Hiccups anyone?

[Alchemy1]

Does anyone else get hiccups all the time? I get them at least once a day now and it drives me nuts!! Is this another lovely symptom of my MC? It's bad enough that I have constant, grinding nausea, horrible bloat and, of course, the Big D. Must I suffer the embarrassment of hiccupping my way though life, as well?

[tex]

Kim,

I rarely have hiccups these days, but they were an occasional problem back when I was reacting. But I had an experience that might shed some light on what causes them for us.

When I was going through all the initial tests at the clinic, at one point I had just finished a barium x-ray scan when at the followup the GI doc scheduled a colonoscopy exam. Since I couldn't seem to get rid of the barium, I was too sick to eat for a few days anyway, so I thought I would play it smart and just not eat anything during the 2-week wait between test procedures. I was as sick as a dog at the time, and the cleanout was really rough, because it made me much sicker (the nausea was a particular problem). So I figured that by living off clear jell-o and water, Seven-Up, and Sprite for 2 weeks, I could skip the cleanout before the colonoscopy exam.

I thought it was a good plan, but unfortunately when I got to the doc's office for the pre-colonoscopy briefing, his Sargent-at-arms (aka his nurse) who probably worked part-time shifts as a bouncer at the rowdiest night club in town, dutifully informed me that skipping the cleanout was not an option, no matter how long I had been eschewing food, as she absent-mindedly drummed her fingers on the baseball bat lying on her desk, and pointed at the gallon jug of swamp water that was soon to become my supper. (OK, maybe she didn't have a baseball bat on her desk — my memory is a bit fuzzy because it all seemed like a bad dream at the time, but it certainly would have fit right into the scene.)

But to get back to those 2 wasted weeks of my life that passed between the 2 tests, it only took a day or so before the hiccups started. I soon discovered that an empty stomach eventually starts rattling its cage by promoting hiccups (for me at least), in order to get attention. I had hiccups during the day and I had hiccups during the night. And hiccups and D are not a good combination.

At home, while they were miserable, and they eventually caused my rib cage and everything inside to hurt, at least I could sit there and hiccup in private. But of course I also had unending hiccups while sitting in the waiting room at the clinic, and I'm sure most of the people in there just assumed they were the reason why I was waiting for an appointment.

I did manage to lose another 25 or 30 pounds off my already scrawny frame during those 2 weeks (I couldn't stand to sit on a hard chair, because there was absolutely no muscle or fat left between my hip bones and the skin), but looking back, after 2 weeks of hiccuping, losing a lot more weight when I was already underweight, and having to drink the swamp water anyway, the clincher was that the dumb GI doc didn't even take any biopsies, and back then, I didn't know the difference anyway.

So that's my hiccup story, and no, I won't be doing that again.

Tex

[Blueberry]

I used to get hiccups frequently. They could be awful at times. I don't know why but the hiccups have been gone for a long time now. Maybe that is due to avoiding wheat. I don't know. When they were at their worst this is what I used to do - I read an odd hiccup cure years ago and out of desperation I tried it, and it worked. The article said to get rid of hiccups place a spoon into a glass of water. Bring the glass of water to your lips, press the spoon handle to your temple, and then drink the water. It always seemed to work like a charm for me.

[Alchemy1]

You may be right, Tex. I'm going through a rough patch, and my stomach is empty a lot of the time. I'm so nauseated I don't want food at all. Then I end up losing what little nutrition I manage to eat right out the other end!

When I had to drink that swamp water for my last colonoscopy/endoscopy my body reacted so violently to it I thought I was gonna DIE! I got maybe a third of it down, then the puke reflex kicked in. I'd try to swallow some and I'd immediately puke it right back up. That stuff is bad enough going down, but it's absolutely horrendous coming back up! I stopped drinking it but I still vomited all night as well as having the runs from the swamp water. Ye gods and little fishes was that a horrible experience!!

When I got to the clinic I was sitting in the waiting room, with a plastic bowl in my lap, dry heaving while waiting for the anal probing to commence. It was so AWFUL!!! It did have one benefit, though...after just a few minutes of that they took me directly to the procedure room and gave me an anti-nausea shot and hooked me up to an IV. I guess all that heaving and gagging wasn't going over too well in that packed waiting room! I can't imagine going through all that and having it be for nothing. You poor man! At least when I was a rack of very sick bones, the GI doctor I had then knew enough to take biopsies!

