Debilitating Reflux And Discomfort

[jasonD2]

Recently had an endoscopy and my doctor said everything was normal, but there was a small area of inflammation in the small bowel, which he biopsied. Ive been experiencing constant upper GI fullness, discomfort, bad taste & mucous in my throat after meals for about 3 months

Im considerably underweight and am already on a limited diet since i cant eat gluten, eggs, nuts, soy or dairy. Now I have to cut out more foods because they are bothering my upper GI.

I feel truly hopeless..like my digestion keeps getting worse and worse. I was on a candida diet, took some meds for parasites and also on probiotics and digestive enzymes. I thought all of this would help but I feel worse than ever. Strangely enough my mental health has been great & i am sleeping very well at night and have a lot of energy, but i cant eat anything and if i stray from a very strict and bland diet or even eat out in a restaurant my system will flare up. Between the endoscopic procedure and going off my bland diet for xmas, my intestines are in knots and my BM's are coming out in pencil thin ribbons. I cant even exercise or lift weights cause it will aggravate my upper GI symptoms. Anyone know what this could be and why im not getting better? I almost feel like I need to not eat and just be on IV nutrients

[Wolicki]

Jason,

Are uyou still being treated for Candida? It's a tricky one to get rid of. did the doc check for candida in the endoscopy? Before I was dx with Celiac, I had a big gigantic fungal infection of the entire GI tract. I had to take antifungals (Diflucan) for darned near 6months before my GI symptoms improved. Are you taking some acid blockers like Aciphex or Propulsid? That may help. During that time, I subsisted on Ensure Plus (the vanilla was the least disgusting). Continue the probiotics and enzymes. The bland diet wont last forever. Hang tight. I've been there. It gets better! If you can tolerate the Ensure, go for it. I did TPN (IV nutrients) and it's horrible. Try explaining to people why you haveto carry a backpack everywhere and trying to figure out how to hide the lines so others can't see. Ensure looks pretty good after thta experience. It may contain soy, but I am sure there are other shakes that are safe for you.

Janie

[jasonD2]

Hi Janie-

I had yeast overgrowth (not candida) but it was gone on my most recent stools test, it may have come back but will have to recheck. This all started while I was on the treatment (3Lac, probiotics and wormwood) Maybe something will show on the biopsy. only shake that might be safe for me is pea protein but I have to try

Thank you!

Jason

[Wolicki]

Hmmmm, all the troubles started when you started the antifungal treatment? Are you still taking the threelac? My GI said it had to be treated with antifungals like nystatin and diflucan. It actually showed up in an upper endo. Hopefully you will get some answers when you get your results. I felt really bad until I went through many months of Diflucan. Let me see if I can find a shake for you

[Wolicki]

Evidently, there are some hempseed powders that might work. It would have more fat than pea powder. Can you tolerate coconut? You could make smoothies out of coconut milk and fruit. You can also get coconut milk yogurt at Whole Foods or Mothers Market. It 's pretty tasty. You can also make some great simple sauces to liven up that plain piece of chicken.

I see you can't do nuts- no nut butters either? PB is a good high fat snack.

Potatoes- you can make some yummy mashed potatoes with Swanson chicken broth, and you won't miss the butter and milk.

Avocadoes are a good source of good fats and calories, and olives as well.

Saute your protein in coconut oil or olive oil so you're getting some extra calories there.

Can you eat bacon? You can add bacon to anything and it tastes better.

I am sure I will think of more things. If you want to post an absolute list of what you can eat, I bet I can help.

Before my dx, I was down to 97 pounds, so when I say I've been there, I mean I've BEEN there.

Have a happy New Year, Jason. 2010 is going to be much better!!

Janie

[jasonD2]

Unfortunately having problems with fats too

Was eating avocados like crazy and now I have to stop cause they aggravate my reflux...they were my only salvation in terms of high calorie healthy foods.

Cocount doesnt sit well either...dont know why the hell I cant tolerate anything but thats how it is

[MaryJones2]

Have you discussed this with your doctor? If you recently had an endoscopy and are still having issues your doctor should know so they can help you even if your celiac biopsy was negative. Reflux is not normal and having problems digesting fat is not normal.

[Wolicki]

Jason,

What foods are your sure are ok for you? Can you tell I am stubborn?

[jasonD2]

Pretty much the basics

Chicken, although I have an easier time digesting dark meat, fish, beef, pork. Turkey constipates me for some reason

Vegetables: yellow squash, green beans broccoli, zucchini, celery, carrots - cant do garlic , peppers and onions. asparagus and artichokes irritate my bladder

Legumes cause bad bloating and gas and colon spasms

Grains: brown and white rice, quinoa( although i eat so much of it that I think i developed a sensitivity), milet,

I think corn is ok, but since its up there with most difficult things to digest i wouldnt be surprised if i was sensitive to it

right now i mostly eat plain chicken or fish, plain rice w/ olive oil and green beans & squash..thats like 90% of my diet...sucks huh?

[Wolicki]

OK, so if you stick with those few foods, do your symptoms clear up? Or have you not had a long period of sticking with only safe foods?

[jasonD2]

Yeah symptoms improve, but the mental anguish of eating the same stuff over & over is the real problem here. I have nuthin to endulge in and I am a person who always loved food and eating.

[Wolicki]

I understand. I was the Queen of the Foodies. Loved to cook and create things, but most of the joy has been sucked out of cooking and food because there are so many things I can't eat. Here's waht is important: your health and feeling better! Most intolerances will go away if you take are of yourself and avoid those things that bother you. Iknow it's tough, and it sucks and it is not fair, but you want to feel better so you have to suck it up and do it, so that you can get on with your life.

So, you can eat chicken, beef, pork, squash, green beans, broccoli, zucchini, carrots, fish and some grains. Alright so for breakfast:

bacon, gluten free toast( Udi's is good) , gluten-free pancakes, Van's gluten-free waffles. Can you have any fruits? Bananas, blueberries, apples are all good. Can you tolerate yogurt? Plain greek yogurt with honey and fruit is good.

Lunch: Can you do lettuce, spinach etc? You can make some great salads with lettuce, jicama, craising, chicken, simple oil and vinegar dressings. Or whip up some herbs and yogurt for a tasty dressing. Since you can tolerate grains, use corn tortillas or Ivory Teff wraps (sonoma brand) to make a nice wrap with veggies and meat.

You can make some nice easy soups that are good for lunch or dinner. I just made some yummy beef soup with some leftover roas beef, green beans and carrots with beef broth. Possibilities are endless with soup-throw in some rice or quninoa.

Make some rice pudding for dessert using soymilk.

Have you tried butternut, kabocha, spaghetti and acorn squash? Since you can have zucchini and squash, these will probably work. Throw them in the microwave and add a few spices.

cook up a pot of green beans with bacon or ham to flavor. Saute green beans in olive oil.

make some glazed carrots- steam then add brown sugar and cook it down a bit.

Make some Moms mess- just mix up leftover meet with veggies and rice, add some seasoning, broth is always good.

You can make some foil dinners (wrap up some veg and some meat in a foil packet and bake.

HERE'S MY POINT: There are lots of ways you can prepare the things you CAN have so that it's not always a plain piece of fish and veggies. Don't focus on what you can't have, but make the most of what you CAN. It's not forever!

Remember, it's all in the attitude. You have to choose to be happy. Hope this helps!

Janie

BTW, I've to give up dairy, again, because I got glutened, but yogurt is ok.