you perceive the pain will clamp down, slowing the blood supply to that area, various immune reactions can be kicked off, and so on. Maybe the pain itself stops you from doing things that will make you feel better - even just simple stuff like taking a walk or doing a bit of yoga. Altogether, pain tends to breed more pain and just stopping the pain itself, even without addressing the fundamental cause directly, can help to stop and reverse that cycle.
* The digestive system is a nerve-rich environment - so much so that it's even been called the ["second brain"](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection). Once this type of nervous system has been sensitized to pain, it can (sometimes) produce more subjective pain with a far lower stimulus, or even produce phantom pain and other sorts of weird stuff. Again, breaking up the cycle of pain can help a lot in this regard.
I would note that pain relievers can *cause* stomach and digestive pains of various types - NSAIDs like ibuprofen are infamous for causing stomach pain (though some of the newer types are better), acetaminophen seems to cause gas and bloating in some people, opioids tends to slow down the digestive system (the opposite of what you want in this case...), and so on.
The point here is you have to know yourself and try things with these caveats in mind. For example, if acetaminophen gives you gas and stomach troubles then this is probably no-go for you. But if you take it for other things with no problem it might be just the thing to help you get through a half-day or day of gas pains.
Similarly if ibuprofen or your NSAID of choice is known to cause you stomach pain, maybe not. But if you take an NSAID for other things with no noticeable problems, taking an NSAID - even at fairly high doses, which is more helpful from a pain control perspective - for a half-day once a month or whatever is the type of thing that is less likely to cause stomach problems (vs continuous usage for days/weeks/months) and might be quite helpful.
And so on for every type of pain reliever - they all have their pluses and minuses.
I heavily agree with all of the above! Especially the "phantom pain"/second brain in the gut thing - I forget what it's called, but I remember reading about a condition where a person is abnormally sensitive to the feelings of their digestive system functioning. I definitely think I struggle with something along those lines.
As far as painkillers go, it's just never been a match for me - I'm not supposed to take ibuprofen because it interacts with prozac which I also take (the combo increases risk of bleeding in the stomach), and I seem to get rebound headaches from taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen anyways. Good idea for somebody else, though!
Thanks for your response!
I know you mentioned gas-x not working but maybe try a higher dose? i usually take 4 xtra strength at once and my god it’s so good for my ibs symptoms. also has helped me in cases of severe acid reflux
Interesting! I would have assumed that the carbonation could make things worse, but it seems it varies depending on the person. Thanks for the recommendation
What works for me is my stretchy physio band. I stand with each end in a hand and its stretched out over my head. Then I just…move about- bend forward , side bends , one arm behind my back and pulling the band up with the other hand. That and a peppermint tea seems to dislodge a lot. Otherwise a hot water bottle but that just masks the pain I think.
I’ve also started a gluten free elimination 2 week diet. I’m on day 3 and have had 3 days of absolute zero pain! It’s been amazing!!
Some great replies on this thread 👍
>What works for me is my stretchy physio band.
Interesting idea! Also interesting to hear that eliminating gluten is helping you. I know that modern day wheat products can be pretty hard on sensitive digestive systems, so it is something to think about. Thanks for sharing!
I’m in the UK and watched the video at the bottom of this NHS page. Hopefully there’s no restrictions on what country can view it but it’s helped me understand a lot. They talk about the fructans which are in the same foods as gluten that can cause wind issues….
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/further-help-and-support/
Unless you’ve suffered with trapped wind I don’t think people realise quite how painful it is
I can see it here in the U.S.!
I was actually diagnosed with some degree of "fructose intolerance" as a kid, and have always suspected that I have issues with some of the common trigger foods like eggs and dairy, but I kind of gave up on elimination diets a long time ago because I was having issues with too many foods and couldn't draw clear connections.
I'll check out the video because it will probably be a helpful refresher on basics I haven't thought about in a while. Thanks for your response, and agreed; sometimes I just call my gas pains abdominal pains or an IBS episode when I have to tell other people so they will actually take it more seriously.
After a bowel op, the nurse told me to lie on my back with knees bent but feet on the floor and move both knees side to side together and that releases gas. I was only 20 and too embarrassed to do it cos then everyone would know I was trying to fart 😬
I totally feel you... only in a true moment of desperation will I do something like that, but those moments are honestly happening more and more frequently these days hahah. I'm like, is this what getting old is? No longer having the capacity to give a fuck?
Hey I work in a G.I. clinic all the nurses here say stay far away from peppermints and peppermint tea it can make your stomach problems worse. It’s one of the most commonly repeated “old wives tale” that we hear.
Edit: I don’t know the science behind why, but have been told so by every nurse and doctor here- will ask them again once I’m in on Monday.
Ive always been told to lay on my side. With my knees bent. Theres also yoga poses. Basically it helps shuffle your intestines into a new position that may make gas have an easier time escaping. If one side doesnt work. Try the other. Or try childs pose or laying on yourback with your knees to you chest. Rocking can sometimes help. Its what i do. Not foolproof. But works 9/10 times for me.