The endoscopy did reveal some bright pink patches in my stomach. They chocked it up to the vomiting, but I'm wondering if those patches were more signs of MC. I think I read, in your book, that the entire GI tract can be infected. Is that correct? Maybe I have some of this horrible MC mess going on in my stomach as well. My current GI doctor is a boob, and I'm done with him. I ordered the Entrolab tests myself (because my GI doc wouldn't order them) and am going to send my sample off tomorrow morning. Hopefully the results will give me at least a starting place for what to eliminate from my diet.

Thanks for the reply, Tex. I really enjoyed your description of the nurse! I got a chuckle out of that.

[tex]

Your nausea was worse than mine. I got slightly over half of the stuff down and decided that if tried to force any more down it was going to come back up, so I called the nurse and asked her if it would be better to stop there or try to drink some more and vomit it all up. She agreed it might be best to stop there (since there wasn't anything to clean out anyway). Someday someone is going to become a zillionaire by inventing a cleanout method that at least doesn't require drinking slop that promptly promotes nausea. The diarrhea is bad enough without having to put up with world-class nausea the whole time.

I can't imagine going through all that and having it be for nothing. You poor man! At least when I was a rack of very sick bones, the GI doctor I had then knew enough to take biopsies!

Oh, it wasn't for nothing. At the followup the GI doc proudly informed me that there was absolutely nothing wrong with me. What could be better than a clean bill of health? And he was very helpful. When I asked what I should do if the symptoms persist, he recommended seeing a good psychiatrist. But maybe he knew more about the disease than I give him credit for, so he realized that I was just faking. Maybe he had read up on it in the medical journals so he "knew" that only older women get MC.

The endoscopy did reveal some bright pink patches in my stomach. They chocked it up to the vomiting, but I'm wondering if those patches were more signs of MC.

I can still remember seeing those scattered pink patches on the monitor while the doc was scoping my colon. When I asked him what they represented he shrugged them off as likely sites of a previous infection. I didn't know any better at the time, but years later I read Dr. Fine's description of how scattered areas of inflammation can actually be seen by the naked eye (through the scope) when MC patients are scoped. And yes, similar to Crohn's disease, MC can affect any part of the digestive system, from mouth to anus.

Yes, I believe you will find the EnteroLab test results to be a very good investment in your future health. I wish I had been aware of them back when I parted ways with that GI doc. If he hadn't told me that my digestive system was in perfect working order, it would have been easier to figure out where to start. As it was, it took me a year and a half to figure out what was wrong with me (my diet), and another year and a half of trial and error testing to figure out what I needed to eliminate from my diet.

But I do give that gastroenterologist credit for this: At least he inspired me to learn a little about medicine and to take responsibility for my own health. And that's worth a lot in the long run.

Tex

[Alchemy1]

Oh dear, Tex!

Your experience sounds exactly like my first go round. My first GI doctor also told me there was absolutely nothing wrong with me. All of the tests had come back negative so it HAD to be IBS. Period, dot, end of discussion. At least I didn't have the indignity of being told I was in need of psychiatric help! However, my doctor was VERY condescending and I couldn't understand his attitude. For Pete's sake! I had passed out in the field at work, was taken to the ER, and was still sicker than a dog. I was dumb enough to believe him, so for the next three years I took his worthless IBS medication, and got sicker and sicker.

My second GI doc was a lot smarter. Drugs don't work very well on me so I was wide awake for the anal probing. I remember seeing those pink patches, too, but my doctor sent out the Pac Man attachment to snip a biopsy when he saw one. He was very arrogant and didn't do a lot to help me after the diagnosis. At the follow up (which was three months later) he told me that I had CC from where my colon attached to my small intestine all the way through my anus. He put me on Asacol HD and that was the end of the help I got from him. No surprises there.

My third, and former, GI doctor hasn't done a lot for me either. He's prescribed Asacol HD for me and another medicine that's supposed to help the bloat. Yeah, right. That's why I'm still walking around blown up like an impacted cow! Every time I go into a flare, he has me poop in a cup, then tells me that the labs are negative and it must be a virus that started the auto immune response. Ye gods.

