Stomach problems
Carnivorekat
Posts: 370 Member
I have been suffering with pain in my abdomen after eating, my doctor thinks it is an issue in the duodenum and is possibly due to excess acid, and I have been prescribed Omeprazole again, I took it a couple of months ago and it did seem to help things, but this time I am still struggling - one of the things he has suggested is that I should reduce fat and increase fruit and veggies and also eat certain grains.
Obviously this goes against everything I have been hoping to achieve with my zero carb diet and wanted to see if anyone has overcome excess acid issues with a low carb eating plan. Also for those who follow a very low carb WOE have you managed to overcome stomach discomfort at all.
Obviously this goes against everything I have been hoping to achieve with my zero carb diet and wanted to see if anyone has overcome excess acid issues with a low carb eating plan. Also for those who follow a very low carb WOE have you managed to overcome stomach discomfort at all.
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Replies
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*kitten*, @kathrout1973.
Sorry to hear about your tummy pains. They can be completely debilitating, and I can understand your frustration.
I'm not well-versed in this area, but here are a few thoughts.....
There seem to be enormous variations in digestive responses to diet, which in turn could be attributable to any number of individual differences in such diverse variables as allergies, nutrient processing, body physics & chemistry, gut flora, hormones, inflammation, other coexisting conditions....
Omeprazole can be a wonder drug, but if you're going to recreate the same conditions that led to needing it in the first place, then it doesn't sound like a long-term solution, even if it does prove to be a temporary fix.
Perhaps a strict elimination protocol might be the way to try to figure out how you can construct a ketogenic diet that works for you. I have no idea just what to suggest, though.
If your insurance company is cooperative, and you can identify a good gastroenterologist within a reasonable hike, that's probably where I would start. (FYI, I learned while caring for my dad with stomach cancer that GI oncologists can be quite skillful at recommending dietary approaches for delicate systems.)
Good nutritionists who know their way around your scenario could be great resources - but will probably be next to impossible to find. But if you have any leads....
Keep us posted, eh?
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I experienced an episode of severe gut pain after about 3 days of very low carbs (under 20g/day) last week... my doctor's theory was that I was not eating enough carbs for proper bowel function,and I was instructed to eat 60g+/day for 3-4 days to test it. It worked, I think, now I'm down to 30g/day again for the past 3 days to see if I can manage on that intake without the pain returning.
Lending credence to the theory: I was just listening to a podcast this morning actually, Jimmy Moore was interviewing Paul Jaminet for his [Jimmy's] book Cholesterol Clarity - one of the things Paul mentioned was that eating TOO low of carbs can, for some people, cause nutrient deficiencies - things like iodine, important for thyroid function; copper & zinc, which are important for making a particular antioxidant; but when people on low carb diets restrict food groups too severely then you're missing a whole class of nutrients that we need (both from animal sources - like liver, kidneys - and from vegetables). This in turn can affect your guts: carbohydrates are important for making extracellular matrix, for making mucus (as @baconslave knows!) and other immune barriers which keep the intestinal barrier sound. If you're "starving yourself of carbohydrates" he says, your body may not maintain the intestinal barrier as well as it should, which can lead to endotoxicity (leaky gut) and, pain.
It's the Livin' La Vida Low Carb Show Episode 721, starts around 33:00. I'll see if I can find a link...
http://www.thelivinlowcarbshow.com/shownotes/8551/721-cholesterol-clarity-interview-with-perfect-health-diet-author-paul-jaminet/2 -
Just an idea here. But you would think that there is some kind of option/treatment out there for people who just cannot handle carbs with the same issues!
I'd start researching celiac disease with leaky guy or acid indigestion.
I'd also look into LC options to full carb options to resolve the issues as well.
One last thought. I know from experience with my daughter who also takes the same medication. She has gerd in like a reverse direction. Instead of heart burn etc, he's symptoms run the opposite direction resulting in an acid dump. Very painful for her. Anyways, to the point they at one point put her on a strict no fresh vegetables regimen! She needed to increase her consumption of vegetables BUT she could only eat them in a canned form! Apparently canned fruits and vegetables go through your system partially digested before going in your mouth! Crazy right? But it worked! I'm using the non medical description here. It's the super simplified explanation given to my daughter who was 5 or 6 at the time!
