If there was one thing you could banish from your life, what would it be?

[Kirsten]

For me, it would be nausea. I'm dealing with many health problems, but nausea is the worst for me. I hate it so much, and it keeps me from doing the things I'd like to do. The worst is, it has cut down my social life for years as I cannot stand other people around me when I'm feeling sick. And I'm feeling like this almost all the time! I think without this dreadful nausea, I would finally have a chance to get my life back.

What about you? If you could eliminate one thing for good, what would it be?

[pomtzu]

That's a tough one Kirsten, and as a sufferer of IBS, I probably should say that. However, I think it would be my brittle bones, as I am always in fear of yet another fracture as I have had several already - that in addition to my crumbling spine! I have been undergoing Boniva infusion every 3 months for the past 2 years to strengthen my bones, but it doesn't appear to be helping. I just had another bone density scan yesterday, and my doc called me this morning with the results - it has gotten worse and not better. I have an appointment with him in a couple of weeks, and he will discuss changing to a different med for the infusion.
Someone suggested wrapping me in bubble wrap for protection! Another "dear friend" - yes, you know who you are - said that when I die my family could sell me for scrap metal with all the rods and plates and screws that I have in my body!

[Kirsten]

That's a tough one Kirsten, and as a sufferer of IBS, I probably should say that. However, I think it would be my brittle bones, as I am always in fear of yet another fracture as I have had several already - that in addition to my crumbling spine! I have been undergoing Boniva infusion every 3 months for the past 2 years to strengthen my bones, but it doesn't appear to be helping. I just had another bone density scan yesterday, and my doc called me this morning with the results - it has gotten worse and not better. I have an appointment with him in a couple of weeks, and he will discuss changing to a different med for the infusion.

I'm sorry to hear that your bone density is getting worse! I understand that you would want this to go away. My spine is also causing many problems, and I can take no meds because that makes the nausea even worse. My bowels are sooo messed up! At least I got my disability pension now.

Someone suggested wrapping me in bubble wrap for protection! Another "dear friend" - yes, you know who you are - said that when I die my family could sell me for scrap metal with all the rods and plates and screws that I have in my body!

Wow!! Yes, I know what kind of advice you'll get from "good friends". Like today, when I was told to do all the things I like, regardless of the nausea and the other health problems. I can tell people a hundred times that this is something I've tried for many years, and that it made things even worse because it burned me out, and led to even more frustration because you realize you cannot make it, and on the top of it, you're getting on other peoples' nerves when you cannot keep up with them. My doctor told me now the best way would probably be to accept my limits, and make the most of what is left. But that's probably hard to understand for some people!!

[Karen]

Hmmm, my allergies would be good to ban! But then I probably would get sick as often as normal people do, so that's a tough one. Kirsten, do none of the anti-nausea meds work for you? I was given one for the times I have an allergic reaction that involves vomiting for 12-16 hours, and it really worked, which was such a relief!

[pomtzu]

Wow!! Yes, I know what kind of advice you'll get from "good friends". Like today, when I was told to do all the things I like, regardless of the nausea and the other health problems.

Oh yeah - it's just so much fun to be out and about, when all you want to do is barf!!!
When the nausea hits me, I just want to be left alone - period! I have a prescription med to take for it - sometimes it helps and other times not. I think my system has built up an immunity to it. The only thing that helps me any when the meds don't work, is to just lay down and try not to move until it eases up.
Have you asked your doc about a prescription med that you could take that might help? I take Phenergan (promethazine) and I imagine you have the same available where you are, but maybe under a different name. Wouldn't hurt to ask about it. I can't believe your doc suggested that you just accept your limits, etc. I would have to get a 2nd opinion there, and a 3rd and 4th and so on, if necessary!

[Kirsten]

Kirsten, do none of the anti-nausea meds work for you? I was given one for the times I have an allergic reaction that involves vomiting for 12-16 hours, and it really worked, which was such a relief!

Sometimes they help, but they make me very tired and my depression gets worse. BTW, I'm not vomiting, it's just the nausea, and bowel problems in general. I was diagnosed with lactose intolerance a while ago, but I think there are more food allergies than that one. And ever since I made that test (4 weeks ago), my bowels seem to be even more messed up.

[Kirsten]

Oh yeah - it's just so much fun to be out and about, when all you want to do is barf!!!
When the nausea hits me, I just want to be left alone - period! I have a prescription med to take for it - sometimes it helps and other times not. I think my system has built up an immunity to it. The only thing that helps me any when the meds don't work, is to just lay down and try not to move until it eases up.

Exactly, it's the same here. I cannot have anyone around when I'm nauseous, I cannot talk, and I cannot move. Like you said, just lay down and wait till it's over. I'm an emetophobic, so I fear vomiting a lot, and I fear even more that someone would see it happen.

Have you asked your doc about a prescription med that you could take that might help? I take Phenergan (promethazine) and I imagine you have the same available where you are, but maybe under a different name. Wouldn't hurt to ask about it. I can't believe your doc suggested that you just accept your limits, etc. I would have to get a 2nd opinion there, and a 3rd and 4th and so on, if necessary!

