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Posted 5/1/2013 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I'm having serious stomach problems since a few weeks, it feels like gastritis (mean acid reflux, extremely nauseous, burping (sorry TMI), discomfort, no appetite). I'm seeing my dr next Wednesday. Anyone have home remedies / ideas for some relief?? Might sound like a stupid question, cause I'll need to see a dr for it, but some relief would be very welcome.

Thank you all,

Marie

Posted 5/1/2013 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried ginger? I've also used "Sea Bands" (www.sea-band.com/) with some easing of my nausea (I have no connection of any kind to this company, nor do I receive anything for mentioning their name!!), although I bought mine in a "Discount" store.

What ever you end up doing, I sure hope that you get some relief soon! I know that kind of special misery!
Posted 5/2/2013 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

While I realize that these symptoms are likely lyme related, have you tried drinking more water to help with the acid reflux? I have read some of a book written by a doctor who has treated extreme (and mild) acid reflux with water. Literally, drink an entire glass of water. Still getting acid reflux 20 minutes later? Drink another glass. The body needs water to regulate stomach acids. If you don't have enough water, acid reflux can occur.

Biologically, this remedy works better than any of the 'tums' you might want to try because it fixes the source of the problem rather than the symptom. However, the remedy isn't well known... perhaps because no one is going get rich off of a 'water' remedy. Any source of drinking water will do, including tap water.

This may not help with the nausea and lack of appetite. But, it might help with the reflux.

I too get a lot of nausea during lyme season. It can last for weeks on end and it definitely affects my appetite. I drink peppermint tea and that does settle my stomach some. I haven't tried the ginger. But, the 'drink some water' remedy always works for my acid reflux. I hope it works for you too! Good luck!
Posted 5/2/2013 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
I have found that fermented foods has drastically eliminated my acid reflux. Heather has found that aloe vera juice is the most healing thing for her stomach.

Don
Posted 5/2/2013 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Marie I'm so sorry you're dealing with this :'(

I have this problem a lot myself, especially when I sway from my diet

Don- aloe Vera juice is a great idea!
Posted 5/2/2013 6:07 AM (GMT 0)
You are describing the symptoms of Gastroparesis, which Lyme/Bart/etc. can cause. I have this so severely right now that I'm again unable to eat and on TPN (food through a PICC line).

You can get medication to help - Cisapride (not available in the US), Reglan (available by prescription) or Domperidone (not available in the US, but can be purchased online or from a compounding pharmacy in the US) help make the stomach contract more normally and help counter the nausea.

Zofran, Phenergan, & Compazine (all by prescription only) can help with nausea. Ginger tea and peppermint essential oil are also good for nausea, and also the wrist acupuncture point stimulated by the wrist bands mentioned above is good for nausea.

I was using Domperidone before my current Gastroparesis flareup. Now I'm on Zofran IV and it is barely holding the nausea away...may need to add something else (Ativan or Scopalamine).

A skilled homeopathic practitioner may also be of help. One such practitioner helped me during my first Gastroparesis flareup (before I knew I had Lyme; was a teenager at the time). My family moved to the other side of the country or I would be seeing her now for my current situation...

Also, eat low-fat, low-fiber foods. Fats & fiber aggravate gastroparesis. I know, this is opposite to the Lyme diet...but it is more important to get nutrition than to worry about sugar and starch when the stomach is like this.

Also, if you can tolerate fresh vegetable juices, they can be extremely healing and immune-supportive.

A liquid diet in general is usually more well-tolerated by those with Gastroparesis.

For more info on how Lyme/coinfections affects the gut, see thehumansideoflyme.net/viewarticle.php?aid=62

Edited to add:  Don't use aloe vera unless it has been purified.  Many aloe vera brands leave a very irritating substance in the juice that is not good for mucus membranes.

Posted 5/2/2013 7:30 AM (GMT 0)

Thank you all for your quick responses!

Trav,
I can't tolerate ginger very well... although it would be good for so many things I deal with... I'll try out a very low dose, maybe it'll make me react less.

Thrive,
I drink about 2 liters of good water per day, sometimes more. I drink, it calms it down a bit, but then 5 mins later I'm back to being very uncomfortable. Or my stomach gets too full and the reflux gets worse...

Don,
Sadly, no fermented foods for me (histamine). I'll try the aloë vera juice, husband did a cure of that when he had stomach problems a while ago. It helped him - good idea.

Razzle,
Fun, isn't it, those digestive problems?  rolleyes   - I understand you have lots of problems with food/digestive system too...
It's driving me up the wall - I was so much better with my diet, but it seems like all the good work I did is gone now since starting lyme treatment. I just can't eat anything anymore without feeling sick afterwards, I eat about 1/4 of what I used to eat (and don't loose any weight - one would think it would at least lead to something good... shakehead ). Even my pills make me feel sick.
The peppermint essential oil doesn't do it for me right now - I get the nausea mostly in the morning (I just read it's typical for gastroparesis - thanks for the suggestion). I know it's really bad, but a regular coca cola helps.
I feel that only starchy and sugary foods are the only ones that I can tolerate 'best', but then the sugar is bad for reflux. I feel I'm really stuck right now.
I'll check out that website, thanks.
I sincerely hope you'll get some relief soon, digestive problems can make you feel so uncomfortable all the time...

Marie

Posted 5/2/2013 11:29 AM (GMT 0)
Razzle,

VERY interesting article!! thank you!

Marie

Posted 5/2/2013 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
Razzle, I'm so very sorry to hear that you are back on the TPN! When you had told us you were off of that, I was sooo excited for you!!

I do hope that this time it's short lived!
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