This thread is about the real thing.........you know, gassssssss. Intestinal, that is. Flatulence. Flatus. Fluffing. OK, farting. And what I want to know is, WHY in God's earth does it hit you so hard in middle age?!
Here's the issue. Up until about six months ago, I never had a problem with gas. Sure, I suppose I produced the usual amount during sleep, when one has little control over such things.......I certainly didn't do it during waking hours, except, of course, for belching whenever I drank soda pop too fast. Now, however, I can barely go a day without having to take Gas-X to remain socially acceptable. I mean, this stuff is EVIL.......not only is it noisy, but sometimes there's a toxic cloud that causes the eyes to weep and the family to hightail it out of the house before it chokes them.
It's SO difficult to remain a lady with this daily battle going on between my intestines and my sense of propriety. When I complained to my DH about it, he simply said, "Welcome to middle age!" Thanks a lot, Mister Eight-Years-Older! Of course, he's been rather, uh, boisterous since HIS mid-40s too, but being a man, he's somewhat insulated from the social opprobrium that I would face if I were to trumpet as raucously (and as frequently) as my innards call for.
So, what the hell is going on? Is it just aging? Is it due to overweight, nerves, a bad diet, or all the Diet Coke I drink? To be honest, I do consume a large amount of the stuff, but all it ever made me do in the past was burp, and while that's not very nice, it's not the end of the world. This, on the other hand, is not only embarrassing, but it's become amazingly difficult to control.........at any moment you can hear my poor outraged insides groaning and gurgling, and you don't even need a stethoscope! Some days it's not bad at all, but other days I live in fear of some of these odoriferous emanations escaping, and sometimes I just have to duck into an empty room (at work) or run for the bathroom (at home) and let 'er rip.
Please, somebody, help me before I have to buy stock in the Gas-X company or completely alienate everyone I live and work with!:imbar Thank you!!
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
Y'all are cracking me up!!:chuckle I guess we're never too old to find humor in eructating and passing flatus.....okay, burps and farts.
All kidding aside, I'm still trying to figure out what's causing all these intestinal operatics. I don't think it's the amazing amount of fiber in my diet, because I'm not eating much fruit or veggies (I know, I know, I'm a bad girl), although I do consume quite a lot of whole-grain cereals and nuts. I'm also probably eating too much sugar, even though I don't eat candy very often, or drink regular sodas. Does anybody know if THAT might be causing the problem??
Also---and this is NOT easy to discuss, even online---I typically have stools up to 7-8 times a day, and we're not talking small here. Sometimes I have very loose ones, but Lactaid has helped with that......and I know I shouldn't complain when there are so many constipated people in the world! But dang, I spend way too much time in the bathroom, and even after a performance, I STILL have gas.
Could this have anything to do with irritable bowel syndrome? I've had this since my bulemic days over 25 years ago, but it's never interfered with my life the way this situation does. And hey, it's OK to laugh---even I get a kick out of it---but if anyone has some answers, I'd like to hear them, because I can't spend the rest of my life either in the loo or thinking I need to be there!
I'm only 24 and I have the same problem as you all do!! Please don't tell me that it get's worse! By the time I'm 40 I'll have to have a chamber built around me so nobody get's hit with them!! :roll
Yes, Sweetie, it does. Your body has all sorts of great changes and things to look forward to as you age...
Remember stress is a big part of illness of any kind, so try to brush up on some relaxation techniques, such as imagery, deep breathing ect. You may be surprised!! I know how stressful things have been for you lately. You need to be more gentle with yourself. There's only oneyou!
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
STRESS?! (pulling hair out) What stress?!
Thank you, sweetie........I'm going to try your suggestions, and work on some R&R. I've actually gotten a reprieve on some of the stress (driver license suspension doesn't go into effect for a while, so I've got time to get that fine paid off before it does). The rest of it, I guess I'll have to let roll off my back, because I sure can't do much about it right now.
But the gas issue.....that's been going on for months now, predating the current stress load. Who knows...........guess I'm just getting old.
Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..
Well mj,
I have come to the conclusion that with my personal experiences, (and trust me, they have been many) such as,
1. Being born weighing only 3lb, 11oz back in 1943, I have earned my fat.
2. By being sick most of my life, and yet (used to be, but have since been transformed) being a people pleaser, I have earned the right to speak my mind in a tactful way that really hits home, and gets results. Example: Do you remember a person saying this board is boring? Well, go back and take a peek at the results since I posted my thoughts on that. Hmmm, no more messages from said person in that thread.
3. By being so close to death, I had an out-of-body experience, (unfortunately I had to come back) I have earned the right to make myself seen through my new personality, anywhere, anytime.
4. By becoming incontinent of both bowels and urinary when I was so weak I had no muscle control, and being oh so very embarassed about it, I have earned the right to brag about currently having control (with only an occasional accident).
5. By now being post-menopausal (and oh so gloriously happy about that) and having bloomed myself right on into actualization, That's right, number 5 on Maslov's Heirarchy of Needs chart, I have earned the right to BURP, FART, and REGURGITATE to my heart's content. Especially since my oh so wonderful, beautiful, well-educated, professional singing, 33 year old caregiver both accepts and does the same things, that
when the sudden unsuspecting happens, more often than not, to say, "Bless you Dear." Go now in peace.
We really do do that with one another, because our personalities are very similar, and between the two of us, we sometimes create some wonderful entertainment on our naieve, unsuspecting victims, and then sit back and watch them perform.
May you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving. And if you have to work that day, may I kindly suggest you make your patients, clients, or residents happy that day by doing something special for them.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
Terrific post, Fran!! And may you and yours have a marvelous Thanksgiving, replete with good food, fun, fellowship, and yes, flatulence if it makes you happy! :biggringi
(pulling hair out) What stress?!
:biggringi
VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN
22 Articles; 9,996 Posts
Y'all are cracking me up!!:chuckle I guess we're never too old to find humor in eructating and passing flatus.....okay, burps and farts.
All kidding aside, I'm still trying to figure out what's causing all these intestinal operatics. I don't think it's the amazing amount of fiber in my diet, because I'm not eating much fruit or veggies (I know, I know, I'm a bad girl), although I do consume quite a lot of whole-grain cereals and nuts. I'm also probably eating too much sugar, even though I don't eat candy very often, or drink regular sodas. Does anybody know if THAT might be causing the problem??
Also---and this is NOT easy to discuss, even online---I typically have stools up to 7-8 times a day, and we're not talking small here. Sometimes I have very loose ones, but Lactaid has helped with that......and I know I shouldn't complain when there are so many constipated people in the world! But dang, I spend way too much time in the bathroom, and even after a performance, I STILL have gas.
Could this have anything to do with irritable bowel syndrome? I've had this since my bulemic days over 25 years ago, but it's never interfered with my life the way this situation does. And hey, it's OK to laugh---even I get a kick out of it---but if anyone has some answers, I'd like to hear them, because I can't spend the rest of my life either in the loo or thinking I need to be there!
Thanks again:D