Like I just mentioned above, there are meds, but they make me tired and depressive. And sometimes they won't help at all. Since I'm dealing with so many different diseases, there are also different kinds of nausea, if that's making any sense.

[pomtzu]

Like I just mentioned above, there are meds, but they make me tired and depressive. And sometimes they won't help at all. Since I'm dealing with so many different diseases, there are also different kinds of nausea, if that's making any sense.

Yes - I know what you mean. If you are lactose intolerant, about the only thing you can do there, is to void the dairy products. You could also try lactose enzyme tablets before eating any dairy and see if that helps. Some people swear by them, but they don't help me much, and I never remember to take them anyway, so I end up with the nausea, cramps and bloating and everything else that accompanies it. Ice cream is the absolute worst for me - and I love that stuff!

[Kirsten]

Yes - I know what you mean. If you are lactose intolerant, about the only thing you can do there, is to void the dairy products. You could also try lactose enzyme tablets before eating any dairy and see if that helps. Some people swear by them, but they don't help me much, and I never remember to take them anyway, so I end up with the nausea, cramps and bloating and everything else that accompanies it. Ice cream is the absolute worst for me - and I love that stuff!

I tried these enzyme tablets, but I felt even more nauseous after that. But it's hard to tell because I'm feeling ill anyway since I made that test, so will try them again after a while. Right now, eating dairy products or eating no dairy products doesn't make a difference, I'm always feeling sick. Besides, I don't know what's left for me to eat. No dairy products, no fruit (never tolerated them, I'd bet I'm fructose intolerant also), I'm allergic to soy products and to nuts, I'm not allowed to eat flatulent vegetables or wholemeal products due to the diverticulosis, and I don't eat meat (for ethical reasons). There's basically nothing left I could eat. Yesterday, I ate cooked turnip cabbage, and after that, my belly was blown up as if I was 9 months pregnant. Not to mention the pain, my bowels still feel sore after that...

[Queen of Poop]

I'd banish my IBS.

As has already been mentioned the issues associated with bowel problems are not a boatload of fun!

I cannot eat any meat, veggies, fruit, dairy or wheat products. I weigh under 100 lbs now. I so miss eating "real food".

[Kirsten]

I'd banish my IBS.

As has already been mentioned the issues associated with bowel problems are not a boatload of fun!

I cannot eat any meat, veggies, fruit, dairy or wheat products. I weigh under 100 lbs now. I so miss eating "real food".

I can relate to that, 100%!!!!

[Karen]

Queen of Poop, what do you eat? Rice?

(And people think MY diet is limited!)

Kirsten, that being mentioned, have you tried limiting what you eat, to see if more of your issues are food related? After I have a reaction to something, I don;t eat for a couple days, really just cannot even contemplate it - but then I start back in eating one thing I *think* is safe, like plain rice, then waiting and making sure I have no reaction to that, then adding in cheese (I have no lactose issues, thankfully) and slowly adding back on.

I have been tested in the past for food allergies, and that was pretty helpful at the time to establish a baseline, but my doctor - who is wonderfully patient and knowledgable - told me that not all food allergies - especially ones that cause gastrointestinal issues - will always show up on even the blood tests that they send away, so to literally pay attention to my own body.

I have bad reactions to some things they cannot even test for, but I know for certain that's what the issue is, so I avoid them carefully.

Sometimes I do get bored with what I can eat, but if I am at tempted, I just remind myself of the consequences, and stay safe.

[rg_girlca]

Sorry this is off topic Kirsten, but have you ever been tested to see if you are allergic to Gluten? Apparantly they are seeing it more and more in young ladies these past few years. The name of it is called "Celiac Disease." It's a deficiency disease caused by faulty absorption of food in the intestines and characterized by diarrhea and malnutrition. In fact my daughter-in-law was diagnosed with it a few months ago. The reason I ask is because your symptoms are so similar to what hers are. The nausea, lactose intolerant, stomach pains and losing weight. She has to be on a Gluten free diet. There is a lot about it now on the computer if you care to look it up. I've also spoke with a woman whose daughter is allergic to Gluten and she said it took them almost 4 years before they got a proper diagnosis. It was only from her mother doing research on the computer and going to the doctor with her findings that her daughter got tested for it. I believe it's a special blood test that has to be done. Now the daughter is doing well. It took about 4-6 months before everything got under control. Her iron levels are back to normal and she is no longer lactose intolerant. There are many sites where you can get some really good recipes.

Now, the one thing that I would banish from my life is my bladder problem.

[Asiel]

Probably all my allergies and the incessant pain. Then I would like to take a wastebasket and dump every single med that I'm on and hear a doctor tell me I no longer need them. Dream along....

[Scooter's Mom]

I'd get rid of my migraines.
It's just not any fun clutching my head all the time, living with my sunglasses on (even at work where they already think I'm a little eccentric b/c of all the days I miss b/c of the migraines), keeping noise down, ice packs, the nausea & throwing up, smells being a trigger, etc.

I wish my life could return to "normal".