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Post by nepean on Apr 6, 2016 1:27:24 GMT
The back story to this is many years ago I had a number of bouts of sickness, and thought I had narrowed down the culprit to an ingredient in slim fast shakes. I stopped taking these and anything like them, and I was sickness free for years. Recently it has started to come back. Nothing much has changed in my diet. I had a few bouts back in February, then now 3 times in the past 2 weeks. I am so over this! Medical Advice - I went to the doctor years ago over this and they had no answers, no tips, seemingly no clue. As a result I have always just dealt with it. I don't need to spend the co pay and be told the same thing. Frustrated. Google - tells me this is common enough, others describe the very same symptoms.But still I have no clue what causes it, or how to resolve it. Symptoms - starts with a very rumbly gurgly tummy, nausea, bloated, distended tummy filled with gas. Abundant burps and flatulation both smell like sulphur / rotten eggs. It is gross! diarrhea is often explosive, and urgent, must go to the bathroom NOW. My tummy feels upset, but I wouldn't say I am in pain. Bad bouts I end up vomiting as well as all the other symptoms. Today / Tonight is a bad bout  Sorry for the TMI....I am at the end of my rope, and hoping someone in pealand know what this is, what is causing it, or how I can get relief. |
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katybee
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Post by katybee on Apr 6, 2016 1:30:22 GMT
Those symptoms could be for numerous, numerous things. What kind of tests did the doctors do on you years ago? Did you have a colonoscopy? Did they do bloodwork? Did they rule out Crohn's or any kind of ulcerative colitis? If they ruled out all the big bad stuff, it could be as simple as IBS. But the only way to diagnose IBS is by ruling everything else out. If it is that bothersome, you should definitely make an appointment with a gastroenterologist. Good luck. I hope you feel better.
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Post by littlemama on Apr 6, 2016 1:32:03 GMT
See a gastroenterologist for the most direct route to figuring it out.
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pridemom
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Post by pridemom on Apr 6, 2016 1:32:42 GMT
Have they checked your gallbladder? Read the recent gallbladder threads and see if it compares to your symptoms.
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Post by nepean on Apr 6, 2016 1:35:01 GMT
I don't recall all the tests, but certainly bloodwork, urinalysis, and a colonoscopy (that for an unrelated issue, but all clear). The results rose no red flags.
They never talked about Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, or IBS. I should go see the doctor, I just don't want to hear again, we don't know.
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Post by bdhudak on Apr 6, 2016 1:39:22 GMT
I suggest keeping a food diary, but it does sound a lot like gall bladder issues. My daughter had something similar. Watch greasy and or acid type foods.
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Post by littlemama on Apr 6, 2016 1:41:00 GMT
That doesn't sound like Crohn' s or colitis. Lactose intolerance, maybe? I would still see a gastroenterologist. Keep going back until they figure it out.
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Post by monklady123 on Apr 6, 2016 1:44:11 GMT
Lactose? or Gluten? -- You could try cutting out one or both of those things and see if you feel better. I'd cut one or the other first, not both at once. If you do both at the same time and you do feel better you won't know if it was both or just one that was making you sick.
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Post by scrapmaven on Apr 6, 2016 1:52:02 GMT
I would ask your gi about motility issues, too. Have they done an upper endoscopy, too? You need more tests from a good gi to get to the bottom(no pun intended of this). It can often be more than one issue. If they diagnose it as IBS then ask for more tests. IBS is real, but it's also overly diagnosed when it's really something else. Bottom line, you need a really good gi. I wish you the best.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Apr 6, 2016 1:53:37 GMT
I don't have any idea of a diagnosis, but I would also suggest that you start a diary noting everything you ingest, including medications and liquids. Ev.er.y.thing. Maybe get one that is actually an appointment calendar broken down into 15 minute increments. Write what you consume and when. Then ALSO keep track of all those symptoms and when you notice them. It's possible you'll see something like 20 minutes after dairy, you get the gas.
The sulfur thing makes me wonder if you have an imbalance in your "gut flora" (ie, the bacteria that live in your digestive tract) that are causing the sulfur smell as their own waste products. I think they can culture that sort of thing, but I wouldn't know if that's the gastroenterologist or what.
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perumbula
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Post by perumbula on Apr 6, 2016 1:59:05 GMT
Check the ingredients list on the things you eat normally. It's possible something you've been eating for a long time has recently changed recipes and now includes whatever it was that was bugging you in the Slim Fast shakes.
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Post by newfcathy on Apr 6, 2016 2:00:23 GMT
Re: Lactose, avoid milk, cream, butter, ice cream. For me, butter is the hidden one and has tripped me up many times. There are lactaid pills that I take, lactaid milk, and liquid coffee mate.
My gall bladder attacks resulted from fatty meals and started at the end of my pregnancy.
