Aa
Embarrassing question
Hi all, I have really retained from asking this question, as I asked a similar question a few weeks ago. I am coming up on a month clean (29 days today) and I'm getting very concerned about my "bathroom issues" as in feeling like I need Immodium every day. I'm running to the bathroom quite frequently, but I don't feel like it's good for me to take Immodium EVERY day, but if I have to go out and run errands, it's a must. I'm exercising a lot more, and I've started juicing fruits and veggies, although I can barely gag down the veggie juice. I'm not a huge veggie fan, although I love fruit. But I know I need vegetables..I sound like a little kid but I just don't care for them. But I have been forcing some down every day. I'm just getting concerned about this month long bathroom issue...oh plus I have had ZERO appetite this month since I quit. It's getting to feel like an issue, I used to love and enjoy food , so I really hate this part. Even my favorite foods I look at and I feel like I could vomit. I do catch myself gagging through out the day. WTH is going on with me? I joked at first how great it was not to have an appetite, now it's absolutely no fun at all. My stomach growls for food. I've been taking a probiotic and eating an activia yogurt every morning. Even that little yogurt I have to force down. I did have my anti- depressant upped around time I quit Percocet, I wonder if that could be causing it? It's to the point where I'm having crazy ideas, like did I really do something harmful to my body and it's never going to function normally. Now when my husband wants to go out to eat, which I've always loved to do, I get big knots in my stomach because the smells and sight of food makes me feel nauseous. I don't like these feelings. I have had major traumatic events in last few months, as you all know, lost 2 people to cancer within months. But I don't feel like I'm mentally focusing on that enough to cause this physical condition. I just want to eat again and be hungry and not turned off by food and not have the damn runs all the time! Ugh. Sorry but I just am at my wits end with this ****, literally, lol. I'm thinking I need to go get some bloodwork? I'm petrified they may find something terrible though, after abusing those stupid pills for 2 plus years...I've lost a bit of weight from this, but I don't want to lose more.
Best Answer
What antidepressant are you taking? I was on prozac 20mil with no side effects. They upped it to 40mil and I started having horribly explosive diarrhea with little warning (yeah TMI :)) I ended up switching to a different SSRI.
I've been on BRAT diet one day and it's been a miracle. Feel kinda silly I didn't do something so obvious.....I even wanted a regular meal today- first time in weeks. I just had a chicken wrap and potato. Felt overly stuffed, but everything is ok so far, and haven't needed Immodium yet today. Crossing fingers!
I agree with nursegirl about Immodium. I used it for public events only, it saved my butt, literally. I was cautious and someone reminded me of something. I had no problem taking 200mg of methadone, yet 2-4mgs of Immodium scared me. Now compulsive, chronic use of anything is bad, potato chips for example. Not good to eat all day, everyday. Let us know how the brat diet works, it makes sense.
I think if you're not taking up to the daily max of the Immodium every day, it will be okay. It IS true that regular use of Immodium for extended periods of time can cause some issues, but your use has been sporadic, and it's only been a month. If it helps (especially when you have to go somewhere) I say use it...just don't overdo it. If you limit it to outings and when the diarrhea is super bad, I think that's fine.
It's good that you will be seeing your doc, because he/she may have some other recommendations as well. Hope you feel better soon!!
It's good that you will be seeing your doc, because he/she may have some other recommendations as well. Hope you feel better soon!!
Hi Richart- I only used Imodium once yesterday, I'm going to "wait things out" with that...sorry to hear you suffer with that ariley, stomach issues blow! Weaver I do like kelp, haven't had any if the others you mentioned.. Last night I stuck to the brat diet and I'm trying that again today and I'm going to see if I can at least get somewhat normalized then slowly add things back in. Thanks everyone for all the great advice. I'm glad I posted and got everyone's input.
Hi! I just wanted to chime in. Everybody has given you some great advice. I suffer from IBS, and unfortunately it's the kind that causes diarrhea. Mine gets triggered by certain foods ( some veggies, and dairy products ) and stress and anxiety. If I get stressed, I immediately have to run to the bathroom! It is no fun. This could be a combo of diet, lingering wds, and maybe stress and anxiety. Definitely go and have your doctor check you out. I hope that this passes soon. It's no fun! Good luck!!
