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Post by jazierae on Nov 9, 2012 12:54:34 GMT -5
Hi everyone,
I don't know if I posting this in the right area? I tried searching for nausea and didn't find alot, so I thought this might be ok. If not, please let me know.
How many of you suffer from nausea? I haven't yet been diagnosed with endo, although I am almost certain I have it (my intro post has more details, so I won't repeat). I guess I am curious about the nausea element of it, as I am still concerned I might have ovarian cancer... Although I can't tell if I am just being paranoid! (Although my Gran did have it and ended up dying.) My bowel movements have become a lot more difficult. I feel bloated more often, but the nausea, which quite often results in vomiting, has become very uncomfortable. I look back over my period tracker and can see that my nausea and vomiting have been quite consistent since the beginning of the year, and on the rise over the last couple of months. I had a CA-125 test and was within range, but I am frustrated my OB didn't even do a pelvic exam, rectal exam, and/or a transvaginal ultrasound. I know you aren't suppose to rely solely on the CA-125 exam for diagnosis. She thought I probably had endo, but just recommended birth control and to check back later. I honestly think I garnered more concern from a pharmacist who I asked about OTC anti-nausea medication...who said that nausea is often an early warning sign of a lot of serious health issues.
Have any of you went through the fear of having ovarian cancer vs. endo? Do you guys experience nausea a lot? I know endo is highly individualistic in how it affects a person, but I would love to see how many of you suffer from this?
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Post by Karen on Nov 9, 2012 17:10:40 GMT -5
If you have a lot of bloating, nausea, etc., it makes me think of food sensitivities. Do you eat a lot of dairy or gluten? Those are often the biggest culprits.
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Post by jazierae on Nov 9, 2012 23:30:34 GMT -5
I have wondered that myself... I have a yeast allergy from when I was kid. I do love my dairy! And I have eaten more gluten than usual. I also get a red butterfly type rash on my throat and have wondered if I have a thyroid disorder. My doctor thinks I might have Sjogren's, or possibly Lupus... (I recently found out my Mum may have lupus.) I feel like I have a bunch of crap going on :/ And yet it is all somehow related in poor immunity and/or endo. I just want to go to someone and give them a comprehensive history and figure out what's going on, as I miss my old high-energy, super positive self.
Is there anyway to get tested for a gluten or dairy allergy or sensitivity? I am sure there are some fantastic resources out there and I would love any recommendations you have.
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Post by jazierae on Nov 9, 2012 23:33:48 GMT -5
The other thing I have noticed on and off is that my appetite is not what it used to be... I figured I am just getting older? But there are times when I have only a few bites and I am stuffed. I just can't seem to fit as much as I used too. But perhaps I am over-analyzing my eating habits?! Gah!!!!
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Post by Karen on Nov 9, 2012 23:45:41 GMT -5
Rashes, auto-immune disorders, etc. often have ties to foods that our bodies don't like. If your doc is suggesting some sort of auto-immune thing, diet should be the #1 place to start as removing the offending food(s) can often reverse or at least halt the issues! Even thyroid disorders like Hashimotos are firmly rooted in food sensitivities (gluten is a big one for thyroid disorders). You can get tested for celiac (gluten), but you can still have a gluten sensitivity without having full blown celiac. Honestly, the best way to find out is to avoid all for at least 3 weeks, then re-introduce. I have a ton of food sesntivities and can now tell within 1-10 minutes of eating something that I shouldn't. There are a lot of sites out there that discuss food and auto-immune issues. Here's a long and thorough version about leaky gut: www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2010/09/19/paleo-diet-solution/ I think the book "It Starts With Food" outlines things in an easy to understand way, and outlines a 30 day plan to help you re-set your body and determine what triggers you have. It's easy enough to try if you're committed to feeling better, and it may take some of the fear away if you can get control of your symptoms!
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Post by liliegazer on Nov 10, 2012 12:04:33 GMT -5
I went through something similar myself recently with the rash, nausea, bloating/pain, and vomiting. I ended up in the ER after a bout with vomiting for several hours. Afterward, an EGD found I had gastritis. For the rash, I ended up getting a biopsy and they said it was an "allergic dermatitis of an unknown etiology," so Karen is onto something, I'm sure, when she said food allergies can trigger a lot of issues. My dermatologist thought it was an NSAID allergy, but I've been off NSAIDS and I'm still fighting the rash to a degree, although it is much better. In my case, I have found dairy to be the biggest trigger of all. They still don't know what triggered my gastritis, but a high white cell count in lab work was what let them know something was off. I was also very tender right at the top of my stomach, below the esophagus to the touch. In addition to cutting out dairy, a round of antibiotics have helped me tremendously . Most of the nausea and all of the pain is now gone. If your white cell count is elevated, it may be something to consider.
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Post by chibineko717 on Nov 10, 2012 14:28:06 GMT -5
I've always had a lot of nausea. I had endo on my intestines and diaphragm, so endo can be on an area that can cause nausea. I always found that my nausea gets worse as the endo and adhesions spread or grew deeper.
I tried the 30 day challenge, but it did not work for me. But many others have found relief with diet changes.
With my last round of nausea and vomiting for about the last month, it was discovered that I had a bad UTI where the infection can go to your kidneys and cause vomiting. I was given antibiotics for the infection and prometazine for the nausea. I have also been on ondansetron for extreme nausea before and after my surgery. It can make you sleepy though.
I think that once you are able to go to a GYN or a specialist, things might be taken seriously and thoroughly looked at. I've been really put off on OBs since they mainly focus on pregnancies and always have to cancel appointments.
I think the concern of ovarian cancer can be there, but it is hard to know without an ultrasound. I have ovarian/breast cancer in the family so it is always a concern. I cut out soy and other estrogen producing foods from my diet so there is less hormone to feed on. When you finally get insurance and if it covers gene testing, it might be a good idea to get the BRCA 1 and 2 tests to assess your cancer risk.
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Post by jazierae on Nov 12, 2012 22:38:15 GMT -5
Thanks ladies. Your responses are much appreciated. Karen -- I will look into those links and books you suggested and try doing the elimination and reintroduction diet. I have just moved interstate, so I wanted to wait until things "calmed down" before I tried to tackle anything with my diet. Set myself up for success and all! liliegazer -- Sorry to hear about everything you went thought -- sounds positively awful :/ Happy to hear the dairy elimination and antibiotics has helped you. chibineko717 -- Cheers on the advice to go with a GYN or a specialist, as well as the genetic testing. Once I have insurance I do plan on having it all looked at. I can't help but feel that my nausea is related to my possible endo, or something related in this area, given that my nausea is so regular. I don't know to explain it, but it def feels diet or endo related. And I can't help but feel that it is all connected a weak immunity and a possible auto-immune disorder. I can't wait to get insurance and get some answers... I am so sick of the unknown Have you don the BRCA 1 and 2 tests at all?
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