Bleaurgh

[lizbee]

I went to the doctor. According to my test results, I am not allergic to anything; indeed, I am so obnoxiously not allergic to anything that it's disgusting. Therefore, she suggests my belly pains are down to (a) stress, (b) an ulcer, (c) irritable bowel syndrome.

"How does that make you feel?" piecesofalice replied when I texted her the news.

"Queasy," I answered.

As I did not get a repeat prescription for the super-antacid -- which didn't so much remove the indigestion and reflux as make them less painful -- I am going to wait and see. And eat small meals. And continue to avoid lactose, because I really did feel better without it.

Comments

[lilacsigil]

You can be lactose-sensitive without it being an allergic reaction, though. Did the doctor schedule you for a test for an ulcer? Some doctors seem to hold onto the old-fashioned idea that you just have to live with ulcers and treat the symptoms, rather than treating the bacteria that causes them.

[lizbee]

"You can be lactose-sensitive without it being an allergic reaction, though."

That's my theory, since I haven't been able to drink full cream milk for a few years.

"Did the doctor schedule you for a test for an ulcer?"

No, but if the problem persists, she said she'd look into an endoscopy. Which ... this has been going on for a really long time already, but whatever makes her happy.

[renae.myopenid.com]

I'm in the same boat as you- yucky tummy most of the time. I don't appear to have an intolerance to anything either, but also notice a huge difference if I avoid lactose.. interesting.
Hope you sort yours out!

[jaydeyn]

*hugs* :( Worst part is always not having a diagnosis and clear treatment options. Sheer frustration.

I have a full-on sensitivity to onions which makes things uncomfortable. Found substituting leek worked wonders, even though it's in the same family (and I'm fine with garlic). How are you with soy milk? It took a little getting used to, but since I've changed over I've had noticeably happier insides generally... And I don't know if it'd affect you, but I can have regular milk stuffs very occasionally with barely a blip too (it did seem to be that for a while there milk was making my insides unhappy, hence the anecdote).

I'd say give it a week, if you can last out that long. This has been going for longer than is necessary - do you feel comfortable insisting that they do the test?

:)
Jaydeyn

[selvage]

I hope all the stomach crazy improves for you, it sounds horrid.

[ljrags.livejournal.com]

OH I am so stupid sometimes. Please forgive me Lizbee, but I think the Road Runner just dropped the anvil on my head, a la Road Runner. It suddenly clicked where I have heard similar symptoms. MY DAUGHTER.

She developed dyspepsia last year. Does your tummy get worse when you lay flat? She would cry and whimper because her belly hurt so much when she would go to bed. Also high fat substances like really good ice cream, cheese, and meals with fattier meats would set her off every time. So does chocolate. Elizabeth and I finally noticed a pattern and went to the doc with it. Doctor recognized the symptoms right away. She also told us that lactose sensitivity/allergy is tied up in it!! Doc put Liz on a full course of Prilosec for 21 days (sold over the counter here) and management takes care of the rest. We use lactose free skim milk in a brand she likes (it would be the organic one, but she loves it and it lasts longer in the frig). Low fat cream cheese for bagels. Elizabeth never really likes to eat cheese slices or cheese and crackers, so that hasn't been much of an issue. Really watch the high fat foods too. If we have ice cream, we tend to have it earlier in the day so she doesn't go lay down. Hot chocolate and pudding is made with the lactose free skim. No chocolate an hour before bedtime. It is working very well for her. She just spent two weeks out west with her grandparents, eating a whole bunch of road and hotel food. Not a problem the entire two weeks. I am rambling here, but it just clicked. Management does wonders for her. I hope you start to feel better soon.

[risti]

Possibly obvious, but did they test for Celiac Disease?

[krazykitkat]

Have you been tested for the H. pylori bacteria that can cause the ulcers? There's a blood or breath test (apparently the breath test is more accurate).

[karnythia]

Try taking acidophilus pills. I had some stomach issues of indeterminate origin and they really helped me. I still take them regularly, and life is much better.

[bowdlerized]

I was having probably-IBS-related stomach issues and my doctor recommended Align (I don't know if you have that particular brand of probiotic in Australia, but I'm sure they have something similar). I was skeptical, but my doctor gave me a free sample, and I feel a lot better, which I assume is related. It's over-the-counter and also not terribly expensive (at least in the US). Hope you feel better soon.

[prof_pangaea]

i know a few people with IBS (both of my exes had stomach problems that were probably related to it as well). avoiding lactose seems like a good idea if it seems like a trigger for you. i've heard onions can also be a real trigger for IBS, and obviously lots of foods have them in. tim had stomach problems for a long time before a doctor finally said it was gallstones, and he ended up having his gall bladder removed. which helped a lot with the terrible pain, but not having a gall bladder did make digestion more difficult later on - we just had to try and avoid greasy or fatty foods, and that helped, but didn't completely stop his problems.

*hugs*