[secretk]

I wanted to check whether they are other people who have like my problems or similar. I was advised to post here because aside the Overeating and binging (and some other stuff like depression that is for yet another forum) I also have stomach issues.

I will try to explain in brief what I have and I hope that there will be someone else that could give me some ideas or advices. And it works both way of course if I could help someone with something it would be good too.

Basically I've had stomach problems all my life. It started with persistent constipation when I was still baby. This constipation continues till current day. I think that it's more than just do something small because it's also hereditary in the family. It concerns pretty much most of the female members of my family (both from my mother's and father's side).

Since they are all used to it I was never took to a doctor or something like that when I was a kid. So this just happened. Basically I had one bowel movement in 8 days and that was pretty much it.

In the teens years started my Overeating. And I think that my Overeating (as you guess mostly with fried fatty foods and junk food) combined with my constipation led to numerous stomach problems.

The first diagnosis I had was Chronic Colitis and early form of gastritis.

Why I had it? Well to put it simply at some point this overeating led to vomit. I didn't try it on my own, just my organism wanted it. Then my stomach hurt so much that I couldn't walk.

It turned out that due to my constipation my stomach was flooded with food so much that it was like poison. So they prescribed me pills for the pain and laxatives for the constipation. Of course due to the gastritis and colitis I did some food restrictions. I didn't eat fried foods anymore. And I didn't mix fruits with other than nuts.

The next 5 years I was totally fine. I even started diet and pretty much lost the weight I wanted. Then it was the second phase of the Overeating. Of course I gained back all the weight I lost and even put some more, but this also led to my next issue - bile and acid reflux.

I was again prescribed pills to fix this temporarily, but in the long run I prefer to make life changing decisions than taking constantly pills. So is there any of you that had such problems and what you did?

This is what I've been doing and reading so far:
1. I try to eats lots of water (at least 8 cups), but not during eating. 1 hour before or after eating I drink it.
2. So far I'm doing gluten free. Honestly most of the gluten foods like pasta, bread etc not only trigger my Overeating, but also cause bloating and constipation.
3. I try to eat 4 times a day - breakfast, lunch, dinner and one afternoon snack. The idea is to take the same food like I would do in 3 meals, but in smaller portions. I think that my stomach feels better with the smallest portions.
4. I try to follow the foods separation rules. Have any of tried this? And how you feel about this? My stomach sometimes gets like a big ball (it might be some IBS who knows) and with those separation rules I feel that it's better.
5. I try to implement those Acid/Alkaline diet rules. I think that my acid reflux is because I tend to eat too much acid foods. My PH was definitely law before, now it's better.
6. Well I finally forced myself to start working out. I've done it only a month so far so I hope that I will continue doing it.

What have you done you guys to help yourself with those issues? Bile or acid reflux? I noticed that sugar is also trigger for me. I get severe heartburn if I eat too much sugar. I love apples, but I now add cinnamon to them to minimize this effect.

[Piraeus]

Hi Secretk,
I have acid reflux due to a herniated esophagus. I take Omeprizol twice daily. I also had my gall bladder removed. Almost everything I eat causes heartburn. I think it's great that you are trying so hard to beat this. Thanks for sharing your story. You are very brave for opening up like that.

I'm sorry you have been through so much in your life. Keep researching and you will find a lot of information on the web.

Best wishes

Piraeus

[online user]

I, too, have numerous gastric issues. I get nausea and vomiting if I eat too large a meal. My gastroenterologist feels it's from diabetes and slow stomach-emptying. This also occurs with diahrrea--it's as though my colon is full and needs to empty everything at once. My psych meds tend to be constipating, so they keep the diahrrea pretty much in check. Yes, I have GERD and terrible acid reflux, which is kept at bay by a daily Nexium. I recently read this is not a good drug to take if you don't need it and didn't take it for two weeks. Bad mistake. I was in terrible pain in the stomach and esophagus from this. Won't try that again. Also have had my gall bladder removed, so my endocrinologist thinks my chronic diahrrea is from too much bile acid in the gut when no food coming through. The things you are doing to eat small, frequent meals are wonderful for all of these conditions. For the constipation (my husband has this problem), stool softeners and drinking Metamucil or the like is recommended. Ohigh fiber diet)

I think you are doing a great job at managing all of this!

[Raindropvampire]

I have GERD. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. The only thing you didn't mention is elevating the head of your bed. My heartburn is worst when I'm lying down. I got risers for my bed and elevated the head of the bed about 5-6 inches. It has helped a great deal with my heartburn while I'm sleeping. good luck to you.

[secretk]

Thanks to all of you for your answers! I hope that the things would be better for you too!

@online user have you checked whether you have GI deficiency? I know that some people with such deficiency have digesting issues. Some foods would cause too fast emptying and others would cause constipation. Have you thought about that? I took Nexium as part of my treatment too. It was temporary though. I have to mention something though. Aside my binge moments I actually eat healthy - I don't mix foods, I don't eat fried foods etc. So aside the fact that I have bile in my stomach, it actually looks totally fine. No ulcers, nothing. So my healthy eating has positive impact on this. As a result I don't need to take Nexium permanently. I do have heartburn, but I could deal with it. I just put cinnamon in the foods that I eat and could go with it. Ginger works too btw. And putting lemon drops in the water you drink. If you have diabetes cinnamon is good for you because it lowers the blood sugar level.

For the constipation I do try to eat more fiber foods and take fibers as supplements in the morning and the evening before eating.

@Piraeus I do try to research about this. Well you never know whether the information is correct or not, but it's better than doing nothing. In fact currently I'm checking the possibility if some hormones and neurotransmitters (like serotonin) have impact on my stomach and mental health in the same time. For me food really does have impact on my body. Certain foods give me energy and others just drain me. So in the end of the day individual approach is needed too.

@Raindropvampire thanks for the tip about elevating the head. I've read about that, I just haven't done it so far. I don't have heartburn in the evening before sleeping though because I simply don't eat foods that cause me severe heartburn for dinner. I usually veggies with cheese or grilled fish fillet. Or sometimes I go for Amaranth/Chickpeas, nuts and chia seeds. Either way I just avoid foods that cause heartburn so that my sleep won't be bothered.