Excessive Gas and Belching in Ostomy Bag - Need Advice

I am experiencing large gas buildups in my bag along with large mouth belches.

This is new to me after 8 years running fine.

I have been eating lettuce salads and celery. Is this the cause? Other than that, I am on the same old food following the diet rules.

Anyone have an opinion or suggestion?

Thank you.

Did you try one of the anti-gas products right before you eat? I use the generic "Gas-X" right before I eat or go someplace public. I have found that a reduction in fiber helps reduce gas. Things might be different for you. Try a low-fiber diet, also avoiding cereals and grains for a week... There will be very little gas.

Hi Teter - I agree with all MMSH said - also "Beano" works really well beforehand. I might mention celery is usually not a good food for ostomates as the stringy fibers can cause a blockage, especially in ileostomies. That could account for your oral belching (often a sign of partial intestinal blockage). I also find iceberg lettuce to be the easiest digested since it's mostly water. Otherwise, I eat a lot of vegetables, fruits, and grain fiber with no ill results. Eggs are what do me in! Pinky :)

I have the same problem with gas. My bag gets so inflated I am almost afraid it will pop. Today I tried Beano for the first time so I hope it works. Will keep anyone posted who might be interested. Have a great day.

Hi,

Last year I began having issues of gas buildup in the bag....sometimes so bad that I could barely get through an hour without needing to find a restroom to let it out. For the first time in nearly 50 years, my ostomy was really affecting my day-to-day life in a negative way.

It was at the same time that I was visiting my son and his family in Australia, and they encouraged me to change some of my dietary habits. Jay has Ulcerative Colitis, and hadn't had milk products in years, and Angela had 2 serious bouts of MS put the entire family on a vegetarian, and then a vegan diet.

When I cut most dairy products out of my diet, I found most of the gas issues went away. There is a definite food/diet connection with digestion, and now that I'm in my 60's I find I can't eat many of the foods that were never a problem years ago. Angela (a PhD/psychologist) has done extensive research on autoimmune conditions (of which Crohn's and UC are two) and has found that many foods cause inflammation. We don't always make the connection. If you're interested, go to

Cookingformyspirit.com.au, to check out her articles, website, and recipes. It's a whole new way of looking at wellness.

Best of luck.

Marsha

For the past 2 days, I have had abdominal pain, gas in my back, and loose bowels... wonder why