Digestive issues no matter what I eat. Long, but Please help!!

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hellokitty4321
hellokitty4321 Posts: 9 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have suffered with severe digestive issues for eight years. The symptoms include acid reflux, major bloating, diarrhea, constipation, chronic fatigue and inability to lose weight. I have been diagnosed with ibs and fibromyalgia and have been tested for hypothyroidism and celiac disease. I also got an upper endoscopy and apparently I have mild to medium inflammation in my large intestine. I've tried eating really healthy (a lot of fruits, little bit of junk food, barely ate out etc) but my digestive problem felt like hell. So, I tried all sorts of diets (paleo, low fat, low carb, gluten free and am currently on a strict low fodmap diet) but still none of them worked for me. I have only been on the low fodmap diet for about three days and then failed bc I was so discouraged of the fact that my digestive issues haven't gotten better. Not to mention, I cannot fruits besides a little bit of bananas, because they all give me severe digestive issues. I know that it might not seem like I carry extra weight around my abdominal area and that I don't need to lose weight in my profile picture but that is because I took the picture when I wasn't as bloated and it is also due to the camera angle. I weigh 131 lbs and am greater than 30 inches around the waist. After eating, my waist size can go up to 33 inches. I wear a size 8-10 pants and a 8-10 dress. This might be tmi but I mostly wear a size large underwear, sometimes medium. Trust me, sometimes, after I eat, I can be mistaken as a pregnant person due to my major bloating. I'm so sick and tired of these issues to the point that I sometimes become suicidal. One time, I became so desperate to lose weight that I only ate 500 calories a day, and my only meal consisted of watermelon bc I felt like watermelons gave me the least digestive problems. I only lost eight pounds from eating 500 calories a day. I went to a gi doctor and got a blood work done and oddly, all my vitamins and minerals were at the right level. I do not know what is wrong with my digestive system. Can anybody relate to me? Can somebody tell me what to do????
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Replies

  • hellokitty4321
    hellokitty4321 Posts: 9 Member
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    Thank you to anybody who has taken the time to read this. I also want to note that I have anxiety and depression.
  • hellokitty4321
    hellokitty4321 Posts: 9 Member
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    Also, at one point, I became obsessed with exercising. I would work out extremely intensely for fifty minutes five times a week. On top of this, I also did some exercises early in the morning (stretches, jump rope, running etc)
  • katsmo
    katsmo Posts: 219 Member
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    Sweetie, you need to talk to a medical doctor. Perhaps someone here can offer you support, but with your digestive issues, anxiety, depression, and obsession with exercise, I think you'd feel a lot better talking to an actual professional for legitimate guidance. Be good to yourself.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,943 Member
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    katsmo wrote: »
    Sweetie, you need to talk to a medical doctor. Perhaps someone here can offer you support, but with your digestive issues, anxiety, depression, and obsession with exercise, I think you'd feel a lot better talking to an actual professional for legitimate guidance. Be good to yourself.

    This.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
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    Keep working with your medical professionals and stick with the fodmap a little longer. Diarize which foods make you feel better. Over time your list of acceptable foods will get longer and longer.

    I suspect you range on the extremes, hoping for a "cure" but I think you need to start thinking along the lines of "feels a little better". Please do eat enough to feed all the great things you are doing. Can you be happy at 130 pounds, size 8-10?

    I think you might benefit from Stanford's Chronic Disease Self Management Program. Is there one available where you live? There's a similar program available in the UK.
  • hellokitty4321
    hellokitty4321 Posts: 9 Member
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    Hi katsmo. I am just really tired of dealing with my digestive issues and inability to lose weight. I've seen two gastroenterologists, my primary care doctor and a dietitian. I am losing hope that a medical doctor can do anything for me. The reason I pointed out that I have depression and anxiety is because maybe my emotional problem might be linked to the digestive issue I have. I wrote this post in hopes that somebody has been or is going through the same thing that I have, because I really need an answer to my digestive issue.
    katsmo wrote: »
    Sweetie, you need to talk to a medical doctor. Perhaps someone here can offer you support, but with your digestive issues, anxiety, depression, and obsession with exercise, I think you'd feel a lot better talking to an actual professional for legitimate guidance. Be good to yourself.
    katsmo wrote: »
    Sweetie, you need to talk to a medical doctor. Perhaps someone here can offer you support, but with your digestive issues, anxiety, depression, and obsession with exercise, I think you'd feel a lot better talking to an actual professional for legitimate guidance. Be good to yourself.

