Managing symptoms of possible splenic flexure syndrome
I have not been diagnosed with splenic flexure syndrome, but I suspect that’s what I have, based on what I’ve read and from reading about other people’s similar symptoms. Like many with gut issues (mine started 3 years ago), I’ve seen numerous docs, had a bunch of tests, and tried different diets and supplements, yet I still don’t know for sure what’s going on in there. I have an appt scheduled with a GI doc I saw before, and since I now know a lot more about what my body does when, I’m hoping to make progress on this mystery.
In the meantime, I thought I’d share what specific actions seem to help manage the symptoms, which have changed over time but lately are: the feeling of a gas bubble stuck in my upper left quadrant under my ribs; a froggy sound of stuff either sloshing around in my stomach or trying to get past my splenic flexure when I exaggerate diaphragmatic breathing (kind of makes me feel full and hungry at the same time); gas stuck in various places in my abdomen; often feeling like I don’t get rid of all the poop when I go. There’s an overabundance of really vague advice in articles about what to do for trapped gas and GI troubles, such as go for a walk, do yoga, drink hot tea, blah blah blah. I already get lots of exercise—walking, biking, snowshoeing, etc.—but still get uncomfortable GI symptoms.
Here are the specific steps I’ve been taking to help:
Eat a lower fiber diet. All the docs I met with told me to eat more fiber, and that certainly is the common refrain these days for healthy eating. I have less gas when I eat less fiber, though, which makes perfect sense. Less gas equals less bloating to begin with. That’s likely why the low FODMAP diet seemed to help me some. The problem with that diet, though, is that it’s SO not intuitive. The Monash app helped a lot.
Eat small portions throughout the day rather than three large meals. It sounds great—I mean, who doesn’t want to snack all day, right?—but it’s a little harder than it sounds. I get busy and forget, or I go for a hard bike ride and I’m starving when I get back; the natural urge is to snarf down a bunch of food. I have to remind myself to nibble slowly and to sip rather than gulp liquids.
When I get that sloshy or trapped bubble feeling, I lie down on my back and start doing all kinds of stretches and twists (I work from home, so can do this anytime—so I often do it preemptively). Often, I prop a couple of firm massage balls under my SI joint area or right at my hip joints, bend my knees, and relax one leg at a time sideways to the floor. That seems to help relax the pelvic floor muscles, and I hear my GI tract gurgling, which means things are moving.
Belly massage lying down on my back: start on the left side (descending colon) and with my fingertips push down from my ribs to my hip bone a few times. Then do it from just under the right-side ribs to the left-side ribs (transverse colon—although I don’t know for sure if mine is drooping or not). Then push up from the right hip bone toward the right ribs (along the ascending colon). I do this a bunch of times, and also vigorously push and jiggle everywhere on my belly. I usually hear things “letting go.”
Belly massage after I pee: While still sitting on the toilet, but with an empty bladder, I use my fingertips to bounce and jiggle my belly up and down and all around. It sounds ridiculous, but I think it helps motility and keeps gas and fluid moving in there.
Belly massage standing up: I bend forward about 90 degrees at the waist, then with my fingertips vigorously jiggle my relaxed belly up and down.
Lie on my side on a partially inflated ball (I have the Corgeous brand, but I think anything squishy yet firm that pushes on your gut would work). The pressure on either ascending or descending colon releases gas bubbles. I can hear and feel them moving.
I know I’ve spent waaaaay too much time the past few years worrying about what’s wrong with me and Googling things to try to figure it all out, so I feel everyone’s mental and social anxiety—and recognize the real physical pain—of GI stuff.
I’d love to hear if anyone else has specific movements or tips like these that help alleviate symptoms.