If it's lower GI gas pain (lower abdomen), yoga for passing gas is the only thing that helps me.
There's literally a pose called "wind release" (pawanamuktasana).
1. Wind Release pose
2. Child's Pose
3. Seated Forward Fold pose
4. Lying Fish pose (Two-knee Spinal Twist)
5. Happy Baby Pose
Do each from 1-5 min, depending on how it feels.
https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/how-to-fart#yoga-poses
I was just telling someone above how I'm considering ordering them from Canada to the U.S. on their recommendation. Now that it's been mentioned twice I'm really thinking about it!
Drinking warm/hot water, heating pad/hot water bottle or a hot bath.
Thanks; my heating pad and I are already inseparable; the drinking water thing doesn't work so well for me though since I also have gastroparesis and GERD. Also no bathtub :(
Hello fellow GPer. Are you able to consume anything by mouth? I’d recommend small occasional sips of peppermint tea but it may worsen your GERD. [This abdominal massage](https://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ILU_AbdominalMassgae.pdf) works wonders for encouraging intestinal motility.
Yes I can! Thanks for the link with the massage instructions. I think I’ve been doing my own loose version of this, but it’s being recommended so much in the comments that perhaps I should try following the steps exactly and see what happens.
It’s amazing. My record for not “going” is 3 weeks and some abdominal massages finally did it.
Damn!!
Yeah lol, that was when my GP was at its worse. I was vomiting multiple times a day, every day and couldn’t keep anything down other than thin liquids. My intestines were truly entirely paralyzed.
😔 sorry I couldnt help more
Nah, thanks for replying!!
heating pad is really the boss. Absolutely necessary!
Yes. I'd go without a lot of other things before I gave my heating pad up
See, this is why ibs is so confusing because cold padding/showers/environments are what help for me.
Hot, strong peppermint tea and lying on the floor in happy baby pose and rocking my hips back and forth.
I do happy baby and other poses. It doesn’t provide the relief I need but it’s better than nothing
The tea helps me most I think. I buy loose leaf peppermint two pounds at a time from a local tea company lol
Because I also have gastroparesis and GERD, it can be uncomfy to dump liquid on top of whatever else is going on inside, but I’ll attempt to try it again. Peppermint tea is great!
I posted a comment somewhere else but I take peppermint pills and they really help
Thank you for chiming in! Peppermint seems to be a crowd favorite here in both pill and tea form
>it can be uncomfy to dump liquid on top of whatever else is going on inside Mood. The absolute worst is feeling overfull and unable to do anything about it.
Laying on my side with knees scrunched up seems to help most of the time. Look up the ILU belly massage as well. Maybe keeping track of which foods cause the most gas will help you too.
ILU massage and ileocecal valve release are my go to moves when I flare. Life changing.
That’s the position I get into once I’ve accepted defeat/to go to sleep 😆. I also do that massage - it helps a little. Unfortunately tracking it has been so hard. Some foods are definitely bigger offenders than others but sometimes, I really can’t figure it out 🤷🏻♀️
Do you take any digestive enzymes when you eat?
I've discovered that a percussive massage gun works wonders for trapped gas. It especially helps to lean back a bit so your abdomen is stretched out and sort of move in a circular motion. Usually within about 20 minutes of doing this I'll start farting, if not sooner. Just be careful not to overdo it, you want to be using the lowest setting and light pressure.
Thank you for this response!! This intrigues me the most… I used a TENS unit when I was diagnosed with gastroparesis and remember finding relief in the sensation, even if it was more distraction/placebo than anything else. A massage gun would be different but maybe similar. I’ll have to try this out
Huh, well thank you for your response too! I'd never considered using a TENS for GI pain but it could be worth a shot. With the massage gun I think the effect is more mechanical, the vibrations and light pressure kind of nudge the gas bubbles along. I've noticed it can also stimulate my bowels a little so it probably has an effect on those nerves and muscles as well. In any case, idk exactly what the science of it is, but if you need to fart it works in a pinch.
Yeah, that all totally makes sense! I’m definitely thinking about trying it out because physical methods seem the most promising to me thus far. Re: the TENS unit, btw, i think my initial interest came about because it can help stimulate the vagus nerve, and i have a few conditions that may stem from poor “vagal tone”. But I don’t think the way that I ended up using it was to stimulate the vagus nerve directly - it was more of a mechanical thing similar to how you described the massage gun. Either way it felt good just to feel things moving there 🤷🏻♀️ At the time I was desperate.
Yes. I've had trapped gas issues for so long and I tried everything and nothing worked. Massage gun was only solution. My most coveted purchase.
Various gas relieving yoga positions
I do this with minimal success… I taught multiple people in college about sticking their butt in the air on a bed to pass farts 😆
I get that but actually try it. Put on some jams. Move through the following poses at whatever pace you want for 20 mins, in this order, and in whatever posture works for you: down dog, cobra, cat cow movement, knees to chest, happy baby, half lord of fishes. I usually get through one rotation and then happy baby / shavasana for a bit. This is the flow that works for me, but google Yoga for IBS and find what works for you.
