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Original poster

Noises from rectum and side

37 replies

CaraJulyDreams · 02/05/2020 09:25

I don't really expect any solutions, to be honest. This has been going on for over 30 years.

I get frequent embarrassing noises from my rectum that can sound like I'm passing wind, but can also be rumbles, squeaks, bullet-type noises(!) etc. I'm so tired of it, after so long.

I also get odd noises at the left side of my waist, as if I need to insert a tap there to relieve some pressure!

The only time it's ever eased off has been when I've been pregnant, which makes me wonder if it's some kind of structural issue. It's not painful or anything.

I'm fit and healthy, pretty good diet etc. I have tried to pinpoint dietary causes so many times - kept food diaries etc - but nothing has ever jumped out.

I'm usually fine in the morning, but it's the afternoons and evenings when it can start happening. I end up completely distracted from what I'm doing, as I'm trying to shift around to avoid making a noise. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it means my body is tensed up an awful lot of the time.

After all this time it just feels like it's part of "me" and I'll never get a solution, but just posting on the offchance there might be someone out there who has experienced similar.

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 02/05/2020 09:37

My DH was like this until I pointed out that he swallows tonnes of air when eating. Do you eat fast? Have you tried cutting out certain food groups?

DH is a bit triggered by some things.

PippaPegg · 02/05/2020 09:40

Well for starters stop tensing up. Just let it out!

I had a friend whose tummy made frequent loud noises. Didn't matter if she had just eaten or was hungry. Just very loud all through the day.

Let's put it this way. Anyone who pointed it out or criticised you for it would be showing themselves up as a pillock. And anyone who's a decent human being would just politely accept it's something out of your control.

Original poster
CaraJulyDreams · 02/05/2020 11:05

Thanks, both. I'm a really slow eater, in fact, and don't swallow lots of air. And yep, I've tried cutting out dairy, already don't eat meat, have tried low fibre too, not healthy but just in case it made any difference - it didn't.

Pippa, easy to say "just let it out"... but it's mortifying, and IMO a whole lot different to gurgly tummy noises. These are a whole lot different. I've had people look at me in shock and disgust before, as if I'm blatantly letting rip and just farting for the hell of it, almost! I can't just let it out, either. Sometimes there is no actual gas behind it, so I couldn't go to the toilet and expel air, anyway.

OP posts:
Redlocks30 · 02/05/2020 11:25

I could have written your post word for word. It’s so embarrassing and has been like this ever since I was an adult. It is so loud-all manner of sounds and seems to make no difference what I’ve eaten or when.

I have been to the GP twice over the years-one just smirked (I went home and cried) and the other gave me Fybogel which did nothing. I deliberately tense to try to prevent it, dread quiet meetings or going on courses as I’m sure people just think I’m sitting there farting away. That’s what it sounds like-like an ‘inner fart’. I’ve never heard anyone else make sounds like that but mine are so loud I know people hear. I’m sure people talk about me behind my back.

No advice at all-but you’re not alone. It’s mortifying.

Original poster
CaraJulyDreams · 02/05/2020 15:54

Oh, Redlocks, sad but reassuring to hear there's someone out there like me. Do you also find that mornings are fine, it's just later on... and do you have the thing at your left side as well?

So awful that you got a reaction like that from a GP. I had a rectal examination when I was 16 or 17 and it was all just starting (really crappy when still at school), which was not fun, and didn't find anything wrong. Fybogel also useless.

Yep, I dread quiet afternoon meetings, evening events etc (in normal times!). One good thing about the lockdown, I suppose...

OP posts:
Witchofzog · 02/05/2020 16:05

Yes!! I am the same. My intestines make all sorts of random noises including squeaks, loud rumbles and sometimes it feels like something heavy like a brick just drops inside me. I am a very slow eater too so definitely not gas but I can't burp either so don't know if this has anything to do with it. Glad it's not just me though

Prontoe · 02/05/2020 16:13

Yes, I have an internal symphony at night. Like things are exploding inside. No idea why I have it but nothing that I can relate to food but GP referred me for bowels (don't know the name of the specialty). Never received the letter, so don't know whether I need to ask him again.

Original poster
CaraJulyDreams · 02/05/2020 16:20

It's just rubbish., isn't it? I might try the GP again once things are relatively normal, but I just don't think there's anything that can be done. It's so long-standing. Other than get pregnant again, which is NOT going to happen!

OP posts:
Bloomburger · 02/05/2020 16:28

Taking Bimuno probiotics and cutting out high fibre stuff and pulses stopped me passing wind and having a gurgly tummy. I used to have to rush to the toilet and pass wind it was so frequent and loud but now I rarely do.

