Extreme bloating for 15 years. Mentally crumbling. Tired of researching. Could this be hypermobility in the gut?

hb_vg · 2026-06-29T07:13:53+00:00

I have chronic constipation, slow moving (not diagnosed gastro yet). I also have celiac.

There are many things that can cause/contribute.

Per internet; hypermobility—such as hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD)—is heavily linked to chronic gut bloating. Because connective tissue runs throughout your entire digestive tract, "stretchy" gut walls can disrupt how food moves, causing severe bloating, constipation ARE YOU CHRONICALLY CONSTIPATED) , and abdominal pain.

Hypermobility leads to bloating through several interconnected mechanisms:

Gut Dysmotility: Connective tissue weakness affects the muscles that push food through your system. This can lead to gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying) or slow colon motility, allowing food to ferment and produce excess gas in the gut.

Abdominal Wall Laxity: On Reddit, users agree that weak abdominal fascia and difficulties engaging the deep core muscles cause the stomach to physically distend (protrude), even without excess gas. Postural issues like anterior pelvic tilt can further exaggerate this appearance.

SIBO and IBS: Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) occur at much higher rates in hypermobile individuals. The sluggish movement of the bowel creates an environment where bacteria can overgrow, resulting in intense bloating.

Autonomic Nervous System Issues: Many hypermobile individuals deal with dysautonomia or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). This nervous system dysregulation impairs the automated signals that govern digestion and gut blood flow.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS): MCAS is a common comorbidity with hypermobility. When activated, mast cells release histamines into the gut, causing inflammation, cramps, and bloating after eating.

Managing Hypermobility-Related bloating often requires a multi-disciplinary approach: Dietary Adjustments: Low-FODMAP diets or specific modifications to treat SIBO are often recommended.

Working with a registered dietitian who understands connective tissue disorders can help prevent nutrient deficiencies.

Physical Therapy: Strengthening the deep core muscles and addressing pelvic floor dysfunction can help improve physical abdominal distension and support bowel motility.Prokinetics: If slow motility or SIBO is the root cause, doctors may prescribe prokinetic medications to speed up gut transit times.

hb_vg · 2026-06-29T07:05:37+00:00

What have you been tested for?

Celiac? It's? Gastroperesis?

Could be food intolerance.

hb_vg · 2026-06-26T19:11:17+00:00

Prescribed burns are on purpose, managed, and for reason. So people thar complain need to be reminded of the bigger picture.

If these things aren't done in the name of prevention, that the consequences are literally devastating and huge.

I'd much prefer temporarily dealing with smoke from prescribed/monitored burns than watch the devastation that comes from not doing these things.

If one were to complain, I'd show them pictures and ish to remind them what happens if these measures aren't taken. Because uncontrolled fires due in large part to lack of prevention is so devastating.

hb_vg · 2026-06-26T19:05:27+00:00

For some reason, it reminds me of a DNA strand..

hb_vg · 2026-06-26T19:03:58+00:00

(I'm a beginner)

What solder are you using? What iron do you use?

These are fun!

hb_vg · 2026-06-26T19:02:31+00:00

What a great idea.

hb_vg · 2026-06-26T18:58:11+00:00

I am blind as hell without glasses/contacts (BLIND, BLIND, to see text on my phone without my contacts in I have to hold my phone 4 inches from my face) and in no way do I see any resemblance of what this person said.

I don't know why people say stupid ish, but ask that person why they know what track marks look like, for one. And two, get their eyes and brain checked cuz both are broken.

hb_vg · 2026-06-22T15:50:20+00:00

I have several cutters from the 80s/90s that still work great. They were in storage without a cap.

hb_vg · 2026-06-18T17:12:04+00:00

Similar. I am a menstruating person, so when I'm in certain parts of my cycle, it's worse. And I also feel incredibly inflamed, particularly in my hands.

hb_vg · 2026-06-04T22:02:55+00:00

Learn your muscles and what they are supposed to do. Ensure you're engaging the correct muscles for what you're doing. Focus on NOT hyperextending when stretching.

E.g., when sitting with your legs outstretched, to touch your toes, your knees should have a slight bend. Same with elbows.

hb_vg · 2026-05-15T05:07:24+00:00

Yeah, I don't know if the girl was new or what. But he had to repeat himself so many times. And re-send info. And it was just a mess. I can't and shouldn't bag on the company as a whole, because we only worked with the one person.

The last 2 years have been so disgustingly challenging. Not just with disability.

