Intestinal issues

crazyforinfo

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For the last month I had issues first thing in the morning and right before bed. My doctor already thinks I am nuts. First I had a cold then a cough that lasted a month. My issues started during the cold. It's before I eat anything in the morning. I am on a Beta blocker and the pharmacy switched generic brand. I am trying the brand name with no changes. I tried changing my diet with no changes. I use lactaid milk and use lactaid pills when I have dairy. Nothing seems to be working. Any thoughts?
 

strange_wings

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Issues = diarrhea, I assume? I know a lot of people feel too sensitive to say it, but trying to code your message may just confuse some if they can't figure it out. Besides, it's a fact of life - everyone has had it at some point.

Are you drinking anything at all before this happens? Is it only the first thing in the morning and night - never at any other time? Any pain or cramping, at any time during the day or night? Any past abdominal surgeries - do you have your gallbladder?
Any other meds in the last three months, other than that BB?

If your doctor won't listen see if you can get in to see a GI specialist. You'll need to have your liver and pancreas enzymes tested just in case. You should probably have your blood sugar checked and a GTT, too, since you're on that BB.
 
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crazyforinfo

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

Issues = diarrhea, I assume? I know a lot of people feel too sensitive to say it, but trying to code your message may just confuse some if they can't figure it out. Besides, it's a fact of life - everyone has had it at some point.

Are you drinking anything at all before this happens? Is it only the first thing in the morning and night - never at any other time? Any pain or cramping, at any time during the day or night? Any past abdominal surgeries - do you have your gallbladder?
Any other meds in the last three months, other than that BB?

If your doctor won't listen see if you can get in to see a GI specialist. You'll need to have your liver and pancreas enzymes tested just in case. You should probably have your blood sugar checked and a GTT, too, since you're on that BB.
I am cramping now. I wasn't so much before. It's soft or diarrhea. It just sorta comes on and I have to RUN. I did have a tear from having my son so I don't know if that's an issue here. In the morning it's usually what wakes me up so I don't even drink water before it happens. I just find it odd that it happens first thing and right before bed.

I am honestly scared of the GI doctor but if I have to, I will.

No abdominal surgeries. I did have minimal sludge over 10 years ago with my gall bladder that passed in time.

I skipped the BB last night and might just stop to test the theory. I take it for migraines and I am not scheduled to have one for another 3 weeks.
 

strange_wings

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Hmm, past gallbladder problems and having been pregnant. You know that makes it worse, right?
I suggest you get your gallbladder checked out again. If a ultrasound is clear, go in for a HIDA. Hopefully it's as simple as that.
There's also the chance that your intestinal flora is messed up, in which case eating yogurt with active cultures or talking probiotics may help a little.

Whatever you do, don't let anyone pass you off as IBS. You need to have IBDs ruled out (as those do damage). Make doctors actually do their job instead shrugging you off. I've, frighteningly, come across several stories of people with pancreas problems that were misdiagnosed as IBS simply because the enzymes looked good when they weren't having attacks.


Some things that may help a little. No sugar or anything with high fructose corn syrup in the morning - the HFCS is hidden in a lot of stuff, so no premade breakfast foods if you can help it. Sugars, especially if you eat a lot of them, can cause osmotic diarrhea (too much water gets drawn into the bowels).
Try a protein source + complex carb. It'll take longer to break down and won't turn to sugars so quickly (like simple carbs do). Try taking or eating something with a lot of fiber during the day. Don't eat a big meal for dinner, you have to digest it and evening tends to be a time when some body functions settle down (has to do with one's circadian rhythm).
And for extra fun, go low fat and see how that helps. When you're cramping, you might even go no-fat those days. Replace your milk with lactose free or (cow) milk alternatives - be careful with fat-free types, though, as they sometimes have sugars added.



These are just some things that have helped me a little. I had my gallbladder out a year ago and unfortunately I'm part of the percentage that didn't get rid of the diarrhea issues.


Be careful of taking stuff like imodium, as well. Long term can't be good.

Don't be afraid to go to a GI doc. There is the possibility of uncomfortable test, though nothing as bad as giving birth.
This isn't something you want to keep happening because it will start affecting your electrolyte levels, along with other vitamins and minerals. That's the last thing you need with chronic migraines.
 
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crazyforinfo

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Originally Posted by CatMom2Wires

Classic signs of IBS. I have it, too. No fun.

Good luck.
Really? I thought IBS would affect you after meals not just first morning and evening. That's what has me puzzled.
Originally Posted by strange_wings

These are just some things that have helped me a little. I had my gallbladder out a year ago and unfortunately I'm part of the percentage that didn't get rid of the diarrhea issues.


Be careful of taking stuff like imodium, as well. Long term can't be good.

Don't be afraid to go to a GI doc. There is the possibility of uncomfortable test, though nothing as bad as giving birth.
This isn't something you want to keep happening because it will start affecting your electrolyte levels, along with other vitamins and minerals. That's the last thing you need with chronic migraines.
If you only new.
That's why I am avoiding them. I need to reschedule I guess.
Thanks for your advice. I had tried a google search. Yea that brings up way to many hits.
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by Crazyforinfo

I had tried a google search. Yea that brings up way to many hits.
Most of what I found had to do with dogs and being pregnant.. I don't think you fall into either category.
 

