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Dealing with multiple GI issues
I have been adding new diagnoses to my already numerous this past six months. My former gi dr just thru meds at me mostly. So about 11 years ago I got diagnosed with redundant colon and IBS-c (which sometimes I think is a catch-all for who knows what's wrong with you LOL) when I started following the low FODMAP diet loosely (onions and garlic are out for sure.) Two years later I had severe lower chest pain and went to ER, where I eventually diagnosed with EOE, gastritis, hiatal hernia. Put on prilosec then and still on them, top dose now. Had my colonoscopy 9 years after the first as I was having issues again and got sent to specialist colon dr as I have flat large precanerous polyps that took 3 more colonoscopies (4 in 20 months), and the last two were two day preps with two gallons prep that I could only get 1 1/4 down both times. On a yearly schedule now, sigh. I was having issues with swallowing again this past June and had another endoscopy where gi dr broke a Schatzki ring at the bottom, and showed an erosive esophagus, no EOE. I also saw a couple of ENTs shortly after as I was having vocal cord issues (from long Covid in the spring), and turns out I have LPR, and acid reflux is hitting my vocal cords. I switched to a larger practice who did three tests - ph impendence (119 weakly acidic events in 24 hours, some up to my vocal cords, on meds), esophageal motility which showed gastroparesis, and manometry which showed inefficient esophageal motility. I was too complex for them so I am being referred to a university center. I also met with a dietician who helped me figure out how to deal with these conflicting diagnoses! I am eating very little solids, granola in am (to keep me not constipated but gives me heart burn) midmorning a homemade muffin or similar, soup which I just stopped pureeing for lunch, Owyn protein drink for mid afternoon, and a smoothie for dinner. Avoiding as much acid foods and drinks as possible, only drinking alkaline water. Just wondering if anyone else has similar multiple issues. And what anyone has found that works! I am on a new med for the motility issue, bethanechol which hasn't helped much yet (bloating still bad.) And I have lost almost 30 pounds in 4 months, needed to but not sure when it will stop.
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I totally understand!
So sorry. I have had all the test and it confirms Gastro paresis the operation. I had to stop the reflux messed up my stomach. I think the nerve that the Gastro paresis, my heartburn has returned. I am back on the prescription drugs, even with the drugs, if I eat anything, I get horrible heartburn. I just need to be more disciplined to eat soft foods I do my own protein shakes but every now and then I want some solid food. I ate enchiladas on vacation and paid for it heartburn for two days today I made six large pancakes with protein powder and 85 of them Constipation is horrible. They just ordered a new medication but it’s 500 a month so I won’t be taking that four. I’m still working on finding the right formula and I know I will if it means eating soup and drinking smoothies for the rest of my life, I will do it. I am 84 years old and will be 85 in January, still in excellent health otherwise Gastro paresis, compared to 84 years old,
I am doing great. Keep me posted on your progress and good luck.
I feel exactly like you . 7 different diagnosis over 10 years chronic . I done everything I can do , suffer non stop 🛑 daily . Can barely eat , now heart ♥️ PVCs abd chronic fatigue and insomnia.
My life is not a life anymore.
No Dr’s can help or any supplements or any RX’s ( I do take Klonipin abs Ambien ), magnesium supplements for heart and some others .
I’m really ready to pack it in . I’m 63 .
It’s just too much . I’m sorry 😞 you deal w/ it too .
No life really at all .
The sad thing is my husband and I are about to become grandparents for the first time from my daughter and her husband and I can’t even enjoy that ;(
Hi,
I really don't know why I haven't pulled the plug by now. Something keeps me searching for hope that some help will turn up. Until ANS starts with the word cancer little will be done. All my life I have been a fighter and don't give in easily, but I have to recognise there is no hope at all and sooner or later the plug will be pulled before I can no longer take care of it. I have always worked with my hands on delicate work and find it almost intolerable to be loosing my hand eye coordination. I can put up with most things and deal with physical pain hourly without meds, by choice, but not having the hand eye coordination really bothers me. I get to feel useless at times when I need the dexterity. At 73 and a lifetime of decisive decision making is now fading to indecisions and desperation, a place I don't want to be.
It is funny how keeping busy blocks the problems from the mind and masks the symptoms until I settle down for some rest, only to have the consequences of being busy grab the opportunity to kick me when I'm down. Then the pain surges through the hands and legs leaving me uncomfortable and unwilling to delve into my bottle of opioid based medication I keep tucked away for the really bad times.
I always thought rest and relaxation was a solution for the body to recover, not the opportunity for ANS and everything else going on to gang up on me and have a picnic at my expense!