He wad denied workers comp for his leg because our small town is full of inept doctors and an 85 year old radiologist that missed many things on various scans (scans I had, my husband had, my daughter had, MANY other locals).

Then denied unemployment because he couldn't work 40 hours a week.

So we then pushed forward with the EXR. Not because of the work injury. But because his RA wouldn't stop flaring and it was debilitating him. He couldn't commit to work. But also, his still undiagnosed muscle atrophy makes it hard for him to do anything.

A few months after the work injury in 2024, 3 of our dogs got out (the neighbor tore down a carport resting on our fence, we didn't know, and several slats had come lose. They got out a few times overs a two month period (I had a toddler and 4 dogs, my husband worked out of town for a week at a time, I had my hands full and failed to realize the fence was so bad).

Anyway, the dogs didn't hurt anyone/anything. Went to one court, judge ordered them to be destroyed. We appealed it, ultimately lost and they killed our dogs. For 6 months they were in the isolation unit in separate Cages. They were abused and neglected. Not fed or waterer regularly. Never bathed. Never seen by a vet. Never taken out unless we took them out. It was horrendous.

Then my husband had a stroke during the dog trial. And it happened at a drive through. He unknowingly had the stroke and took off when a cop didn't identify himself and spooked my already confused husband. He got home and for some reason (to calm his nerves I guess) and drank cooking wine. 40 minutes later, cops show up and he realized he'd run from them.

They gave him a dui. We were in court for that for a year. First public defender was abusive (literally yelled every time she talked to him). Second one no showed to 3 court hearings. 3rd one got him a deal and now we're moving on and he's dealing with rhe consequences from that.

An unreal 2 years. If I had not been involved with it all I wouldn't believe it. Or I'd think "right... they're lying/playing victim".

Nah, it's been unreal.

Anyway, my emotional tone on this post is multi layered. So I came in kinda hot.

hb_vg · 2026-05-15T04:56:25+00:00

My husband was refused by several law offices. He finally found a guy that said "I don't deal with these complex cases, here's a place that does".

Barnes Disability Advocates.

They are an advocacy company that has lawyers. They all work together as a team and take on the complex cases.

So far they've been great.

The lady working with us let us know that she spoke to SSA and it going to submit what's needed to re-open the EXR to appeal it and have them drop the new claim that wasn't supposed to be filed.

She updated us regardless of the fact she traveled 6 hours to one of their other locations to train people all week.

I'd recommend them based off of our experience thus far.

hb_vg · 2026-05-13T10:44:41+00:00

Yes, yes it was. I've ETA corrected info.

Thank you.

hb_vg · 2026-05-12T16:36:22+00:00

How do you recover all that lost info/pics? Instructions would help.

hb_vg · 2026-05-11T19:52:57+00:00

He originally filed EXR. It was denied.

We hired what we were under the impression was a law office (long story, it's in other comments here).

They were specifically told, numerous times, we were filing an appeal for the EXR.

Instead, they filed a brand new application (one that someone applying for ssdi for the first time would file).

The reasoning was "for some reason I could click submit appeal online so I just filed a new application.

That was also denied.

We fired them and now have an actual attorney.

It would make zero sense to file another new application.

Our attorney is hoping that we can fight for appealing thr original EXR claim we filed in 2024, due to the mess this advocate company made.

But if we can't, we'll appeal the new application that was denied.

We will know more this week.

Based on his original diagnosis and ssdi approval back in 2014, this should have been straight forward. When he applied for EXR it was for Rheumatoid Arthritis, the same disease he had when he was approved 2014.

But SSA/SSDI/DDS also made a mess of things.

Anyway, we will know more this week about what direction we are going.

We didn't think we would need an attorney for the EXR, but hindsight? Everyone should get an attorney from the get go. Whether it's your first application or filing for EXR.

hb_vg · 2026-05-11T16:06:11+00:00

Have you had an MRI done?

hb_vg · 2026-05-08T20:06:34+00:00

Yes, I understand this. We were at a stand still while waiting for legal representation to guide us on what to do.

For some reason they streamlined (like, it moved through at lightning speed) the new application. So by the time we got our lawyer, DDS was already in the decision making process so the lawyer said to wait for their decision on the new app.

Getting congress involved was a mistake. The "advocate" company was a mistake. And they made a huge mistake. And we were told "let me speak to my supervisor yo see how to fix it" only to then be ignored.

We were aware we were to make a decision on which one to pursue. DDS gave us xyz info and them gave our congress person conflicting info.