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It sounds like IBS to me to,my partner has it thats how his is when he has flare ups, just before bed and as soon as he gets up, at times not long after hes eaten but its rare
 

essayons89

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IBS is a broad category though. It took a bit of testing but a few years ago I was diagnosed with having ulcerative colitis. There are times I feel I could keep sales of Charmin up all by myself. When it's at its worst I have a lot of diarrhea, bleeding, cramping, some nausea, and a lot of fatigue.

I think it would be best to see a GI doctor. Good luck!
 

jugen

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Sounds like some form of IBS. Welcome to fun there. I have it and get horrible cramps when I eat something what doesn't agree with me (most things anymore) Before it was certain foods, now it's milk, chips, chicken, anything.
I used to eat lots of salads but then this started (and well after having to go to the bathroom minutes after eating) I was over that quickly. So I've gained TONS of weight from eating what I can usually cereal and crap, not healthy things. Fruits, salads, things like that will give me cramps from Hades! Now it's becoming more and more foods, but they've done the colonoscopy, ultrasounds and all that good stuff and never find anything but healthy organs and no signs of any problems...
I understand about waking up having to go badly too. If I eat something within a certain number of hours before I go to bed and it doesn't agree with me, OH BOY in the mornings I am cramping and sick!!!!!
I've found if something starts to give me cramps, I can make it a little less painful by taking Pepto. Sounds weird but it works and doesn't constipate me in the least....( I know TMI.. Sorry)
 
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crazyforinfo

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Diet doesn't seem to affect matters & I don't really have cramps. I had very mild ones the last two days but nothing noteworthy. I am not sure it's IBS though.
 

strange_wings

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You may think that, but try out the suggestions I gave. They're basic ones that any GI doc would suggest and tend to help with a lot of GI issues, or at the very least not make it worse. And if you don't believe me, try drinking a large glass of soda or juice and see what happens this evening.
The sugar won't help, that's for certain.


jugen - You've had your gallbladder, pancreas, sphincter of oddi, and colon thoroughly checked out, haven't you? Common things like diverticulitis can cause a lot of issues, though the "after eating" problems tends to be more inline with gallbladder, pancreas, and sphincter of oddi type issues - since those will all affect how the food digests and how much bile gets into your intestines.
I'm surprised you can gain weight, I can't and seemed to have lost more lately.
Something isn't right, if you have to hunt for a good GI doctor, please do so. Also make sure they check out your thyroid.
 

calico2222

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Honey, you have my sympathies. I agree, you need to get it checked out with you doctor. Have you had a colonoscopy, endocope, etc? If not, you really need to. None of them are painful (although the stuff you have to drink for a colonoscopy is REALLY gross!). But, it's better to get to the bottom of it. I've been going through the same things, everything comes back fine...maybe it's just getting older that is causing it. But you have to rule out everything that could possibly be causing a problem.

that you find out what's going on.
 

gailc

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Have you considered eliminated or getting tested to see if you are incompatable for gluten??

Since working at a breadshop we have alot of customers purchasing out gluten free products.

You would need to eliminate all wheat/rye products for sure not sure what others grain products offhand have gluten. One could possible google this (or celiac disease).
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by GailC

Have you considered eliminated or getting tested to see if you are incompatable for gluten??

Since working at a breadshop we have alot of customers purchasing out gluten free products.

You would need to eliminate all wheat/rye products for sure not sure what others grain products offhand have gluten. One could possible google this (or celiac disease).
I suggested she get tested for this - but it is very very important that people do not try eliminating glutens from their diet if they want to be tested and diagnosed. It can make it look like a person does not have celiacs if they do this! Blood test, then biopsy, then if results are positive eliminate it.
 
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crazyforinfo

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Well it might be the BB. I stopped taking it for two days and it was easy up. Of course I got a migraine last night and started the pills again. I have to schedule a meeting with my doctor.
 

strange_wings

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Originally Posted by Crazyforinfo

Well it might be the BB. I stopped taking it for two days and it was easy up. Of course I got a migraine last night and started the pills again. I have to schedule a meeting with my doctor.
I looked the other day and couldn't find any specifics for why they can cause diarrhea, just that they can. I can speculate a couple reasons why - but since I don't know which BB you're on my theory about it affecting vessel beds isn't very good.
My other thought, right off, was that it had some effect on your pancreas and blood sugar because that's what BB do.

I hope your doctor can offer some solutions, rule out any other problems, and maybe find an alternative medication that works for your migraines if necessary.
 
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crazyforinfo

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

I looked the other day and couldn't find any specifics for why they can cause diarrhea, just that they can. I can speculate a couple reasons why - but since I don't know which BB you're on my theory about it affecting vessel beds isn't very good.
My other thought, right off, was that it had some effect on your pancreas and blood sugar because that's what BB do.

I hope your doctor can offer some solutions, rule out any other problems, and maybe find an alternative medication that works for your migraines if necessary.
Thanks again. I just need to find time to get over there.
I am on inderol.
 
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