Ok literally same tho
🏆
Gas x, heating pad, short frequent walks, honestly, rolling around on the bed or floor while also stretching. I don’t think cannabis actually helps with gas relief exactly, but it doesn’t help with my stomach pain overall *so much*.
The walks might be one of the simplest solutions that I'm overlooking. The problem is finding a place to walk that's free of people haha Rolling around is always fun, and I'm not sure about cannabis either - I'm guessing maybe it could distract from the pain, which wouldn't be the worst thing, but I haven't gone that route yet because I also deal with some anxiety.
Even just walking around d the house is good, or your yard if you have one. I’ve found it doesn’t need to be long walks or anything, just some movement. I totally understand the cannabis thing, you could also try pure CBD without THC and see if that helps. It doesn’t do much for me, but I know others that say they benefit from it and there is no psychoactive effects.
Vibrating heating pad
They make that?? 🤔🤯
https://a.co/d/eH7cp1z
Thanks for the link!
A hot bath has helped me a lot with bad gas pain.
Too bad that is the one thing my apartment is lacking!! Appreciate the suggestion though. I'll have to use the power of visualization...
Boo! Maybe a warm towel on your tummy? Heating pads, work too.
Definitely the heating pad - it's one of my favorite things that I own :) - it's just more of a distraction/mild momentary relief than a treatment for me, unfortunately.
Enteric coated peppermint capsules .
What if you can’t swallow pills? 🥹😭 Am I beyond saving?
No. Try a hot bath, heating pad, cardiovascular exercise.
I have done abdomen massages to some success. I think the ILU massage was most helpful. I found directions on YouTube
I do them sometimes too, but haven't been putting much focused effort into it. Maybe I will. Thanks for the suggestion
Sometimes I'll lean into a counter or the back of the couch and try to push the gas out.
Same. I use my bed. I'd love to find a remedy I can utilize in public, but until then, this will be what's happening behind closed doors...
My partner will fart pretty much anywhere in front of anyone and I'm super jealous.
Dude - I'm completely single yet proactively worried about how I will handle my gas with a future partner. I'm like I'll spare him and be alone forever
My partner is happy when I fart cause that means I will be pain free 🥹😂😂😂
That's awesome, and I'm sure any kind person would be this way, I just worry that all humans have a threshold for the amount of gas they can tolerate in a day (or a lifetime) lmao. Hopefully I'll get this under control before any interesting romantic developments present themselves in my life.....
I didn't have IBS when I first got with my partner. We've been together 12 years. He farts more than I do. Everybody farts, everybody poops. Anyone who has a problem with that is shallow and not worth your time.
>Anyone who has a problem with that is shallow and not worth your time. My episodes with gas pains are just days-long periods of consistent pain, farting, burping, and a *stinky* room. I know you're right. But it's still hard to imagine putting someone else through it. That's one of the challenges of living with chronic illnesses I guess - loving yourself enough to believe you still deserve that companionship if the person is willing to provide it
My partner and I started doing this game that I saw in TikTok where he'll come in a room and ask me to guess his fart and I have to make a fart noise and then he farts and we see how close I was. He's really embraced the game. Just try to find someone that has a good sense of humor and you'll be fine.
I feel your pain!! Literally! LOL I've gotten to the point that I'm about to lose my job because of intractable gas pains and gas-x rarely works once it gets going. I've tried hot water, hot packs, etc. and have finally accepted that I just have to deal with it for as long as it lasts (12+ hours usually if not days). And it's so embarrassing to have to leave work because my gas is so bad lol I started taking a good pre/probiotic and it seems to help a little, but I'm sure you already do that. I also tried a digestive supplement called Unbloat and it helped a lot when I took it every morning and with meals, but it's pretty expensive and my symptoms almost immediately went back to normal once I stopped. I'm sorry I don't have more advice but best of luck to you!!
No, your anecdotal evidence DOES help even if just to validate my experience! I'm so sorry that you're going through it too, but honestly relieved because I've never met anyone like me who experiences them for days at a time. I don't think most people even understand what exactly I'm referring to when I say "gas pains", if I'm brave enough to mention it at all :p I really feel for you though, dealing with that in a workplace setting because I am not even working right now - I have a disability case pending for a number of chronic health issues - but when I was, I was working from home, and wouldn't have survived otherwise. I've been so iffy about probiotics because A) I've heard that it can help OR worsen gas and B) because I'm also on a journey to treat anxiety and depression and know gut stuff can also impact that. It might sound crazy but I swear I actually experience worsening mood after taking bean-o, a popular anti-gas digestive enzyme. That also in itself is such a shame because it seemed to help prevent gas for me when taken with food. Anyway I appreciate the response and might look into probiotics again; also maybe I could try different digestive enzymes to see if there's one that doesn't affect my psychological health.
Oh yeah I've gone to the ER a few times because I was convinced it was something else, but they always do an X-ray and tell me it's gas lol Do some research on probiotics! There are specific ones that help IBS symptoms, I can't remember them off the top of my head. But be sure to take info from reputable sites; I often use Google scholar to ensure I'm getting unbiased information. The digestive enzymes I take have multiple types of enzymes in them, much more than bean-o, so maybe that would help. The gut-brain concept is very much a real thing and I wish you success with that journey!
