What Causes Severe Bloating, Abnormal Bowel Movement And Discomfort?

Posted on Sat, 27 Jun 2015

Question: I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF BLOATING. i WAS ON EFFEXOR FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH. THE DOSAGE WAS 37.5 mg ONCE DAILY. I WAS TAKING IT TO HELP WITH THE HOT FLASHES DUE TO THE TAMOXIFIN I AM TAKING. WHILE TAKING THE EFFEXOR, I EXPERIENCED CONSTIPATION. I HAVE BEEN OFF THE EFFEXOR FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS AND I STILL DON'T FEEL LIKE I'M BACK TO MY NORMAL BOWEL HABITS. I HAVE INCREASED MY FIBER INTAKE AND THAT JUST SEEMS TO MAKE ME MORE BLOATED AND UNCOMFORTABLE. WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP THIS?

Answered by Dr. Dr. BR Hudda (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please provide more information

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am
I appreciate your concern
Constipation might not be related to effexor(venlafaxine)
Since you have also discontinued it so need not to worry

Bloating can be caused by Aerophagia (swallowing of air) like use of carbonated drinks like cold drinks or beer, smoking, alcohol or ill fitted denture of fermentation of fibers by bacteria in colon
another possibility is acid peptic disease
I would like further information to guide you better

do you feel pain in abdomen or heaviness or nausea and vomiting?
Relevant medical history like diabetes liver disease or hormonal disorders
your food habits
do you smoke or consume liquor?

Please write back to me with these details so that I will be able to guide you.more precisely.
waiting for your reply
Best wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. BR Hudda (45 hours later)

I do not smoke. I may have a glass of wine once or twice a month. I do not have pain in my abdomen just a heaviness feeling. I do not have diabetes or liver disease. I try to limit sugar intake. I do not drink diet drinks or colas. I do not consume much caffiene. I do have a stressful job, and I do not get a lot of exercise. The most sleep I get at one time may be 3 hours.

Answered by Dr. Dr. BR Hudda (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please consider these guidelines

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for your reply
Looking at your description this could be due to Acid peptic disease or gastritis may be due to stomach hyperacidity

In my opinion you should take pantoprazole or omeprazole with antacids or syrup sucralfate for a period of 10 to 15 days.
This could be related to your stressful job or not doing exercise(sedentary life style )

You should take adequate sleep for 6 to 8 hours and try to avoid stress and anxiety by relaxation exercises.

Hope this helps you
wish you good health

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar