Stomach Acid is Important

[Fino]

Turns out, my health issues were all related to my gut health. Since I didn't know that was the problem, I continually aggravated it, resulting in excess acid which resulted in stomach ulcers. At one point, I projectile vomited masses of acid. I had to take ridiculous doses of acid reducers and over a period of a couple weeks I finally got it under control. I've reduced my medications from five medications to one. So far, it's going okay. But, just so people know, too much or too little stomach acid can cause pretty much any negative symptom you could think of.

 

[Slime_Punk]

Dang, I actually have to take Oxbile (it's just straight-up bile acid from oxen) just to make my digestion work correctly. Sometimes I wonder if my bile tube wasn't hooked back up correctly (or something) after my gallbladder surgery, but I haven't had any ulcers yet in years and it cuts down on my extreme gut pain.

Maybe different things work for different people? I'm glad to see you've found what works for you, though!

There's a quote floating around that says something to the effect of, "All disease begins in the gut", and I guess it makes perfect sense -- it's kind of our central processing plant. If one little thing goes wrong, it can screw up the whole factory!

 

[Kalinychta]

Which of your health issues were caused by this problem?

 

[Boogs]

I believe a lot of people with AD have associated gut problems, though don't know much about it, but there appear to be strong links.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

Some things that may help, whether you are at the point of stomach ulcers or you have bad reflux that happens while sleeping.

However it works in your life, but some suggestions:
1. Smaller meals/serving sizes. This reduces the amount of acid that is produced for digestive purposes.
2. 1 or 2 meals a day. This reduces the frequency for acid production. Reduces inflammatory processes. Gives your gut a rest.
3. Minimize snacking. This reduces the frequency for acid production.
4. Drink only water between meals. Helps empty the stomach and reduces acid production.
5. Minimize fruit juices and other sugary drinks. Sugars in the form of liquids and solids will amplify acid production.
6. Minimize eating 3-4 hours before sleeping. This allows time for your stomach to empty and settle before lying down. Many people will have a situation where the gut slows/pauses the movement of digested food and waste though the intestines in the late evening and while sleeping. If the gut is full and acid is being produced, and it's not moving into the intestinal tract, the higher the risk for acid reflux when lying down. If you are in this situation, you can lie onto your left side which positions the esophagus in a high position, as opposed to lying on your right side, which positions your esophagus in a low/dependent position where stomach contents can reflux.
7. Avoid foods that are more "triggering". For me, it's evening carbs like breads, crackers, popcorn, etc.

 

[Rodafina]

Some things that may help, whether you are at the point of stomach ulcers or you have bad reflux that happens while sleeping.

However it works in your life, but some suggestions:
1. Smaller meals/serving sizes. This reduces the amount of acid that is produced for digestive purposes.
2. 1 or 2 meals a day. This reduces the frequency for acid production. Reduces inflammatory processes. Gives your gut a rest.
3. Minimize snacking. This reduces the frequency for acid production.
4. Drink only water between meals. Helps empty the stomach and reduces acid production.
5. Minimize fruit juices and other sugary drinks. Sugars in the form of liquids and solids will amplify acid production.
6. Minimize eating 3-4 hours before sleeping. This allows time for your stomach to empty and settle before lying down. Many people will have a situation where the gut slows/pauses the movement of digested food and waste though the intestines in the late evening and while sleeping. If the gut is full and acid is being produced, and it's not moving into the intestinal tract, the higher the risk for acid reflux when lying down. If you are in this situation, you can lie onto your left side which positions the esophagus in a high position, as opposed to lying on your right side, which positions your esophagus in a low/dependent position where stomach contents can reflux.
7. Avoid foods that are more "triggering". For me, it's evening carbs like breads, crackers, popcorn, etc.

Thank you for this! I definitely need this information.

 

[All-Rounder]

I tried doing something additional that was 4 hours after a meal, don't lay down, which I used to, but sit up. It helped more than I thought it would.

 

[Outdated]

I tried doing something additional that was 4 hours after a meal, don't lay down, which I used to, but sit up. It helped more than I thought it would.

Walking also aids digestion. By exercising all of your abdominal muscles you also massage your intestinal tract.

 

[Rodafina]

I haven’t slept lying down since December because of it. (Getting medical attention for it now. I put it off for too long.) I need to do all the things on Neonatal RRT‘s list with diligence.

 

[Fino]

Which of your health issues were caused by this problem?