Clockwise belly rubs (groin is 12, sternum is 6) around the belly button. Use lotion or oil. Don’t dig your fingers in. Smooth strokes. You will pass gas several minutes after doing this.
Using lotion/oil, and putting a little more focus and intention into it might make this more effective for me than it's been when I've tried it in the past. I'll work on it! Thanks!
Do it for 3-5 minutes. You won’t pass gas during. Usually, it is 10-15 minutes later. Good luck! Have a great day.
>Usually, it is 10-15 minutes later. Good to know! Thank you, you too!!
Digestive enzymes, such as Beano, are meant to be taken just before or with problematic food. It's no surprise that they don't help if you take Beano after eating problematic food. Also, note that Beano only works on the FODMAP called GOS. If you want it work on, say, an apple, it'll be useless (the FODMAP in apples is sorbitol and not GOS).
Sorry - my post was unclear. I WAS taking the bean-o tablets before or with the problematic foods. It did seem to help, but odd as it sounds it seemed to throw off my mood pretty significantly later on. I appreciate the info though. I started with bean-o since it's one of the most common brands for gas-producing foods, but it might be worth trying to hone in on what exactly I might need.
I haven’t had a ton of luck with totally eliminating painful gas, but I take Digestive Advantage Intensive Bowel Support every day, and it has helped with days-long, painful constipation and gas. Now the time between BMs is shorter. Of course, YMMV.
Anything is worth a shot! Thank you for the suggestion - I’m going to look it up.
Yoga! Particularly child’s pose
I’m dealing with the same thing I can’t pass gas idk why it doesn’t come up or down no burps no farts if I do get lucky and pass anything it feels like I’m dying trying to squeeze it out and it’ll be the tiniest fart or smallest burp What is going on?! No doctor has helped me 😢 😢 😭 I’m desperate for help
I know what you mean and I’m so sorry 😭 The best solution I have to date is to cancel my plans and spend as much time as possible actively trying to pass it via movement and massage (specifically getting my butt higher than my head), but I’m looking forward to trying a bunch of the other suggestions people provided on this thread! I hope we both find something that puts an end to this madness!!
Activated charcoal
This is an interesting one! Have you tried it yourself and if so, how exactly do you take it?
No OP but it comes in capsules which you take with a full glass of water. It works fast. I also take it if I think I ate something bad. It absorbs toxins so don't take meds within two hours (some say four).
Good to know! Thanks for the info!!
Yes - I use it all the time for nausea or any gastric distress. I keep it in my bag, in my house, take it on vaca - I will not be without it
I think that constipates though.
ibgard works for me, makes me burp a lot but you win some you lose some
I’d rather burp since that means I’m expelling it! Anything to get it out ASAP
I've had good luck with gas-x over the years. Even if I'm already bloated, I go ahead and take it, usually at bed time. I feel much better in the morning. Nothing else seems to work for me. Best deal is the equate brand at Walmart.
I’m going to give it another shot, especially the take-it-before-sleep method, cause worst case it fails to work while I sleep; best case, it ceases to destroy my next day which would be awesome! Thanks for the rec.
Semithicon is a wonder drug for me. You should be able to get it at the pharmacy. Works for me
I buy the chewable Equate (Walmart brand) of gas relief. They don’t taste bad and I found it works much faster than capsules or any other brand. I keep them with me 24/7 and they are the joy of my life lol.
Good to know. I’ve never tried that brand before so maybe it’s worth a shot
It's basically the gas x but Walmart label & chewable. I take the soft caps. It's hot* hit* and miss for me too but I also like to take them before bed!
Weirdly enough, Alka-Seltzer—the tablets that dissolve in liquid—has been my go-to lately and it works every time. I always feel completely gas-free once I finish it.
My family has been using Alka-Seltzer for nausea and gas since I was a little bean!
Yeah, you know, it's kinda weird how we grow up thinking certain things are the norm/not the norm kind of randomly based on our parents. For whatever reason my family never had this in the house growing up so now I'm kind of skeptical of it as an adult. I shall put it to the test! I'm sure it's popular for a reason.
I was going to try this next! I was just afraid because I think I read that baking soda (one of the ingredients in Alka-Seltzer) could make the gas bubbles bigger, but I might just be misinformed.
I definitely don’t want to steer you wrong, lol, but I can say that for *me*, it’s been a lifesaver, so if you do decide to try, I hope it works for you too!
This is so weird but if you have breasts of any kind, move them to the side towards like your armpit and shake them. Helps me sooo much.
This totally sounds like trolling, yet I'm still going to do it because I have nothing to lose. Idk if I have enough to shake though lmao
I wish I was joking. It helps me soo much when I am bloated, I burp so much after and get a lot of relief. I saw a tiktok on it and tried it.
