@linh I read you got a gut health kit. I would like to know which one and where to order. I’m always looking for ways to investigate my gut issues. Thanks. Suzanne
This kit’s lab work is/was actually performed elsewhere, I don’t know which laboratory runs this test for them (Thorne.com) however. I have belatedly come across a online article or two rating various test kits, that might be your best starting point.
@tarmansbks Hi. Suzanne here. You have taken so many of the same steps I’ve taken to relieve my symptoms of chronic constipation that leads to an inability to eat. And weight loss. The FODMAP diet has helped and so has small frequent meals.
Learning how to eat like a bird is more difficult than I thought. We’ve been raised and socialized to eat three substantial meals a day. Ordering a meal when out with friends isn’t possible now. It requires a change of habit that fundamentally goes against the way we/I’ve lived for 70 years. But here I am fine tuning my diet.
A good rice, organic brown, basmati, red, black, I try to vary it so I don’t get sick of rice, is my retreat when I get out of wack.
I have swallowing problems, stomach emptying probs, and constipation. They’re all related. I take citalopram and Wellbutrin for depression and have reluctantly resorted to a weekly use of laxative hoping to give my gut some relief. Or am I doing more harm?
I’m sorry for your chronic nausea. That must be horrible to live with. But it certainly is a help to have a forum where we don’t have to be shy about discussing our issues. I feel nauseous when my stomach can’t take anymore food but I want to eat but I’m unable to.
Another contributing factor in my case is my years with bulimia, which is probably at the root of my issues also.
I hope you find what works for you. And I’ll share anything that might be helpful. For now, wishing you all the best.
Suzanne, do you notice that most food is promoted as a way to lose weight and there is not much out there that is nourishing and palatable to help you gain weight. I knew this was a problem when my husband was post-Whipple surgery for a duodenal tumor and we just couldn't find high calorie foods that were nourishing and didn't turn his stomach. For almost a year he ate a steady diet of spinach quiche which we had to be careful of because of the coumadin INR levels and noodle tetrazzini with chicken broth but not chicken. He was prescribed Marinol after a fight with the insurance company but couldn't take it anyway. I never had bulimia and I don't feel I am depressed but I will admit to GAD. I worked my way back to 119 lbs as of this morning and will keep on track. I got Gala apples at with my grocery curb delivery this morning. Neighbor said to try some peanut butter on it to up the calorie. A friend who had mouth cancer radiation and couldn't swallow kept herself from losing further weight by drinking high test chocolate milk. This does not seem like the road to recovery but if I can reclaim an appetite and some weight maybe the GAD will ease up. I listen to you tube meditations daily re gut/brain and they are soothing. I like rice too but it can be cloying without the nice spices to go with it. LOL! M.E.
Suzanne, do you notice that most food is promoted as a way to lose weight and there is not much out there that is nourishing and palatable to help you gain weight. I knew this was a problem when my husband was post-Whipple surgery for a duodenal tumor and we just couldn't find high calorie foods that were nourishing and didn't turn his stomach. For almost a year he ate a steady diet of spinach quiche which we had to be careful of because of the coumadin INR levels and noodle tetrazzini with chicken broth but not chicken. He was prescribed Marinol after a fight with the insurance company but couldn't take it anyway. I never had bulimia and I don't feel I am depressed but I will admit to GAD. I worked my way back to 119 lbs as of this morning and will keep on track. I got Gala apples at with my grocery curb delivery this morning. Neighbor said to try some peanut butter on it to up the calorie. A friend who had mouth cancer radiation and couldn't swallow kept herself from losing further weight by drinking high test chocolate milk. This does not seem like the road to recovery but if I can reclaim an appetite and some weight maybe the GAD will ease up. I listen to you tube meditations daily re gut/brain and they are soothing. I like rice too but it can be cloying without the nice spices to go with it. LOL! M.E.
