Stop me farting - PLEASE!

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I’ve posted about this before under another user name and some of the advice really helped but I still have a way to go so am posting again (in chat for more traffic).

I have bad IBS and the symptoms were mainly awful diarrhoea, bad bloating and stomach pain and wind (the farty type, not trapped wind).

I have tried various supplements and dietary changes and have stopped the diarrhoea, bloating and pain but still have far too much wind. It doesn’t smell, but it’s loud and frequent. I really really need to reduce it as I feel like I can’t even date at the moment as it’s such a problem.

What has worked:

Identifying foods I am intolerant to and eliminating them

Eating a very bland diet

Certain probiotics

What has not worked:

FODMAP diet
Gluten free diet
Dairy free diet
Charcoal supplements
Aloe Vera juice
Simeticone
Silicolgel

I really don’t think there is anything else that I can possibly remove from my diet as it is very restricted and boring now as it is.

Is there anything else that I can possibly try to rid me of the constant trumps? It’s embarrassing and I can’t believe I’ve managed to make myself feel so much better but still have this problem.

TIA

Another one to say peppermint tea

The trouble with doing this alone and by advice off the Internet is that we are all very well intending, but none of us are professionals, and even if we claim to be, you can't verify that we are.

You should be talking to the right people. If money is putting you off, NHS dietician referrals are always there via the GP. I paid rather than wait, that's all.

FODMAP is often published badly online, so I'd be wary of anything you downloaded and have its accuracy checked when you see someone.

Sorry, I'm focused on FODMAP, but if you're eating tomatoes and not in a position where you can determine whether that or which variety of carbohydrates might be affecting you then a more effective elimination diet needs to be done to really help you.

They are so hard - I know, I did it too! It's also a LOT easier with proper guidance.

MototcycleMayhem tomatoes make me extremely ill - I discovered this myself during an elimination diet.

I have asked to be referred to a dietician on the NHS but by GP won’t do it as I had allergy tests a few years ago on the NHS that didn’t reveal any food allergies. I can’t afford a private dietician. My friend is one, however, and has given me some advice throughout the process. I am absolutely confident that the foods that I have excluded were the ones that were making my IBS (and other symptoms - I didn’t mention the non gastric/bowel symptoms but to cut a long story short I was extremely ill for over a year and nearly all symptoms have gone since I worked out which foods cause the symptoms) so bad and I have seen a great improvement since I have stopped eating them.

My only remaining symptom is frequent wind which doesn’t hurt and does not smell so that’s already pretty good. I’d just like to reduce it if I can. Probably cutting out processed sugars would make a difference so I will give that a go.

FODMAP did not work for me because it contains so many of the foods that I cannot eat. I cannot tolerate tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, avocado or aubergine at all. They all cause very bad diarrhoea and were what was making me so unwell to start with. I could try FODMAP again with those foods eliminated as well but that doesn’t leave an awful lot to eat so I’m not keen.

Sugar and artificial sweeteners are a no-no for me - peas and beans too obvs

I have found that flaxseeds are really effective against wind and bloating, and have regulated my bowels too.I soak two tablespoons of seeds overnight and have them before breakfast every day

Thank you maslinpan I think I have some flax seeds in the cupboard so I could try that.

For weight loss more than anything, I started the Keto diet in September. I've lost 1st 3lbs and my IBS has pretty much gone.

I don't eat any sugar or the various substitutes for it.

My diet is pretty boring to be honest, but not having the violent diarrhoea within minutes of eating has been a life saver.

I'm currently on holiday and have had a few episodes which I put down to the tonic water, for my gin, which was full fat. Luckily I found they did soda so switched to that and had no issues since.

I miss bread a lot, but I know it bloats me to buggery. Not sure what caused my IBS, but will be sticking to Keto for the foreseeable.

I hope it helps. I tried having kefir which was quite effective, but I find flaxseeds definitely make the difference with no side-effects.

Have you tried a calming exercise like yoga? Anxiety can cause air swallowing without realising. Yoga is very good for releasing trapped wind and reducing stress. Long walks are good for releasing wind. Turmeric is also soothing and settling as is bone broth ( chicken stock!). Live cider vinegar is also brilliant. The absolute worse things for wind are artificial sweetners and nerves/stress.

I have crohns so I can be a farter if eat badly..

Chocolate is 100% a trigger..

Echoing a PP - cut out artificial sweeteners. Sorbitol (it's in lots of things but I found Tesco reduced sugar jam in particular made me fart like nothing else).

My husbands arse usually represents the brass section of an orchestra. On the keto diet he never farted at all!!! I actually started to miss them

I know what you mean about eliminating so many things which are supposedly 'good' for bowels and digestion which really don't agree with me and therefore not being left with an awful lot else!

I sympathise with your OP and watch with interest...

Have you tried kimchi/sauerkraut?

Have you ever been referred to a specialist for your IBS? My aunt got a new GP who, when reviewing prescriptions, discovered that in the 20years my aunt had been told she had IBS, she’d only had the scope up the bum once (sorry can’t remember the name). Anyway she referred her again, got the bum scope and other tests and has had a total change in medication for her IBS which has TRANSFORMED her life. She’s like a different person with regards symptoms, what she can eat and happiness.

Have you tried enterosgel?
Triggers for me are whole grain, fatty food, eggs, milk, nuts and spicy food. Probably more.
I take amitriptyline and it has helped a lot. Only 10mg.

When I went on a low carb diet I stopped farting completely.

I find refined carbs - incl sugar sets me off if I eat too much (and gives me abdominal pain). I agree with those suggesting peppermint oil (I drink peppermint or fennel tea several times a day after eating and find this helps). Otherwise try drinking psyllium husks/Colon Cleanse last thing at night (look in the "digestion" area of health food shops). Do ensure you take those with lots of plain water (or very diluted unsweetened juice if necessary) plus a large glass of water after. Also look after your gut health (Biokult probiotic is good). Also chew your food thoroughly and eat slower if necessary. See a dentist if you have any problems which might make chewing your food thoroughly uncomfortable as that may affect digestion in your gut. Maybe also try live plain unsweetened yoghurt as part of your daily diet. Good luck!