Good luck!! Keep us updated on how things go for you!3 -
Thank you so much everyone - I knew I would find a supportive group here - I am lucky to be in the UK so don't have the issues of needing insurance, think I will go back to the doctor and ask to be referred to a gastroenterologist and see what they suggest, I have decided to up my carbs for a while to see if it helps, I loved the way ZC felt to begin with, but couldn't stick to it fully, and the pain just started to increase, so will definitely look into all solutions and find what works best for me _ I am going to keep a journal and see if there are any things that cause worse problems1
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bentonite will help with excess acid0
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@auntstephie321 might have some insight here, too. It really depends on where your pain is located. Hers was abdominally, i.e., not the stomach, more likely the intestines. She helped with it by adding probiotics, digestive enzymes (primarily helps the intestine/nutrient breakdown), and the ACV to help balance stomach acid - but this used strategically... To me, if they're wanting to put you on an acid reducer, this tells me your body is likely missing one key acid and therefore overproducing the others.
Having no gallbladder, this year so far has been a mass adventure in figuring out gut health and bathroom drama situations... Good luck, but personally, I would not go on an acid reducer until I'd explored all other options.1 -
basically all doctors will prescribe you omeprazole if you come in complaining of that type of pain. its like all they know or care to do instead of determining the underlying issue. like if you have too much acid (which you may not) then why. all they want to do is treat the symptom not the cause. the foods he suggested you start eating would put me in a world of pain even if I was on omeprazole, they cause gas and my body does not digest them well and I get a burning acid pain in my intestines. did he tell you that once you are on omeprazole you can't stay on it forever without causing issues for your body and trying to come off it can be excruciating. I have gotten myself off it after taking it for over a year but it was not fun, and as knit mentioned I had to do a lot to figure out what would help. on her recommendation I've started taking digestive enzymes with each meal, and probiotics 2 hours before every meal. It took about 2 weeks but I seem to be straightened out now, except if I eat a bunch of garbage like I did this weekend, even then it wasn't nearly as bad as before.5
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I take HCL digestive enzymes (2) and magnesium before each meal. Helps with so many tummy troubles!!1
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Thank you so much everyone - I am going to try alternatives I think, was worried about taking the cider vinegar if I was having acid problems, but might give the probiotics a try and the digestive enzymes too - I don't want to be on meds at all and if I can solve it without the meds I would prefer to do that.
My pain is just under the left rib cage and radiates through to the back, I also sometimes get pain at the base of the sternum when the pain is strongest - he has started me on 20mg of omeprazole, I responded well to begin with, then had a months break from the omeprazole and was tested for H.pylori bacteria which came back negative and the pain came back with a vengeance, so the doctor prescribed omeprazole again 20mg for a month as it had helped before and said that if it didn't calm down then the next step would be a camera down the throat to see where the inflammation was, he has put the omeprazole on repeat prescription at 10mg but I am going to have to back and see him to take things further and check things out more.1 -
it probably came back with a vengeance because you stopped taking the omeprazole, that's the problem with that stuff, its hell to get back to anything normal after because it suppresses the mechanism that produces acid so once that's gone the stomach starts going crazy making acid again, it can take time to get that regulated5
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Just a thought......I was on Omeprozole for ages and my problems seemed to intensify with a LCHF regime.......however.......I gave up alcohol 10 months ago
and have now stopped taking the medication altogether!!! My acid issues have subsided..... RESULT! 
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kathrout1973 wrote: »Thank you so much everyone - I am going to try alternatives I think, was worried about taking the cider vinegar if I was having acid problems, but might give the probiotics a try and the digestive enzymes too - I don't want to be on meds at all and if I can solve it without the meds I would prefer to do that.
My pain is just under the left rib cage and radiates through to the back, I also sometimes get pain at the base of the sternum when the pain is strongest - he has started me on 20mg of omeprazole, I responded well to begin with, then had a months break from the omeprazole and was tested for H.pylori bacteria which came back negative and the pain came back with a vengeance, so the doctor prescribed omeprazole again 20mg for a month as it had helped before and said that if it didn't calm down then the next step would be a camera down the throat to see where the inflammation was, he has put the omeprazole on repeat prescription at 10mg but I am going to have to back and see him to take things further and check things out more.
Do you still have a gall bladder? Sounds like gall stones felt for me.
Pain was aweful. Felt like I couldn't inhale all the way and I couldn't stand up straight when it would happen.1 -
@Sunny_Bunny_ Gallbladder pain is under the left rib cage too? I thought it was the right. Bummer.0
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I get terrible pains from upper to lower stomach and radiating around to my back whenever I eat any cruciferous veggies. I will be doubled over with the most horrible gas pains imagined. I have to take peppermint oil to get the trapped gas moving through my system and usually have to lie down on my right side in a fetal position and massage my belly and sides. Onions and garlic do the same. Really all fiber. I do much better with just meat and a little cheese. Egg whites hurt to and make me nauseated. I hope you start to feel better what ever you decide to do.
