The heartburn is very unsettling and my whole GI track is really screwed up too. I've got burping, gas, heartburn etc. all the time. For me, this thing started with lots of burping, when I think back on it (even before I got sick!). I was noticing that I was burping all the time. I drink a lot of seltzer water so I do burp normally, but this had nothing to do with drinking and it was disturbing.
The burping has subsided a bit but it's still there. I also had weird gurgling in my throat from the beginning - the ENT said he saw some acid reflux! That is why I thought it was strep.
Please try to continue to try to eat as much as possible. I find baked potatoes to be good in every way. Plus, you can put different things into them. Stay away from anything with fat - it is hard to digest. Nibbling on salty crackers is always good too. Are there special foods that you really like? If so, try to have some of them - it won't make a big difference at this point and your quality of life is more important! Simple cookies are also good and might cheer you up.
I do know what you mean about not being able to function. I am not socializing at all - too scared to get myself into a situation where I have to run home because I feel overwhelmed. The idea of eating in a restaurant is repulsive. I am feeling a bit less overwhelmed than before but still, I can't handle ANY STRESS. I wish I could lie down during the day but I find it often makes me sicker and grumpier. I can only do about one outing a day. I just went to the market and now I'm done.
Hang in there - I promise that it will pass - everything does! and soon be a distant memory.
I'm here with you!
-NY1
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Thank you sooooo much! It did cheer me up, and boy did I need it.
Thank you for all of your suggestions. I do try to eat more and I've been experimenting with different foods. I just need to learn not to get so discouraged when my tummy revolts. The problem for me is that when my tummy revolts my brain fog gets worse too...double whammy.
I'm actually at my desk this afternoon getting some work done. It is slow going, but it is going....see, a positive!!!
If you can't lay down during the day how do you keep yourself busy/distracted?
I do not handling stress well either during this journey! :(
"a distant memory"...I like the sound of that.
Hopefully my next update will have more positives than rants.
My friend in healing.
Lov4k9s
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How are you today? I feel worse again!!!! I was awake most of the night and now my symptoms are back - including a headache, queasy, anxious, shaky, etc.
I could scream or cry - don't know which to do first!? AHHHHH!!!!!!
We aren't just plain crazy, are we???? I'm starting to wonder......
Hope you are faring better today....
-NY1
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NY1-
I'm so sorry to hear!!! I really believe that you are on your way to 100% recovery any day now, so much so that I fear I will be the last man standing on this site. This must be a case of two steps forward, one step back for you.
I completely understand wanting to scream or cry, believe me! We are both ready to feel healthy and get back out in the world.
I don't think we are "crazy". I think our protracted symptoms are making us feel "crazy".
If my ordeal hadn't started with a typical stomach flu and if I hadn't been perfectly normal before the stomach flu, I would be questioning other issues more seriously. What is disconcerting is the impact the gut disruption has impacted our sleep and mental perspectives. This is where the brain/gut axis theory comes into play. But one can't help but wonder what came first...the chicken or the egg? For me it always comes back to the fact that I was fine and fully functional before the stomach flu. So, the working theory for me is the stomach flu triggered gastritis which triggered the insomnia, anxiety, brain fog, nausea lack of appetite, etc.
How I am:
* Last night I had a very hard time muscling my way through dinner. I could barely eat half of a 4oz piece of salmon! WTH!? So basically, all I ate yesterday was a banana, a handful of walnuts, a handful of blueberries, and 2oz of salmon. How is a person supposed to recover without nutrition?
*Last night my sleep was disrupted, but I was able to fall back asleep. I did wake up several times, but was able to go back to sleep. Since this ordeal started it is typical for me to be awake for an hour or two before being able to go back to sleep. So for me last night was relatively peaceful. I even had a dream for the first time that I can remember, since this ordeal started. Maybe that means I got some REM sleep?
*I haven't tried to eat today, so I don't know how that will go.
* The lack of food/sleep is taking it's toll. I feel tired, dull, detached.
My recovery has not been linear....one step forward, one step back.....sometimes two steps back. But, it has been a positive progression overall. I have to remind myself of this constantly.
Has your day improved?
Your friend in healing,
Lov4k9s
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Just checking in on you to see how you are doing.
I hope all is well!