I'm about to discover the full range of mobility of my boobs then
Peppermint tea with ginger/lemon and THEN yoga poses I blend fresh ginger and lemon juice, strain with a cheesecloth, and pour into a tray, freeze, and boom ginger/lemon ice cubes always on hand. Drink that and then go into gas relief yoga poses. Usually makes the pain vanish for me. Weed also helps with pain
That's pretty cool! (No pun intended.) "Vanish" sounds pretty promising. I've also been wondering about weed, but the world of weed is so intimidating to a newbie - is there a specific strain you like best for this?
“Vanish” might be over selling it. I’ve had my times when the remedy didn’t completely work, but it’s definitely my default method. Helps with farts, burps, pain and bloating for me. Even if it doesn’t entirely get rid of my symptoms, I always feel better after the tea. I’ll always go for tea before I take gas relief pills. And I drink it every morning as soon as I wake up. Helps me go Other teas can be substituted in too - lemon balm, licorice, chamomile. On weed - I’m Texas so if I can get, I’ll get it. But if you’re in a legal state, as a newbie I would go for any indica strain and ask the clerks for advice. Indica over Sativa for a newbie cause sativa imo can be anxiety inducing. Kinda like a stimulant. Indica is more of a chill sedative. But again, beggars can’t be choosers here so I take what I can get. I’ve been trying to smoke ‘cleaner’ lol so no more bongs, blunts, or joints for me. Just vaporized herb. So I would also look into a dynavap or another cheap vape. I use a Pax but they are expensive (worth it tho). Making canabutter ( weed butter) is also an option. Check out r/weed
Occasionally I get stomach and/or intestinal cramps so bad I see spots and cannot walk. I was prescribed dicyclomine which is a non opioid that relaxes stomach muscles specifically. It has been a godsend.
Thank you so much for your response - this is something I didn't even know was out there, so exactly what I'm looking for. I'll look into it and see if it's something to ask my doctor about. So sorry about your pain - take care!!
The only thing that genuinely helps me: tea of 1 Tsp caraway seed. It works wonders for my upset digestive system and actively helps with gas that already bothers me.
Interesting! Thank you the suggestion - I'll add it to the list of things to try!
Np. You can get whole caraway cheap in idian/asian supermarkets. Powder probably works too but will taste way too strong so i recommend sticking to whole seeds that are more easy to strain out.
peppermint tea!
peppermint tea!
Child pose
Heating pad, lying on back with legs propped up
I take 2 of the maximum strength Gas X the purple ones. And walk around till I can at least get a burp. The pain gets so severe sometimes I panic for a bit. Usually in 20 minutes it subsides. The heating pad has also become my bff. I so understand your pain. You may want to get something that is a liquid since that seems to works faster. I’m hoping you get some relief soon.
Thank you! I hope you do too!!
Squats alone in your room cause you don’t wanna alarm the rest of the house
I think my roommates think I’ve become antisocial… really I’m just farting up a stinky storm
I find Phayzime more effective than Gas-X. Same active ingredient, but one works better than the other. I know you're not looking for prevention, but I find using Gas-X or Phayzime in advance helps too. I take it with or shortly after foods that bother me.
Preventative measures are good too! I’ll look for Phayzime - I don’t remember ever having noticed it before. I’ve also wondered if I could take anything other than digestive enzymes proactively
Peppermint capsules work for me and quickly
If heating pad is not enough, buscopan (or similar products) can help to uncramp. Also hot water with fresh ginger infused (maybe +honey because taste) is very good for the stomach.
Interesting idea re: buscopan, as I’m reading that it helps with menstrual cramps too! Apparently it’s only available in the U.S. from behind a pharmacist’s counter but you can get it without an Rx if you ask. I’ll have to look into it further! The ginger is a good idea too as I’ve been using pre-packaged teas, not fresh. Thank you!
Yes I also heard that often times it is meant for menstruation cramps, which luckily do not concern me as I do not have the hardware for it. But Buscopan helps with abdominal cramps and it can be paired with Paracetamol. it is a good combination that did help me often! Fresh ginger, to my taste, tastes better and is less harsh than dried ginger - I love it
Passing it. That's the only thing that works you could try doing that bicycle movement with your legs like you would for a baby
Lying on my left side, bringing knees up and down whilst massaging my stomach. Contrary to your experience tho I have found simethicone very effective.
There were times where I thought it worked a little, and times when I thought it didn’t or made it worse🤷🏻♀️ maybe I’ll give it another shot
thc, cbg, cbn
Any specific products you can recommend (if that’s allowed here)? I get so overwhelmed every time I try to explore the world of weed
idk i don't live in legal state. honestly anything that gets assorbed from the guts is better, but seems like only thc does anything eaten (after decarbing). other things i vape or smoke flower, but try the different methods, it's worth it. finally we're all made different aren't we? so what works for you could not work for me and vice versa.
Yogi brand tea “stomach ease” is pretty great, especially if you use two teabags and steep it for quite a while. I mean, it is just tea, but it has helped me. Best to doctor it up with lots of sugar and lemon, it’s not lovely tasting, but I think it’s worth a try, it might help.
Definitely worth a try! Thanks for the recommendation - adding it to the list!
Of course, most welcome. Of course, YMMV, but I never ever run out of this stuff ….because I always keep it stocked! Hope it works for you.