  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,576 Member
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    Have you been referred to an allergist/immunologist? Are you still seeing a GI specialist? My goodness there are any number of things that could cause these symptoms. Some are simple and easily fixed, others are complicated and not fixable, but you need to know the cause before trying to find the cure. Why did you quit on FOODMAP after only 3 days!?

    Get thee to a doctor. If they can't help, demand to be referred on until you find someone that can.
  • Yi5hedr3
    Yi5hedr3 Posts: 2,696 Member
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    Start taking "Digest Gold", made by enzymedica, with every meal. After your first two bytes of each meal take the enzyme capsule. Whala - you be cured!!
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
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    Yi5hedr3 wrote: »
    Start taking "Digest Gold", made by enzymedica, with every meal. After your first two bytes of each meal take the enzyme capsule. Whala - you be cured!!

    This might be the most irresponsible advice I've seen you give around here. I realize that you never return or engage with criticisms, but you are not qualified to diagnose, treat, or cure her problems over the internet. No one is.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,576 Member
    edited October 2015
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    hellokitty4321 wrote: »
    Hi katsmo. I am just really tired of dealing with my digestive issues and inability to lose weight. I've seen two gastroenterologists, my primary care doctor and a dietitian. I am losing hope that a medical doctor can do anything for me. The reason I pointed out that I have depression and anxiety is because maybe my emotional problem might be linked to the digestive issue I have. I wrote this post in hopes that somebody has been or is going through the same thing that I have, because I really need an answer to my digestive issue.
    katsmo wrote: »
    Sweetie, you need to talk to a medical doctor. Perhaps someone here can offer you support, but with your digestive issues, anxiety, depression, and obsession with exercise, I think you'd feel a lot better talking to an actual professional for legitimate guidance. Be good to yourself.
    katsmo wrote: »
    Sweetie, you need to talk to a medical doctor. Perhaps someone here can offer you support, but with your digestive issues, anxiety, depression, and obsession with exercise, I think you'd feel a lot better talking to an actual professional for legitimate guidance. Be good to yourself.

    I have a close family member with severe digestive issues. It took several years and many doctors and many procedures to get a diagnosis. There are really just so very many things that could be wrong it's impossible for anyone here to say based on the little information you've provided. Keep seeing doctors and keep looking for answers. And give their advice more than 3 days to work.

    Since you've only had these symptoms for 8 years it's probably not something you were born with. It could be an allergy or intolerance. I'd ask for a referral to an allergist/immunologist.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
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    Yi5hedr3 wrote: »
    Start taking "Digest Gold", made by enzymedica, with every meal. After your first two bytes of each meal take the enzyme capsule. Whala - you be cured!!

    What? You don't even know what the problem is.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
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    He won't come back, will he? He's mispronouncing the french word, voilà. Nails on a chalkboard.
  • LadyLallybroch
    LadyLallybroch Posts: 36 Member
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    I also have issues with anxiety. I've found when my stress levels go up, I get digestive issues no matter what I'm eating. I've had months go by where this is a constant thing - every time I eat. I've also been treated for IBS, though none of the treatment ever helped. When I'm more relaxed, happy, and don't have as much anxiety, my digestion issues mostly disappear. Nothing has been confirmed from a medical perspective, these are just my observations. It could be that you are experiencing something similar. If you're experiencing anxiety and depression, you should also be seeing a doctor for those. Ask them if your digestive symptoms could be related.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,576 Member
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    diannethegeek wrote: »
    Yi5hedr3 wrote: »
    Start taking "Digest Gold", made by enzymedica, with every meal. After your first two bytes of each meal take the enzyme capsule. Whala - you be cured!!

    This might be the most irresponsible advice I've seen you give around here. I realize that you never return or engage with criticisms, but you are not qualified to diagnose, treat, or cure her problems over the internet. No one is.

    You'd be surprised how often you get crap like this when dealing with gut disorders. I'd be a rich woman if I had a dollar for every person that recommended yogurt as a "cure". Some even after being told he has a milk allergy.
  • hellokitty4321
    hellokitty4321 Posts: 9 Member
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    I have been looking for a food allergist that takes my insurance but haven't found one yet. Maybe I'll try looking again. I quit the low fodmap diet on the third day bc it is extremely difficult. I cannot eat any fruits with the exception of a banana about every week and it seems like every veggies makes me feel bad except for spinach. So, I've been only eating chicken broth, rice, chicken, bananas, potato chips, eggs and spinach for the past three days. Still, my symptoms haven't gotten any better. The diet is extremely difficult bc you are so limited on what you can eat. With me, I don't even want to try eating fruits and veggies bc I remember years ago, I used to get horrible digestive issues from most fruits. But yes. I just hope that a doctor will be able to help me. I just need this digestive issue to go away.
    Need2Exerc1se wrote: »
    Have you been referred to an allergist/immunologist? Are you still seeing a GI specialist? My goodness there are any number of things that could cause these symptoms. Some are simple and easily fixed, others are complicated and not fixable, but you need to know the cause before trying to find the cure. Why did you quit on FOODMAP after only 3 days!?

