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Constant nausea and vomiting
46 year old female, constant nausea and vomiting for 8 months. Pt. Has history of polycythemia Vera, cervical cancer ( total hysterectomy), thyroid cancer ( total thyroidectomy), hypertension. Pt. has been hospitalized multiple times over the last 8 months with no answers. Pt. has had multiple CT’s and X-rays of the stomach, as well as stomach emptying study, endoscopy, and many blood tests. Everything is “normal”. Doctors say she is an anomaly and cannot diagnose her. They have ruled out gasteroparesis, stool blockage, spreading of cancer, and food allergies. Pt. cannot keep fluids or food down, has very high and very low blood pressures, has had hallucinations, bloody noses, chest pain (usually with the vomiting), has lost 80lbs in the last 5 months, and has been in pre-renal failure many times due to the dehydration. I know there is plenty I am missing so please please please ask questions and I will answer them to the best or my ability. The Pt. is my mother who I am convinced will die unless i find someone who has seen this sort of thing can before and help find me answers. She cannot just be an anomaly with no answer’s. Someone out there has to have seen this before. Please help me.
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Thank you. I do use ginger. Phenergan makes me sleep. No vomiting at all. How do you use charcoal? Thanks for all your suggestions
Even though the nausea is a symptom of something,you could try Agastache Tummy formula syrup. It works wonders for me. Also acupuncture.
Same here. Acupuncture and Agastache Tummy syrup helps me.
Have you tried accupuncture or Accu pressure?
I use the charcoal capsules 4-6, 1-3x day when the nausea is bad. I use less if the nausea is less. Remember, drink, drink, and drink water. You want it to stay intact for it to get to your stomach and lower. You mentioned that there is no vomiting; is this because the nausea doesn't hit you like that, or you force yourself not to vomit, or your nausea is just light enough not to cause vomiting? Shelley
Activated charcoal is used in the emergency treatment of certain kinds of poisoning. It helps prevent the poison from being absorbed from the stomach into the body.
Activated charcoal has not been shown to be effective in relieving diarrhea and intestinal gas.
The side effects of taking charcoal are nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. It is not known how charcoal might affect the balance of gut bacteria in the body, especially long-term.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/charcoal-activated-oral-route/description/drg-20070087
Hello @charles826 and all others who have participated in this discussion on nausea. I have read several posts encouraging the use of charcoal in the treatment of nausea. However, I would like to caution you on the use of this supplement for nausea.
I'm providing a link from a reputable website, WebMD, regarding benefits as well as side-effects. Always, of course, discuss changes in your supplements with your doctor before adding a new supplement. Supplements can often run interference with other medications.
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/activated-charcoal-uses-risks
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3 ReactionsWhen considering complementary treatments or supplements, be open-minded yet skeptical. Learn about the potential benefits and risks.
Keep in mind that natural substances can also have toxicities, adverse side effects and treatment interactions. Supplements are not regulated and can be marketed without rigorous clinical testing.
Activated charcoal is used in the emergency treatment of certain kinds of poisoning. It helps prevent the poison from being absorbed from the stomach into the body. Activated charcoal has not been shown to be effective in relieving diarrhea and intestinal gas.
The side effects of taking charcoal are nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. It is not known how charcoal might affect the balance of gut bacteria in the body, especially long-term.
Read more from Mayo Clinic here https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/charcoal-activated-oral-route/description/drg-20070087
A reminder about guideline number 1 in the Community Guidelines:
1. Be careful about giving out medical advice
- Sharing your own experience is fine, but don't tell other members what they should do.
- Experiences and information shared by members on the Mayo Clinic Connect are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
- Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/
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5 ReactionsFrom Shelley...
I apologize for any miscommunication with my post about charcoal. I have used it with great results for years. I did look up to see if it can cause constipation, I couldn't find anything. It is the best, gentle, no side effects, to me, for gas. It worked well for my children too. I will read your link. I will be much less open in sharing about supplements, cuz I do understand that they are not required to be tested strictly. Again, I definitely meant no harm. Shelley
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1 ReactionFrom Shelley
Colleen, I apologized to Teresa, mentor/volunteer also.
I have had such great success with charcoal for gas, for years. I felt it was safe enough to use with my children. I would never ever use anything for them that I didn't absolutely trust. I thought I was clarifying my suggestions as working for me, but I obviously didn't do a very thorough job. I apologize that my post was done in the wrong way. I would never suggest to anyone to use any product I had not had great success with. I suffer from CIC💩, so I don't, can't take any chances on anything that might cause it to be worse. I will be much more cautious in my posts. Shelley
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2 ReactionsHi @shelleyw, thanks for posting. Yes, you did the right thing in advising that the things you do work for you. I appreciate that. Your post was not done improperly.
Charcoal was popular on social media and touted by supplement companies a few years ago. Hence we jumped in to post evidence-based information about its use.
Activated charcoal is effective for clearing out toxins in emergency poisoning situations for specific toxins. There have been a few studies that have researched charcoal for indigestion: to reduce gas and bloating, and to treat and prevent diarrhea. But the evidence remains inconclusive.
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