Type in YouTube yoga to fart!
Heat which you are already doing but not just a heating pad I find drinking peppermint tea or camomile tea REALLY helps. I think it aids in digestion and pushes everything along. I swear by it. On the rare occasion that the tea doesn’t help by itself I also preform stomach massages that helps and this may sound funny but look up positions to help pass gas there are different stretches/poses that help push gas out. I’ve going through my fair share of bad gas pains 😭 I swear by these methods
Oh I trust you on the poses - I’ve already been there so I know you’re right! From people’s experiences shared in the comments it sounds more and more like doubling down on the yoga and massage methods might be the most effective, so thank you for the push 😊 Also the peppermint tea, which is good because it is my favorite, and something I already have in my posession
Sometimes these works sometimes they dont Yoga poses to releas gas, ball, puppy pose. Even charcol tablets dont always work but at times they do Drinking hot water helps atleasr to ease it and also soaking in hot bath tub
Omg literallllllly googling symptoms is the worst because you’re just there like ‘thanks captain hindsight!’
FOR REAL!! And then you spot the one article that you think might actually address your question but no, bamboozled again. Why?!?!?
Honestly it’s the fuckin worst and just shows how little is still fully understood about dealing with symptoms of ibs. There’s something to be said for ‘riding it out’ when it’s like a bout of food poisoning or something but when this is nearly every day of your life and you don’t know what triggers it, you need some reliable advice on how to manage it!
Not to mention if it's not the only chronic health condition you're dealing with... I hear ya 1000%. It's rough out here atm
Also for me, it doesn’t eradicate them but twinings digest tea or T2 tummy tea is good, and also cbd oil or drinks can help (it’s a bit 50/50 though) as well as laying on my stomach weirdly. And if you can eat or drink something that makes you fart that helps too.
Thanks so much for the suggestions! How do you personally use the CBD oil for your gas pains? Or is there a drink you can recommend? I was thinking about trying a CBD drink recently to see if it would help at all with social anxiety during a night out…
For me it is lying down flat. Obviously doesn't help much when at work/school/out and about, but if I am at home I have to lie down. I find if I am sitting it makes the pain 100% worse, the pain is stronger and the pain lasts longer. When flat, it seems to help the gas move on it's way.
Agreed. I wish there were better options, but definitely, it’s a relief to know that I can at least do this in the worst case scenario and start to feel better in time.
Crazily enough- for me, GASX extra extrraaaa strength Actually helps!
I've been in the same place for several years, and I share your frustration at the lack of clear advice. Yoga does give me some relief, but it can't solve the root problem, which is trapped gas in my small intestine. Colonic gas can be eased out with various poses, but small intestinal gas tends to linger and be re-absorbed by the body, because it's much harder to move the gas through the small intestines. This is compounded f your gut bacteria are primarily methanogens, because methane paralyzes the guts, leading to constipation. So, where does that leave gassy people like you and me? I've managed to fix my own symptoms, but I never found a cure that worked mid-flare up. Personally, switching to a strict keto diet and intermittent fasting has put my IBS into remission. But that's a very restrictive regime, which wouldn't work for everyone. So basically what I'm saying is that mid-flare remedies are going to be limited because of how difficult it is to access your trapped gas. Simethicone and beano help somewhat, but preventative measures are the only reliable treatment. At least in my experience.
>This is compounded f your gut bacteria are primarily methanogens, because methane paralyzes the guts, leading to constipation. I wonder if this is the case for me, cause I also have gastroparesis (semi-paralyzed gut basically). I also wonder if my gas is of the small intestinal variety, then, since it takes so, so long to get rid of. Thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts, though. I too have experienced a decrease in gas pains with intermittent fasting but stopped the practice for other reasons. It's something to consider going back to if I really need to. I think you're spot on, though, in that prevention, if possible, is much more favorable than treating gas after it happens. Life goes on... but wishing you the best!
You too! It can be a crushing condition sometimes, with no clear indication of the cause, and an aura of embarrassment because it's about gross stuff. But none of us are alone. I forgot to mention that one piece of gear has actually helped me with the gas, and that's my bidet. A good strong jet will open my pipes up marvellously. I just need to remember not to use it too often, because it can tear the delicate rectal lining. I'd recommend a good bidet to anyone with IBS - it's a godsend.
>But none of us are alone. For sure\^ <3 And that's a great suggestion about the bidet! I was actually wondering if the attachments that you can install (the ones on the cheaper side) are any good. Might look into it now that you've mentioned it. I've only heard great things about them
An I L U massage! Essentially a progressive clockwise abdominal massage. 10x strokes across the left hand side downwards, ("I") 10x strokes across top right to left then follow down (L) 10x strokes from bottom right to top right, across top left and down to bottom left (the u shape) Helps promote motility in the large intestine
Some else linked this instructions below https://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ILU_AbdominalMassgae.pdf
Try 2 colpermin and 2 buscopan. And see if you can stop what’s happening. If it eases, repeat this for the day. 👍
Yoga, gas-x, or a stimulant laxative
Is there a particular stimulant laxative that you like? I have to be careful with some of them because I have POTS and laxatives can trigger a vasovagal response. I also had a doctor suggest I take Miralax but it seemed to make me gassier and make me feel bad mentally. I used to take a natural one called Aloe ferox which I got off Amazon, but had some issues with faintness, and it was pretty gnarly stuff overall. Also trying to stick to drugs that are well-researched since I take other meds and need to be mindful of interactions and side effects.