    Get thee to a doctor. If they can't help, demand to be referred on until you find someone that can.

  • FGTisme
    FGTisme Posts: 87 Member
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    hellokitty4321 wrote: »
    I have been looking for a food allergist that takes my insurance but haven't found one yet. Maybe I'll try looking again. I quit the low fodmap diet on the third day bc it is extremely difficult. I cannot eat any fruits with the exception of a banana about every week and it seems like every veggies makes me feel bad except for spinach. So, I've been only eating chicken broth, rice, chicken, bananas, potato chips, eggs and spinach for the past three days. Still, my symptoms haven't gotten any better. The diet is extremely difficult bc you are so limited on what you can eat. With me, I don't even want to try eating fruits and veggies bc I remember years ago, I used to get horrible digestive issues from most fruits. But yes. I just hope that a doctor will be able to help me. I just need this digestive issue to go away.
    Need2Exerc1se wrote: »
    Have you been referred to an allergist/immunologist? Are you still seeing a GI specialist? My goodness there are any number of things that could cause these symptoms. Some are simple and easily fixed, others are complicated and not fixable, but you need to know the cause before trying to find the cure. Why did you quit on FOODMAP after only 3 days!?

    Get thee to a doctor. If they can't help, demand to be referred on until you find someone that can.

    Which is worse, following the diet recommended by your doctor (as a tool for diagnosing your problem) or continuing to live with the digestive problems? That is the choice you must make.

    The Foodmap may be difficult, time-consuming and seem pointless(it's not!), but living with constant digestive problems is WAY worse.

    I've had digestive issues too; been poked, prodded and scoped on both ends. Once you figure out the foods that hurt/help you, your life will improve dramatically. Don't give up on it!
  • Duchy82
    Duchy82 Posts: 560 Member
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    Anxiety and IBS go hand in hand it may be worth asking your doc for anxiety meds, you're probably in a viscous circle where your digestive issues fuel your anxiety and the anxiety is making your IBS worse. Stick with the fodmap its really hard but its designed to reduce the bowel inflammation so in theory it should calm your bowel down and then give you the option to reintroduce foods to gauge your bodies reaction to them but it will take longer than 3days on fodmap to see an improvement. Also look at some meditation or beginners yoga for relaxation which should help both your anxiety and IBS.

    In short get some anxiety medication, stick to fodmap as described by your physician and go online for some meditation techniques.
    p.s.from experience, peppermint tea is good for cramps and bloating caused by ibs.
  • summerkissed
    summerkissed Posts: 730 Member
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    katsmo wrote: »
    Sweetie, you need to talk to a medical doctor. Perhaps someone here can offer you support, but with your digestive issues, anxiety, depression, and obsession with exercise, I think you'd feel a lot better talking to an actual professional for legitimate guidance. Be good to yourself.

    Ok I think it's the depression and anxiety that could be your cause!! You see the gut and our mental state are very very closely joined! Get yourself to a medical doctor and get a referral to a phycologist a get to the bottom of your mental issues then see how you feel
  • ASKyle
    ASKyle Posts: 1,475 Member
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    Unfortunately it is time consuming to see many different doctors and give all of their suggestions a fair chance.
    Seeing an allergist that can give you a blood allergy test, if you haven't already, is a good direction to start.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,962 Member
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    hellokitty4321 wrote: »
    Hi katsmo. I am just really tired of dealing with my digestive issues and inability to lose weight. I've seen two gastroenterologists, my primary care doctor and a dietitian. I am losing hope that a medical doctor can do anything for me. The reason I pointed out that I have depression and anxiety is because maybe my emotional problem might be linked to the digestive issue I have. I wrote this post in hopes that somebody has been or is going through the same thing that I have, because I really need an answer to my digestive issue.
    katsmo wrote: »
    Sweetie, you need to talk to a medical doctor. Perhaps someone here can offer you support, but with your digestive issues, anxiety, depression, and obsession with exercise, I think you'd feel a lot better talking to an actual professional for legitimate guidance. Be good to yourself.

    Ya, my mom's IBS is worse when she is under a lot of stress. She did a whole bunch of things for it, only two of which I remember - taking acacia powder and Never eat insoluble fiber alone or on an empty stomach. Always eat it with a larger quantity of soluble fiber, and you will keep your gastrocolic reflex stable.

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