Cheers
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1 ReactionSo sorry 😢
We share our colon dramas w & w/o diagnosis or multiple diagnosed. I'm sorry you took a blow at others expense. GRRD, IBS, Torturous Redundant Colon - new news to me. Saw Dr; & thank God i'm not diabetic. We're poked & prodded from throat to bottom. To get high- fiber diet- oops, low-fiber, Wait. .. low soluble & high protein. Only to hear whoops. We're gonna try. .. what we need to ask Dr is whose the We in We're going to try a different diet.! No preservatives, no sugars, gluten free, celiac free, Wait. .. We all want, need & deserve Answers. It is a daily battle w bowel problems. How can we accomplish or achieve our goals, hopes & dreams if it revolves around a toilet. I want to encourage you that our body speaks volumes to us. I had to quit salads, fresh vegetables & fruits. Was given the diet & gladly transitioned from no skins causing D. Then I ate 2 weeks salad & Nothing. Guess our bodies are so complex, they'll blame it on our mind. Cheers.
Hi,
Interesting comments and what I assume a lot of us have to put up with. I know I'm not the only one going through such troubles despite it feeling like I'm the only with such problems.
I spent an hour or two with another Geriatitian this afternoon after dressing down the last one after it was evident she was being one eyed and resolved that she couldn't help me. Damn it felt good then, but this time I was under instructions to take my wife to keep me inline. They don't appreciate nothing would keep me quiet if I feel I'm being given the bad end of a stick, yet again! The hint was definitely there if nothing is found yet again I'm depressed and in need of a phyc Dr. Seems to be a common denominator when all else fails, pull out the crazy card. I wonder if in their training they every learnt to look deeper when they can not find a cause for some pretty obvious symptoms. Anyway I'm now off the SIBO meds and there is little change so the nasty guts rumbles on, literally.
We now have another focus, poisoning or some form of dementia going on, ruled out Parkinsons though. Finally some testing and a brain scan are planned. In the last few weeks I have been noticing the hand eye coordination getting worse and after around 4 hours I'm all in knackered and starting to stumble around. The Osteoarthritis in the hands has become more painful and I'm fumbling everything I try to touch, frustration levels are starting to go through the roof, yet again. Just hope I can wind my neck back in before it is too late. They wonder why I have become withdrawn and reclusive, because it hurts me less, head in the sand policy!
Resolved tonight to go back on a starvation diet taking filtered water only as this shuts up the stomach and with hope will kill off the nasties in the small intestine. I thought I was lacking vital neutriants but after stumbling 9Kms last week I guess that is not an issue. I was waiting for the booze patrol I passed to stop me and check me for being drunk in charge of the footpath!
For now life goes on.
Cheers
Protonix/ Pantraprazole for acid reflux, Rx. Pepcid complete otc. There's 100 names for sugar. Tuna fish & noodles, broiled or baked fish, how many bland ways to make a chicken or turkey breast. Gobble-gobble. What do we eat this holiday season. No grease tolerance. Chokes me out of kitchen, tears rollin. I'm not digesting poultry or fish if I eat 2 or most 3 days, I'm concentrating on walking, exercise. Followed w breakin out maternity tops for 10 month distensions. Uncomfortable, painful. Artichoke 8000 1st day was success. 1 cap Broke C to D. Next day 1 cap sent me to bthrm for vomiting. I know it's a new intro to my body. Trying 1 cap today to break z dam. My Chart has redundant colon. GI said I have a torturous redundant colon. They seem to know the names, labels, tests, procedures, check dignity at the door. I just had anal prolapse repaired n doc said its from stomach distensions, bearing weight, pressing down. Now, I sit cuz im afraid my rectum will fall out again w/o resolve for root cause. I'm happy I found somewhere to share & trade whatever knowledge we gain. May inadverntly help another. Look at chronic pain & many factors create candidates who are willing to try this, try that. Do they not know we're desperate here. Growing weaker as the glimmer of hope stays barely lit. URQ pain feels puched, then two days to recover from the spasm. I stopped everything I was told to do. To many drs, not enough answers. & Go to Dr well prepared. Research. @GI i requested Gastric Emptying stomach 4 hour test. GI said that's a good idea. I imagine my food is not digested & rotting in my gut. Test this Monday GES. klonopin can cause C. Choice; take a klonopin to calm down our anxiety & ambien for sleep here too.
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1 ReactionOh my , have you had liver checked ? Liver disease can cause distended abdomen like that !
I’ll pray for you . How horrible.
I’m a mess as well , so chronic. Plus slept 10 hrs in last 5 nights .
I have 7 diagnoses no one can help me .
Now I’m losing it not sleeping 💤.
Yes LFT is fine. I'm w you, I hear you. Taking years of this 23 y's to be exact. I'm sorry youre going through this too 🙁