I've been on hydroxycarbamide now for 2.5 years and although my platelets are looking good (now on 500mg hydrea/day), my belly bloat + few kilos weight gain is an issue. Recent visit with a gastroenterologist offered little help ( just a script for Mebeverine) and I'm due to see a dietician next month. I'm looking seriously at the FODMAP list of foods to help control belly bulge.
If anyone here has some tips or could point me in the right direction, I would be very appreciative.
Enjoy your day!
I was the same started hydroxycarbamide 2 yrs ago 500g day 1000g weekend bloated tummy weight gain ,started Mediterranean diet 6 weeks ago bloating gone ,lost 8 lbs walk about 4-6 mile everyday hope this helps
Great news ChillyAsh34. Might need to look at a treadmill, as that's an awful lot of walking each day. Mediterranean is no good for me as I'm a vegetarian.
You can adapt it it is mainly veg and plant based food , fish the walking sounds a lot but it equals 10k steps 5k steps doing housework and walking upstairs to toilet and it's not a large house then 2k doing gardening or walking around supermarket then 3k actual walk on the moors or beach it helps having a watch that clocks your steps heartbeat oxygen levels not expensive from Amazon £25 don't know how many aus dollars I am 72 forgot about drinking plenty of water
I do the same, 10000+ steps per day and try to keep to the med diet, I can feel the difference if I don't, good luck.Ps. Getting older, I am 75, doesn't make it easier lol
Hi Bobby,
I am a Vegan and have had severe intestinal issues, namely bloating and gas. I have tried everything and about 2 weeks ago I read some material on digestion and how we lose our ability to digest food properly as we age. My doctor put me on antacids which I have learned is exactly the opposite of what I needed.
I started added 500mgs of HCL Betaine at the end of each meal and low an behold everything has improved! Do your own research but you are probably not producing enough HCL and by the time you reach my age 76, you are producing NONE.
I'll definitely look into that, russkat. Thanks so much 😀
What does HCL stand for in this context, please? I feel bloated a lot of the time
HCL is the good cholesterol
HDL is the "good" cholesterol, it stands for high density lipoprotein. HCL usually stands for hydrochloride, so I guess the whole thing is Betaine Hydrochloride, which I think (not sure) is a supplement.
Try eating Kefir (good for the gut) should help with bloating-(I am not an expert just going by my own experiences-I suffer with trapped wind)! Hope it helps you.
I suffer with IBS and like you bloating can be a real problem. I found the FODMAP diet a few years ago and it's been such a help. I stuck to the recommendations initially and then introduced foods slowly to see what my triggers were. Worse culprits for me are onion, garlic, and too much wheat, altho I can eat wheat in small moderation. My GP also gave me Alverine, (antispasmodic) which really works. I hope you find something that helps you. 😊
Check SIBO test.
It's so helpful to have help and pointers for these medication obstacles. Thanks you all so much. My specialist (haemo) has discouraged any change of meds as the hydroxy is working. Looking forward to suggestions from the dietician and following the rules of the IBS diet (FODMAP) more closely.
I tried every probiotic and prebiotic I could find. Fermented foods and more, but only when I added the HCL to the end of my meals did things change.
Bloating and weight gain solutions anyone?
Worth switching meds?
Raised red areas of irritation