I took your book to my last visit and he thumbed through it, saw you weren't an MD, and kind of tossed it back to me. (That made me madder than hell because you are my new hero!) Then he wouldn't order the tests from EnteroLab. He kept saying "what if the insurance doesn't pay for it" and I kept repeating I didn't care but I'd like to give it a shot. He chickened out despite my pleas and acted like such a ninny...as if the insurance Nazis were going to bust through the window and take him away to the gulag or something. In the end he tried to refer me to another specialist. She very well may be of some help, because she specializes in food allergies and sensitivities, but I'm not waiting another three months to see her. I have your book, this site, lots of new information and the test results will soon be on their way. With all of that behind me I'll get myself well! BTW - I absolutely love the saying that's in your signature, Tex. My latest experience with that GI doc is definitely a case in point!

And next time I get the hiccups, I'll try that spoon trick. I'll try anything right now because I'm just miserable!!

[tex]

Kim,

Speaking of insurance Nazis, it's a crying shame the way that physicians have lost control of medicine during the last half-century or so. When I was a kid, doctors controlled their destiny. Physicians were awesome, bigger-than-life individualists. These days the insurance companies dictate to doctors how to treat patients, including which tests they can order and which drugs then can prescribe. The drug companies also manipulate doctors shamelessly for their own benefit, and physicians continue to put up with it and at this point it may already be too late to protest — the foxes are in charge of the hen house and they're making a killing (in revenue).

Regarding your gastroenterologist's attitude toward my book, some physicians (especially certain specialists) are in danger of drowning every time it rains because they have their noses elevated to such a ridiculous height as a result of their professional elitism. I knew when I wrote the book that it would be scorned by most mainstream physicians because of my lack of a medical degree. But someone had to write it, and after all these years it had become painfully obvious that no one in the medical profession was interested in writing a comprehensive book about the disease.

And it's OK for physicians to sneer at my lack of a medical degree if they choose to do so, because engineers tend to reciprocate by looking down their noses at the medical profession due to their corrupt use of pseudo science (they tend to make inappropriate assumptions and then pretend that they are proven facts). But the bottom line is that understanding and treating MC doesn't require any rocket science. It just requires an open mind and a willingness to spend many, many hours researching and studying the disease and most of all, listening carefully to those who actually have the disease and who are willing to share information about how they successfully control their symptoms.

The simple technique of sharing information is how humans have advanced science and technology since the beginning of their evolution. But for some strange reason (presumably the same genetic defect that makes them so vulnerable to drowning if they happen to get caught out in a rainstorm) far too many gastroenterologists can't seem to force themselves to listen to their patients and learn from them. I reckon it's beneath their dignity to learn from anyone who is not a medical professional, so they choose to remain in the dark.

When I had the chronic hiccup problem I tried holding my breath, slowly drinking water, breathing in a paper bag, and probably a few other tricks that I have forgotten about. All of them seemed to help sometimes, but all of them also failed at times. I never tried the spoon in a glass trick — that's a new one that I had never heard about before reading about it here.

Tex

[Alchemy1]

Well, Tex, it's a crying shame that my GI doctor is such a elitist snob because he's lost two patients because of his attitude. A woman that works in my building has been having horrible GI issues and was seeing that same doctor. He hasn't been able to find out what is wrong with her because all of the "tests" were negative. Also, she recently told me he hasn't even performed a colonoscopy on her yet! That's ridiculous because she's obviously unwell. I'd bet the farm that she has food sensitivity issues because her symptoms are EXACTLY like mine (though not as severe and advanced). The poor girl is miserable, and when I told her about my recent experience with that doctor, she has decided to move on as well. I'm going to lend her your book when I'm finished reading it. I'm hoping it will prompt her to proceed with a different, more open-minded doctor, because she's been ill for less than a year. If she can get help now, she won't have to suffer for 8 years like I did. I can tell she's very discouraged and ready to just accept her fait and try to live with it. NOT if I can help it!! If she reads your book, maybe she'll learn how ignorant the medical community is, and will stand up and fight for herself.

