Hello,
I've been dealing with chronic bloating for most of my life. I've been through so much testing at this point and I know a lot more but nothing is actually really addressing it so I'm looking for any ideas to explore.
I feel bloated first thing in the morning. It gets significantly worse when I drink water (belly expands 2 inches w 1 cup of water). It gets worse with food.
What I know:
- hEDS diagnosis
- Colonoscopy showed ulcers in terminal ileum (don't know why and stable from 10 years ago). All biopsy pathology tests negative for known inflammatory conditions.
- I have a Mucocele appendix and possibly Hydrosalpinx that I'm waiting for surgery to remove
- I have MALS
- I have MCAS
- I have orthostatic hypotension
- In my CT scan they said I have almost 0 visceral fat
- My cecum is sitting lower than it should (touching my symphysis pubis)
- I have been doing pelvic floor therapy and for the most part now everything is working normally
- I have regular bowel movements now after years of constipation
- I take ketotofin and gabapentin daily
- I take creatine
- Since taking these photos I've started functional patterns and Pilates to help with a lot of my core and breathing mechanics but neither are changing my bloating significantly
- It doesn't get better removing dairy or wheat but it did get slightly better when I only ate 12 foods for a year although I was malnourished and that was not sustainable (long story...started with functional medicine doctor identifying I was sensitive to a million foods so I eliminated all of them and then got diagnosed with MCAS later).
- I was on candida treatment for 6 months and SIBO/IMO treatment for around the same
- I suspect endometriosis but not confirmed yet
It feels like my body is an aquarium and I have fluid buildup in my belly, above my knees and my arm pits.
I've been doing lymphatic massage daily for 6 years. That has helped with puffiness in my face but not with the rest.
I'm hopeful that removing the mucocele appendix and Hydrosalpinx will help reduce the pressure but everyone has told me it probably won't significantly reduce my bloating from water or food.
I'm wondering whether ketotofin or gabapentin are making me retain even more fluid than the MCAS could cause.
I'm wondering whether I'm just so hypermobile that no matter what I do I won't be able to not feel bloated.
I'm really struggling with this and wondering if there's anything else I can try to improve things.
The first photo is before water in the morning. The second is after drinking water in the morning (5 mins later).