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Digestive issues

Posted by bumble81 @bumble81, Apr 14, 2020

I started having digestive issues last fall. By December I was told I had bilary dyskenisa and had my gallbladder removed.
That did not fix my problems.
I sometimes have traditional heartburn but mostly I have sour stomach and stomach pain mostly middle immediately below sternum and to the left. Increases after eating. I often feel like food did not make it into my stomach. Like it's stuck down there.

I will get this weird fast quiver like spasm deep inside. I can feel it with my hand I push down and so can my husband and it goes on for hours at a time. Anyone have that before? It's very strange but something inside is not working properly. I also have postprandial hypotension and intermittent difficulty swallowing.

My blood tests show slightly elevated liver enzymes but doc said they are not dangerously high. My stool is frequently bright yellow and liquid:(

Also I cannot seem to get a straight answer but do those of you with experience with ulcers did it cause excessive burping?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

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penelope52 | @penelope52 | Feb 3, 2024
In reply to @jac59 "I'm having upper and lower digestive issues. B.M. changes - 90% of time it floats. Always..." + (show)
Profile picture for jac59 @jac59

I'm having upper and lower digestive issues. B.M. changes - 90% of time it floats. Always feels like it never fully empties. Full and gassy feeling. Upper part of stomach near breast bone - mid chest - and lower part of stomach - belly button - pain. B.m.'s 5-7 times a day. All shapes and sizes. Can't eat much at a time without feeling full.
I have an appointment for a colonoscopy, but can't get in until mid march. Wondering if it's diverticulosis. Any other suggestions - what to eat or not eat? Doctor just says take Miralax.

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Have your doctor do a stool test to check you for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency EPI. You have some of the symptoms. That may not be it, but the test will rule that out for you.
High/low glucose can be one of the side effects of CREON. I am battling pre-diabetes and don't know if is from the drug or the compromised pancreas. Regardless, I will continue taking it so I don't starve to death from lack of nutrition.
Good luck on your quest, it took me almost a year to diagnosis my EPI. My gastro's NP figured it out, but not before I went to four doctors trying to eliminate problems with every organ in that area. Since that is where all your organs are it be located can be daunting. Don't give up.

REPLY
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penelope52 | @penelope52 | Feb 3, 2024
In reply to @jac59 "I'm having upper and lower digestive issues. B.M. changes - 90% of time it floats. Always..." + (show)
Profile picture for jac59 @jac59

I'm having upper and lower digestive issues. B.M. changes - 90% of time it floats. Always feels like it never fully empties. Full and gassy feeling. Upper part of stomach near breast bone - mid chest - and lower part of stomach - belly button - pain. B.m.'s 5-7 times a day. All shapes and sizes. Can't eat much at a time without feeling full.
I have an appointment for a colonoscopy, but can't get in until mid march. Wondering if it's diverticulosis. Any other suggestions - what to eat or not eat? Doctor just says take Miralax.

Jump to this post

BTW all the posts I read here relate symptoms I had with EPI, I encourage all of you to have a stool test for EPI and if that isn't the problem, then you can cross one more thing off your list. Your Gasto will have this test done for you. EPI is not common and I had to keep insisting something was wrong. Fortunately, the doctor I use is excellent and his office staff work wonderfully with patients.

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dottie1956 | @dottie1956 | Feb 3, 2024
In reply to @jac59 "I'm having upper and lower digestive issues. B.M. changes - 90% of time it floats. Always..." + (show)
Profile picture for jac59 @jac59

I'm having upper and lower digestive issues. B.M. changes - 90% of time it floats. Always feels like it never fully empties. Full and gassy feeling. Upper part of stomach near breast bone - mid chest - and lower part of stomach - belly button - pain. B.m.'s 5-7 times a day. All shapes and sizes. Can't eat much at a time without feeling full.
I have an appointment for a colonoscopy, but can't get in until mid march. Wondering if it's diverticulosis. Any other suggestions - what to eat or not eat? Doctor just says take Miralax.

Jump to this post

I'm going through the same..it started in November. Your doctor will most likely want to do more tests. I'm still having tests!! This can be a variety of diagnoses!! Right now I started eating gluten free, hang in there..

REPLY
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pbnew | @pbnew | Apr 10, 2024
In reply to @hopethereisnothing "So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did..." + (show)
Profile picture for hopethereisnothing @hopethereisnothing

So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did lots of tests, all negative, and tried almost every OTC and prescription medication with no improvement of symptoms. My most bothersome symptoms are: abdominal pain and cramps, excessive gas, belching and irregular bowel habit (sometimes diarrhea, sometimes constipation, rarely normal BM ).
Out of despair and lack of other options, I am thinking of trying low FODMAP diet.
I need your opinion and real life experience: does it really help with digestive symptoms ? And if so, how long does it take to start feeling better?
Are there any tips to make this diet work ?
Thanks in advance .

Jump to this post

Has it helped people with IBS-C? Please relate your experiences. Thank you.

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1 reply
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Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Apr 10, 2024
In reply to @pbnew "Has it helped people with IBS-C? Please relate your experiences. Thank you." + (show)
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Has it helped people with IBS-C? Please relate your experiences. Thank you.

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Hello @pbnew, I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion titled, "Low FODMAP diet ...is it worth trying?" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/low-fodmap-diet-is-it-worth-trying/ to meet other Connect members talking about the Low FODMAP diet.

@ch47, @sunlover recently discussed exploring this diet and may offer some of their insight.

