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Extreme digestive distress
Hi,One of my family members is having extreme digestive distress and cannot tolerate any food (carbs, fruits, vegetables, meat). Whenever she does eat anything, she ends up vomitting and/or has diarrhea soon after. She’s even had instances where she felt like liquids were coming out of her nose She has limited her eating to once a day because of it. Every once in a while, she will be able to keep it down (but it’s usually carbs – Pakistani bread called roti).
She is in her early 80s. She currently takes a vitamin B complex daily, a NSAID for leg pain from a surgery as needed, and used to take a proton pump inhibitor.
I’ve told her to stop taking the PPI, and she has stopped. I know the NSAID isn’t great for her gut health, so I’m open to suggestions for alternative painkillers that can be found easily.
Around 5-6 months ago, she did have to take antibiotics (flagyl) for gastroenteritis. I suspect this may have made her gut issues even worse. During that time, she did also go a B complex injection and a ringerlactate drip.
She got an endoscopy done in the past and she does have chronic gastritis.
She sleeps properly (early at night and wakes up early in the morning), and has good eating hygiene. She does have a lot of stress because of things out of her control, and I’m working with her to figure out ways to reduce it.
I’ve completed the gut health masterclass, but I’m unsure of where to even begin since she can’t keep anything down and her symptoms are so extreme. She also does not have access to a lot of functional diagnostic tools
Thanks a ton!
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3 Replies
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Hi – first off, she’s lucky to have you in her life guiding her.
When someone’s digestion is that sensitive and compromised, the body will quickly go into a catabolic state, especially at her age, so the goal should be to find a way to maximize her hydration and nutrition without upsetting her already very inflamed gut.
Would she consider liquid meal replacements in the meantime? It’s not cheap but Liquid of Hope is a brand I have recommended before, which was formulated for those needing good, clean, organic feeding tube formula or oral meal replacements.
If cost is an issue or it’s not accessible, then consider liquid and mashed meals. Adult baby food in essence; blended soups and puréed meals. Again, the goal is to increase her nutrition & hydration while giving her digestive system a break.
In the Gut Health Masterclass, I also share my favorite gut healing therapies. GI Revive powder for example is an excellent multi-herbal formula that can easily be blended in water and taken on an empty stomach twice per day for 60-90 days. The goal is to support the integrity of the gut lining and help reduce inflammation.
Also given her age, there is a high chance of an H Pylori overgrowth. If testing isn’t available, I’ve recommended a box of Matula Tea to clients before taken preventatively for a month or two.
In terms of NSAID replacement for pain relief. I like the combination of Meriva curcumin, omega-3, and boswellia.
Hope this is a helpful start.
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Thank you for your response! I talked to her about all the options, and she said she cannot tolerate pureed food either. She’ll have it and throw it up soon after. She ended up doing a WBC and her hemoglobin levels were very low, so she got an iron injection. That seems to have helped with some of her symptoms – fatigue, weakness, and some of her appetite. Her appetite is still very low because of the negative experiences she’s having with food. They are planning on doing an endoscopy for rule out other diseases.
I’m looking into ordering her the GI Revive powder. Instead of matula tea, could I do zinc carnosine since you mentioned it’s effective at treating h pylori overgrowth as well? It’s more accessible and easier for her to take, and faster to get.
In regards to the NSAID pain relief replacement, do you use three different supplements – omega 3, curcumin, and boswellia or is it one specific supplement which has all three?
Thanks a lot!
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I’m glad she’s feeling some relief after the iron infusion. It’s possible to find curcumin and boswellia together as 1 supplement. I recommend you search through Fullscript’s catalog, and put in those ingredients to see what brands come up and are available near you. Omega-3 is usually separate. My 2 favorite brands of O-3 are Biotics Research and Nordic Naturals.
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