My stomach has been an issue for 10+ years now. It started with bloat, then constipation & IBS diagnosis, later a GERD diagnosis, & about 3 years ago had a gastroenteritis episode. I want to get to the ROOT of the problem, I don’t want another BS diagnosis or elimination diet.

Lactose/SIBO/Celiac tests all negative. I worked w/ a nutritionist who recommended Magnesium Glycinate as well as increasing fiber which has helped with daily bowel movements.. however I have PERSISTENT abdominal bloating/protrusion/distention and now unpredictable stomach issues - nothing severe just random episodes of discomfort (even from small low fodmap meals)

I’ve been told my stomach bloat is due to my “anterior pelvic tilt” yes it may contribute to the bloated look - it doesn’t answer WHY my stomach feels like an inflated balloon or why I have discomfort after eating sometimes.

I am very active (22% body fat) and I don’t eat 100% whole foods but I don’t eat much gluten/dairy/processed foods.

I suspected maybe my Mirena IUD was contributing to the symptoms but after it being removed almost 2 months ago with no relief I’m feeling defeated.

I spoke to a ‘Functional Gut Practitioner’ who wanted $4k for a stool test, 2 metabolic lab panels and a 3 month program but she has no real medical credentials which makes me hesitant.

My life is heavily impacted by my stomach and I’m OVER it ):

Any suggestions/advice/success stories are appreciated!

Hello, please forgive some unpleasant detail in the post ahead but I’m at a loss over what to do…

I’ve had persistent stomach problems since a bout of food poisoning more than three weeks ago. I believe that instance was caused by some bad chicken, and the sickness it caused passed in about three hours. What’s followed ever since however, in various intensities, has been near constant nausea, lack of appetite, and very limited options of what I can eat. I have to stick to very plain foods (just rice/chicken, white bread, porridge) and eating other things causes almost immediate painful bloating.

This has appeared to pass a few times, at which point I’ll reintroduce more normal foods, and then find myself up all night on the toilet.

At the two week mark I went to my GP who sent off a stool sample, which has come back saying nothing is wrong. I’ve started taking probiotics for the last 4 days (picture attached) and felt LOADS better, but am once again finding myself up in the night tied to the loo.

My symptoms during these bouts feel comparable to the initial food poisoning, only over a lot quicker and without actually being sick.
Has anyone been through anything similar to this? What else can I try?

Sorry for the detail and thanks in advance.

I’ve just been to the toilet and noticed my stool is full of blood… i have had on going gut issues for the past 6 months. All the stool tests have been done… nothing.
I’ve changed my diet to gluten and dairy free.

I have fished out some of the stool… I know lovely. Unsure if they’re able to test it again or it needs to be fresh.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

I been struggling with gut health for about 4 years and every time I eat anything I get bloating and constipation. I tried about 3 different diets and they all didn’t work. Im fine with gluten and actually feel it absorbs better in my system. I work out daily(specifically my core) yet can only see progress before I eat. Doctors have told me to try: MiraLAX, bloating meds, and other laxatives but none of them seem to be effective. As well as at home gut health food like :kimchi, kombucha and others.
Reddit please help,Thank you

Hello everyone from Germany, 

This post was intended for the Sibo and H.pylori subs initially, but posting it here might help too.

I'm a 27 year old man that's been suffering with terrible GI issues for over 3 yrs now. I've been a member of this sub and others for a long time too except I deleted my acc earlier this year, because after the latest failed treatments I had quite the breakdown and reading thru the subs all day didn't help mentally.

Anyways. I was diagnosed with low levels of Methane Sibo roughly 2 yrs ago. Immediately went into antibiotic therapy twice and even after the Sibo disappeared on paper nothing changed for me. I was and still am very sick all day everyday. 

Symptoms: 

- Terrible Constipation

\- Permanent 9 month pregnant bloating

\- Permanent Brain Fog

\- almost bedridden due to low energy 

\- no farting, no burping, no noise from my stomach or GI tract whatsoever 

\- anxiety and depression thru the roof

and and and... 

I've turned into a living zombie with 25. Trust me I didn't just sit around and do nothing after the treatment ended. I've researched everything on here and went to so many doctors. Spend thousands on supplements they recommended me. Vitamin, Parasite cleanses, enemas, lifestyle changes, you name it and I've tried it. 

I've had a major breakdown in the beginning of the year because all failed and I got financially ruined in the process. 

Fast forward one month ago. I researched the GI map for over a year and never thought I'll do one, because the doctors here hate them and said it's just nonsense. I was too desperate and did it privately anyways. The results came in yesterday and I wanted to share them. 

I was never tested for H.pylori because 2 doctors said my symptoms don't aline. I don't have stomach pain or Gastritis. The only thing I have that bothers me with my stomach is that everything is so quiet, as if it fell asleep and never woke up. However now I'm not sure anymore. I know GI maps tend to have false positives, but I've seen many on here that said they found their H.pylori infection with the GI map too. 

What do you think guys? Is there hope for me ?

What should be my next step? Demand a H.pylori breath test ? 

Thanks to everyone. If you want to know I can share more in the comments of the treatments I went thru.