The doctors do what they can, they killed one parasite. It does reach a point where diet and supporting the immune system is all that is left. It's always good to "know" they can't help. I'd check it out. Do you like sea veggies, like dulce, arame, kelp, kombu? You like fish, seaweed goes good with rice and fish. I keep thinking of things.
I thought I had a "cast Iron gut" until I read weaver71's response.
Jalapeno's and cheese used to be my relief from stomach issues.
Respectfully I will just submit Blue Bell's "Made in the Shade".
Jalapeno's and cheese used to be my relief from stomach issues.
Respectfully I will just submit Blue Bell's "Made in the Shade".
Ginger is also great and very calming to the stomache. Again I want to say if you are overusing imodium or using it every day stop that and let your body have a chance to readjust to normal.
I was going to tell you to skip the juicing too for now. While I commend your effort, you need to be feeling better before trying to add something like that (especially since you really don't like veggies).
I'll be anxious to hear what the doc says.
I'll be anxious to hear what the doc says.
Wow that's really amazing about India. I'm definitely adding in the whole grains and quitting the juicing for now. It's obviously not making things better. That's exactly why it takes me awhile before I give in to go to the drs. It seems like they really never know when it comes to stomach problems unless its an obvious issue with an organ. Thank you for all that info. Tonight I just had rice and a piece of toast. I'm sticking to bland diet for next few days to see if it helps at all. Thanks again.
If you have chronic digestive issues, with periods of feeling regular between, that is the life cycle of a parasite. My latest was Blastosistis Homonis, I think that's how you spell it, had it for years. We are hosts of all kinds of other life forms, some good, some bad. The right balance of good bacteria, yeast, and enzymes is what fights off all the thousands of life forms we ingest each day. The fiber of husk on whole grain rakes out all the dead carcasses and fat left behind by good bacteria, white blood cells and enzymes. The good parasites dominate. I think a great deal of America's diseases could be reduced by simply eating more whole grain. When you look at cultures where people live to be 100 plus, they eat 50% or more whole grain. I find it amazing how they build a resistance to the parasites. I watched people wash clothes, deficate, urinate, and drink out of the Ganga River. A dead cow floated up and was being eaten by a dog. They threw the human remains of the funeral pyre into the river, and all this was in a 50' strip of river bank. No wonder I have parasites, my body is not used to those conditions. My body isn't used to being sober either, a new balance of good parasites needs to be built. Like the man drinking the Ganga. I asked him what he thought, why do we get sick and he doesn't. He asked me what a mother does when their baby poops and spits up on her. Would she beat and kill it, punish it for being filthy? No, she first cleans the child, then cleans herself and put the child back to her breast with love. He said the river is his mother, she gives him everything and would never hurt him. He scooped up the water with his hands and poured it in his mouth as he spoke. By focusing on appreciation and faith, this man is immune to the water of a river that flows through India, the dirtiest place I've ever seen. I'm trying that with all my ailments. I appreciate my progress and all I have gained and have faith that my natural defenses will take care of me. One thing at a time. Eating on a schedule, eating what a need rather than want, lower sodium, lower fat, or whatever I see is that I CAN do. I went to the doctor a couple of times since getting clean, when I was doing all I could and still sick. They can't do much more. The last issues with my stomach are from India. Each doctor is baffled. I was told I need to go back to that region and get a local doctor to help. Western doctors don't even know what to look for. Lots of grain really makes a difference for me. Yogurt is great and so is miso soup and any living food. I will say that I gave it 6 months before I even considered it not being from opiates. Anyway, I been ramblin, good distraction at least, I hope. You may need to experiment, go to an Indian buffet, check out a sushi bar, find ways to make whole grains and veggies taste good. If you can't afford to eat out, look at some ethnic cook books with an open mind. I thought crickets would taste horrible, in Thailand they make them pretty good, kinda nutty and sweat. Your taste buds should be more alive, you may like things you used to not like. Be careful with the juices, they are very concentrated. In Chinese medicine, they do not believe in juicing, you should eat the whole fruit or veggie. It's hard on your system to process 600 almonds worth of nutrients with 1 almond worth of fiber to guide it through the intestines. It taxes the liver and kidneys. As a supplement, juice is great, but all the time, I think it can cause some problems, especially if enough fiber isn't consumed other meals. I've seen people turn yellow from drinking too much juice. Just throwing that out there. Does immodium help? I'd guess it's the opiates still, if that's the case. I relate to stomach issues, it is irritating. Hope you figure it out soon.