Lov4k9s
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Hi Lov4k9s,
Sorry for not writing more/sooner! I've been depressed about this condition and feeling really anxious all the time.
Physically, I feel a bit better than yesterday - which was BAD! But, last night I hardly slept at all and kept doing breathing exercises all night to calm down. Today, I'm not that hungry and decided to go back on the BRAT diet - keeping it simple. Diarrhea is back a bit as well.
I kind of feel like I have some kind of chronic gastritis now - just won't simmer down.
My anxiety is thru the roof now. I think it is a combination of being sick and worried about that, and the fact that my life is on hold while I'm sick. I have unfinished projects and people waiting for me to do things and I don't feel well enough to make appointments to complete these projects. I don't have any confidence in my Dr. to solve this and I'm really not interested in hearing her lame ideas.
I have been doing more research on stomach viruses and gastritis - it does seem like, once you get sick, it can definitely stick around for months. If you google lingering gastritis or chronic gastritis, you will see forums of people like us!!!!! I guess we are not alone after all!!!!
I didn't spend a lot of time on it but I also didn't see any brilliant solutions... Lots of people on those PPI's or whatever they are...not too much success though.
Interestingly, just before getting sick, I was under a tremendous amount of stress (work related) - I really wonder if that is continuing to contribute to this? I'm going to start doing more meditation and possibly ask for some Valium or something, to see if that helps?
How are you doing??? Please let me know - I really look forward to your posts.
Don't worry about being the last man standing - I think there will be two of us - LOL!
Your friend,
-NY1
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I'm so sorry that you had a setback! This thing is unrelenting!
I'm relieved to report that my blood test results came back negative for H. Pylori. I too think that this is some form of gastritis. I asked my doctor about it after she gave me the lab results over the phone, but all she told me was that I would be fine and not to worry about it. At least I have the GI doc appointment for the end of the month if this thing continues.
I too started researching gastritis. For weeks my research focused on the stomach flu and now it has switched to gastritis. I have to say that the gastritis forums I found are depressing as hell. I just want to find success stories with a timeline, but they sure are hard to come by. Keep in mind that we are not necessarily going to suffer long term.
I had considered Xanax a time or two when I was desperate for relief and decided against it because they cause rebound anxiety and are so highly addictive. If you do take, only take once in a while.
When compared to two weeks ago I'm doing better now than then. However, I'm still in the same boat as yesterday. This ordeal has really zapped me and feel really low from this lasting so long. I feel so unmotivated to do anything and I hate how my life has been hijacked by this! When assessing each of my remaining physical symptoms I would have to say that each one individually is relatively not as intense compared to early on, but combined overall affect is "I feel like total sh!t and want this to end NOW!". I think if this ordeal hadn't impacted me emotionally I would be doing a lot better.
I think we both need to be patient and stay calm. I think the ruminating may be making things worse. I tend to get upset when I compare myself to how I am now to how I was when I was normal just 6 weeks ago and can get myself upset. I know that I need to try to be more positive. Easier said than done, but I think we will both heal faster.
Are you working at all? Are you getting any exercise?
You friend in healing,
Lov4k9s
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Hi Again Lov4k9s,
I think we are the only people in this discussion now - lol!!!!
Thanks so much for your post - it really does cheer me up. I'm sorry to be such a kill joy these past few days. I know that you, of all people, can appreciate the level that I have sunk to!
First of all, let me say: Congratulations on the H Pylori test - OMG! We really dodged the bullet on that one!!!!! So fascinating that we are running parallel on this condition! Your Dr. actually sounds very reasonable and comforting. I have another appointment on Thursday for a "regroup" as she said. Mine seems to be more of the "fix it" type - I have resolved to only do what makes sense to me and hold my ground. More and more, I am convinced that this is a remnant of the stomach bug - it has morphed into Gastritis and is in no hurry to move on. This is apparently not unheard of, and I also saw that the timelines were indeterminate....hmmmm.....
Yeah, I know that Xanax and Valium suck - didn't know about rebound anxiety though!!! Thanks!!!!
I wouldn't be able to take it long term - none of these drugs are very appealing to me. I can't stand the side effects. Although, Valium is great for curing diarrhea!
