Help with stomach problems

Hi has anybody on here found any meds that help with the stomach problems of POTS. I feel like I have a lead cookie in my stomach all the time . I become full after only a couple of bites of food . I feel sick all day right now Im taking nexum twice a day . It stops me from geting sick but it dont help me eat .

[Heiferly]

Hey just wanted to remind everyone here that heated water is not appropriate for all dysautonomia patients and please PLEASE please consult your doctor before trying this at home, folks!  For many dysautonomia patients, the heat intolerance aspect is not something that would improve by exposure, and this could be potentially life threatening to attempt to swim in a heated pool, especially if there isn't a life guard on duty who is prepared to pull you out if you faint in the water.  This is considered a high-risk activity for people with dysautonomia.  Heat exposure dilates the blood vessels and works against vasoconstrictor medications such as midodrine.  

So please do not do this unless under a doctor's supervision!  

[CHRISTYDRAKE]

Have you had a gastric emptying test done?  Many people with POTS have gastroparesis.  My son was prescribed erythrocin 3x a day for his gastroparesis and that seems to help.  Your stomach might be emptying to slowly causing you to be full.  And then the food that sits in your stomach starts to ferment, causing you to fell sick.

Christy

[tonyad]

  Hello :)

   Sorry you are having tummy issues on top of having POTS!
I too, as many of us, have tummy and bowel problems. As ChristyDrake has mentioned,
many of us w/ AD have Gastroparesis. I am one of the unlucky ones to have been dx w/ that also.

    Another thought is that even if you do not have / get a dx of Gastroparesis, when you do have AD, Remember that the Autonomic Nervous System regulates part of the central nervous system such as  heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, respiration, digestion, etc.

     With that being said, some things that may help are, elevation of the head of the bed, frequent small meals. Do you also have problems w/ constipation?

      I can not remember if I Welcomed you yet or not to the Forum.....So in case I did not, Welcome to the AD Forum. If I did...Welcome again :)

Take Care,
~Tonya

[lj9803]

Thanks for the answers I probably do have Gastroparesis and IBS but the last thing I need is another doctor . I have POTS ,narcolepsy ,cataplexy and a rear eye problem . I hate this POTS . Does it go away . Does anything really help . I take a med for one thing and it makes the other thing worse . I just want to scream . LOL

[tonyad]

    I can totally relate!  that's how it goes...You take one med for one thing and it is having an ill affect on another!  Viscous cycle.

    As far as it "Going Away"......You know, I think that is one of the 100 Thousand Dollar questions!  I have read in some places that the young can possibly out grow it, and then I have read so can some adults. I have also read that if it is an "Extension" of something else (such as mine..I have MS) then it wants to remain my friend and move in w/ me for life!  Now How do I hand it it's Eviction Papers????

     Take it easy and I hope things start to go your way a bit more.
Take Care,
~Tonya

[lj9803]

You have to love it lol . I have narcolepsy and cataplexy so I feel your pain . I 'm sleeping my life away . I think one of the biggest problem is doctors dont know how to treat POTS . I live in a small town so they just pretty much guess . I POTS doctor tells me it will'nt kill you . I told my gp that and he said yeh as long so you dont pass out and hit your head . I guess you have to be your own doctor .

[NYCpots]

Hi there,
I too have POTS and Gastroparesis (i had a gastric emptying test at Mayo) - the Mestinon / (AKA Pyridostigmine) they put me on for the POTS  (now on 60 mg 3 x day) has actually helped a lot with the bowel issues which, according to the Mayo Docs, can be one of the positive side effects of that medication. I have also recently seen a GI doctor who suggested a trial of something called Amitiza if I have another major bout of constipation. I also take a fiber formula at night which helps me although i know some people find that slows them down further......

[globalhiking]

Hi there :-)

I'm also searching for the elusive meds that would help with the stomach problems associated with POTS ....
I too suffer from nausea and constipation, and now I have developped some kind of
post-meal tachycardia whereby my HR can go as fast as 122 a short while after eating.
It used to be a sporadic affair following large meals high in carbs and/or fat, but now even small meals low in carbs/fat give me trouble.
Eating small meals high in protein t/out the day seems to help a little.
I also use Inulin fiber supplement instead of psyllium - For some reason psyllium made me more nauseous.

* I POTS doctor tells me it will'nt kill you - A Dr told me that too; I thought that he was quite patronising. It might not kill you, but heck it can make your life a misery and debilitate you to the point that leading a normal life is impossible!
You are right! We need to be our own doctor/advocate.

:-)

[lj9803]

Its all crazy some doctors became doctors to just make money and when you meet them you sure can tell . From what I have read on the web from other people you need to go to your gp and have him/her run a good blood test checking all vitiam levels and if you are low on any start taking them to get your levels where they belong . I hear that makes a big differents . I love coming on here and talking to people who get what its like to have to life this way . If you cant get up and exercise use weights sitting down and work up to exerciseing standing up . Dont let your muscle die it just makes pots harder to deal with . I'm going to try lifting weights little ones and I will let you know how it works . My tachycardia is pretty bad all day sitting around 140 and sometimes drops to 40 to 50 after being up walking for 15mins . I think if we all help each other maybe we can beat this thing up lol .

[binder58]

another great thing, if you can get physician orders....is Phys, therapy in a pool, a heated one....to get back in shape...i wish I COULD convince my husband of its benefits....BUT!  But it takes all the stress off of the back problems exercising in water, and also helps with the heat aspect of exercising, he does not handle getting hot at all!  And he used to work outside in 100 degree weather,,and never phased him!  Not now....but thought i would pass that along, as you have it exactly right...to stay ahead of the ,,keeping th emsucle alive and keep the blood pumping better to the brain!!

[Heiferly]

Hey just wanted to remind everyone here that heated water is not appropriate for all dysautonomia patients and please PLEASE please consult your doctor before trying this at home, folks!  For many dysautonomia patients, the heat intolerance aspect is not something that would improve by exposure, and this could be potentially life threatening to attempt to swim in a heated pool, especially if there isn't a life guard on duty who is prepared to pull you out if you faint in the water.  This is considered a high-risk activity for people with dysautonomia.  Heat exposure dilates the blood vessels and works against vasoconstrictor medications such as midodrine.  

So please do not do this unless under a doctor's supervision!