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Post by anniefb on Apr 6, 2016 2:02:25 GMT
nepean your list of symptoms screams Giardia to me. I've had it (very prevalent in lakes/rivers here, but it can also be caught from infected food.) It can clear up by itself, but if left untreated can also become chronic. Very easy to get rid of with a dose of Metronidazole (Flagyl) www.healthcommunities.com/digestive-disorders/giardiasis.shtml
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Post by nepean on Apr 6, 2016 2:10:20 GMT
I would ask your gi about motility issues, too. Have they done an upper endoscopy, too? You need more tests from a good gi to get to the bottom(no pun intended of this). It can often be more than one issue. If they diagnose it as IBS then ask for more tests. IBS is real, but it's also overly diagnosed when it's really something else. Bottom line, you need a really good gi. I wish you the best. Nope, have not had an upper endoscopy done. The General practitioner doctor never referred me to a Gi doc. They never tested for gall bladder issues either. I guess I need to try agin and push for a referral. Regarding gluten, and dairy. I already don't eat a lot of dairy, as DH is allergic to dairy. But, I am serious about finding the root of this, so food diary it is i think. Sadly I don't know the specific ingredient from the slim fast shakes, so I can't re check current foods. At the time I just knew, if I didn't drink slimfast, I didn't get sick. |
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Apr 6, 2016 2:15:25 GMT
Re: Lactose, avoid milk, cream, butter, ice cream. For me, butter is the hidden one and has tripped me up many times. There are lactaid pills that I take, lactaid milk, and liquid coffee mate. My gall bladder attacks resulted from fatty meals and started at the end of my pregnancy. Also for lactose, fried foods. Lots of fried foods contain milk/buttermilk. And milk chocolate. My lactose trigger is soft cheeses and ice cream. nepean , honestly it could be anything. I had most of those symptoms (no vomiting) before I discovered my lactose intolerance. Make an appointment with your doctor, get referred to a GI doc, start a food diary while waiting for the doc appt. Be persistant. It sucks to know that something is not right and you can't get your doc to believe you. I had this problem with my sleep apnea. :/ ETA: slimfast contains milk |
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Post by nepean on Apr 6, 2016 2:16:06 GMT
nepean your list of symptoms screams Giardia to me. I've had it (very prevalent in lakes/rivers here, but it can also be caught from infected food.) It can clear up by itself, but if left untreated can also become chronic. Very easy to get rid of with a dose of Metronidazole (Flagyl) www.healthcommunities.com/digestive-disorders/giardiasis.shtml Hmm, just read the information in that link, and it is food for thought. I will try and get an appointment to be seen. |
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Post by nepean on Apr 6, 2016 2:18:25 GMT
Re: Lactose, avoid milk, cream, butter, ice cream. For me, butter is the hidden one and has tripped me up many times. There are lactaid pills that I take, lactaid milk, and liquid coffee mate. My gall bladder attacks resulted from fatty meals and started at the end of my pregnancy. Also for lactose, fried foods. Lots of fried foods contain milk/buttermilk. And milk chocolate. My lactose trigger is soft cheeses and ice cream. nepean , honestly it could be anything. I had most of those symptoms (no vomiting) before I discovered my lactose intolerance. Make an appointment with your doctor, get referred to a GI doc, start a food diary while waiting for the doc appt. Be persistant. It sucks to know that something is not right and you can't get your doc to believe you. I had this problem with my sleep apnea. :/ Thanks, I have felt frustrated. I will try seeing the doctor again and push for a referral to a Gi doctor. |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Apr 6, 2016 2:25:39 GMT
Slim fast shakes definitely have dairy. I agree with food diary and would be very careful with dairy!
ETA - I had the referral to the GI doctor, did the upper and lower scope - and was ultimately diagnosed with IBS. Although the GI doc was good about ruling out things, I found the IBS diagnosis to be unhelpful. I went in knowing my bowel was irritated. I ultimately worked with a nutritionist for 3-4 months and discovered that dairy was the real culprit of my symptoms.
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Post by pepperwood on Apr 6, 2016 2:48:28 GMT
I have had a similar reaction to certain artificial sweeteners that contain sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, xylitol and maltitol. They are found in sugar-free gum and a lot of sugar free/low sugar baked goods. I once ate a lot of sugar-free frosting and thought I was going to explode. That may have been the problem with the Slim-fast shakes; maybe one of the foods that you have been eating has changed ingredients.
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Post by Crack-a-lackin on Apr 6, 2016 2:57:42 GMT
I've had many (all, maybe) those symptoms and for me it was gluten. Took forever to get a diagnosis, and ultimately I took it upon myself to just stop eating gluten. That means I didn't have all the tests I should have but I am not going to start eating gluten again just to get an official Celiac diagnosis (everyone has to decide this for themselves). I started feeling better right away.