@tarmansbks I agree. It's always about low-calorie this and that. Nutrition should be a part of every GP's education and not just a "specialty." I will look around for a good gut check kit. My grandmother had a duodenal tumor. I sometimes wonder if I may have that also. How is it seen? Ultrasound? Endoscopy? I love rice with a little butter and salt and that's it. Anyway, thanks for all the info. I will follow up. 🙂
Bloodwork, endoscopy, ultrasound all negative for a reason. Having a breath test in November to measure overabundance of bacteria in "gut". Have been prescribed up to 4 zofran a day but it is constipating which is a problem I already have. I think constipation plays a role and because I have no appetite, I can't tolerate foods I unsed to love like vegetables and whole grains. Motility specialist has put in an order for a nutrition consult in the next two weeks. I have been trying to eat more and frequently. I do use Benefiber but all the other "fibers and softeners make me sick" so I have to go with suppositories and "the bag" to get things moving. Can't believe I am talking about this. Ginger does make me feel better and lorazepam takes the anxiety off the worry. I am off gabapentin and ropinirole and I am cutting back the medrol I believe it will take a while until those medications are out of my system. I thought the original classic relief band was discontinued but I will look at Amazon again to see. Thank you for your fine report, I appreciate it.
@tarmansbks ,
Do you think discontinuing gabapentin or other meds could be a cause? Have you discussed this possibility with your PCP?
Please let us know about the results of upcoming tests. Hang in there!
@tarmansbks I agree. It's always about low-calorie this and that. Nutrition should be a part of every GP's education and not just a "specialty." I will look around for a good gut check kit. My grandmother had a duodenal tumor. I sometimes wonder if I may have that also. How is it seen? Ultrasound? Endoscopy? I love rice with a little butter and salt and that's it. Anyway, thanks for all the info. I will follow up. 🙂
Jim's duodenal tumor showed up when he had an endoscopy because of a bile duct being blocked. The only warning was urine the color of tea. He had a Whipple surgery which is very extensive and a lot of his internal organs were removed in part. It is an old procedure and if you need a Whipple, you need surgeons with a lot of experience doijng them. I certainly pray you do not have a duodenal tumor. I had a call 10 minutes ago from the Hershey Medical Center scheduler and I will see the nutritionist a week today!
@tarmansbks ,
Do you think discontinuing gabapentin or other meds could be a cause? Have you discussed this possibility with your PCP?
Please let us know about the results of upcoming tests. Hang in there!
Yes, I think discontinuing those meds may have something to do with it. I broke down and took a zofran this afternoon as I am hesitating because of the constipation likelihood. My motiliy guru calls every Friday to see how I am doing and said to take the zofran and deal with the constipation if that's what it takes to get me to eat. Thank you for kind words.
I know, it's like trying to herd cats, right?! It is easier to help find others with our same experience when we can keep our topics somewhat separate, so others can find us and offer suggestions, also! Nervousness and worry, yep, I have that. Constipation and nausea, not so much.
Ginger
Yes, I think discontinuing those meds may have something to do with it. I broke down and took a zofran this afternoon as I am hesitating because of the constipation likelihood. My motiliy guru calls every Friday to see how I am doing and said to take the zofran and deal with the constipation if that's what it takes to get me to eat. Thank you for kind words.
@tamaratabak ,
Yes, your guru is right! It’s easier to manage the constipation than to get malnourished from nausea and then land in the hospital with TPN staring at you! Take the zofran and eat! But maybe mix it up a bit with something that doesn’t slow the gut down as much. Let us know how you’re doing.
I purchased a Gut Health test kit & learned from it’s report what bacteria were out of wack. One bacteria indicated I needed to make a higher priority out of dental hygiene, so I am using my dentist’s prescription toothpaste & flossing more religiously.
The test results helped guide me on what foods to include in my meals to rebalance. I don’t know if it is the placebo effect or not, an apple a day, etc. seems to help, my nausea has thankfully been tamed.
@linh
That is very interesting. So, I’m assuming that you had chronic nausea without a prior etiology? Glad you figured it out, but you can bet that most PCPs would not know to go down that road. Thank you for sharing.