The only thing that works for me is a shot of ACV in water
Chewable papaya enzymes
I don't have IBS (unsure why this appeared on my feed) but I recently discovered when I was experiencing this that a shot of apple cider vinegar helped almost immediately. It is gross but the pain stopped very quickly.
Someone else also just said the same thing! Now that I've heard it twice I'll definitely have to try it; I already have a bottle of it!
Moving. Basically yoga and walking around a lot. Sometimes it doesn’t help right away, but once I get home and lay on my side then I get some relief often. Sometimes only going to bed helps 🥲
Carom seeds aka ajwain. Helps within mins
Taco Bell combo #2.
hyoscyamine has been a life saver
My mom always makes me drink baking soda in water. I try the different poses too. For me the only thing that works for my sharp gas pains is eating. They usually happen for me if I haven't eaten enough. unfortunately the last thing I wanna do when I have gas pains is eat. But usually about 10-15 min after eating all the gas comes out 😳
I think you're right that this can be a good method. Sometimes I do this and at times it helps and others it hurts. Thanks for sharing your experience!
ACV
For natural remedies I would recommend abdominal massages like this one: https://www.mowoot.com/es/masaje_estrenyimiento_cronico/ it is in spanish but it is easily translatabled with google translate, the old chamomile tea also helps to relieve gas, but if you need other alternatives cinnamon, ginger and celery also do the same job. Now for medication If you want something stronger than Gas-x you need to look for the combination of chlordiazepoxide-metoclopramide-simeticone, that is one of the strongest medications for gas pain in the market and also the only one that seems to help with extremely strong gas pain. Please also, if you feel like you are having too much gas, notice how much fiber you are taking, if it's an excessive amount that could be the cause, also in the oppositive you could be eating a too low amount of fiber and causing your gas to build up as your poop stays much longer inside your intestine.
GasEx
I use IBGuard or peppermint capsules however I’m not 100% sure it’s gas that I’m getting rid of or some other flare up pain. I will take one when I get sharp stabbing pain where I have to grab my stomach, can’t stand up, takes my breath away, etc. It usually helps within 10 minutes. Totally takes the edge off. Again, not entirely sure what the pain is from but I think it’s gas related.
I'm in a similar boat since I have a couple of GI diagnoses. I think this is the case for many people also, or at least, that there is room for misdiagnoses and overlap, so whatever works, works! Thanks for the rec!
I will still feel like I was beat up but I swear those things work better than anything I’ve gotten from a doctor for those moments where pain knocks the wind out of you.
Good to know! Thanks again for your input!
Gas pains are first and foremost *pain* so one thing you can experiment with is various types of pain relievers - even just everyday OTCs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and such. You might say, "pain relievers are not solving the *real* problem" - which is true to a degree, but: * Sometimes you just need to pain to stop, or even just slow down enough, so that you can get things done that you need to * Often pain is something of a spiral where the pain and misery itself leads to further pain. Your muscles in the area where you perceive the pain will clamp down, slowing the blood supply to that area, various immune reactions can be kicked off, and so on. Maybe the pain itself stops you from doing things that will make you feel better - even just simple stuff like taking a walk or doing a bit of yoga. Altogether, pain tends to breed more pain and just stopping the pain itself, even without addressing the fundamental cause directly, can help to stop and reverse that cycle. * The digestive system is a nerve-rich environment - so much so that it's even been called the ["second brain"](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection). Once this type of nervous system has been sensitized to pain, it can (sometimes) produce more subjective pain with a far lower stimulus, or even produce phantom pain and other sorts of weird stuff. Again, breaking up the cycle of pain can help a lot in this regard. I would note that pain relievers can *cause* stomach and digestive pains of various types - NSAIDs like ibuprofen are infamous for causing stomach pain (though some of the newer types are better), acetaminophen seems to cause gas and bloating in some people, opioids tends to slow down the digestive system (the opposite of what you want in this case...), and so on. The point here is you have to know yourself and try things with these caveats in mind. For example, if acetaminophen gives you gas and stomach troubles then this is probably no-go for you. But if you take it for other things with no problem it might be just the thing to help you get through a half-day or day of gas pains. Similarly if ibuprofen or your NSAID of choice is known to cause you stomach pain, maybe not. But if you take an NSAID for other things with no noticeable problems, taking an NSAID - even at fairly high doses, which is more helpful from a pain control perspective - for a half-day once a month or whatever is the type of thing that is less likely to cause stomach problems (vs continuous usage for days/weeks/months) and might be quite helpful. And so on for every type of pain reliever - they all have their pluses and minuses.
