Stomach problems

Hi Hippi,

Gosh that is a tough one. I have IBS on top of all of this so that's just another question mark. I sure hope that is not happening to you although IBS is a common symptom to go along with many chronic illnesses. The fact that you are in an intense flare and had to up your meds could more possibly be the culprit. My body takes a while to adjust to any kind of med and anything new I kind of get that "I don't even want to look at food" feeling. Even though you are not eating the protein and produce, I'm glad to hear that you are at least able to eat something. You need to keep your strength so that is good. Are you taking vitamins as well? If so, I wouldn't worry too much about the kinds of foods for now since you are getting your nutrients anyway. I hope you start to feeling better. Stomach problems are the worse (((HUGS HIPPI)))

Take Care

Hippi, I was thinking IBS too when I saw Des mention it in her post. I have had that off and on although it's been years since I had a bout of it. My memory is that I'd alternate between bouts of diarrhea and constipation, but yours sounds different than that. When you say sick to your stomach, do you feel nauseous or does your stomach hurt? If you're having any constipation, that can be very painful. I think I'm just grasping at straws here. What OTC meds have you tried, if any? Mostly, I'm just hopeful that the lupus isn't attacking the lining of your stomach.

I wish I could help. Like Des said, you're in a major flare now, and so you have the stress of feeling so bad, raising kids who are home all day so you never have a real break, plus you're planning a vacation next week. That's a lot, hippi. I'd try to see or talk to a doctor before you go on vacation. I know that going to the doctor is a real chore because you feel so bad and all the docs are so far away from where you live, but I'd hate to think of you on vacation with your family feeling this bad.

Take care of yourself, hippi. I'm so worried about you because you just don't seem to be able to come out of this one. Rest, rest, and rest some more, dear hippi. And try a cup of real hot tea if you're having any allergies or seasonal headaches. That always seems to help.

I'm sending a HUGE bear hug your way,

Love,

Pat

Hi Hippi, I think we have been comparing the tummy thing and they seem to be on the same page but my cold cereal have been cinamon crisp flakes. I have been doing a little better the past couple of days but I going to town tomorrow and picking up some yogurt with the live cultures. I think between the extra steroids and the antibiotics I have completely wiped out my stomach enzymes. My son also told me to get fish oil and to take it with food. But like you I am still having lots of nausea and still plan on buying some more fudgecicles. Years ago the doctors that I had IBS too. (are you sure we weren't seperated at birth) . but like you mine seemed to resolve itself. I'll let you know if I have any success with the yogurt and fish oil. I know fresh veggies (not cooked) are supposed to be good for your enzymes as well. But I just havn't been able to make myself eat it and I love fresh veg. normally.

Yes you diffinently need to keep up on the fluids especially with your diarrhea. Have you been running fever as well?

Take it easy and get some rest

love ya

carol 

 

Hi hippi--
The sun is making me nauseaus and I've been having a long spell of diarrhea, but I have diverticulosis and IBS, so who knows. I do know that craving carbs can be related to sugar levels maybe due to pred. Also, some metabolic conditions related to the liver recommend a high carb diet and some liver problems (maybe gallbladder related too) can cause a problem digesting and metabolizing proteins. I'm lucky because even though I should only be able to eat carbs, which is terrible for my diabetes, I can eat a high protein diet due to where the damage is in my liver. I hate to sound like a broken record, but maybe time to have your liver enzymes tested and reevaluate doses of medicine. Are your stools light, greasy or fatty when they are somewhat firm? this can be a sign of liver problems, checking under your tongue for yellownness or in the whites of your eyes, really looking close can also be a sign, though I never ever get jaundiced, so its certainly not a requirement. Probiotic yogurts help alot, also maybe trying some baked salmon with orange juice, ginger, and a tiny bit of brown sugar on it might go down, if you like fish and get you the fish and the oils. I can eat that when I can't eat much else. For me, its something I live with, I know my liver is crap and I've got gi problems thanks to it. I've been eating a lot of soup lately and it's helped. You may also have a vitamin or digestive enzyme defiency. The probiotic yogurt, I like Breyers, is really good at straigtening me out. And I've heard fudgicles are the most healthy frozen treat because of all the quar gum in them, they are supposed to be pretty healthy. You may want to call about the liver tests though, they don't take the liver damage the medicines do to patients seriously because basically its not their problem, and you need the medicine. But sometimes, just lowering a dosage for a little while can get you back on track and prevent a vist to a hepatologist or worse. I've even heard doctors say that damage to the liver from meds doesn't matter because the liver heals, but they don't consider that you never stop taking some of these meds so it never has the chance. They also don't bother to change a dosage a little to find the optimal amount for each individual patient. I heard medication is dosed for a 200 lb man, so if you are 100lbs, you are taking twice as much as you might need maybe. I hope you feel better soon and I'm eating popsicles and soup and water and taking phenergren for the nausea, which goes away if I stay out of the sun for a day or two. Wishing you well and (((hugs)))

Hippi, you have to eat better than cereal, oatmeal and sugary popsicles.

You're not helping your stomach by eating this. Oatmeal is actually good for you if you are able to tolerate oats. Maybe you're becoming allergic to gluten.

I know it's tough to eat when you feel like this, but you have to force yourself to eat something with more vitamins and protein.

I've suffered IBS for 20 yrs so I totally understand how bad you feel right now. The plaq did my stomach in, but you've been on it for a while and I wouldn't think it was the meds.

Someone here mentioned yogurt, which is great b/c of the bacteria (probiotics), but not good b/c of the dairy. Dairy is a huge no-no when you have diarrhea.

Have someone go buy you some digestive enzymes with a good oral version of a probiotic. These help me get over my sickness to food and my diarrhea every time.

Hope you feel better and drink a TON OF WATER!

Good luck

Jen

I take a systemic anti-fungal every day since either lupus or some of my meds were causing vaginal, oral (thrush), and possibly stomach/esophageal Candida infections on a regular basis. Nystatin is what my rheumy is using for me -- there are also other systemic anti fungals out there. Research said... Cutaneous, vaginal, mucosal and esophageal Candida infections usually respond well to treatment with nystatin. Cryptococcus is also sensitive to nystatin. Nystatin is often used as prophylaxis in patients who are at risk for fungal infections, such as AIDS patients with a low CD4+ count and patients receiving chemotherapy. This may be something to consider if you are having mouth, vaginal, and stomach issues.

I tried all the acidophilis & pro-biotic stuff before the med -- they might work for you (didn't for me) and it's always good to avoid more meds!

Hi Hippi:

I just wanted to pass on to you that you're in my prayers. I'm sorry you're having stomach issues. I certainly can relate to them with you. I swear in the 19 years I've had lupus I've never had normal bowel function.

As you know I don't eat much anymore, today all I've eaten is 3 cups of watermelon. Yesterday was just an apple, yes I know that's not good for a person, but it's the best I can do. I hope that you can get some acidophillis tabs and they begin to make you feel better.

You're in my prayers and keep us updated.

Love always,
Barb

Thanks for all the thoughts and ideas about this. If it doesn't clear up soon, I'll see a doc about it. The diarrhea seems a little better- now it's just loose and I don't get the cramping anymore. Still struggling with the food aversions and I know I'll need to see someone about this since I'm sure I'm not getting the nutrition I need. Unfortunately I'm getting the calories though, so I haven't lost any weight. If I go to the doc I'm going to make sure to ask about the gluten thing, celiac, and candida. I completely forgot to do the spit test this morning - I'm intrigued by it and curious to see what happens.