Really bad nausea, please help!

Hi. I normally post on the IBS and Ostomy forums, as well as chronic pain. Not sure what to do or where to look. I went to Mayo Clinic last week for testing on my colon and lower GI tract. Have chronic constipation and bowel incontinence due to nerve damage. Determined I will need a colostomy and also have the rectum removed. This past January, I was dx with gastritis also. Have had nausea off/on every day for about the past 10 months. Can usually deal with it, sometimes using Zofran, and often just manage it by trying to take it easy and watch what I eat.

Past few days the nausea has been there non-stop. And pretty intense. It's there whether I eat or not, and when I do eat, it gets worse, makes no difference what I eat. Can't be taking Zofran all day, every day. I don't even understand what's causing it. Guess I need to contact my GI for advice. But if anyone has any info, suggestions, advice, anything at all that may help, I would really appreciate it!!

By the way, I'm not on any new meds or anything like that. And I haven't actually vomited, although sometimes I wish I would cuz I think I'd feel better!!

Thanks for listening and for any help you can offer!

Thanks for the message Alcie. I know it will all work out, just going to be some "challenging" times ahead.

Not sure what caused the gastritis. I was on PPI's for a few months, but sort of on my own decided to stop taking them. That was quite a few months ago, and I really didn't notice any difference in how I felt when I went off of them. Now I wonder if maybe the gastritis is still there, and restarting one of the PPI's would help. I don't know.

I do have issues with extreme dry mouth (due to being on meds like anti-depressants for the past 20 years, since I was 16 years old), and dry foods are tough to swallow sometimes. (Also have horrible dental problems from the dry mouth). I guess the foods that cause problems for me are mostly dairy, and some vegetables and fruit. Also can't tolerate any carbonated beverages.

And I know the constipation can and does cause nausea sometimes, but usually that happens closer to the time when I need to do my "bowel purge", which is every 14 days. The last "purge" I did was Wednesday into Thursday (for a test at Mayo), so I'd be shocked if the constipation is causing my issues this time.

Thanks for the info about the other meds and stuff. I will talk to my doc about it.

Hi, feeling nauseous all the time is terrible.

I have GERD and these are the things I tend to do...

20 minutes before meals I take Enzymatic Therapy Dgl Chewables, Original, they taste of licorice and are good for the stomach lining, you can buy them on Amazon.

I never drink whilst eating, I will drink something a bit later, and I never eat anything too hot or too cold...I think its the worst thing you can do.

Sometimes I eat standing up, it aids digestion

I try not to eat after 6pm if poss.

My bed is raised six inches, which helps.

I always make sure I am sat correctly when on my computer or watching television.

I avoid diary products, coffee, alcohol, and anything peppermint tasting.

I see a chiropractor for GERD and have found that to be helpful.

Thanks much for the responses. I have a bunch of stuff to try now. Really appreciate it.

@Alcie--I have been instructed to do the purges by my GI doc for about the past 7-8 months. Basically, without doing them, I do not have any BMs. I have tried changing my diet (doing a low fiber thing, cutting out certain foods), changing some meds that were known to cause constipation, tried bowel-to nerve-to brain retraining (no luck), bowel massage, and I take a combination of GI meds, including Miralax, Linzess, Dulcolax, and have tried others including Mag Citrate, Misoprostol, and enemas. No results. Doc wants me to stay on the meds, keeps things soft inside, making the purges easier, less painful. Wish I never had to do them again!! But until surgery (colostomy), that's what I have to do. The colonoscopy prep is awful and not meant for use every 10-14 days, but I have to get "stuff" out one way or another! As for dairy, I have learned that I can tolerate some cheeses, but things like milk, yogurt, and ice cream (I LOVE ICE CREAM, am still stubborn and sneak it in sometimes, but wow! I sure pay the price) just don't work for me. I have tried the lactaid "milk", wasn't too bad. Thanks for your suggestions!

@Poppie--Very interesting suggestions. Just a couple questions: when you say no drinking while eating, that includes water? how does that work? and why no peppermint? i thought that is supposed to help? finally, what does the chiropractor do to treat GERD? i thought they usually did stuff involving "cracking" joints or adjusting things? how does that work? Thanks for your help.

@Bill--I will be trying the rubbing alcohol asap. I have a billion things in my little apartment, and cannot believe that rubbing alcohol is not one of them!! Gonna get some today and try it with fingers crossed. Thanks. I'll let you know what happens.

Just a little update:
Got a message from my GI doc's office this afternoon. They want me to take the Zofran 2xday for now. Took it this evening, do feel sorta better, but far from good. I suppose it's partly cause I have a migraine going on. Had a few of those this week, rather unusual for me, cuz mine are generally managed very well with botox and preventative meds. Stress maybe? Will try the things you all suggested maybe tomorrow. I know this is weird, but I feel too crappy right now to really do anything.

Have a good night everyone, find a reason to smile, and sleep well.

Thanks again.

Ginger root capsules? Ok, I'll give it a shot. Where would I get them? Any specific brand and are there different strengths or anything?

Water is basically the only thing I drink. Except for one day every 2 weeks, when I have to do my bowel purge, then I add some gatorade to the mix, to keep up electrolytes and not get dehydrated. And I'm pretty good about a low fat diet, and although it makes me sad, I stay away from raw fruit and veggies. Some cooked ones too.


Thanks for all of the responses to my post. I am not good at handling nausea. Pretty much cripples me!

HI, I have gastritis and was taking zofran as needed. My nausea would come suddenly and violently, like I would run to the toilet to throw up, but never did. I had small trashcans in every room in the house just in case. I googled and found many ideas, one that worked for me was suck on a slice of lemon. I used lime, it worked!! The zofran would take the edge off but I still felt nauseous, just not so severly. The lime slice worked. Know that you are not alone, hope the 2x per day works for you.