posted March 06, 2020 09:45 PM            

When I was 21 I was hospitalized 3 times for peptic ulcers. I also had burned a hole in my esophagus.

About age 25 my appendix ruptured.

Age 29 my gallbladder was removed.

At age... 40 something I had two bouts of excruciating pancreatitis. This was the worst pain in my life. I was on the bathroom floor begging for death. Horrible. This was caused by extensive use of steroids which were given to me to try and control lupus issues.

I no longer take that or any of my meds except for my thyroid medication because if I dont take that one, I cant get out of bed or regulate my temperature.

Last December I got the stomach flu/virus. Everyone else around me caught it too, but their's went away in the normal time span. Mine got worse and I blew up like a 9 month pregnant person (and all this during traveling through January, UGH).

Now it's calmed down as far as no more vomiting or diarrhea, but it hurts. Every second of the day. It feels like someone is wringing out my guts like a wash rag. Or like I've done 200 sit ups.

I've searched ulcer diets and have been following those in regards to low fat and no sugar. Basically I've been eating; oatmeal, bananas, brown rice, steamed veggies... etc. The most bland things I can find. That was helping until yesterday, and now it doesn't seem to matter.

I've lost 13 pounds since the middle of February.

I don't have an appetite. Maybe that part is in my head because I know eating is going to double me over.

I can't afford tests or a doctor without insurance, which currently I dont have.

Any thoughts on relief? Or dietary changes, bearing in mind I cant afford tons of supplements and such.

Thanks in advance.

posted March 07, 2020 10:28 PM            

So right now---
You think it is an ulcer again?
Are you getting a lot of acid kickback?

You need low-fat because of missing gallbladder?

Can you have dairy? (cow)
I know some folks don't do dairy for their belief-system philosophical reasons-- not dietary.

If I couldn't have dairy, I'd be in a LOT of trouble digestively. (I've had my share of problems with foods, Gypsee.)

*!
Disclaimer-- I am NOT a trained medical person. What I share with you is based on my own food experiences, and experiences of other folks I've known.

You might try to find a Free Clinic somewhere in your area, since buying insurance is prohibitive financially right now.
{I understand!! }

Check with churches (or homeless shelters) in your area -- ask them if they know where a free clinic is. Usually, they do.
Check with folks that help the immigrant population. They know where clinics are too.
I don't know if United Way Agency helps or not (usually that's for after disasters, fire, etc).

Gypsee… I don't know what region you live in geographically? .. Love Street is in California? awww.

Really-- Politically with what's going on with health care in the USA, I am so-torqued that "our people" need to try to get help from those that were 3rd-world missionaries--- the ones who give to foreigners. The attitude of austerity by govt is KILLING us. Make America {HEALTHY} Again! grrrrr.

Our wealth is in HEALTH?
Yeah, HEALTH Care Companies.
Our wealth is IN THE POCKETS of HealthCare physicians, etc.
Americans "can't AFFORD" them.

# Off my soapbox.

*~
(Try to find a clinic for your digestive problems. I know you're being watched-over for thyroid.. so that's good. NEVER skip those pills. Thyroid is a master gland in the body. Needs balance.)
*~

With your gut, --
You said you're down to the oatmeal, brown rice .. veggies--

Those foods are healthy-yes, but might provide too much roughage and fiber for a gut that's been through a flu-storm.

Maybe after all that wringing and twisting in your gut, the system needs a "rest" ..?

Think about taking a week or two, and going even-more "bland" on your foods.

You mentioned a drastic weight loss?
Was it weird-abnormal, or logical that you lost that much weight--- from throwing up from stomach flu, etc.

Some people in our area had gone through that bug.

* You're a brown rice lover (yummy)--
Instead, you might want to give that a slight break and try (for a short while) buying simple white rice. The kind you boil for 30 mins, or the instant-rice.

Use real butter on it.
No Dr Brommer's sauce.
No vinegars, balsamics.

* Canned veggies have less rough-textures.
eg. peas, carrots, boiled potatoes.
Hold back on tomatoes a bit. Use sparingly.

* Instead of "oatmeal" --
Go more for even-smoother textured foods. Such as, Cream of Wheat (unless you can't have wheat)-- with milk in it.
Rice Krispies are safe.

* Juices-- No. and Jams/Jellies.
No citrus, No grape, No cranberry,
{can't think of the name of them but ?kiwi ?guavas} (acid)
Careful of blueberry {just a bit}.