Yes! I am totally unmotivated as well!! I'm really so depressed and anxious now that I don't know what to do with myself. I also have the brain fog - I think it comes from nausea. Yeah, the emotional part of this is sooooo debilitating. Like you, I made some progress since last week but still going backwards and don't feel even close to where I was before.
You are totally right - WE NEED TO STAY CALM - it will go away. Ruminating (fantastic word for this!!!) is bad and I do it to a fault. But my problem is that for several days I had the attitude that I was getting better and I would just power through it - that didn't work out for me because now I feel worse....so it's hard to stop myself now from ruminating. But, we did figure some stuff out this week, so that is progress. I definitely feel like I have gastritis now. I've got the same stomach revolt after eating that you have been describing. I'm back on the plain foods, and tiny meals.
As far as exercise goes - no, I haven't been able to do anything. I thought about taking a walk today and just didn't feel well enough - sad. I've been trying to set up a new business for the past year, which has stalled...I have been trying to do some work on it in the past few days but my frame of mind is so bad that I feel like throwing in the towel, and giving up on it entirely.
My sister and best friend keep telling me to keep working no matter what (like I'm being melodramatic), god, all I have to say is they are obviously feeling well!!!!! Yeah, not being able to work is also driving me crazy and making me feel like a dysfunctional lunatic. I do try and maybe get a few things done, but nothing important is getting resolved or moving to the next square.
I'm hoping for a better day tomorrow and sending you good, calming, healing thoughts tonight.
Let's get a good nights sleep!
I am grateful to have you as a friend through this ordeal!
-NY1
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I'm doing a bit better I guess. I slept terrible last night but no nausea today and I felt a bit more energetic. However, I definitely have acid reflux and gastritis. I have a constant dull ache in my throat - near my collar bone. Also, my stomach feels like it is inflamed. Same symptoms as yesterday.
I'm eating plain foods - planning on Salmon tonight - LOL! you?
I got slippery elm capsules and took a dose just now. Also, I got the DGL Licorice chewable tablets and just took two of those. I'll let you know. Have you tried them yet?
Let me know how you are doing, I think about you and wonder how your day is going .
Going back to the DR. tomorrow - I'll keep you posted.
Your friend,
NY1
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Glad you are doing better today! I hope that means your anxiety was non-existent or much more manageable today.
I'm doing about the same, I guess. At least I'm not worse off. :)
Last night I heated up some bone broth (from Sprouts) and added some rice and chicken. I was looking forward to eating like a normal person, but had to force myself to eat it. I was so disappointed that I started to cry...so lame. For some reason I believe that If I can start eating normal portions that I will have the energy to workout, and then be able to sleep normally, and then my brain will function properly. I just want to be back to my old self so that I can get on with my life and when that doesn't happen I get so upset. Early on I felt so confident that recovery from the stomach flu was just around the corner, but it keeps alluding me and it is so dehumanizing!
Dang...I'm so whiny! Just a few weeks ago it was so bad that I probably would have begged to be in this state compared to that hell. Well, maybe cause this sucks too. :)
Sleep is a bit better. I still wake up at 2, 4, 6, but I can go back to sleep much quicker. The first two weeks were HELL.
Today I've had a banana and some blueberries. My stomach has been gurgling ever since. I've lost close to 20lbs! When I can eat, I'm mostly eating plain foods . Not sure what I will do for dinner tonight.... maybe baked potato.
I have the DGL Licorice chew-able tablets, but don't really like the taste, so I am sticking with the digestible enzymes for now. I have the slippery elm capsules, but haven't taken any yet. I look forward to hearing how they work for you.
I look forward to hearing about your doctor appointment. I would be nice to know if the gastritis is from low acid vs high acid. Not sure if your doctor is familiar with the low acid theory, it seems medical doctors think gastritis is from excess acid and natural path doctors think it is low acid.
I am so grateful that you are my partner in healing and I too wonder how you are doing during the day.
Lov4k9s
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Thanks for your post today. It does sound like things are improving a bit for you - I know that it is a seesaw....
OMG!! You have lost so much weight!!!!! We have to get you feeling better really soon!!!!!
