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[RegentBird]

Hi ladies,
Those who have digestive issues thanks to menopause - what (if anything) has worked for you? 
I have horrible issues with gas - I am currently taking a De-Gas tablet (simethicone) every 3-4 days which the doctor says is fine.  But the gas can be excruciating!  I thought I had a broken rib at one point.  My eating habits are really good, I don't smoke, drink alcohol.  I have had a CT, x-ray - everything is fine.
I have a little bit of acid reflux which the gas seems to be causing. 
I am on systemic topical BiEstro estrogen and ProGest progesterone which keeps most other yuck symptoms at bay and Vagifem for VA.
Can anyone help?

[CLKD]

Morning.  R U Stateside?

As oestrogen levels drop muscles may become lax which means that many women develop hiatus hernia with associated reflux and indigestion. 

Eating slowly, little and often may help.  Looking at what you actually eat and drink will give an idea as what foods might be causing symptoms.  I've had to alter my diet, cutting out shop bought croissants, cakes, scones with cream ............ anything in fact, ultra processed.

Buscopan is helpful .  I have a capsule to swallow each monring to ease symptoms. 

[RegentBird]

Hi, no I am in Australia.
I am taking De-Gas every 3rd day or so which has been incredibly helpful.  I could take it more often but it seems to be fine.
I am gluten free now and almost dairy free.  My diet is so damn bland except for my morning coffee and even that has had to change to almond milk now.
I hardly eat any sugar anymore.  But the odd thing is that sometimes certain foods cause issues and other times they are fine.  It is very irritating.
I may have to talk to the doc about a stronger form of estrogen as I am struggling a bit at the moment with irritability and moods plus the hot flashes are back a bit, though I was just putting that down to it being summer!

[Aprilflower]

Gastric issues are often caused by stress, and you certainly sound stressed.

If no physical issue can be found it may well be stress related.  Perhaps some mindfulness would help??

[RegentBird]

I must admit, stress probably plays a big part.  Some days I am absolutely fine, others I have so much pain.
I'm chewing on a Rescue Remedy pastille as I type! 
I am determined to get to the bottom of it because it came on literally overnight. 

[Ayesha]

Have you tried a PPI, usually the first to be prescribed for digestive issues and works well. Needs to be taken for a month to check it's having any affect on symptoms.

[CLKD]

R U able to describe the pain and where it is situated?

R U doubled over for example 

A medical review may be necessary to rule out gall bladder problems ........ keeping a mood/food/diary may be useful.

[RegentBird]

Hi, no gall bladder - lost that in 2022. I have actually had great digestion and no issues since they took it out (thanks mostly to a very good diet and taking lecithin every day).
Doc gave me script for a PPI but even she is not sure that excess stomach acid is the issue.  So I am yet to fill that (it will be a last resort thanks to the slew of side effects listed).
To combine the gas pain (which is relieved with the De-Gas), the doc thinks I have costocondritis and/or possibly a slipping rib.
My lower back has been an issue for awhile and like the chiro says - what affects the back, can really affect the front!
So the pain is all on the left side in the same region - right under my left breast on the ribs and smack in the middle of on my sternum sometimes too.
I have had an echocardiogram, CT scan, x-ray - they are all fine. 
Sigh.

[Minusminnie]

Just wondering how old you are.
I’m 71 and have had digestive issues since the beginning of this year.
Started with stress but now I’m trying to fathom it all as after months it is not improving.
GP sent me for a load of tests in the summer all ok.
I too have had gall bladder removed and have wondered if consequence of that is now failing with age. Mine went 26 years ago. As yours has been removed fairly recently have you contacted your surgeon for any thoughts ?

I’m now trying kefir yoghurt each day which you are advised to introduce gradually. Huge amount of gas to begin with but that has now settled after a few weeks use. Would that be worth a try. ? The kefir replaces bad gut microbes.

[Ayesha]

Doc gave me script for a PPI but even she is not sure that excess stomach acid is the issue.  So I am yet to fill that (it will be a last resort thanks to the slew of side effects listed).

I have been taking PPI's for 6 years with no side effects. Taking them for a month is not going to cause you any long term harm and with your symptoms I would not hesitate to fill out that prescription. At least that way you will know one way or another if a PPI is needed.

[dangermouse]

You may have Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) which means that food ferments too quickly in the small intestines causing the gas that makes it back you up into your oesophagus. Stopping your acid would make this worse but the PPIs would give you relief initially.

I have it, caused by PPIs and my structure, and it is difficult to get under control but you could request a test which will show if you have it and what form - probably methane.

I found the gas tablets made mine worse as they collect all the gas into one big bubble and then that would get stuck causing worse constipation.

[CLKD]

R U able to self refer to a physiotherapist who is able to check your gait and whether your GP is correct about it being costochonritis - 'itis' = inflammation.

[Jules]

I've had every type of gastric problem and pain since my 20s. It started with a really distressing experience. It's got worse with age though some things improved when I retired and didn't have the work stress. Mine is definitely stress related. I take omeprazole daily. I've managed to lower the strength recently. I take calcium and vitamin D with it. I have a hiatus hernia. I was diagnosed with Barratts and worried for a year and now been told I've not got that. I've also had chostochondritis. I was sure I had gallstones recently but the scan said not. My digestive system dominates my life, it puts me off eating out and travelling so I have sympathy with you. The only advice I can give is to eat smaller portions, avoid fatty foods and those that cause gas like cauliflower, carbonated drinks and I try not to eat after 6pm. I also make sure I have good posture when I eat and try to keep my weight down. The biggest thing that's helped is stopping alcohol. I stopped 3 years ago after the Barratts diagnosis. My consultant told me that IBS is in inaccurate description. Your digestive system is one long pipe and can be sensitive at any part of it and also that people with a sensitive digestive system tend to be hyper-aware of sensations in it.  I did have a dietician consultation online which was useful. I hope some of that is helpful.

[Aprilflower]

Wonderful post.

I've had digestive issues all my life and was told it was probably IBS.  This year, after a really long bad bout, a GP was not happy with with 'probably' and did all the exclusion tests.  Everything negative.

I generally get most pain and wind middle to lower right, which the GP said was not normal for IBS.  What do GPs really know, I ask myself.

I am sure my issues are stress related.  I rarely get flare ups that I can't attach to on going stress.  There is lots of information out there about the guy/brain connection which all makes sense to me.

[Jules]

Wonderful post.

I've had digestive issues all my life and was told it was probably IBS.  This year, after a really long bad bout, a GP was not happy with with 'probably' and did all the exclusion tests.  Everything negative.

I generally get most pain and wind middle to lower right, which the GP said was not normal for IBS.  What do GPs really know, I ask myself.

I am sure my issues are stress related.  I rarely get flare ups that I can't attach to on going stress.  There is lots of information out there about the guy/brain connection which all makes sense to me.

Yes, it's the vagus nerve, and a lot of medical practitioners now use Disorder of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI) rather than IBS. It's definitely my whole gut. I've even had spasm in my oesophagus which feels as though there's a lump there. And you're right about your GP, my gastric consultant said the location is often lower right or left where the bends of your large colon are. I'm sure people who have gut sensitivity almost know their insides, inside-out!