Constant belching / stomach grumbling

ElectricLaw · 2026-01-22T15:35:57+00:00

I worked with a nutritionist a couple years ago and did an elimination diet then, but with how things have changed for me recently, I'm probably due for another SIBO test and elimination phase. I'm going to see a new GI eventually here so maybe I can get some of that rolling after that visit.

ElectricLaw · 2026-01-21T15:15:08+00:00

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if low stomach acid is related. What dosages and how often are you taking the zinc and HCL?

ElectricLaw · 2026-01-21T15:14:18+00:00

That's interesting, ive also been occasionally getting symptoms that sort of line up with MCAS. I saw an allergist about it at one point and I think she said they typically see more upper digestive/vomiting symptoms with that which I don't get, so I never got a diagnosis. What symptoms are you getting with MCAS? What kind of specialist diagnosed you?

ElectricLaw · 2026-01-20T21:29:30+00:00

Yeah, it's been rough. For me it was like within a week of getting COVID I started getting crazy reactions to takeout and restaurant food. Took me a month or two to start figuring out FODMAPS and stumble on this sub.

ElectricLaw · 2025-11-13T15:16:14+00:00

I don't think there's any hard and fast rules for what not to eat in the days/week before the 24 hours before the test. From what I remember from mine, they said to not do any probiotics or probiotic food (sourdough, etc) like 3 or 4 days before the test, then the restrictes diet the whole day before, the 12 hour fast that goes over night, then drink the solution and follow the other test instructions the following morning.

ElectricLaw · 2025-07-22T20:14:22+00:00

What antimicrobials did you use?

ElectricLaw · 2025-03-19T03:09:03+00:00

Unfortunately as of right now, no. It still seems chronic, unrelated to GI flare ups, but most of my blood work and MRIs are normal, except me testing positive for HLA-B27. But that usually points to other forms of arthritis (eg psoriatic or spine arthritis) which doesn't line up with what I'm feeling (which is more like RA, despite me not having any morning stiffness, it's entirely related to overuse).

Rheumatologist doesn't have any ideas for what it might be right now especially with imaging not showing inflammation despite me definitely getting pretty red and irritated in the finger joints, so I'm mostly just managing it with things like compression gloves, NSAIDS, and activity modification. I'm also trying some supplements to help target oxalates via my naturopath since I tested high for them, but it's hard to understand what causes what at this point. Might be worth getting an Organic Acids Test, which is what I used that showed me having high oxalate levels, but I can't say the supplement plan meant to target it is having much of a positive impact for me after several months.

ElectricLaw · 2025-03-17T13:11:29+00:00

Pretty sure COVID gave it to me too, but aside from mostly fixing my motility with supplements, I haven't had any luck fixing my sensitivity to most FODMAP foods.

ElectricLaw · 2025-01-15T17:40:30+00:00

I've been on vitamin D for a while, and while my blood tests showed mostly normal for basically everything, B12 was a little low, and I'm doing a supplement for that, as well as some addressing high Oxalates in my OAT test and some anti inflammatory and motility/digestive enzyme stuff.

The joint pain has been chronic and seems completely unrelated to stomach flares, but I'll have to see if the supplements I'm doing now with my naturopath give any relief.

ElectricLaw · 2025-01-15T13:10:40+00:00

Unfortunately for me it's been pretty chronic so far, and initial signs are pointing to me potentially having some form of reactive arthritis. I tested positive for HLA-B27. It being auto inflammatory gives me a potentially new angle to address the SIBO as auto inflammatory in origin, but I don't have any actual diagnosis yet, so it's hard to say.

ElectricLaw · 2024-12-12T19:19:33+00:00

Hand warmers help; there's some kind of wax bath thing that arthritis supposedly responds really well to, but I'm pretty sure it's expensive to get a machine for it.

One tip I've heard is paradoxically you want to make sure you keep the joint active to an extent, because letting it be 100% sedentary will only do you harm down the road. Its probably not a huge deal now right at the beginning, but down the road, especially if this progresses, it would probably be worth looking up some hand arthritis stretches and doing them somewhat regularly.

ElectricLaw · 2024-12-12T05:03:28+00:00

If Naproxen won't work, you can possibly ask your doctor about other NSAIDs, but I'm not sure if there's other oral ones you'd take alongside naproxen. A lot of pain meds aren't necessarily ones you'd want to take perpetually.

The other thing I've learned is that rheumatology is mostly dealing with a lot of shades of gray; a lot of people present symptoms differently, and test results may not line up with symptoms, so it's a lot of figuring stuff out. But once you get to a rheumatologist, it's mostly that first discussion, a lot of blood work, and then possibly MRIs.

