Jump to content

Stomach Healing Support


[So...]

Recommended Posts

Hello:

 

I have been trying to find a support group for people who are going through GI issues; and I found a few on the forum, but they have been discontinued; so I have decided to restart a new group because I need community support and encouragement to help us deal with our healing and recovering.

 

We all know that benzo withdrawal dis-regulates the CNS so much and the suffering that we go through is just for many unbearable. I jumped exactly six months ago, and since then I have experienced many of the symptoms typical to withdrawal. Calling it 'withdrawal', I believe is an understatement. It feels more like brain damage to me. Most of my symptoms have lessened, but the one symptoms that is causing a lot of distress is a GI problem that I developed when I was having horrible headaches three months ago. I guess I took too many NSAIDS and developed stomach discomfort.

 

About a month ago, I went to my GP and did an H. pylori test. The blood test came positive because it shows that I had the infection years ago. Then I was treated with antibiotics and healed with no problem. To confirm the diagnoses, he had me do a breath test which came negative. So he wanted to prescribe a ppi for what he thinks is gastritis. Anyway, I haven't started with the ppi yet because I am so afraid to put anything in my mouth since my I have developed so many sensitivities. I started treating myself with some natural supplements, but I don't feel any better. I started taking some pepto bismol which helps with the acid reflux I feel, but it has made me so constipated. I will stop this. I took some magnesium last night and it worked.

 

Today I have an appointment with a GI specialist because the other symptoms that I feel are extreme fullness, bloating, pain. I can hardly eat anything, and I am becoming very anxious about this. I am now thinking I may be having gastroparesis. I am scared and overwhelmed. I need to know about other members who have gone through this experience and how they healed or members who are going through this as well.

 

I hope this group will bring us together to find solutions and help each other get through this very painful phase in our lives. 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Replies 217
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • [Ul...]

    35

  • [NJ...]

    32

  • [So...]

    25

  • [Ca...]

    25

Top Posters In This Topic

HI Soly,

 

I have had stomach issues for ages! Horrid heartburn, nausea, just a sick stomach.  I started a new PPI! Tecta about 2 months ago and it took a month but my heartburn is gone, as well as my sick stomach thing. I too was taking too much IBuprofen so I stopped that back then too.

 

I had tried other meds for the stomach Zantac, Nexium amd some OTC meds too but nothing worked till the Tecta.

 

I hope you feel better soon, or in our world at least get back to baseline.

 

God bless,

 

Beth

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you Bigbanfan for at least responding to my cry in trying to find some support through this difficult time. I am now learning the horrid effects that the syndrome of withdrawal from a benzo can do our systems and especially the GI system. I am struggling to find the right approach to treat my issue. It is a scary time, but I don't want to feel hopeless; hence I started this thread.

 

I am only a bit over six months of my jump; and basically I still feel like I have so much to learn from what happens during withdrawal. Like most of us, when my issue started with insomnia five years ago I sought the help of a conventional doctor. She put me Ativan for the first time in my life and other drugs, and my system couldn't take. After c/t most of them, that is when all hell broke lose; kindled and reinstated Ativan to do a slow taper. In spite of the slow, long taper my GI system has suffered quite a bit, but I aggravated it with the use of NSAIDS and paying the price now.

 

I will see a functional integrative doctor to get some help with an alternative approach; if that doesn't work, I may have to go on a PPI that won't setmeback like omeprazole has.  This is so hard because our GI system is crucial for serotoning and absorption of nutrients and the lack of sleep makes it so much harder.

 

I like to post an article on this thread that has opened my eyes and has made me realize that I need to find alternatives and other approaches to be able to heal. I am thinking about acupunture, have you tried? Hope the new ppi works for you and get relief. Let us not lose hope!

 

Hugs  :smitten:

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Doly,

Nope we can't give up hope and you are so right, almost every person in w/d had GI symptoms and one point or another.

 

My new PPI called Tecta in Canada, works real well. It took several weeks before it did. Heartburn was my biggest issue, heartburn so bad it burned all the way up my throat.

 

Good luck Hun, I hope the new PPI or whatever you try works for you. Please do pit imfo about this up here.

 

God bless,

Beth 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for starting this thread. I am suffering from extreme nausea; it is awful and really making it impossible for me to taper further. I too have avoided PPIs as they don't seem to help. Waiting for a medical marijuana card hoping that might help. We'll see.

 

Hope you feel better soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you NJstrength for posting on this support group. I created this support group because the suffering that we go through during w/d is so traumatizing and for many unbearable. We all experience different symptoms at different times and levels, and GI is one of them. Lucky the ones who don't have it. I am right now very concerned because I went to an integrative functional doc for more testing; and she ordered a GI Map/stool analysis and now I have high levels of giardia and e.coli :(  Since I don't have diarrhea, she said most likely I had it for a long time. Well there are only two places that I could have gotten it. One is from Peru, where I am from; when I traveled there fours years I had the worse food poisoning, I thought I was going to die; but I recovered. I had been tested for parasites last years by my GP and it was negative; so I felt kind of safe; didn't have any GI issues then. The other source where I could have gotten it is from the swimming pool. I swim at least twice a week i a salt water pool.

 

At first I thought I had gastritis or a bad case of belly benzo. When I bumped the ppi 40mg I couldn't sleep for two nights. When I stopped my sleep returned. I was sleeping 4-5, and I thought I was on the road to recovery. My CNS is hypersensitive. I am following a protocol with some supplements and the benzo belly/pain has gotten somewhat better; but still cannot each much; my stomach feels clenched. My doc has suggested I have two tests in one, colonoscopy and an endoscopy; this way I can use one set of anesthesia for both. Once I am cleansed she wants to build the good bacteria up; then much later take an antibiotic for the giardia because she feels that I won't be able to do well on it right now. I agree. I am scared that would put me back in acute. Needless to say all of this and family problems are affecting me so much. My sleep is non linear. I slept only maybe 3 hrs last night; when Sunday I slept five. I tried some valerian tincture and it didn't work.

 

What state do you live? I assume you ca get the marijuana legally. I hope it works for you. I am sorry for your suffering too, and I hope you get to feel better soon. Do you think this is just withdrawal or some other underlying issue? Please let's keep posting so this group won't die. We need all the support we can get.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have had some tests ... endoscopy, gall bladder scan, hpylori, stool tests ... all come back negative.

 

I ended up vomiting all night last night, got two hours of sleep, had to come to work today. This happened last week too but I took off then.

 

I can get the marijuana legally once I have a card. I really need for it to come soon. I am totally overwhelmed with the constant nausea and now very frequent vomiting. I think it is all from tapering. What a nightmare!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi NJ:

 

Wow, you have been through the grinder from all those tests? Did you have the endoscopy done while tapering? Did you have any reations to the anesthesia? I plan to get some testing  also, but my CNS is so hypersensitive I am dreading it. I understand during withdrawal the vagus nerve can get downregulated or sometimes damage than can cause us all the awful symptoms.  May I ask how do you get a marijuana card?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The tests were fine--done during this taper. With the endoscopy, I know they said not to take the benzo the same day but I did and nothing bad happened.

 

In NJ, you need to work with a dr. to get a medical marijuana card. I just had mine approved and should get it in a week. I really hope it works because I am barely hanging in at the moment.  Depends on the state if you are in the US whether it is an option or not.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I vomit every day, many times a day. I cannot eat. I cannot taste food. I force myself to eat, but my stomach feels like there is a monster sitting inside of it. I am nauseated, in pain, in constant terror caused by food or by lack of food.

I want this torture to end already. It's only getting worse.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Guys...

 

Thanks Soly,

 

I have been in a similar situation, Just that it was damage caused by other medications...

I went through the medical roller coaster with no luck... Much time in hospital specific to this, but no one mentioned opiates or antibiotics...

 

My Peristalsis had stopped, My upper GI (small intest.) had become spastic..

 

Prucalopride was mentioned in a ncbi paper for treatment and re-regulation of peristalsis...

It was a huge help, but could only tolerate 1/4 dose...

3months (the longest trial time I could find), and the tide turned.. I repeated a year later when things went backwards at the start of my V taper...

This plus TIME, and a sorta friendly diet..

-aspects of my situation wont apply to benzo WD, but im sure plenty will be adaptable for some..

 

I am doing so much better now, but GI and abdo cramping are still what guides my taper...

I never had any stomach issues like nausea until recently (big % cuts) nor reflux... Though they medicated heavily for this...

Laxatives made it worse, still no functional transit...

Slowly I found my way, and If I can come back from that without a "bag", You all will get there too...

 

For those with nausea, my heart goes out to you...

 

All the best..