BTY - I hate to be a boogersnot, but I hope that GI doc DOES drown the next time it rains! Personally I'm surprised that he hasn't suffocated to death because I'm convinced that his head is firmly planted up his bum!!! I, on the other hand, believe your book should be nominated for the Nobel Prize and intend to follow every bit of advice it contains. The medical profession & insurance industries have let me down, with much more than just my MC, and they can all take a flying jump at the moon! You are so right, Tex...it's all about money and the corruption goes way higher than just doctors and insurance companies. And don't even get my husband started on that subject!! He's watched his wife suffer, for over a decade, and will go on a raving rant whenever this subject comes up. I try to keep my anger at bay, but I'm very bitter because of what has happened to me. There's a lot of things I can't change, but my diet isn't one of them, thank God! Thanks to you, I know that, and so do a lot of other people. You can be very proud of what you've done for all of us, Tex!

[tex]

Kim,

From your description I agree there's a very good chance that the lady you mentioned may have MC. I'll be happy to send you a free replacement copy of the book if you want to give her yours, if you think she would read it and benefit from it. Just let me know.

Thank you so much for the kind words. That's very gratifying. I just wish it were easier to convince people that they need to change their diet in order to get their health back. Many just aren't willing to make such drastic changes in their lifestyle. These days most of us are accustomed to taking a pill to cure our ills. There's no telling how many people come across this discussion forum, read a few posts, shake their head in disbelief and move on, because they would never consider changing their diet so drastically. We've even had a few members here who came back several years after they initially joined, to post that they were finally ready to change their diet after realizing that they didn't want to live that way any more.

I was very lucky. I was so sick that I was willing to do virtually anything to find relief. It's a lot tougher on those whose symptoms aren't so debilitating. I'm thankful that it forced me to keep searching until I found a solution.

Tex

[JFR]

Kim,

I just wish it were easier to convince people that they need to change their diet in order to get their health back. Many just aren't willing to make such drastic changes in their lifestyle. These days most of us are accustomed to taking a pill to cure our ills. There's no telling how many people come across this discussion forum, read a few posts, shake their head in disbelief and move on, because they would never consider changing their diet so drastically. We've even had a few members here who came back several years after they initially joined, to post that they were finally ready to change their diet after realizing that they didn't want to live that way any more.

I was very lucky. I was so sick that I was willing to do virtually anything to find relief. It's a lot tougher on those whose symptoms aren't so debilitating. I'm thankful that it forced me to keep searching until I found a solution.

Tex

That's how I felt too. I was so sick that I was willing to do anything. For reasons I can't quite fathom people become very attached to the way they eat and they would rather stay sick than change. One attitude I have come across is that a serious disease needs serious treatment and diet changes are just for inconsequential diseases. I've known people to get insulted when dietary change is suggested, as if you aren't taking them and their disease seriously enough. It's frustrating. This site and the Enterolab testing gave me my life back. I hardly ever even experiment with adding foods back because I like being able to leave the house. I can even leave the house first thing in the morning and take a long walk without anxiety. It's miraculous. I did just add one food back. Fresh wild caught salmon had just got too expensive for me to buy. I used to eat canned wild caught salmon but the last time I tried it, several years ago after my severe symptoms had gone away, it caused an immediate histamine response so I decided to just forget about ever eating canned fish again. Last week I got brave, bought a can of salmon and ate it without incident. Another seeming miracle. Early morning walks and canned salmon. What else does a person need to be happy?

Jean

[tex]

Amen to that.

And of course it surprises me too how many people actually believe that treating a serious disease requires a "serious" drug.

Tex

[Alchemy1]

I'm at the point where diet change is just fine with me! I can't stand this any longer and will do anything to feel like my old self. I'm so bloated today and also extremely nauseated. I've been wearing Sea Bands, on my wrists for over a year, to help with the nausea. Since my right hand doesn't function very well, I don't like that extra pressure on my wrist. But you have to wear them on both wrists or they don't work.

The D is a huge inconvenience, but I can tolerate it, and have learned to work around it. What I can't stand is being bloated, in lots of gut pain and feeling like I'm gonna hurl all the time. I also have brain fog and am always extremely exhausted...24/7. Getting out of bed is a horror show for me these days. Also, I've noticed that I'm having a hard time concentrating on my work and I can't afford to make mistakes. There are state regulators, the EAP and the Army inspectors always scrutinizing everything about my RCRA program. The can show up at anytime, so everything has to be 5X5. That's super stressful and I get flares simply from the nature of my job at times.