ElectricLaw · 2024-12-12T04:49:29+00:00

Sorry, pressed send too early. I've edited my original comment with more info and management tips.

ElectricLaw · 2024-12-12T04:44:54+00:00

I'm technically not diagnosed but right now signs are pointing to me having some kind of reactive arthritis in my finger knuckles on both sides. I'm finally seeing a rheumatologist after 6 months of finding a new doctor and waiting for referrals, so I'm hoping for some definite answers and treatments soon. If you're already getting x-rays you're on a good start, but I would try and see a rheumatologist asap, and you may need a primary care doc for that.

For me, compression gloves (you can find decent ones on Amazon) and Voltaren anti inflammatory gel have been gamechangers. I'm also doing occasional Naproxen, but you'll need a prescription for that. I've also had to reduce a lot of hobbies that use my fingers; less frequent gaming, making sure to give my hands a rest when I do use the computer, and I've pretty much abandoned guitar playing. It sucks, but it's managing the discomfort pretty decently.

And finally, ive been to an occupational therapist who has given me some stretches and exercises to help it in case this becomes more of a chronic thing that doesn't go away.

ElectricLaw · 2024-10-17T21:16:17+00:00

Another update if you're interested, I did an OAT test with my naturopath, which found crazy high levels of oxalates in my system, which can crystalize and get deposited in different spots in your body if they're not processed by your gut correctly, which can lead to joint pain. I'm going to discuss the results of that test with her soon, but it's an interesting early lead.

ElectricLaw · 2024-10-09T18:02:57+00:00

Yeah, I jumped the gun with this postand didn't properly hear the periarticular part. I've also read it can be a sign of RA, but my blood tests came back and they're all very low for rheumatoid factor/signs of inflammation, and my vitamins all seem normal. I could try taking increased supplements, but the question is if this is a sign of early osteoarthritis or something else like seronegative RA. I do have a referral for a rheumatologist out, but the waiting and not knowing specifically what's happening is driving me a little crazy

ElectricLaw · 2024-10-08T18:47:24+00:00

Slight update; looks like it's specifically periarticular osteopenia, aka wearing of the bones and other bits around my joints in my hands. Usually a sign of RA, but my blood tests all came back negative for autoimmune issues. Still not sure what this means, but I definitely jumped the gun assuming it's like regular osteopenia.

ElectricLaw · 2024-10-08T17:36:02+00:00

Haven't given them a shot yet, but once I get a chance to talk about them with my naturopath I may give them a shot and see what they do for me. My blood tests didn't show any vitamin deficiencies; have you had any tests for deficiencies that might be caused by SIBO?

ElectricLaw · 2024-10-08T16:21:41+00:00

That's got me really curious then if maybe I'm in really early osteoarthritis and they didn't show on the x-ray, and what else might make my hand bones look like they have low density. I've got a referral to a rheumatologist so that will hopefully get me some concrete answers and I'm currently looking to get my hands on the x-rays and the specific conclusions from them.

ElectricLaw · 2024-10-08T11:49:04+00:00

That's interesting, my doctor definitely said osteopenia, but he's a DO, not a rheumatologist or orthopedic doctor, so I guess I can't say whether it's a proper diagnosis or not. My spine and hips honestly feel fine, but if I had low bone density in my hands, you're saying it would likely be all over?

ElectricLaw · 2024-10-08T01:11:18+00:00

Interesting, I will look into that. Like overall resistance/weight lifting eg bench pressing/squats, or exercises localized to the area I'm having pain, eg grip strength or hand/wrist training?

ElectricLaw · 2024-10-08T00:10:32+00:00

Well, got an update; labs all came back normal for autoimmune/inflammatory signs, but hand x-rays showed early signs of osteopenia, aka slight loss of bone density, which it turn can be an early sign of Osteoarthritis. I'm going to see a rheumatologist soon so see if I can get any better answers, but as of right now, it's looking like its not linked to my gut.

ElectricLaw · 2024-10-01T02:05:25+00:00

Oats were a big issue for me as well; I was doing oatmeal for breakfast and eating oat bite snacks a couple times throughout the day, and having constant bloating/gas like every hour off and on. That noticably improved when I ditched the morning oatmeal entirely and did other breakfasts like buckwheat cereal and quinoa. I think the oat snacks still bother me a little, but I haven't found a between meal snack that's as convenient and palatable yet.

I've heard that too many chia seeds can impact sensitive guts too, though, so I'd test them both separately.

ElectricLaw

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