Persistent bloating - sick of it!

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I’m 29 and been persistently bloated for months now. I’ve always been petite, flat stomached but gone from 55 to 65 kilos in the last few months! My thighs have got bigger too.

Investigations have happened. My ultrasound ruled out anything sinister but she did suspect early stage endometriosis which will be further investigated. Dietary investigations have not led to anything and colonoscopy was also clear.

I just feel so disgusting my stomach literally looks like a balloon. I planned to wear an elasticated skirt to a party today but I just can’t and now I’m in my room crying and I’m not even going to go anymore. :(

it’s even got to the point where my friends are saying it looks concerning.

Could it just be the possible endometriosis? I’ve tried all the usual (IBS tablets, peopermint tea) and just nothing :(

Have you investigated whether fodmaps are problematic for you?
Google Monash fodmap diet to learn more.
What other diets have you tried? How many calories are you eating? Carbs? Protein?

I’ve tried gluten and dairy free and no difference was made! I’ve also tried an anti inflammatory diet too.

I’m just shocked at how much weight I’ve put on over the last few weeks (over a stone) and I also have terrible skin atm

My sympathies, OP - I've had this for years and still to get to the bottom of it. As @Jopo12 says, in the please do have a look at the low FODMAP diet devised by Monash University in Australia. It helped me enormously for a few years, although I find I need to work even harder at restricting a very large amount of foods. I think the key thing is aiming for sufficient gut motility (keeping it moving). This gives me good days and bad days.

As for what causes the bloating, it's essential you start to rule out some serious medical issues as well as endo like cancers, intolerances, IBD etc. Will your GP refer you to Gynae and Gastroenterology?

There's also an OTC med called Simeticone that is supposed to help with gas and bloating. Some people say a hot water bottle on the abdomen helps to relax it. Sorry - it's so shit

Do you have other symptoms? If endo painful /heavy periods/sickness etc, if dietary are you regular etc? I have had both things and although sometimes they don't help the other they would be different. I went through years of frequent bloating even after more than a decade of cutting out discovered allergies/intolerances, but have discovered that it doesn't happen now. What is your diet like? Exclusion diets take months not a few days or weeks though you mention you tried but not how or for how long. Could also be sulphites for example. Sometimes a combination of foods can put my immune system under too much whereas I can cope with a bit of bread most days but throw in yeast in other ways like flavoured crisps and I will get ill in various ways. Eating well, supplementing with vitamin pill perhaps and try a quality prebiotic can help I feel.

I used to get a bloated stomach (looked 7 months pregnant at random times) until I suffered from a perforated ulcer. H Pylori was the cause of the stomach ulcer and the stomach bloating. Since having anti biotics to rid of this bacteria I’ve not had a swollen stomach since (10 years ago).

Ask your GP to check if you have this.

Also a friend of mine sounds like you do, had to wear partners clothes to fit over a ballooned tummy, they have been diagnosed with a fatty liver.

Maybe ask your GP about this one too.