Question:
WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY TUMMY?? BAD GAS FOR 2 1/2 WEEKS!!

This may be a bit long. Sorry! I started taking prenatal vitamins before my surgery. About a week after taking them I started having gas pains and going to the BathRoom EVERY 5-10 min. (NO KIDDING) My PCM doc said stop taking the vitamins, (may be too much iron right now) I went to the gastro doc. to see what was going on before surgery. They scoped me and they saw nothing. I started going to the BR like I had before (regularly) about 3 weeks after I stopped taking the vitamins. I had my surgery and my surgeon has his patients take prenatals after surgery. So, I started those 2 weeks out. I started getting sick to my stomach cause I couldnt eat solids yet so I called and they (my surgeon) put me back on Flinstones TILL I was able to eat solid food. So, I started solids and started prenatals. About a week later, I started having those sharp pains and "poopin spells" again. I then realized it was the prenatals. IT HAS TO BE!! I stopped the prenatals and started back on the Flinstones. I called my surgeon, they said that was fine. My problem is, Im still having the BAD GAS PAINS AND POOPS!! I went to the gastro doc. he gave me some meds for the gas pains but it doesnt help. I know its not what I eat cause its EVERYDAY~ALL DAY!! I have another apt. with gastro next week. I cant take this anymore. MY ??? IS... HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THIS AND HOW LONG DID IT LAST? WHAT DID YOU DO ABOUT IT??? Thanks so much in advance. Jackie Thornton {Open RNY~ 11 weeks Post Op~ down51lbs.}    — Jackie T. (posted on September 9, 2003)

September 9, 2003
Any chance you have become lactose intolerant? Milk and milk by-products are found in many items we eat as well as in protein supplements. Whey is a milk byproduct. When I was lactose intolerant, I couldn't eat any dairy products without severe problems before I had my gall bladder out. It might be worthwhile to keep a food diary and see if anything you are eating is triggering the problems for you. I've never been able to take regular vitamins because of the "fillers" in them. I always feel awful when I take them. I'm pre-op. Hope you feel better soon.
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 9, 2003
I have not had as severe problems as you, but I did seem to have bad reactions to certain vitamins. In particular the ones with a plastic-ey feeling coating on them. I remember even when I was a teenager feeling like barfing when my mom made me take those vitamins. (She, of course, thought I was faking to get out of taking the vitamins.) But I tried some a couple of months ago and they really upset my system! When I have gas and intestinal upset, the single best thing I have found that helps is hot tea (decaf, of course). Also, avoid refined carbs as they can cause a lot of gas postop.<p>Best of luck and hope you feel better soon! (No more prenatals for you, missy! :)
   — ctyst

September 9, 2003
I use Centrum Chewables and it has the 100% daily iron, I think they are better than the childrens vits, I do not think that the childrens vits have the folic acid that women need on a daily basis. I am only 5 weeks post-op, but I had severe tiredness, constitapation, gas and I started on a B-12, B-6 and folic acid complex that is sub-lingual, and I have more energy and less gas and do go to the restroom daily. Are you taking a B-12? You might want to ask your doctor.
   — cindy

September 9, 2003
Are you using a lot of aspartame or other sweetner in your foods? That gives me terrible gas. Also check your vitamins to see if they have a lactose base. You could be lactose intolerant. Do you still have your gall bladder? I got terrible gas and gas pains when my gall bladder started to go bad.
   — Cathy S.