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@Sunny_Bunny_ Gallbladder pain is under the left rib cage too? I thought it was the right. Bummer.
I felt mine mostly center as I recall but slightly left and definitely felt it in my back and it makes sense that it's right after eating.
The weird thing is that if you've been low carb for a while, why is it happening now?
I know Adam Nally says suddenly having gall bladder issues after being low carb without having any before, usually corresponds to a high carb food (cheat level) of some sort. Don't know if that puzzle piece fits your situation.
I had the pain for a couple years before it was finally diagnosed. I was given meds for stomach acid before they figured out it was gall stones. But I was also 16 when I had mine out, so they didn't suspect it at all. They literally dismissed that all my symptoms fit simply because I was so young.1 -
dmariet116 wrote: »I get terrible pains from upper to lower stomach and radiating around to my back whenever I eat any cruciferous veggies. I will be doubled over with the most horrible gas pains imagined. I have to take peppermint oil to get the trapped gas moving through my system and usually have to lie down on my right side in a fetal position and massage my belly and sides. Onions and garlic do the same. Really all fiber. I do much better with just meat and a little cheese. Egg whites hurt to and make me nauseated. I hope you start to feel better what ever you decide to do.
Yep this is me too it's excruciating0 -
I get that kind of pain from food allergies. I recently was having major digestive issues, lots of pain, constipation, cramping, bloating, etc... Basically an imodium advertisement... I cut out nuts and voila! No more pain... Turns out I'm quite allergic to almonds. The last time I had pain like this for months it turned out to be something I was eating at work that had soy milk in it (very allergic to soy too). I seriously thought I had gallstones or something but all the tests came back negative... Checked ingredients on something on a whim and there it was... Such a pain...1
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@Sunny_Bunny_ Gallbladder pain is under the left rib cage too? I thought it was the right. Bummer.
That's where my gallbladder attack pains were in '98 before I had it removed. Last year, I had 2 phantom gall bladder attacks (on SAD),which raised my liver enzymes. My endo had no explanation.0 -
@Sunny_Bunny_ Gallbladder pain is under the left rib cage too? I thought it was the right. Bummer.
That's where my gallbladder attack pains were in '98 before I had it removed. Last year, I had 2 phantom gall bladder attacks (on SAD),which raised my liver enzymes. My endo had no explanation.
I used to have phantom attacks several times a year prior to going Keto. Haven't had one since before eating this way and it's been since may 2015.
I was told to expect phantom attacks for a few years after mine was removed, but I still got them 20+ years later! Until I cut carbs 0 -
@Sunny_Bunny_ Gallbladder pain is under the left rib cage too? I thought it was the right. Bummer.
@kpk54 - mine was just right of my spine, but it can be either side. Passing stones for me was painful enough I actually went to the doctor worried I was having a heart attack...I was passing them while pregnant, "No, @knit, that is just heartburn..." YEAH RIGHT!?!?!?!?! Ugh. Had it removed when my kiddo was 7 weeks old, and would not recommend it to anyone at all ever unless theirs GB is poisoned and dying, when so many options with eating this way to treat it... My complications have been HADES on wheels... The pain at it's worst required 2 vicodin and a heating pad in the dark for at least 2 hours. Not fun with a breastfeeding newborn (yeah, tried not to feed her within 4 hours of meds, as I metabolized them pretty quickly)...0 -
@Sunny_Bunny_ Gallbladder pain is under the left rib cage too? I thought it was the right. Bummer.
That's where my gallbladder attack pains were in '98 before I had it removed. Last year, I had 2 phantom gall bladder attacks (on SAD),which raised my liver enzymes. My endo had no explanation.
@Aquawave - something I didn't know until recently was that gallstones are typically not created in the gallbladder, but in the liver, and then they dropped into the GB and got worse from there. So if your underlying trigger is still present, you will still accumulate stones in the liver, which can cause the "phantom" pains. There are a few simple supps you can take that help clear/break up liver stones, the NAC aminos for one, and a few other natural ones (I think Dr. Berg makes a formula, and you can take off from there, deciding if you need all the things in his supps or not)... So yeah, I'm looking into this myself, as I've had more than a few higher carb days over the past 19-20 months...0 -
I had a phantom attack 5 months after surgery, they ER doc tried to tell me it was an upset stomach! Then I had another one and ended up in the hospital with elevated pancreatic enzymes resulting in pancreatitis! Then my other endo said, It was possible passing more stones/gravel through the common bile duct. I am absolutely certain it was my low fat diet that cost me my gall bladder in the first place. Bile needs fat to work right, otherwise it get sluggish and clogs. At least that is my explanation for what it is worth.
