I have read some of the threads related to health issues but have not found what I need.
Basically, I have been having abdominal bloating issues for the past 2 years. Unfortunately, this problem has been getting worse…on a bad day my belly grows about 2 inches and I feel terrible.
I have had an ulcer, but have taken the meds and it is better. I have tried to modify food intake and rest more, but neither has helped much.
I am looking for someone to give me any advice or thoughts on what this may be caused by, what tests I could take and so on.
Obviously you need professional medical help. Taiwanese doctors are next to useless at diagnosing. I’d suggest you pay to see a good western-trained doctor, such as Dr Simon Chan as recommended in this thread:
I have seen a GI specialist. I have had xrays and ultra sound. Other than the ulcer nothing else. I am thinking about another endoscopy, but that was one of the worst days of my life when I did it a few years ago.
eat more fruit and veges. Limit snacking between meals. Don’t eat after 7pm. Limit starches-breads, pizza, rice. Best idea: go to the swimming pool and do 200-500m kicjing with a board-it’ll make your stomach strong and trim.
[quote=“BamBam”]I have seen a GI specialist. I have had xrays and ultra sound. Other than the ulcer nothing else. I am thinking about another endoscopy, but that was one of the worst days of my life when I did it a few years ago.
Keep the ideas coming. Thanks.
BamBam[/quote]
I know something about this (the tests you need), because I’ve suffered a lot from a similar condition, Crohn’s disease.
About endoscopy - I know how horrible it is, but it actually doesn’t have to be. Normally, in Taiwan they give 50mg of Demerol plus 1 vial of Valium. The Demerol is for pain, the Valium so you won’t remember anything. You’ve got to insist on a bigger dose. Last time they did me, I made a fuss and got a triple dose of Valium. Even better would be midazolam (trade names: Versed and Dormicum) - it’s kind of a super Valium, though it’s effects are more short-lived (so you may need more than one shot during the procedure). Anyway, I’ve had the endoscopy twice, one time with midazolam and one time with Valium - I absolutely cannot remember the midazolam experience, and the Valium one I remember bitching until they shot me two more times which finally made me shut up and drift off so I didn’t know what was happening.
So in other words, find a doctor who will be generous with the drugs, especially midazolam
One other kind of test that you haven’t mentioned is barium-swallow x-rays. You swallow a bottle of barium (white chalky stuff), and x-rays are taken over a period of several hours as the barium cocktail works it’s way down through your digestive system. It can paint a pretty accurate picture of your insides. A variation on the theme is barium-enema, but besides being no fun, it doesn’t reach any further up than the large intestine (and your problem could be small intestine). A disadvantage of the barium swallow is that you will be shitting out this white stuff for the next couple of days, and should not eat a lot (but should drink a lot) to get rid of it.
Also - you say you feel bloated, but is there any pain? Like cramping in the intestines, that kind of thing? Anything else like diarrhea, constipation or vomiting? Is it worse after eating, or drinking tea/coffee? A little info on that could also shed some light on your condition.
I don’t want to give medical advice, but I know for myself if my stomach seems a little fat I just eat some corn and it seems to go away. I never seemed to have that happen in America, but in Taiwan, yes. Whatever it is just passes right out with the …
Thanks again for more comments, especially Robert.
To answer some of the questions: I am a 36 yr. old male. I have also done the barium-swallow x-rays, which led to the diagnosis of ulcer 7 months ago. Coffee and some teas are strong triggers to this bloating problem (i have stopped). When the bloating happens there is no cramping but there is a strong pushing feeling, especially on the left side.
I just started taking a PPI, proton pump inhibitor yesterday, and I have felt better thus far, but who knows. Another appt. set up for monday at Tri Service in Nei Hu with the section chief. Hope that will help.
Other posters with similar problems or comments are appreciated.
I had only a minor problem with bloating. I’ve taken to eating less, eating more often, drinking unsweetened green tea, cutting out the coke, and playing warcraft 3 in Chinese. I only feel bad when I down a whole pizza at alleycats or eat too much. I try to lay off the stress and vary my diet as much as possible.
[quote=“BamBam”]Thanks again for more comments, especially Robert.
To answer some of the questions: I am a 36 yr. old male. I have also done the barium-swallow x-rays, which led to the diagnosis of ulcer 7 months ago. Coffee and some teas are strong triggers to this bloating problem (I have stopped). When the bloating happens there is no cramping but there is a strong pushing feeling, especially on the left side.
I just started taking a PPI, proton pump inhibitor yesterday, and I have felt better thus far, but who knows. Another appt. set up for monday at Tri Service in Neihu with the section chief. Hope that will help.
Other posters with similar problems or comments are appreciated.
BamBam[/quote]
I think you should definitely mention to the doctor that you’re feeling this more on the left side. That would indicate that there is some sort of local damage, and that it’s not a “general” thing like a food allergy. Also tell the doc about how coffee and tea affects you.
This is a very good web site for all sorts of medical information:
Of course, your problem might be something totally different. Again, my disclaimer - I’m in no position to give you medical advice, only trying to point you in the right direction. You need to see a good doctor and get the tests. Anything I tell you is, at best, informed speculation.
From a Chinese medicine perspective, there can be a number of reasons for this kind of problem.
I saw a bunch of people with this kind of problem when I was in the hospitals in Beijing. They have a very oily diet there (yes, more oily than Taiwan!), and it causes all kinds of grief for some people.
Basically, this kind of bloating points to a weakness with your overall disgestion. There are a number of herbal formulas available in powder form here in Taiwan, that can help this problem. But, you need to get a experienced Chinese doctor to check you out and write the prescription. Do not just go into a pharmacy and say “i have this problem, what do you have?”, they will just try to sell you anything off the shelf to make some money.
Interesting about this. Since I came to Asia about 7 years ago (Japan then Taiwan) I have had any number of intestinal assaults. Hmmmm… after much research, lengthy hospitalization in Japan and shedding about 50 kilograms I am no better off than I was. Still bloating even after taking a mild diuretic. Still in pain on the right side (no not appendix), and I am even taking a “natural fibre laxative” to no avail.
My daily diet consists of almost nothing-less than 1000 calories and except for the odd slosh up, no unhealthy eating or drinking. No oils, No nothing-sounds fun, huh?
My diagnosis was colitis-which can cause the “runs” or “chronic constipation”. May wanna check on this…