Good luck! Digestive issues are hard to figure out and too often the docs just tell you they can't figure it out or it's IBS (which we refer to as I Be Stumped) and send you on your way.
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Post by grammadee on Apr 6, 2016 3:11:03 GMT
Hope you can find a diagnosis, or you can isolate the foods or specific ingredients that are causing the problem. Seeing a gi dr is a good idea to rule out the big stuff.
My digestive issues seem to be a combination of specific sensitivities and number of other factors. Some foods I can't eat at all; others I can enjoy on a good day, but need to avoid on a bad one. And I think my bowel gets irritable when I am: when stressed emotionally, I find I need to really keep my food and drink intake simple.
I find it frustrating when a product I have been able to tolerate all along suddenly starts causing trouble. it is usually because they have changed some component in it: even the addition of one spice can be the key. Could be even a dye or a preservative.
If you eat processed foods, I would suggest that along with the food diary you google and print a list of ingredients. That may lead to the hidden culprit.
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Post by k8smom on Apr 6, 2016 3:25:17 GMT
I've been there and am familiar with your symptoms, in my case it's an intolerance for artificial sweeteners.
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Post by Merge on Apr 6, 2016 3:30:28 GMT
Are you eating anything with chicory root extract, like Fiber One bars? Those give me the symptoms you describe.
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Post by nepean on Apr 6, 2016 3:52:51 GMT
Thank you ladies. I think I am working up the courage to see a Gi doc, I'll admit I was feeling a bit jaded, and hopeless. Merge I actually picked up a box of Fiber one bars last week! Hmmm |
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Post by peano on Apr 6, 2016 4:00:07 GMT
I have had a similar reaction to certain artificial sweeteners that contain sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, xylitol and maltitol. They are found in sugar-free gum and a lot of sugar free/low sugar baked goods. I once ate a lot of sugar-free frosting and thought I was going to explode. That may have been the problem with the Slim-fast shakes; maybe one of the foods that you have been eating has changed ingredients. Just googled ingredients in Slimfast shakes: FAT FREE MILK, WATER, SUGAR, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, GUM ARABIC, CANOLA OIL, CELLULOSE GEL, MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL, MALTODEXTRIN, SOY LECITHIN, CELLULOSE GUM, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, CARRAGEENAN, SODIUM BICARBONATE, SUCRALOSE AND ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, SODIUM ... Maltodextrin is also a sugar alcohol. Have you recently unknowingly eaten something that might also have sugar alcohols in it? At the grocery store the other day, I was looking for canned mandarin oranges for a recipe, and was trying to find some without sugar--and I did, but they were made with one of the sugar alcohols. I took the ones with sugar because I've had bad, bad experiences with sugar alcohols, just like you describe--and for me, it doesn't take much. |
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zella
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Post by zella on Apr 6, 2016 4:20:13 GMT
Have you seen this website? Upset stomachAlso, what about your gallbladder? What about getting food allergy testing? |
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Post by houston249 on Apr 6, 2016 5:06:47 GMT
My thought was 2 fold. First a Giardia infection.
The second maybe the food your eating, you may not have changed what you are eating but maybe the manufactures have changed their ingrediants. Read the ingrediants list. And keep a food diary of everything that goes in your mouth, this will be a great clue if it is your food
Even your staples could be suspect. A 5 lb bag of sugar labeled in the ingrediants list as "sugar" (walmart often does this) could be corn, beet or cane sugar. What ever is ceapest goes into the bag. If it is listed as "cane sugar" it is only cane sugar.
Best of luck, IB problems are so awful.
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Post by penny on Apr 6, 2016 6:27:37 GMT
Along with keeping a food diary, make a short note of how you felt/what was going on that day... If it's IBS, stress or anxiety can be a trigger rather than a specific food...
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scrappert
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Post by scrappert on Apr 6, 2016 13:12:52 GMT
That doesn't sound like Crohn' s or colitis. Lactose intolerance, maybe? I would still see a gastroenterologist. Keep going back until they figure it out. I was kind of thinking lactose intolerance, too.
Not to compare you to my dog (sorry!), but she was having the same issues. We switched her diet to grain free and now she is fine. I wonder if you may have the same kind intolerance to foods now (grains) that you did not have before.
As others suggested, I would go see a gastroenterologist. Hope you can get it figured out.
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Post by bbkeef on Apr 6, 2016 15:47:27 GMT
If you do talk to a doctor, I would ask if you can take probiotics like Culturelle. Oh and Fiber One bars are the devil. I can't eat them at all they make me so miserable!
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Sorry for the TMI....I am at the end of my rope, and hoping someone in pealand know what this is, what is causing it, or how I can get relief.