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This kit’s lab work is/was actually performed elsewhere, I don’t know which laboratory runs this test for them (Thorne.com) however. I have belatedly come across a online article or two rating various test kits, that might be your best starting point.
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1 ReactionSuzanne, do you notice that most food is promoted as a way to lose weight and there is not much out there that is nourishing and palatable to help you gain weight. I knew this was a problem when my husband was post-Whipple surgery for a duodenal tumor and we just couldn't find high calorie foods that were nourishing and didn't turn his stomach. For almost a year he ate a steady diet of spinach quiche which we had to be careful of because of the coumadin INR levels and noodle tetrazzini with chicken broth but not chicken. He was prescribed Marinol after a fight with the insurance company but couldn't take it anyway. I never had bulimia and I don't feel I am depressed but I will admit to GAD. I worked my way back to 119 lbs as of this morning and will keep on track. I got Gala apples at with my grocery curb delivery this morning. Neighbor said to try some peanut butter on it to up the calorie. A friend who had mouth cancer radiation and couldn't swallow kept herself from losing further weight by drinking high test chocolate milk. This does not seem like the road to recovery but if I can reclaim an appetite and some weight maybe the GAD will ease up. I listen to you tube meditations daily re gut/brain and they are soothing. I like rice too but it can be cloying without the nice spices to go with it. LOL! M.E.
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Hug
2 Reactions@tarmansbks I agree. It's always about low-calorie this and that. Nutrition should be a part of every GP's education and not just a "specialty." I will look around for a good gut check kit. My grandmother had a duodenal tumor. I sometimes wonder if I may have that also. How is it seen? Ultrasound? Endoscopy? I love rice with a little butter and salt and that's it. Anyway, thanks for all the info. I will follow up. 🙂
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@tarmansbks ,
Do you think discontinuing gabapentin or other meds could be a cause? Have you discussed this possibility with your PCP?
Please let us know about the results of upcoming tests. Hang in there!
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionJim's duodenal tumor showed up when he had an endoscopy because of a bile duct being blocked. The only warning was urine the color of tea. He had a Whipple surgery which is very extensive and a lot of his internal organs were removed in part. It is an old procedure and if you need a Whipple, you need surgeons with a lot of experience doijng them. I certainly pray you do not have a duodenal tumor. I had a call 10 minutes ago from the Hershey Medical Center scheduler and I will see the nutritionist a week today!
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionYes, I think discontinuing those meds may have something to do with it. I broke down and took a zofran this afternoon as I am hesitating because of the constipation likelihood. My motiliy guru calls every Friday to see how I am doing and said to take the zofran and deal with the constipation if that's what it takes to get me to eat. Thank you for kind words.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionIt seems we have wandered away from our discussion about nervousness and worry, and how we handle it all.
Here is a discussion that can certainly be renewed, about constipation https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/severe-constipation-1/?pg=2#chv4-comment-stream-header
Here is an article from Scripps about nausea that some of you may find useful: https://www.scripps.org/news_items/7099-how-to-get-rid-of-nausea.
I know, it's like trying to herd cats, right?! It is easier to help find others with our same experience when we can keep our topics somewhat separate, so others can find us and offer suggestions, also! Nervousness and worry, yep, I have that. Constipation and nausea, not so much.
Ginger
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1 Reaction@tamaratabak ,
Yes, your guru is right! It’s easier to manage the constipation than to get malnourished from nausea and then land in the hospital with TPN staring at you! Take the zofran and eat! But maybe mix it up a bit with something that doesn’t slow the gut down as much. Let us know how you’re doing.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsNo, it is not a problem. Never a definitive diagnosis, but out of exclusion, I think it may have been from tapering a drug too fast.
@linh
That is very interesting. So, I’m assuming that you had chronic nausea without a prior etiology? Glad you figured it out, but you can bet that most PCPs would not know to go down that road. Thank you for sharing.