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will keep you all in my prayers. The suffering we are going through with GI issues is just so unbearable many times. I am very close to going to the hospital, but I am holding. I haven't talked to my doc yet. I hope I do today because I need some tests. I had to eat puree food yesterday; I was okay during the day, but at night, I thought I was going to die and ready to give up. I worked so hard to get off the benzo, I don't want to reinstate :-[ :-[ :-[

 

I slept a few hours, and I have to work today (not al day thank God). I am losing so much weight, my pants are falling off me. I am trying very hard not to despair.

 

Peace and Love!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will keep you all in my prayers. The suffering we are going through with GI issues is just so unbearable many times. I am very close to going to the hospital, but I am holding. I haven't talked to my doc yet. I hope I do today because I need some tests. I had to eat puree food yesterday; I was okay during the day, but at night, I thought I was going to die and ready to give up. I worked so hard to get off the benzo, I don't want to reinstate :-[ :-[ :-[

 

I slept a few hours, and I have to work today (not al day thank God). I am losing so much weight, my pants are falling off me. I am trying very hard not to despair.

 

Peace and Love!

Hi Soly,

Sory to hear, -It doesnt sound good at all...

Have you any "tools" that help..?? I know I have never before in my life listened to my body so hard...

Sorry, Im still trying to grasp the exact nature of your SX, but that will come out in time, -I dont expect you to list them while feeling like hospital...

:)

Belly breathing is a good help for me now, and pepermint ummmm -chocolate was my go to for a while...

Buscopan is naturaly derived, and a strong anti spasmotic, but expensive(ish) -depends if that suits your needs, -and scrutinisation..!!

 

Sending strength...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I vomit every day, many times a day. I cannot eat. I cannot taste food. I force myself to eat, but my stomach feels like there is a monster sitting inside of it. I am nauseated, in pain, in constant terror caused by food or by lack of food.

I want this torture to end already. It's only getting worse.

 

I see your signature that you were on mirt and cold turkeyed it. I take it to help with nausea. Did it help you? Maybe a low dose would help?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am much better in the tummy since I started making sure I have a "regular" meal, with meat, starch and say 4 oz of spinach, or a large can of beets etc once a day. When I don't do this, and have a lot of bread for instance, I can still get the stomach terrors, but they are less intrusive.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I vomit every day, many times a day. I cannot eat. I cannot taste food. I force myself to eat, but my stomach feels like there is a monster sitting inside of it. I am nauseated, in pain, in constant terror caused by food or by lack of food.

I want this torture to end already. It's only getting worse.

 

I see your signature that you were on mirt and cold turkeyed it. I take it to help with nausea. Did it help you? Maybe a low dose would help?

 

I actually never had depression until Mirt. I had anxiety and was sad occasionally, but never dysphoric or persistently depressed. I became so depressed on Mirt that I had to CT to save my life. It also caused a bunch of health issues. I also didn't have insomnia or RLS until Mirt. It did help with nausea and eating though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello:

 

I went to the functional medicine doc and wants me to reinstate the omeprazole at 20mg until I see a GI specialist for more testing. I hope this time works better. I am in pain and I am going insane to figure out what can I eat. Even oatmeal makes me sick now :( She suggested I followed a FODMAP diet. Is anyone on this type of diet?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for your insights and sharing your experiences. Hopefully we can get through this ordeal with our encouragement. Well, since last night I have been doing some research on the FODMAP diet since my doc feels the w/d has given me full blown IBS. I had always suffered with constipation, but with some intake of fiber and water I was okay. This time the bloating is a 'killer' which I had never experienced before in such degree before. I came across a video "Beat the Bloat" which I would like to share because I have found it extremely helpful and an eyeopener. I have realized I have been eating and combining so many foods that have been contributing to the bloating and pain (this video is worthwhile watching it):

 

 

Anyway, tomorrow I see my GP to requests some testing like a colonoscopy. My functional doc wants me to have this to flush out everything and start with a probiotic and rebuild the gut microbiodome.

 

As far as the diet is concerned, my breakfast consisted of just three egg whites with zucchini and spinach and some soda crackers. Very minimal bloating that is bearable. I am taking some GI supplements like Iberogast for motility and RepairVite to sooth the GI, it has some DGL in it and L-glutamine. I will give this diet my best and see what happens. The doc in the video warns that this type of diet is to be tried for only short periods of time because it may  aggravate constipation and vitamin deficiencies, like Vit. A. He also debunks the myth of going gluten-free and give great information on how the GI system works when one has 'visceral hypersensitivity' which is what happens to some people in withdrawal. I was able to sleep some last night without pain after I had some almond milk with crackers, yeah! So I am hopeful.

