Constant Bloating
Looking for anyone with similar experiences / advice
My GI symptoms began after double jaw surgery 10 months ago. My diet changed drastically and I was on long term antibiotics and short term narcotics.
My only symptoms are:
- Constipation
- Bloating constantly (worse after meals and even after drinking only water)
*I have absolutely NO stomach or abdominal pain*
Saw a GI doctor and was prescribed motegrity, which pretty much resolved the constipation but the constant bloating persists. GI also prescribed Xifaxan for suspected SIBO but basically refused to test because the breath test is not accurate. First round Xifaxan was effective, second round (3 months later) I saw no change in symptoms.
What I have tried
- Artichoke + Ginger supplements (helps with MMC but not bloating)
- Benfotiamine supplement
- Betaine HCL with meals
- Berberine + Oil of Oregano (currently on week 3)
- Digestive enzymes after meals
- Nortryptaline 10mg (currently on week 4)
- Low FODMAP diet and no dairy or gluten (even though I tested negative for celiac and lactose intolerance)
Nothing seems to help relieve the bloating except for not eating or drinking anything at all.
I have been seeing my GI doctor for about 6 months but every time I suggest testing, she implies one of the following
- my symptoms are not serious enough for testing
- the tests are not accurate (ie. testing for low stomach acid, GI map)
- or that even with test results, modern medicine doesn’t know enough about the GI to pinpoint where the bloating is coming from
I have plans to see a naturopath but it’s hard since they are not covered under insurance.
Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.