And, yes, Tex! If you're willing to send me another copy of your book I'd be delighted. That is so very generous of you!! I made it through chapter 7 last night and will probably finish it this weekend. However, I want to keep a copy on hand, at all times, so I can go back and read it when I need to check something. We scientist are like that! LOL! I must always have my reference books close at hand.

I really want to help Natalia because she's sweet, hard working and my friend. We're often in the bathroom at the same time and I make jokes about it to keep her spirits up. She and I are always comparing notes on our wardrobes. Neither of us will wear jeans anymore unless forced to. I have to put them on when I go out in the field, but they're stretchy Levis which are a size too big. I'd rather pull up my pants all day than have my gut squashed! In the office it's always leggings, skirts and loose blouses. I deliberately pick my blouses & sweaters so that they are styled to hide my bloat. I don't want people to think I'm fat when I'm just blown up most of the time. That's a sorry mess, isn't it? I want to wear clothes that fit again!!! Natalia just wants to wear her jeans again. Funny how this disease can take the most simple things away from you.

She is listening to my advice so I'm sure she would read your book, Tex. I want to help her before the disease really digs in and she develops multiple food intolerances. I wouldn't wish what I've been through on my worst enemy and I definitely don't want it take over my friends life like it has mine. We can work on our recovery strategies together which will make it easier for both of us!

Thank you for being here, Tex! I spend more time on this board than I do on fb these days. I'd rather socialize with, and learn from, people that have my disease than look at pictures of people's kids or read about their petty problems. They don't know what problems are but the folks on this board sure do!!!

[jlbattin]

Kim,

Those pains and all the bloating will go away when you get your diet under control and things settle down. I was right there where you are and would only wear something if it had an elastic waist. 6 months later, all is well, diet is under control, and those pains and bloating are gone (and I wasn't sure for awhile if they we EVER go away), but one day they just did. I can get jeans and other clothes on again (nothing fits as I have lost 45 pounds since this all started, but that's ok.........I had it to lose).

Don't give up. Stick with those bland foods. It works! I ate chicken, rice, and a banana (and occasional chicken broth) for at least 2-3 months straight. Nothing else. That's what worked for me. I gag on chicken now, but would probably go back to it if I had to for some reason. Those were my safe foods. Find those safe foods, and if it's only 2 or 3 things, you can do it! It's so worth it in the end to finally be able to leave the house without worrying where the nearest bathroom is. I feel better than I have in years.

Hang in there! You can beat this!

[tex]

Kim,

Yep, I spent many a day working with the top couple or 3 buttons of my Levis unbuttoned. I always knew that the big German silver belt buckle with the Navajo Thunderbird inlay that I had worn since high school would come in handy some day, and it was perfect for the job of hiding those "open-top" jeans. I still wear that buckle, but as Jari pointed out, these days it's strictly optional.

If you will PM me your mailing address, I'll get a book on the way.

Tex

[Alchemy1]

Thanks so much, Tex and Jari, for letting me know that I won't have to live the rest of my life blown up like Macy's Thanksgiving Day balloon! It's so reassuring to know that the bloat will eventually go away. Before I gave up jeans I used a trick one of my friends used when she was pregnant...she would thread a rubber band through the button hole and then loop it around the button to keep her pants up. I finally got tired of messing with that so bought a new "bloat" wardrobe. I can't wait to be able to wear some of my cute clothes, and jeans, again!

I eliminated all gluten from my diet this weekend and feel kind of yucky. I have super bad D and feel as though I'm going through the same kind of withdrawal I went through when I gave up all caffeine. (I read in Tex's book that this might happen, so am not too worried about it.) I know things will get better in time but I can certainly tell my body misses what's actually bad for it! I had to watch my hubby snack on cookies during the game yesterday & was so jealous!!

My EnteroLab sample leaves this morning (I didn't realize I couldn't ship it on Wednesday so it had to wait a week) and I am anticipating, yet dreading, the results. I've been ill for a long time and am afraid I'll have multiple food sensitivities. My favorite beverages is milk and I love dairy products like yogurt, cheese and real butter. I sure will miss milk if I have to give it up! But if I'm sensitive to it, the alternative is unbearable...so if I can't drink my milk, I'll learn to live without it too.