My doctor analyzed my stools and blood tests. He told me I should take the antibiotics Flagyl and Gabboral, then probiotics afterwards. This is to treat a bacterium in the microbiota, specifically to treat Bacteroides vulgatus and fragilis, as well as to reduce the Proteobacteria.
The fact is that I have no symptoms at all, and I already have a very good diet. So I’m starting to question taking antibiotics — I don’t know much about this, so I don’t know if it’s really necessary. He seems to say that the treatment will improve my microbiota, but personally, if there’s nothing important to treat, I won’t use the medications and will just continue my daily hygiene habits.
What do you think? Thank you.”

im 26 male and im having pitta issues and also i think i might have heat issue as my face breakouts at every day with new mostly on forehead and cheek area. So thinking about lowering body heat and my cant take sour foods at all so probiotic foods have been hard to take so that might be another issue. Is there something like gut health which will do wonders for me. Thanks in advance.

In 2022, I used ketchup in my food but the ketchup produced a popping sound and released gas when I opened it after having left it in my closed room for about 2 weeks. I did not think much of it but the Ketchup brand was the Zesta ketchup sold in Uganda.

After using that ketchup for a week, I started experiencing bloating, stomach distention, trapped gas, pulse on my stomach, my right side is slightly more swollen than my left, excessive farting and belching, unpredictable bowel movements especially constipation, feeling full 24/7, discomfort.

I did a colonoscopy that was negative, I did an abdominal CT scan and all was negative, tested negative for H pylori, blood work and stool sample tests all negative, PH is normal, and I’ve tried several medications but only Avarin gives me some temporary relief. Vitamin C also helps me to get bowel movements and I’ve recently tried Evening Primrose Oil Capsules to help me get bowel movements. I’ve taken medicines like Fluoxetine, Elobixibat, Amitryptline, etc.

Can anyone please give me some advice on what I can do next . I’m 31F and I’ve never given birth!

Hey guys i want to if my poor digestion is the reason for all my face skin issues. My digestion weakend a few years back and after a year my face got like this, i never consulted a doctor, as i dont know whom to consult, a gut health specialist or a dermatologist. Please help 🫠

So for over a year I have been working out 4-5 days a week about 2 hours each day doing circuit training on machines, lifting weights, kettle bells, and I do it fast so I also get my cardio up…
my diet has improved and lots of water more fruits and veggies, less sugar and processed foods.. before I just ate anything and everything and drank soda…..
I have gained a lot of muscle and toned everything except my stomach. My stomach is now more round, firm and pronounced than before when it was more kinda flatter and squishy but not as rounded or firm as it is now.
The scale won’t budge (up or down)…. but the rest of my body is leaner and more muscle definition and my pants are loose but my stomach seems to be getting bigger and more rounded.
I put this post in a couple of fitness and workout groups but I also think it could be a gut health issue or cortisol and visceral fat issue.

What in the world am I doing wrong?

**Hi everyone, I'm a 20-year-old male , around 5'7" and 52 kg.

A few years ago, I started experiencing recurring liver-related problems. I've consulted 2–3 highly qualified doctors, and my ultrasounds and full-body checkups have been normal. I've almost completely stopped eating outside food for the past 1–2 years, yet I still experience gas and constipation, even with home-cooked meals. Eating a little extra often makes me uncomfortable.

I've taken medications like Normaxin and Vizylac, which helped temporarily, but the symptoms eventually returned. Along with this, I struggle with recurring acne, dark marks and uneven skin texture, which have affected my confidence even more.

I'm trying to gain weight and build muscle, but eating more is difficult because of my digestive problems. Meanwhile, my friends seem healthy and well-developed, eat whatever they want, and don't appear to struggle like I do.

I'm 20, but I feel like I haven't physically developed the way someone my age should. I look younger and underdeveloped, struggle with my skin, and feel frustrated despite trying to take care of myself.

After years of doctors, medications and normal reports without a lasting solution, I've honestly started losing hope that I'll ever get better or look the way I want to.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Did you eventually find the cause? Can I still gain healthy weight, build muscle and improve my skin?

I genuinely want to feel healthy and confident in my own body again. I'd really appreciate any advice or personal experiences. Thank you.**

I have dealt with constipation on and off for a year. It wasn't really bad , and most of the time it didn't bother me.

However, last month I started to have stomach issues. It wasn't like I was having pain. But I constantly felt like I had to go to the bathroom and a little bit would came out. Other times I felt like I didn't empty my bowel and my poop felt sticky. Some days were good and others didn't feel right.

2 weeks ago i became really conspitated. I also noticed blood whenever I would whipe, and sometimes I would have blood spots in my underwear. I was also extremely bloated for days.

I was also tired all the time.

I did some blood tests on Monday which showed everything is fine. My iron is a little bit low, but nothing concerning.

I've been taking movicol since Monday, and I'm having bowel movements everyday. It's just really loose and narrow.

I'm losing my mind, and I also noticed that im losing a little bit weight ( I also have been sick with flu couple days now and hasn't been eating so much).

I called my doctor today for an appointment because my gut feeling is telling me something is wrong. I also had lymphoma cancer 10 years ago, so I'm terrified that I have colon cancer. I can't sleep right and can't focus on my job.

Has anyone been though the same thing?

Went on a party last week and before that I lost 17lbs in 2 weeks, was very happy but all of a sudden after eating very little food on the trip and drinking alcohol not in excess I find myself with gut problems that have caused me to rebound and gain 10lbs. Is that all water weight and how can I fix the stomach pain?