* Use 'Whole' milk. (red cap)
- cow -
Low fat milk may create more 'acid'.
The fats in Whole cow's milk are what can coat the lining of the stomach better.
{avoid choc syrup for a bit}

* Stay away from buttermilk, 'greek' style yogurts, whey, soy.

* Stay away from mustard!
ginger, black pepper, turmeric

* Watch out for garden peppers.
Pull back on tomato ..
Sprouts can be hard to digest.

* No kale nor deep green leafy spinach for a while. (oxalics-- kidneys).

Avoid condition of ketosis..

So! That was all probably "too much information?"

Have you ever tried using 'Nexium" or the generic for it?
Anything like that..?
Acid pump inhibitors.

MEDICATIONS.. some meds can hurt.
N-SAIDS (like Aleve, ibuprofen, etc.)
Those are bad for folks getting older.
Can make your stomach bleed and gut feel wrenching.

So.

Let me know what you think so far.

Got Natal Chart?

posted March 07, 2020 10:51 PM            

Would love to see your chart data.

And of course, follow the instructions that the docs have given you before, about your diet.

Your not having a gallbladder might make a difference with that.

posted March 08, 2020 03:04 PM            

Mirage, you are lovely. You've given me much to ponder in your reply. I think I'm going to take your advice in regards to simplifying even more. I have some of the things you mentioned already here at home (white rice, real butter, cream of wheat) so it's worth a shot.

Agree with your soap box , also one of my own soap box issues, insurance or the lack thereof. It's terrible. The medical system is just broken. I used to work at a doctor's office and have seen people unable to afford their medications to the point of not taking those that help sustain life. That is so sad.

I buy my thyroid medication online. It's actually cheaper to buy three months worth than it is one doctor visit. I'm supposed to be checked every three months to make sure I'm on the right dosage but there is no way I can pay those lab fees. I still owe on the last 600 dollars worth of labs. My levels haven't changed in years, so I feel ok about buying online for now. It is what it is.

I'm thinking maybe that flu I had just really did a number on me. It was hideous lol. I haven't felt that bad in a long time. I'm also researching chronic pancreatitis, I see that some people just live with this as an ongoing issue. But yes, if it gets to the point where I'm laying on my bathroom floor again, I will go to the hospital regardless of my insurance situation. Sigh.

I'm crap at posting charts. It was so much easier when photobucket was the hosting site. Let me try from imgur...

posted March 09, 2020 06:47 PM            

I take liquid supplements, but can have trouble with the acidic ones that are thick, like syrup. When it comes to herbal tinctures, I can get away with that on an empty stomach. That's what I do now: gummy vitamins, collagen added to soup, liquid tinctures for other vitamins, or herbal supplements.

posted March 09, 2020 10:46 PM            

Randall, hello, no I don't eat sushi. But I have also wondered about the parasite thing as well. Taking gummy supplements is definitely someplace to start and a great suggestion that I never thought about. I've seen them in Walmart so I know they are easily accessible.

Teasel does the collagen melt or have a weird texture? If something triggers my gag reflex I can't eat it and sometimes weird textures do that. I remember having that problem when everyone was putting coconut oil in their drinks.

posted March 09, 2020 11:58 PM            

I don't know where to start with books, and diet recommendations. I've been reading about this stuff for years, but never stick to any one elimination diet, or the others that are supposed to heal it - one diet started with broth, and just chicken thighs - I can't always get away with eating meat, and pictured myself getting sick on the first day. After that, you move on to something like egg drop soup, made from broth and egg - testing it, to see if you can handle it. Then you slowly move on to more additions.

posted March 12, 2020 02:06 PM            

Right now your gut sounds imflamed so if its inflamed go for the BRAT diet, very easy foods like apple sauce, white rice. Low fiber, low protein, low fat, but high carb and super easy on the gut. Once your'e less inflamed do an elimination diet. Simple easy to digets carbs are you friend, you need to get nutrition without further enflaming the bowels. So white rice, white bread toast, apple sauce, cup o noodles, stuff like that.

There might be something your'e eating that your'e highly intolerant to, so I would wipe everything except meat and vegetables for a while and see what happens.

Get rid of grains, beans, dairy, processed foods, wheat, etc....go paleo and see if you get an improvement, then start adding things back in.

Also consider a probiotic and drinking a lot of kambucha.