I'm on Celexa now. Its less likely to cause tummy issues but everyone is different. I would run it by your doc when you see him!
Oops methinks I hit "best answer" accidentally, when actually ALL your answers were extremely helpful...meant to hit reply to deadgamegrrl...I am on Celexa 60 mg, it was 40 mg before that.
Oh and thanks so much FourJays;). And I'm starting the Antac tonight Sara. May as well cover as many bases as I can! Richart, I agree with that...
Oh my gosh thanks for all the responses guys! You all are great! I've had a rough day and it all was because of my stomach. My life is revolving around THAT now, and it's so irritating. I finally got free from having my life revolve around pills, now I gotta deal with stomach discomfort. I think I'm gonna go ahead and try to get in to the dr this week, even to see if he can give me an anti-nausea. Was supposed to go away in a week, and I can't picture having any fun feeling like this. I'm definitely cutting out the juicing for now. I was trying to "get healthy" and my husband has been juicing, so I thought maybe it would help me feel better like it has for some people. But obviously I put my stomach through hell, because it's pretty mad at me right now! So I'm going to try and do the BRAT diet, thanks nurse girl.
I scanned through the posts and I don't think I saw anyone saying this but forgive me if it's already been said.
If you are overusing imodium and/or using it daily this could be causing the whole problem. It is not supposed to be used for more than a day or so at a time. If your digestive system becomes dependent on it to not "go" then you can guess what the withdrawal symptom of that is going to be. Just throwing that out there. ;0
If you are overusing imodium and/or using it daily this could be causing the whole problem. It is not supposed to be used for more than a day or so at a time. If your digestive system becomes dependent on it to not "go" then you can guess what the withdrawal symptom of that is going to be. Just throwing that out there. ;0
Oh, and weaver...a PARASITE???? Oh my. That gives me the heebie jeebies!!! :0(
I agree with everyone above, and I think a trip to your doc is in order for a check up...just to be sure there's not anything going on (do you still have your gallbladder?). Some labwork and an assessment seems like a good idea.
It could be that you're just not "there" yet. The BRAT diet helps to bulk up the stool...bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, and the other suggestions were great too. Fruit definitely will add to the issue (too much that is).
The diarrhea is to be expected (even though it's lingering), the nausea concerns me a little more. I also agree that anxiety is making this worse for you..you're becoming overly focused on it, worrying, and even having anxious reactions to eating situations. One of the biggest and most common symptom of anxiety is GI disturbances (diarrhea, nausea, etc)...so the anxiety is probably fueling the fire. Anything you can do to try to overcome that anxious reaction will help you a lot.
Sure hope you feel better soon! If you go to see your doc, he may be able to give you an anti-nausea medication to help with some of the symptoms, to get you eating better. Once you see an improvement in that, your anxiety will decrease as well. The two symptoms will feed off one another (no pun intended). Take care!!
It could be that you're just not "there" yet. The BRAT diet helps to bulk up the stool...bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, and the other suggestions were great too. Fruit definitely will add to the issue (too much that is).
The diarrhea is to be expected (even though it's lingering), the nausea concerns me a little more. I also agree that anxiety is making this worse for you..you're becoming overly focused on it, worrying, and even having anxious reactions to eating situations. One of the biggest and most common symptom of anxiety is GI disturbances (diarrhea, nausea, etc)...so the anxiety is probably fueling the fire. Anything you can do to try to overcome that anxious reaction will help you a lot.
Sure hope you feel better soon! If you go to see your doc, he may be able to give you an anti-nausea medication to help with some of the symptoms, to get you eating better. Once you see an improvement in that, your anxiety will decrease as well. The two symptoms will feed off one another (no pun intended). Take care!!
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I had this happen too. I would cut out the dairy for a bit. Our digestive system takes a real beating after we clean up and it takes a bit for it to start working again. I took Pepcid or Zantac for awhile and that seemed to help calm the acids down in my belly which in turn helped the other too. I would try cutting back on the juice and veggies for a bit. If this doesnt clear up i would see your doctor.
i was on the same as you for 2 years.i too have lost 20 lbs now 165.no appettite.cant seem to get my life back.day 16 aint fun.cant believe it lasted this long.last time i went off it 5 days now not feeling good at day 16.i feel like i have to find out what the problem is.but i am scared of the docs..they were the ones who got us into this.i am sure when it finally plays out we will both be ok.
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