In total, I experienced:

Anxiety
Panic attacks
Depression
Confusion
Insomnia
Fever
Delirium
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Headaches
Hallucinations
Memory loss
Anxiety medications no longer working or making it worse
Possibly More

But I should clarify that I've struggled with anxiety all my life but this anxiety was different. It was persistent and intense and just had a different quality to it.

And the insomnia was not ordinary insomnia. At least twice, I didn't sleep at all for three days straight and started hallucinating.

So not every symptom I listed was related to the gut problem, presumably, since it compounded other problems--pre-existing mental health issues, the insomnia leading to further complications, and so on.

Not everyone experiences anxiety when they have acid reflux or heartburn, but I experience heartburn as a panic attack. I can feel a horrid alarm-like feeling in my head and the terrifying sensation that something dreadful is about to happen, and I get a rush-like feeling in my head like blood is rushing to my head to escape. Something like that. Then every noise or sudden move startles me beyond description.

It's all been rather horrifying, but it's fortunate that the primary issue has been identified and that there are steps I can take to feel better, as others have mentioned.

The main thing I'm dealing with now is balancing my mental and physical health.

 

[Outdated]

 

[Kalinychta]

In total, I experienced:

Anxiety
Panic attacks
Depression
Confusion
Insomnia
Fever
Delirium
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Headaches
Hallucinations
Memory loss
Anxiety medications no longer working or making it worse
Possibly More

But I should clarify that I've struggled with anxiety all my life but this anxiety was different. It was persistent and intense and just had a different quality to it.

And the insomnia was not ordinary insomnia. At least twice, I didn't sleep at all for three days straight and started hallucinating.

So not every symptom I listed was related to the gut problem, presumably, since it compounded other problems--pre-existing mental health issues, the insomnia leading to further complications, and so on.

Not everyone experiences anxiety when they have acid reflux or heartburn, but I experience heartburn as a panic attack. I can feel a horrid alarm-like feeling in my head and the terrifying sensation that something dreadful is about to happen, and I get a rush-like feeling in my head like blood is rushing to my head to escape. Something like that. Then every noise or sudden move startles me beyond description.

It's all been rather horrifying, but it's fortunate that the primary issue has been identified and that there are steps I can take to feel better, as others have mentioned.

The main thing I'm dealing with now is balancing my mental and physical health.

That’s unreal. Thank goodness the problem has been identified! Holy cow.

 

[All-Rounder]

I believe a lot of people with AD have associated gut problems, though don't know much about it, but there appear to be strong links.

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) are debilitating conditions that impair memory, thought processes, and functioning, primarily among older adults. The effects of these diseases can be devastating, both for individuals afflicted with AD/ADRD and for their families.

Do you mean Autism or Alzheimer's?

 

[Aspychata]

So sorry to hear of this. You really kept it together. I am not sure if l could have walked down that path like you and get to the answer. I have always practiced not mixing a lot of food groups together my entire life. I find this is more gentle on my GI tract. I read Goldie Hawn does something similar.
It's amazing you survived this, and l like that you came here to share your story. Rock on @Fino .

 

[Fino]

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) are debilitating conditions that impair memory, thought processes, and functioning, primarily among older adults. The effects of these diseases can be devastating, both for individuals afflicted with AD/ADRD and for their families.

Do you mean Autism or Alzheimer's?

Since I have also heard many times that a lot of people with Autism have gut issues, I believe he was referring to Autism or Asperger's.

 

[Vindiesel]

I’ve had a bowel movement once every 5-7 days my whole life. Doesn’t matter what I did to my diet, Metamucil, ate oatmeal, ate more fruit, and or more dairy or less dairy nets same result, vegan, keto didn’t matter.

Recently I just drink a glass of prune juice then 1-3hrs later I have a bowl movement. I’ll start drinking a small amount each day to see if I improve.

 

[Boogs]

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) are debilitating conditions that impair memory, thought processes, and functioning, primarily among older adults. The effects of these diseases can be devastating, both for individuals afflicted with AD/ADRD and for their families.

Do you mean Autism or Alzheimer's?

Sorry for the late reply - I did mean autism, not mixing them up at all.
Guts are funny old things! Always amazed me how opiates have such a fundamental effect on them!
There are a lot of references out there (on bowels and autism, not opiates! Although, maybe there are those too! ), many from serious sites like NIH, and NHS in uk.