Tummy problems...

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-05-2003
Tummy problems...
5
Mon, 12-06-2004 - 9:31pm

Hey all- 1st time posting here. I've been having huge issues, wondering if you could help me out for a bit. I've been experiencing chronic acid reflux for over 3 years now. Recently, it's been getting worse. I've been on Prilosec and Nexium, however, nothing works. I'm lactose intolerant, so I can't even drink the milk to help out. I'm wondering if there's any underlying issue I should talk to my GP doc about this. Also, I'm highly irregular(not that you wanted to know that), or I have diareha (I can't spell that!) constantly. I'm just at a loss. I know there's something wrong, but I have no idea how to go about asking the dr. for help, or what is "wrong." Any help would be greatful. Thanks!

Trixie

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Tue, 12-07-2004 - 11:41am

Hi Trixie and Welcome to iVillage,

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2004
Tue, 12-07-2004 - 4:20pm
Dear Trixie, Your problems sound very like mine. I also have Gerd like symptoms, but my doctor calls it Nerd because an examination of my esophagus and stomach showed only minor irritation. I'm not sure I trust that exam. So many of these exams are done after one has been on medication for awhile already and on an empty stomach. The Nexium, Pepcid AC, etc. etc. weren't doing any good as far as I could tell, at least they didn't seem to be getting rid of my under the right-center ribcage burning. The doctor said since there seemed to be only minor irritation, I could stop taking the meds altogether. So I have done that except for an occasional Pepcid Ac 20mg. pill. When I consume too much acid food the pain gets very strong. It's easier to avoid acid foods than to pay for medicines that don't seem to work. I am also highly irregular with episodes of constipation and a sort of diarrhea, My stools rarely are unformed, but I will have 5 to 7 or so a day sometimes after a spell of constipation. Am trying to fiddle with my calcium, magnesium pills. Not really successful so far. A friend has suggested using half a tablet of each at meals. I started trying that today. I am more inclined to constipation than diarrhea. I tried Wren's vinegar and for a time that seemed to help, but it doesn't any more. At present I am using a celiac diet even though I have not been diagnosed with this disease. It is a healthy diet which leaves out wheat, rye, barley and oatmeal. There are substitutes for wheat flour, etc. out there, but I prefer not to use them. Too expensive for one thing. I just eat plenty of vegetables, unprocessed meat and what fruits I can tolerate, mainly bananas and cantalope. I am lactose intolerant, also. Don't know if this helps at all, but at least there's someone who has similar problems. Actually there are quite a few of us out there . Cheers, Ruth
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Tue, 12-07-2004 - 5:51pm

Hi Trixie


Welcome to the board!

 
Community Leader
Registered: 10-01-2002
Tue, 12-07-2004 - 7:40pm

Hello

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2004
Wed, 12-15-2004 - 4:48pm
Hi, Wren! I am spending more time on the celiac board these days. It's not the ivillage one. I am still on the celiac diet. Have more energy and sleep better, but still have fairly severe constipation. Prunes don't work for me since they have sulphur in them and make very smelly gas. Since I tutor at school yet, that won't do. I have read with interest your other suggestions this day. I do eat lots of veggies , not so many fruits since the acidy ones seem to bother my upper abdomen. I eat a stalk of celery with peanut butter with lunch of chicken or fish or turkey, once in awhile some beef, but rarely. and also a sort of stew or soup, lately carrots, green beans, beets, squash, lima beans, For salad I use iceberg or romaine lettuce with olive oil for dressing. The broccoli family doesn't work for me. Right now I am trying something called kefir along with lactase pills since I am lactose intolerant. Actually this stuff (a kind of cultured milk like yogurt)is supposed to be tolerated well by many lactose intolerant people, even better than yogurt which I cant use. I tried it out again this fall. There is a recipe for a water based kefir on Yahoo, I intend to try to get some kefir grains ( gluten free) from their site. As you probably remember, I have always been troubled with constipation, and many people on a celiac diet have trouble with it even though they didn't before. Sometimes I think all food bothers me. The times I feel "normal" are when I am all cleaned out for some sort of procedure.
Long ago I found out that I have an extra large large intestine. Takes twice as much "chalk" as a normal bowel for an x-ray. Also my doc says that adhesions from my gallbladder surgery last winter and previous surgeries may be playing into this. My discomfort is mainly in my right side over my hip and under my right center rib cage. I had an ultrasound recently that showed normal for all organs in my upper ab except I have a small but insignificant cyst on one kidney. I am also trying something called Provex AC from a company called Melaleucca (spelling?) in Tennessee. Have been on that for about a month. It contains grapeseed extrac, ginko biloba among other things. Supposed to be good for cholesterol and I do have elevated cholesterol. However, my triglycerides are way down. They used to run about 300 before this diet. On my test in Sept, 2004 they were at 76! Now you heard enough about me to make up for lost time! Cheers, Ruth