Potatoes, rice, and saltine crackers are my best friends now...and I was never a fan of them before - lol!!! Do try to eat some salty crackers, it lifts the spirits and doesn't create stomach revolt. Bananas are good too - apples are also good I've found. Cantaloupe is great - doesn't cause pain.
So I agree about the Licorice chews - they are kind of gross but I'm going to force myself to eat them. I've been doing research on Slippery Elm and it looks amazing. I had one dose before dinner and I'm going to take some more capsules before bed.
I think gastritis is from too much acid if you don't have H Pylori - right? I'm sticking to the theory of too much acid cause that's what it feels like to me. Do you have pain? I have a near constant dull ache in what must be my esophagus. It feels burned....ahhhh!!!! Really scary sh*t!!!!
I was reading today that if you have gastritis, you shouldn't eat anything with a PH below 5 - too much acid. This was on one of those holistic sites. I did try the ACV lemonade drink one time and it did not feel like the right thing to do. I think coating the inflammation with the slippery elm so it can heal makes more sense. What do you think? You seem to have good sense and I'm wondering your instinct?
You're not whiny at all! I feel the same way!!! I think it's ok for your stomach to gurgle after eating - it's really unhappy and trying to figure out how to digest food... like "what the hell am I supposed to do with this?" - lol!!!! Well, at least we are becoming experts on this condition - I guess that is useful.
I started meditating today - it helped calm me down. I recommend it.
I will definitely let you know what the Dr. says as soon as I come home - don't get too excited -
I don't want to disappoint you - lol!!!
Well, looking forward to another (not) restful night! I hope you fare better than me!!!
Your friend,
NY1
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Well....I don't think the Slippery Elm is going to work for me. I have been up since 3am with really bad nausea and heart burn! In the middle of the night, it occurred to me that I was once diagnosed with an Elm tree allergy (one of many). OMG! I can't believe I took that stuff. I was doing better before I took it!
Now that I'm up, I have no interest in eating and feel weak, shaky again. I am at a loss........it seemed like maybe the Zantac helped a bit and I'll see what the Dr. says and what she can give me for some relief. I might consider taking the real acid reducers as an experiment. I am ready to give up.
I hope you are doing ok today?? I will post later when I have more news. Please let me know how you are doing!
-NY1
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NY1-
I'm so sorry that happened to you!
The Zantac could also be contributing the problem. You can research side effects at the askapatient. When did you start taking the Zantac?
I was telling my husband that I don't really notice improvements day-to-day, but more week-to-week because of the daily seesaw.
Yesterday was rough in that eating during the day was a chore and working was soooo very difficult....I felt discouraged and a bit anxious because I'm still not functioning properly. I think that if I was retired this ordeal would be less stressful for me.
Because I tend to feel a bit better at night, I asked my husband to pick up food from a local restaurant for dinner because I wanted to eat "normal" and I ate half a sandwich and some mashed potatoes without having to force myself to eat it and I didn't seem to suffer for it last night.
Last night's sleep was the same old story with the sleep disruptions and I wake up feeling un-rested, dull, and unmotivated. Some nights are better than others. But still, there are sleep improvements over past weeks. It is so strange to me how I am getting hardly any sleep but I never feel sleepy and I miss that feeling.
I sure hope you have a better day today. I look forward to hearing from you. When is your doctor appointment?
Love4k9s
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Hi Love4k9s,
I went to the Dr. and she was not helpful at all. She said I had to go to a gastroenterologist - duh!
Luckily, however, I called the gastroenterologist's office this morning to see if she could see me sooner and she had a cancellation - so I am going on Wednesday!!!
My internist just said I should take Pepsid - wow! That was all I got out of that visit. I said I was in pain and nauseous NOW! She said the Pepsid would take care of that...apparently, lots of confidence in OTC c**p!
She said "you should have an endoscopy and colonoscopy at the same time" REALLY????
A bowel prep would kill me right now - I'm sorry, but are these people brain dead??
I wish I could go to the gastroenterologist's office right now, I'm done!
How are you today? I am glad to hear that you could eat a normal dinner last night! I have a low grade temp again today and don't feel well. When is this going to be over????
This is incredibly stressful, I know. I am so tired of not being able to function and being a sick person. Plus, the medical system is not reassuring at all. They can't even manage to give palliative care.
That's my rant for the moment....
-NY1
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