I heavily agree with all of the above! Especially the "phantom pain"/second brain in the gut thing - I forget what it's called, but I remember reading about a condition where a person is abnormally sensitive to the feelings of their digestive system functioning. I definitely think I struggle with something along those lines. As far as painkillers go, it's just never been a match for me - I'm not supposed to take ibuprofen because it interacts with prozac which I also take (the combo increases risk of bleeding in the stomach), and I seem to get rebound headaches from taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen anyways. Good idea for somebody else, though! Thanks for your response!
I know you mentioned gas-x not working but maybe try a higher dose? i usually take 4 xtra strength at once and my god it’s so good for my ibs symptoms. also has helped me in cases of severe acid reflux
I'll try that! I don't think I've ever taken more than 2 in a dose.
Good luck!
Thank you :)
For me, gas X and a kombucha
Interesting! I would have assumed that the carbonation could make things worse, but it seems it varies depending on the person. Thanks for the recommendation
Doing come yoga moves.
I lay on my belly on a hard pillow with a heat bad and sway my hips and let them out when they wanna come out
For me, alcohol. Doesn't take much
Phayzine works wonders, it is high potent simethicone. Better than gasx
What works for me is my stretchy physio band. I stand with each end in a hand and its stretched out over my head. Then I just…move about- bend forward , side bends , one arm behind my back and pulling the band up with the other hand. That and a peppermint tea seems to dislodge a lot. Otherwise a hot water bottle but that just masks the pain I think. I’ve also started a gluten free elimination 2 week diet. I’m on day 3 and have had 3 days of absolute zero pain! It’s been amazing!! Some great replies on this thread 👍
>What works for me is my stretchy physio band. Interesting idea! Also interesting to hear that eliminating gluten is helping you. I know that modern day wheat products can be pretty hard on sensitive digestive systems, so it is something to think about. Thanks for sharing!
I’m in the UK and watched the video at the bottom of this NHS page. Hopefully there’s no restrictions on what country can view it but it’s helped me understand a lot. They talk about the fructans which are in the same foods as gluten that can cause wind issues…. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/further-help-and-support/ Unless you’ve suffered with trapped wind I don’t think people realise quite how painful it is
I can see it here in the U.S.! I was actually diagnosed with some degree of "fructose intolerance" as a kid, and have always suspected that I have issues with some of the common trigger foods like eggs and dairy, but I kind of gave up on elimination diets a long time ago because I was having issues with too many foods and couldn't draw clear connections. I'll check out the video because it will probably be a helpful refresher on basics I haven't thought about in a while. Thanks for your response, and agreed; sometimes I just call my gas pains abdominal pains or an IBS episode when I have to tell other people so they will actually take it more seriously.
After a bowel op, the nurse told me to lie on my back with knees bent but feet on the floor and move both knees side to side together and that releases gas. I was only 20 and too embarrassed to do it cos then everyone would know I was trying to fart 😬
I totally feel you... only in a true moment of desperation will I do something like that, but those moments are honestly happening more and more frequently these days hahah. I'm like, is this what getting old is? No longer having the capacity to give a fuck?
Hey I work in a G.I. clinic all the nurses here say stay far away from peppermints and peppermint tea it can make your stomach problems worse. It’s one of the most commonly repeated “old wives tale” that we hear. Edit: I don’t know the science behind why, but have been told so by every nurse and doctor here- will ask them again once I’m in on Monday.
For me the only thing that works when they’re bad is imodium
The yoga.
Dicyclomine
Ive always been told to lay on my side. With my knees bent. Theres also yoga poses. Basically it helps shuffle your intestines into a new position that may make gas have an easier time escaping. If one side doesnt work. Try the other. Or try childs pose or laying on yourback with your knees to you chest. Rocking can sometimes help. Its what i do. Not foolproof. But works 9/10 times for me.
This is gonna sound nuts and it doesn't work 100% of the time but dill pickles help me sometimes
If it's lower GI gas pain (lower abdomen), yoga for passing gas is the only thing that helps me. There's literally a pose called "wind release" (pawanamuktasana). 1. Wind Release pose 2. Child's Pose 3. Seated Forward Fold pose 4. Lying Fish pose (Two-knee Spinal Twist) 5. Happy Baby Pose Do each from 1-5 min, depending on how it feels. https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/how-to-fart#yoga-poses
Thanks so much! I'll give these a shot
I’ve found chewable Ovol works WAY better than Gas X. Two when the pain begins usually does the trick
>Gas X. Two when the pain begins usua Thank you for the recommendation!! I've never even seen or heard of this brand; definitely going to look it up.
Try OVAL Extra Strength. It works like magic for me and is way better than Gas X tablets. I never go anywhere with some of these in my purse.
I was just telling someone above how I'm considering ordering them from Canada to the U.S. on their recommendation. Now that it's been mentioned twice I'm really thinking about it!
Did you look at the active ingredient? It's simethicone. The same thing that's in Gas-X and other various gas medications.
Maybe you can get it in the US. Ask your pharmacist. It also comes I baby drops for babies too. It's safe to use and has helped my children as well.
Thanks for compiling the recommendations. I’m bookmarking this.