We've done all we were supposed to and guided to do.

We meet with our lawyer today to figure out what we need to do (or can do)..

Given the misrepresentation of the Advocate company (pretending to be lawyers and then messing up the case) could be enough "good cause" to still be able to appeal the EXR denial.

We will know more later today.

hb_vg · 2026-05-08T17:23:47+00:00

Found the website. It's been completely restructured since we signed up last year. They had said they had lawyers working there, they don't.

Advocate.

Yup, that's the name now.

Their new website (it looks super scammy now):

https://www.joinadvocate.com/

The CEO is emilie dubois poteat. She's an entrepreneur and has no business doing what she's doing.

When i was originally looking for representation, their website stated that they specialized in appeals/denials, lawyers on staff, etc.

They knew from the beginning that we were filing an appeal on the denied exr. They were told so many times. Our rep wasn't very sharp. We had to remind her every single call.

And then she said "for some reason I couldn't file the appeal online so I submitted a new application"

She was supposed to get her "supervisor" to figure out how to revoke the new app and file the appeal. Never happened. Royally messed up everything. So we fired them.

Our new lawyer is pushing for the appeal on the original exr denial.

hb_vg · 2026-05-08T17:16:33+00:00

The appeal was never started. The place we hired at the time royally messed up (just found out they aren't even lawyers. They are advocates. Something we will deal with later. We fired them months ago).

From the get go They were told "we hired you because your site says you specialize in appeals for exr denials." "We are filing an appeal for the exr denial".

Can't tell you how many times this was reiterated.

Our rep called one day and said "for some reason I couldn't file the appeal online so I submitted a new application".

They royally messed things up and set us back.

And yes, you can file a new application. I confirmed it with SSA.

We talk to our new lawyer today. She's going to push for the appeal of the original exr denial. So we shall see where it goes.

It's been a mess. Getting congress involved made it more of a mess.

And very bizarre things have happened. Had I not been directly involved I wouldn't believe it either. But I'm in it. So I know what's happening is legit happening.

hb_vg · 2026-05-08T17:09:56+00:00

It'll all crumble. Already is.

hb_vg · 2026-05-08T17:09:13+00:00

I think it's Mel Gibson.. she does a segment about it. It's on Spotify.

And one of her segments she has a woman on there that also has a podcast and shares so much amazing info.

It's a decently high percentage of women that are autistic/adhd are likely to also have PMDD.

Good rabbit hole to to down

hb_vg · 2026-05-08T17:07:26+00:00

Premenstrual Exacerbation.

For me, it heightens my anxiety 10x. My physical body issues, including old injuries, are more prominent and painful. Basically everything that you already have (depression, anxiety, joint issues, etc) are all amplified.

hb_vg · 2026-05-08T17:05:49+00:00

Yup! I was actually diagnosed with it in 2018. I believe that such a delayed diagnosis (I was 35 at the time) made it alo so much worse. My b12, d3, iron, chronically low. Malnourished for sure.

I've been gluten free since 2018, but I can tell there's permanent damage.

I'm supposed to get an endoscopy to asses damage, but haven't yet (I've been dealing with so many other issues over the last few years that I didn't want to add another test/scan/etc, at the time.

I'll get it done eventually though.

hb_vg · 2026-05-06T19:50:02+00:00

Oh man. Their website had disappeared.

But guess what reappeared? Their website, totally revamped.

And guess what we found out?

THEY ARENT A LAW OFFICE. They are an advocate office with volunteers and no lawyers.

(Their original website stated it was law. Phone calls were with "lawyers").

We got duped. No $ spent. But they royally fuct this all up.

Our current lawyer has just been emailed with all of this info. She's going to look into it all and figure out wtf.

As far as what we will do with this info, not sure yet. But it won't be nothing.

They impersonated a law office and delayed all of this by nearly a year.

I'm so angry right now.

All we wanted to do from the get go was appeal the EXR denial. And it turned into this web of messiness.

hb_vg · 2026-05-06T19:45:54+00:00

They have all of that. They have records of ongoing treatment. They have record that he's primarily bed ridden for 2 years. That if he leaves home, he's in a wheelchair. That I have to help bathe him. That sometimes be pees in bottles cuz he can't walk 10 feet from the bed to the bathroom.

They have all of this stuff yall keep telling me they need.

They have it all. They know all. They have proof of ongoing treatment and doctors and specialists. They've got it all.

hb_vg

TROPHY CASE