to admit I stink

[itismesorry]

and to beg for help

I fart ALL the time. It's clearly linked to diet, but I can't think what. I eat very bland foods, I don't eat during the day at all when at work as it just causes terrible gas. I get constipated a lot too.

But the main issue is clearly the farts. I recognise they are totally anti-social but I can't keep them in - they seep out. They are not loud, however they stink to high heaven, I really have never in my life known anyone produce such smelly ones.

Please don't laugh. I swear, I don't "look" the part. I am smart, well put together, neat, tidy - I just cannot help it and honestly don't know why. I've kept a food diary but the doctor wasn't helpful at all and at the moment I am conscious my bedroom stinks like a sewer and I feel sick with it.

[paxtecum]

OP: Smelly farts are because you are constipated.

I think sometimes we are so busy we don't have time to poo!

It helps if it is part of our morning getting ready for work routine, but that's easy for me being on my own.

You could have allergy testing privately with a nutrionalist or similiar.

Best wishes to you.

[Nojustalurker]

I second going back to Gp. Or to see another Gp. Write down all your concerns and take your list in with you. My husband had similar issues and was diagnosed as having Chrons. I am not at all suggesting you have Chrons but you have a medical complaint you need medical help with to solve.

[Balaboosta]

Try pooing in a different position for a while, raising your feet on a little stool or a pile of newspapers. Have a read of this:
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_defecation_postures

[ZillionChocolate]

myshreddies.com/

Might these be an idea while you're trying out all the suggestions?

[JupiterGentlefly]

Haven't read whole thread but charcoal works. Ask your pharmacy. Its quite tasty but turns your mouth black temporarily so avoid chewing in public.

[Toecheese]

My only concern is that the charcoal doesn't treat the cause and it really does look like you your body can't tolerate a specific food.

[ConfusedPixie]

Gluten was what caused it for me. My gut didn't settle properly for at least a couple of months either (I gave it up for other reasons, this was just one of those things that got better when I did).

I also started 'going' more regularly and didn't even realise just how constipated I was until it was sorting itself out iyswim? This sounds utterly ridiculous but I found that moving my torso back and forwards from the hips helped move things through, as did crouching over the loo using a children's stool to put my feet on why am I admitting this publicly

It might just be that your gut needs time to heal and you need to get back to basics for a while food wise to let it do so. I've been home-cooking most of my meals from scratch for nearly a year and can now tolerate the occasional gluten-filled pizza or garlic bread again now.

Interesting what some of you are saying about oats though, I get the feeling of being not finished and have to go back later in the day to do so sometimes. I've recently switched to having rice-based porridge in the mornings and am having much less of it now.

[WandaDoff]

It does sound like impaction with overflow diarrhoea.

You need movicol, go & see the Dr ASAP.

[Toecheese]

Have you any thoughts OP?

[ZombiesAreClammyDodgers]

You sound like constipation is a problem? How about Fybogel every night to help you poo more often? Maybe that would reduce the gas buildup.

[Koothrapanties]

I would also recommend looking into low FODMAP foods. Anything that passes through the small intestines undigested then sits in the large intestine and creates gas will cause you problems. Apparently onion is the absolute worst and is in so many foods.

Hope you find a solution op, it can't be nice at all :(

[ShredMeJillianIWantToBeNatalie]

Please go and see your GP again.

Someone upthread mentioned the FODMAP diet. My son now follows this. He's now 9. From the age of 3 he suffered terrible wind, a distended gurgling tummy, and frequent urgent diarrhoea. Followed by occasional bouts of constipation.

To cut a very long story short, we found that food high in fructose was causing the problem. Essentially there are certain foods especially fruit such as pears, apples, grapes, and vegetables that ferment in the gut. If you Google FODMAP you will see that you can easily restrict these foods.

I would still see your GP, but my son's diet was approved by a gastrointestinal consultant and has transformed his life.

[Badvoc]

Go gluten aNd dairy free.

[Trifle]

I am exactly the same as you op. I stink, literal beyond belief. Sometimes dp has to evacuate to the spare room as the stench is so bad. Confined spaces such as trains, planes, theatres, cars etc are a nightmare as I can rarely go more than 10 minutes without letting rip.

I already take movicol so constipation is not the problem. It doesn't matter what I eat, absolutely everything causes me to pass wind.

[LividofLondon]

itismesorry, go back to the GP, see a different one if need be, and get them to help you. It's no way to live is it.

[CinammonGirl]

You poor soul, it sounds awful and I can see why it would damage your self esteem. I'd go back to my doctor if I were you and ask to see a different GP.

[littlemisssarcastic]

OP, Be aware that although Fybogel is a good source of fibre, you need to drink a huge amount while taking Fybogel or you will become even more constipated.

[HesterShaw]

Charcoal tablets neutralise sulphurous farts, for a temporary solution.


I get awful stinky wind with milk, not cheese thank goodness. This is a pain for someone who likes cereal. After eating cereal/porridge mid morning, by about 1 pm my abdomen was full of antisocial smelling wind, no matter how much I let out!. I recently tried some of that low lactose milk, and it seems to have improved it enormously.


It's hard not to be embarrassed, but keep telling yourself this is a medical problem, and it deserves medical attention, not some immature "doctor" sniggering at you. What a wanker

[HesterShaw]

Wind if I drink mill not actual "wind with milk". That would be weird.

[HesterShaw]

MILK FFS!

[Sukebind]

It's already been mentioned but I would definately ask for a referral for a colonoscopy for potential Crohn's or similar. My DH was diagnosed with it (I thought you had to be really, really skinny to have it but he was not especially so) and now takes medication when he has a flare up. I know it's horrid but when he visits the loo in the morning it can be horrible and first thing the bedroom can do too. It's not his fault, he can't help it and he has learnt which foods he has to avoid or cut out altogether. This includes coffee and real ale, unfortunately for him!

[Littleen]

Fizzy drinks can make it loads worse, and also, perhaps you could try to increase insoluble fibre from other sources than what you currently eat? Broccoli, onion etc. Hope you find a solution!

[MsAspreyDiamonds]

Take one acidipulus capsule a day as that solved my digestive problems. It needs to be the type stored in the fridge as its more stronger than the ones off tge shelf. It is a high grade probiotic similar to those found in actimel & the like.

www.planetorganic.com/biocare-bio-acidophilus-1.html

Constipation is probably causing you excess wind so drink lots of water & limit the caffeine so it minimises the bloating.

Go and see a good nutritionist & pester your gp for a second opinion.

[adagio]

I had this for the first 8 months of pregnancy … you are not pregnant are you?!

good luck and do find a different doctor, you have my sincere sympathy

[legolamb]

I have suffered from the same previously. To the extent that I'm shocked at how my stomach can hold that much gas I got referred to a dietitian who put me on a low fodmap diet. I was deeply sceptical after trying everything and feeling desperate but it made a huge difference. It is incredibly tricky to stick to and I don't always manage but if I am strict then it's almost like having normal bowels