I've nearly lost all faith.. if anyone can help, thanks - Digestive Disorders Message Board

Tomres · 04-15-2008, 02:38 AM

I'm very close to giving up. I'm sinking into a deep depression and I'll explain why. When I was 14 years old I used to be a very lively young boy. I had many friends, I went to the movies often, I played games, and I generally enjoyed life. I loved to eat, I loved to drink, but I also worked out, excercised, and did my best to be as healthy as possible. One morning I woke up with rotten tasting burps. I began vomiting, suffered severe intestinal cramps, insomnia, and the pain was unbearable.

I left it be thinking that it'd go away. A week later I was still having these attacks. I went to the doctors. They claimed I had the flu. Another week passed and still, no recovery. Afterwards, I went from doctor to doctor to doctor. I've been on countless medication. I've had an upper gi scope, ultra sounds, I had my poop looked at. Everything came up negative. 7 years and still.. no cure. I've lost everything. I can't even work yet they won't even let me have ssi because they want a name but from all tests I appear completely healthy except for a large ammount of gas.

Yet I'm tired all the time, I'm weak, and I'm stuck to eating only three different types of food. Anything else gives me an attack. Just about everything I drink promotes an attack. I lost my friends because I couldn't do anything anymore. I still live with my parents even though I'm 21 because I can't work. Luckily my Fiance has stayed with me through all of this and I bless her heart. I need help. Even if there's no cure. Please.. can someone tell me how to get rid of these nasty taste? No matter what I try they overpower everything. Does anyone know what is wrong with me?

joe9 · 04-15-2008, 04:13 AM

I feel sorry for you and can sort of understand a little, because I am in a similar boat.

In my case, as briefly as I can tell you -- I've had to take a medication (Cholestyramine) for 5 years to control diarrhea I've had ever since getting my gallbladder removed in 2002. But last June, the company who made my medicine was bought out by another company. Ever since last June I have had a lot of gas and occasional nausea and upset stomach, but the most annoying thing has been a sour/bitter taste in my mouth all day, and my tongue had become white and coated. This has been going on for almost a year, with no relief in sight. It seemed to occur because I was switching medicine brands, but I've tried several differents meds and none of them seem to correct the problem. Unfortunately, I NEED to take the medicine in order to control my diarrhea.

Like yourself, I have been from doctor to doctor to doctor and I have heard all sorts of different reasons. I've had tests including the endoscopy (tube down the throat) and nobody can find anything. The people in my life sometimes call me a hypochondriac, and it's really depressing. Sometimes I don't know how much longer I can stand this either. I'm pretty sure my problem is a direct, adverse reaction to the meds I am taking, but I'm not sure.

I wish I knew what to tell you, but all I can do at the moment is say you're not alone. What types of medicines have you tried? You say the tests show "gas", so what kind of meds have they given you for that? 7 years is a long time to suffer, but I once had a very bad health problem (not this one) when I was 22 which lasted until I was 27, but I eventually found the answers for THAT, so it is possible. I wish you the best and maybe through this message board we can find answers with others' help.

GirlinWayside · 04-15-2008, 03:54 PM

wow, Im sorry I dont have anything to tell you but Im doing alot of research right now and if I run across anything that might help you I will post it here.

Tomres · 04-15-2008, 07:24 PM

Thank you, both of you for your kind responses. Surprisingly they didn't really give me much for the gas except some green pills that don't work. I think they might have been gas-ex or something like that. I've been on medication to weaken the acid in my stomach, this medication is Nexium, but all it helped was my acid reflux which is good but isn't my main problem, unfortunately. There latest theory was that my body was producing too much bile that was going into my stomach so I've been on Sucralfate. Unfortunately.. this didn't work either.

Luckily no one calls me a hypochondriac anymore because there's no way I can fake these sulphur tasting burps. Plus my vomit smells much worse than normal vomit. The stench can clear the room. So this is why I decided to take my problem online because there's so many people out there in this world that maybe someone who has been cured might notice this post and tell me how to fix it or atleast a way to treat it. That sour/bitter taste in your mouth is something I have as well. Again, thank you very much for letting me know I'm not alone and responding kindly to my post. I hope you can fully get better soon and I hope I can get better soon. It's really depressing and painfult to know I can't support my fiance and that I'm the one in need of support.

joe9 · 04-16-2008, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TommyReslin

There latest theory was that my body was producing too much bile that was going into my stomach so I've been on Sucralfate. Unfortunately.. this didn't work either.

Hmmm. That's interesting because recently a GI doctor prescribed Sucralfate for me as well, but I've been afraid to take it. I still have the pills though in case I decide to try it. I've heard this is a medication used to heal ulcers, which I don't have... but there is a possibility that the bile is coming up and that's why I have the sour taste/coated tongue.

The colestid and cholestyramine I am taking is supposed to soak up all the bile from my gut and expell it when I go to the bathroom. I've often toyed with the idea that maybe it's not all getting absorbed though. I can always try the Sucralfate.. but I'm afraid to take medications, especially one for an ulcer when I don't have an ulcer. I hear this one is supposed to coat your stomach.

The only reason I never minded taking bile sequestrants like cholestyramine and colestid is because they're NOT ABSORBED... they act like a sponge and then are eliminated..