Oh, and my current endo said, next time, go to ER since it also could be signs of a heart attack. For me passing these stones/gravel is pain,coming in waves, crescending, sweating, wanting to lay down and just pass out for the pain to go away. The worst of it is that they told me just before my surgery, that the surgery would cure it.2 -
@Aquawave - Same boat here, mostly. When I got pregnant, I went from an almost all fast food diet to not being able to tolerate meat, fats, or sweets for more than half of my pregnancy. So an unintentionally LOWER carb diet (still not low by any means) resulted in the sluggish/solidifying bile for me, too. Luckily, somehow, I never ended up with pancreatitis, though I've no idea how, nor did I notice passing more liver stones - though my PCOS ramped up at this point, and bursting ovarian cysts easily rivaled and surpassed the pain of passing stones....so I might not have noticed. I'm glad we're all learning now together, though I'm sure most of us wish we would have had a chance to try treating the issues before having a surgical removal...0
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Oh, and while I am on my soapbox, who knows what statins do to our liver and bile?2
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My understanding is that statins kill a certain part of your liver to lower cholesterol production. I don't know what effect they have on bile EDITED TO ADD - but following this line of thinking, if they kill part of your liver to stop cholesterol (much needed, btw) from being produced, it is likely there would be less bile produced, also.0
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I did not have bile/gallstones prior to being placed on statins/low fat diet.1
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Sunny_Bunny_ wrote: »@Sunny_Bunny_ Gallbladder pain is under the left rib cage too? I thought it was the right. Bummer.
That's where my gallbladder attack pains were in '98 before I had it removed. Last year, I had 2 phantom gall bladder attacks (on SAD),which raised my liver enzymes. My endo had no explanation.
I used to have phantom attacks several times a year prior to going Keto. Haven't had one since before eating this way and it's been since may 2015.
I was told to expect phantom attacks for a few years after mine was removed, but I still got them 20+ years later! Until I cut carbs
Makes you question whether the gallbladder was actually the problem at all2 -
KnitOrMiss wrote: »@Sunny_Bunny_ Gallbladder pain is under the left rib cage too? I thought it was the right. Bummer.
@kpk54 - mine was just right of my spine, but it can be either side. Passing stones for me was painful enough I actually went to the doctor worried I was having a heart attack...I was passing them while pregnant, "No, @knit, that is just heartburn..." YEAH RIGHT!?!?!?!?! Ugh. Had it removed when my kiddo was 7 weeks old, and would not recommend it to anyone at all ever unless theirs GB is poisoned and dying, when so many options with eating this way to treat it... My complications have been HADES on wheels... The pain at it's worst required 2 vicodin and a heating pad in the dark for at least 2 hours. Not fun with a breastfeeding newborn (yeah, tried not to feed her within 4 hours of meds, as I metabolized them pretty quickly)...
I had mine removed while I was 28 weeks pregnant! They had to take it out the old fashioned way so I've got this HUGE scar across my stomach! To boot now when I over extend my stomach muscles I get the equivalent to a Charley Horse where the scar is! It's the worst feeling in the world when that gets triggered.
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I am going through a similar experience which started at the beginning of the month after coming home from a vacation. I had been eating LCHF for a few weeks before and stuck with it for the most part while away. However, I ate a lot of cheese every day, then came home and had a Chinese buffet, then the next day went bowling. Following this, I was in such agony I could barely walk. I saw a gastroenterologist the following week who recommended a low FODMAP (low gas) diet, a probiotic, and a prescription drug for constipation. My pain has subsided somewhat but it still very evident. I had a CT scan last week and no obstruction or anything was found. I am seeing a GYN later this week. It may be hormone related. This happened to me in the past when I was eating Atkins. I lost a lot of weight and my hormones went haywire.
I eat poultry mostly, some beef, fish, bacon, and pork with just salt as seasoning. I boil the protein and drink the broth. I render chicken skin with salt once a week for a delicious snack. I have some pork fat that I will use to try to make chicharones soon.
I second the recommendation for an elimination diet in case you have food sensitivities. I also recommend something to keep things moving. I am not sure if that is the intent of your prescription. Magnesium citrate works best for me.
I wish you the best!2 -
I am going through a similar experience which started at the beginning of the month after coming home from a vacation. I had been eating LCHF for a few weeks before and stuck with it for the most part while away. However, I ate a lot of cheese every day, then came home and had a Chinese buffet, then the next day went bowling. Following this, I was in such agony I could barely walk.
Switch to croquet?
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