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pb50 | @pb50 | Apr 10, 2024
In reply to @ch47 "I once committed to a chiropractor for a lengthy series of treatments that I could not..." + (show)
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I once committed to a chiropractor for a lengthy series of treatments that I could not get anywhere else. It was worth it.
But what do you get for that? How sick are you? Is nutritionist certified in your needs? It’s nice to have someone connected with your doctors office, but will you need that length of time ( I presume it’s many appointments) could you have an appointment or two to see how you like that person? Then commit.
It took me a while to get into a dieticians office, and by the time I did, like you, I had done all of the research I could get my hands on and she had nothing new to add. She agreed that the one visit was probably enough.
Is there a dietitian near you that charges by the visit? You could at least get that information to help you decide if you want to make that large commitment.
Again, maybe you need the whole of the services they offer; but I would at least ask around a bit…

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If I’m paying $2000 that better come with a chef for the first month 🙂

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rbg | @rbg | Apr 11, 2024
In reply to @hopethereisnothing "So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did..." + (show)
Profile picture for hopethereisnothing @hopethereisnothing

So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did lots of tests, all negative, and tried almost every OTC and prescription medication with no improvement of symptoms. My most bothersome symptoms are: abdominal pain and cramps, excessive gas, belching and irregular bowel habit (sometimes diarrhea, sometimes constipation, rarely normal BM ).
Out of despair and lack of other options, I am thinking of trying low FODMAP diet.
I need your opinion and real life experience: does it really help with digestive symptoms ? And if so, how long does it take to start feeling better?
Are there any tips to make this diet work ?
Thanks in advance .

Jump to this post

I went through the diet, and the long serie of antibiotics. My impression is that what helped me the most was following this support group and gathering advice. I left the antibiotics, as I was building resistance and took oregan oil, berberine, olive oil and slowly incorporated food that I could tolerate well. Getting information from the support groups led me to understand that there is not one way out. Different people experience different syntoms and outcome. I was also observant of incorporatiing vitamins and minerals as it weakens your system. Im feeling well, now.

REPLY
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wizdum | @wizdum | Apr 11, 2024
In reply to @hopethereisnothing "So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did..." + (show)
Profile picture for hopethereisnothing @hopethereisnothing

So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did lots of tests, all negative, and tried almost every OTC and prescription medication with no improvement of symptoms. My most bothersome symptoms are: abdominal pain and cramps, excessive gas, belching and irregular bowel habit (sometimes diarrhea, sometimes constipation, rarely normal BM ).
Out of despair and lack of other options, I am thinking of trying low FODMAP diet.
I need your opinion and real life experience: does it really help with digestive symptoms ? And if so, how long does it take to start feeling better?
Are there any tips to make this diet work ?
Thanks in advance .

Jump to this post

Low Fodmap diet really helps. I have had all the symptoms you mentioned and many tests. Been low fodmap for many years. I am also mostly dairy free, alcohol, coffee, and gluten free. Not a big deal. I am used to it. I can eat some foods that are fodmap in moderation. If I have been feeling achy or have an event coming up, I take extra care to follow the diet. For me, some Fodmaps can be eaten if you don't have them in successive days.
Also, recently went on course of Xifaxin. Not sure it helped...jury still out. I do so much better in the Summer months. Fall is worst. Don't know why.

REPLY
1 reply
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ch47 | @ch47 | Apr 11, 2024
In reply to @hopethereisnothing "So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did..." + (show)
Profile picture for hopethereisnothing @hopethereisnothing

So I (39 yr old female) have been struggling with unresolved digestive issues for months, did lots of tests, all negative, and tried almost every OTC and prescription medication with no improvement of symptoms. My most bothersome symptoms are: abdominal pain and cramps, excessive gas, belching and irregular bowel habit (sometimes diarrhea, sometimes constipation, rarely normal BM ).
Out of despair and lack of other options, I am thinking of trying low FODMAP diet.
I need your opinion and real life experience: does it really help with digestive symptoms ? And if so, how long does it take to start feeling better?
Are there any tips to make this diet work ?
Thanks in advance .

Jump to this post

Very happy that you found a way to heal yourself, and sorry that the antibiotics didn’t help you-I was told they targeted the just the specific bacteria that overgrow in your gut. I did the diet faithfully for several months, but had to do antibiotics and went away quick.
This was my second episode, first was several years ago.
I always take vitamins and minerals, but love your ideas of olive oil etc.
Also have incorporated the yummy offensive foods, but in smaller quantities.
Sugar (too much sweet watermelon last summer 😏 caused a flare) , gluten, garlic and onions are my main offenders.
Oh well, good at the moment and I hope we both remain that way!!!

REPLY
Profile picture for ch47
ch47 | @ch47 | Apr 11, 2024
In reply to @wizdum "Low Fodmap diet really helps. I have had all the symptoms you mentioned and many tests...." + (show)
Profile picture for wizdum @wizdum

Low Fodmap diet really helps. I have had all the symptoms you mentioned and many tests. Been low fodmap for many years. I am also mostly dairy free, alcohol, coffee, and gluten free. Not a big deal. I am used to it. I can eat some foods that are fodmap in moderation. If I have been feeling achy or have an event coming up, I take extra care to follow the diet. For me, some Fodmaps can be eaten if you don't have them in successive days.
Also, recently went on course of Xifaxin. Not sure it helped...jury still out. I do so much better in the Summer months. Fall is worst. Don't know why.

Jump to this post

Same for me…fodmap diet mostly, but add some goodies here and there, not in a row. There are so many gluten free products today, very helpful.
Just mentioned in last comment, had an attack last summer from watermelon…there was a farm vendor around the corner and I couldn’t help myself…seedless baby watermelon. Oh well, won’t do that again.

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