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Digestive misery

I tend to hold all of my stress in my stomach it seems. When things get stressful for me, I start to have a lot of digestive woes. I am currently going through an extremely stressful time in my life and the digestive problems that accompany are miserable! I am so tired of constant heartburn, severe gas pains, cramping and alternating constipation and diarrhea. I have been through all of the tests - I do not have celiac disease or any of the other things that are typically tested for. Although I do not H. Pylori, I have been diagnosed as having recurring peptic ulcer symptoms. My stomach is so sensitive there are hardly any foods that I can eat without upsetting it. I eat mostly granola, saltines, pretzels, and sandwiches. I know that my diet isn't healthy and not even close to balanced! But I do what I can from day to day (including taking 3 imodium every morning) to be able to not have diarrhea and make it to work. I'm in the process of going through a huge stressful move right now and I know that it makes sense that my symptoms would be worse with all the extra stress, I'm just wondering what I can do for relief?! It seems to me that if I take a lot of Zantac, I might feel better immediately but in the long run the problems get worse and it gives me diarrhea (i think?). I tried prilosec otc and that was a nightmare... that made me so constipated I couldn't go for WEEKS at a time and then when I would it would be the most painful stomach cramping ever. I get stomach acid in the back of the throat, I get burning in my stomach, I get sharp pains in the pit of my stomach, I get the gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach and I get gas pains that sometimes make me feel as if my whole torso has seized up. My stomach also gets so big and bloated that I look pregnant and it feels as if my belly would pop if you poked it. The upset stomachs are worst in the morning. I know that reducing the stress is an obvious answer but I can only get through the move and everything so quickly... what else can I do to help myself feel better??? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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620923 tn?1452915648
Hi...the BP is from stress, so if u can not reduce ur stress u may continue to have gerd issues....that said, modifying diet will help....but u do need to relax as well.

Keep us posted on ur progress

"selma"
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have just been diagnosed with high blood pressure from the stress of a job and it also made me start having acid reflux, im on metoprolol succ, er 50 mg once a day. Im trying to work on my reflux with diet and exercise does anyone know if im working on getting rid of my reflux with  the bllod pressure stop me from healing
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
Hi...I agree u need to see a GI dr ASAP...but it also sounds like u may have IBS...

Making sure u r getting 8 glasses ...and fiber to get ur bowels working properly....

Next try some relaxation techniques to help with the stress u have, many with IBS will have more gastrointestinal issues when stressed...so do find a way to relieve urself of that stress.

"selma"
Helpful - 0
922048 tn?1387942584
Sounds to me like you need to see a gastroenterologist asap. Pepic ulcers can be very serious. They can perforate and bleed and in rare cases can be life-threatening. A dr should really check you out thoroughly to make sure you don't have more than one thing going on. I have several stomach ulcers. (& take an acid blocker) I also had diarrhea for several months, but it was unrelated to the ulcers or the meds. It turned out I had C Diff infection (Clostridium Difficile) which is very common. Diarrhea should be only temporary. Be careful with the anti-diarrhea meds, too, because diarrhea is your body trying to get something out of your system, so taking those meds just keeps it in. Also, don't know if you've ever heard this, but acid reflux results from not having enough stomach acid. One very helpful thing for the stomach to be able to make enough acid is to drink a ton of water. If you're going back and forth between constipation and diarrhea, you absolutely need lots of water. You're probably pretty badly dehydrated is my guess. Good luck in getting to the bottom of it and getting treated and feeling better. No one should have to suffer that much!
Helpful - 0
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