 

Wish you all a blessed and good weekend!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello:

 

I went to the functional medicine doc and wants me to reinstate the omeprazole at 20mg until I see a GI specialist for more testing. I hope this time works better. I am in pain and I am going insane to figure out what can I eat. Even oatmeal makes me sick now :( She suggested I followed a FODMAP diet. Is anyone on this type of diet?

 

I did try a fodmap diet but it did not help me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am sorry NJ, have you had any testing done to rule out any structural issues? How are you managing your diet now? I hope you get better sooner than later.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for your support. I had an endoscopy nearly three years ago; came back normal. Have had bloodwork done recently and h pylori, no h pylori, no celiac. Had gall bladder scan, came back negative. Have an appt. mid July to see yet another gastro who hopefully will do repeat of endoscopy and a colonoscopy. Unfortunately, nausea has plagued me this entire taper, just never to this extent. Difficult symptom to live with, but what choice do I have. Managing diet through just very bland foods although constipation is becoming more of an issue.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for your support. I had an endoscopy nearly three years ago; came back normal. Have had bloodwork done recently and h pylori, no h pylori, no celiac. Had gall bladder scan, came back negative. Have an appt. mid July to see yet another gastro who hopefully will do repeat of endoscopy and a colonoscopy. Unfortunately, nausea has plagued me this entire taper, just never to this extent. Difficult symptom to live with, but what choice do I have. Managing diet through just very bland foods although constipation is becoming more of an issue.

NJ,

I so feel for you... This is the worst... sorry for the medical path you have ahead, all my testing was a nightmare... not so much the physical, but the endless hope then dissapointment when no answers...

Also the needless standard guessed by the gastros as they went through the list of diet, fodmaps, laxatives... As soon as it became viewed as a medicine issue, it was to those medicine/addiction/pain specialists... And you probably remember where that led... -Back on to opiates.. (right or WRONG)..

Sorry, this isnt meant as negative, more info incase one little thing helps, and probs a bit of a vent too.. :(

I do wonder, and I may have asked, -Is there actual vomiting, or maybe more the cramps and pain that is associated with feeling that sick..?

Is it worse in the morning and right after eating?

Can you even describe it properly..? I struggle with that, even though its significant enough to destroy my life...

 

I wish you a speedy solution and extra strength...

 

Cant...

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[23...]

Hi solyluna,

 

So, this is not medical advice obviously but I'll tell you I had horrible GI symptoms like you some time ago when I was on all kinds of psych meds and then got off. And they came back somewhat from the Ativan. The pain is awful. It does sound like they should do endoscopy/colonoscopy to rule out anything serious. I had some gastritis/a hiatal hernia. I also have celiac. I am also a degreed nutritionist. But what ended up healing my GI system in the end was a gut healing elimination diet. I did the autoimmune paleo ("The Paleo Approach" that an actual biochemist came up with), which is pretty strict for a bit and you do reintroductions. And that integrative doc you saw can test for SIBO and similar gut microbe imbalance things, which would be worth it to know.

 

At the time it was so bad I could barely eat, had constant pain, and a bunch of other mysterious medical conditions.I had already started a low FODMAP for the IBS dx but it wasn't enough. The anti-inflammatory paleo thing saved my life. Bone broth (chicken because beef had too much glutamate for me, some people react to it but it is worth the try, particularly for damage from NSAIDs) or a grass-fed collagen supplement (has same gut healing proteins) if you can get one may be really helpful, alone. All dairy is going to aggravate GI issues, and fats as well. But since you are open to integrative medicine I want to suggest you try a betaine HCL with pepsin supplement. You can google it. Turns out that sometimes we aren't producing enough stomach acid, and we don't need blockers, we need some help while out system repairs itself and this is a natural acid supplement. Modern medicine isn't really onto this yet but many people benefit from it. I didn't have to take it forever. I suspect that these benzos and other meds majorly alter our gut microbes and and this is what causes a lot of symptoms, this imbalance of bacteria. Paleo solves this, low fodmaps shouldn't be done forever.

 

SO that's my take on it anyways I thought I'd share. This time around I'm dealing with nausea and loss of appetite but rarely have GI problems from doing a sort of modified paleo again. I never thought I would go there but it can be a lifesaver for many. It's also super anti-inflammatory and beneficial for the nervous system in general, but major diet changes and restrictions can be quite a challenge. Best of luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


×
×
  • Create New...