Bloomburger · 02/05/2020 16:28

Sorry they are PREBIOTICS not PROBIOTICS. Little sachets you stick in your tea or coffee. I do take a double dose every day.

KettleOn919 · 03/05/2020 13:47

CaraJulyDreams I wonder if you maybe have some extra loops of colon where air/gas/food is getting trapped and making all kinds of weird noises as it battles to find its way through? I have this; its called tortous colon.

The noises you think are coming from your rectum could actually be in a nearby loop of colon that is nowhere near the exit... hence you are unable to just release! Textbooks and diagrams show the colon as following a nice neat course; ascending, transverse and descending. When I was shown an x-ray of my guts once, my colon looked more like a box of snakes. I was amazed at how crowded and twisty it looked.

By the way, the bit of colon near the left side of your waist, where you mention you feel pressure, is notoriously the tightest turn even in a normal colon. It's called the splenic flexure I think.

This may not be what's happening to you, but I'm just putting it out there as something to think about. A colonoscopy would tell you, but I'm not sure your doctor would send you for one if the noises are your only symptom.

Redlocks30 · 03/05/2020 16:00

Yes, mine is definitely worse as the day progresses and it’s a relief not having any quiet meetings at the moment. I hate it and it’s something I have never ever talked to anyone about (apart from that GP).

I tend to err on the constipated side-not terribly uncomfortable or painful or anything, just that poo tends to be small and pellet like. It sometimes feels like wind whistling around the pellets in my rectum making noises Confused. I try to eat more fibre to bulk out the poo but that produces wind!

TheHighestSardine · 03/05/2020 16:14

Is this not just normal? It's normal in our house, and with my work team... us larger folks are noiser, but everyone gurgles.

SimplySteveRedux · 03/05/2020 16:16

I had a friend whose tummy made frequent loud noises. Didn't matter if she had just eaten or was hungry. Just very loud all through the day.

Have had these tummyfarts. Took prescribed Omeprazole (reduced stomach acid production) and Mebeverine (anti-spasmodic) to calm them down. Also prominent in Coeliacs I was told.

CockCarousel · 03/05/2020 16:21

I used to have internal farts, especially if I ate cheap sliced white bread. Really painful as well! (because there's nowhere for it to go?

I cut out all alcohol and it seems to have cleared up on its own.

Wavingnotdrown1ng · 03/05/2020 16:23

I had this and terrible side pains before I went on IBS medication (anti-spasmodics). I only get them now if I have a flare-up, usually triggered by stress, eating too much bread or certain types of crisps.

eurochick · 03/05/2020 16:28

I've had this for years too. I have ibs. It's worse when I'm stressed.

Redlocks30 · 03/05/2020 16:46

I had this and terrible side pains before I went on IBS medication (anti-spasmodics)

Can I ask which medication you have and does it help?

Ging7 · 10/07/2021 17:21

Hi,

I have exactly what you are talking about. I had it in the past more mild and with my second pregnancy is went away for 6 years. I now have had it again the past 6 years. It’s awful and numerous doctors test have come back normal so doctors have been no help. My thought is it is my retroverted retroflexed uterus pressing on the bowels and it’s relieved during pregnancy bc the uterus is lifted up and forward away from the bowel.

channeltwo · 11/07/2021 14:03

Maybe a low FODMAP diet would help? I use the FODMAP A-Z app and 98% of my issues are sorted.

Ging7 · 03/08/2021 16:26

Carajulydreams I have this exact issue. See my earlier post. Would like to talk to you more. Is there pm option on here?

FictionalCharacter · 03/08/2021 17:08

I have the exact same problem. I have IBS made worse by a lot of foods (my problem is a sensitivity to vasoactive amines as well as high FODMAP foods). The better I control my diet the less weird noises I get.
It's an unpleasant thing to have, very humiliating to be in a quiet situation with other people around and your guts are making popping and squeaking noises.
A lot of info online is unhelpful, lots of assurances that other people can't hear your gut noises which is simply not true.

Tns87 · 10/02/2022 14:13

Me too. I have been suffering for more than 10 years. Finally I found the solution. It’s very simple.
Just stop drinking coffee or anything contain caffeine. Also, stop drinking alcohol.
If you do these, congratulations you solve it.
Thank you

FictionalCharacter · 10/02/2022 14:34

@Tns87

Me too. I have been suffering for more than 10 years. Finally I found the solution. It’s very simple. Just stop drinking coffee or anything contain caffeine. Also, stop drinking alcohol. If you do these, congratulations you solve it. Thank you
That did not work for me.
barbrahunter · 10/02/2022 14:44

I had this too when I had H Pylori, I wonder if this could be a possibility in your case, OP?

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