Bloated, cannot eat a tic-tac!

[Purpleball]

Help please???

I have been a vegetarian all my life (27 years), I have asthma, sinus problems, hayfever and was also dx'd with MS 2 years ago ...over the last 5 or so years i've ALSO gained an eating problem.

At first it was taking me ages to eat a meal, i would always be last to leave the table. It would take forever for food to pass into my stomach and felt like it was sticking half way down.

I had a endoscope/biopsy taken and consequently was diagnosed with EO, which is an inflammation of my oesophagus probably caused by bacteria growth in my stomach. I have been given various treatments for the inflammation in the throat to make it expand a little so food can pass easier. However, my stomach still seems to be my main concern.

My stomach is bloated, bloated to the extreme of being unable to put food into the mouth for fear of throwing it back out. I need to burp about 50-100 times before/during each meal in order for food (small portions) to digest. To make thing worse, my bloated-ness has got to the stage where every morning i am throwing up 'air' (my body's natural reaction) because of the amount of gas in my stomach.

I believe if i can sort out my eating disorder (stomach), it will help massively towards some of my other illnesses. I would appreciate anyone replies with idea's or similar experiences (especially with food allergies).

fingers crossed!

X

Purpleball

[Red60]

Purpleball, I've recently read about a condition called "Gastroparesis" and nearly all of the symptoms you described fit this disorder. Basicly it is when the lower part of the stomach does not physicaly grind the food by contracting. The food just lays in the stomach relying on acid and digestive enzymes to break it down and on gravity to empty the stomach. A person could very well have all or most of the days meals in the stomach well into the evening. Considering that the stomach is about twice the size of a fist you can see where all the bloating and discomfort might originate. A gastric or stomach emptying test is the best method of diagnosing the condition. If you do a little searching on the net you should be able to find enough information to see if you believe it's worth asking your doctor about. I really wonder if this problem is at the root of a lot of peoples problems and find it interesting that I'v never heard anyone mention having the stomach empting test done. It seems like anytime someone mentions that they are having sometype of stomach problem or GERDS type symptoms they just start throwing PPI meds at you. With this condition the acid reducing meds are not very helpfull. Let me know what you think after you do a little reading. Wish you the best of luck.

[Purpleball]

Red60, now i'm worried...

my symptoms strongly suggest that this is the cause of my long term discomfort. ive done a little research and most sources confirm 'no available treatment can cure gastroparesis'.

i am seeing my consultant next week, so i will discuss this with him.

my diet is already limited and im worried that with no treatment things will not get better for me, only worse.

is there anyone else with a similar condition? have you improved since diagnosis?

[brook65]

Hi have you looked into the possibility of have stomach ulcers by any chance?

Or it maybe something as simple as being allergic to wheat products, dairy products or gluton. Have you looked into that?

Also how is your bowel habits. Dont want full description though lol

[Papyrus4]

Since you are a vegetarian, I'm wondering if you aren't vitamin deficient in some area........like maybe the B's?
I had a horrible problem with bloating. I began a beta blocker and aciphex at the same time, and assumed it was helped with the aciphex. But since I've come off the beta blocker and have lots of my previous GI symptoms, I'm wondering if it has something to do with an imbalance in the sympathetic nervous system.
If I were you, I would definitely try a PPI first for a couple weeks and see if that helps.
I'm sort of into holistic stuff, and think we should always take a good look at our entire systems, to figure out what is off balance, before we start taking alot of medications.
Do you have any trouble with wheat? You don't have to have a positive celiac test to have alot of trouble with wheat.
Just do tons of research and reading. Make sure that you're not vitamin/mineral deficient in anything first. Are you on any medications or supplements?