Hello everyone,
Along with my PA, I also have IBS-C. I currently take a prescription medication for it, but it’s really hit and miss. I read in here quite a while ago that someone added bitters to their routine. Is anyone else suffering with these issue also? I have heard bitters are better than a digestive enzyme.
I also have constipation. Sometimes I only have a BM once a week. But since I have gone gluten/dairy free and hardly ever eat sugar I don't experience bloating so my infrequent BM don't cause me any problems.
Sometimes Pernicious Anaemia Patients suffer with “gut” problems , tummy pain and bloating etc . This happens because P.A. patients have low or no stomach acid . Hypochlorhydria/ Achlorhydria. ( due to the destruction of their parietal cells by the Intrinsic Factor antibodies ) The intrinsic factor is also destroyed . This low acid environment allows bad bacteria to flourish, which upsets the flora ( good bacteria ) in the stomach . Some P,A. patients find that taking an acidic drink like diluted organic cider -apple vinegar , lime / lemon juice with meals ,especially protein meals , really helps this .
The greatest help for my “gut” problems was a probiotic called Symprove , a water-based liquid . But there are probiotic capsules The probiotic encourages the growth of the good stomach flora . Also good to take after a course of anti-biotics , which destroy all bacteria good and bad .
Natural probiotics work well e.g. Organic sauerkraut , real yoghurt, kimchi and kefir .
Since getting the B12 treatment I need by getting adequate B12 injections, and the probiotic Symprove, the gut problems have disappeared . I no longer need Symprove ..
It is a good idea to eat smaller meals more often if one has low stomach acid ( as Pernicious Anaemia patients do ). Also chew food very thoroughly, giving the enzymes in saliva a good chance to start the breakdown of the food .
In severe cases of very low or no stomach acid ( Hypochlorhydria / Achlorhydria ) a capsule called Betaine Hydrochloric acid with pepsin will increase the acid in the stomach .( Amazon smile) Taken at mealtimes , can be used , but best to ask a nutritionist about dosage . It will vary according to how much stomach acid you have . There are instructions about dosage online .
A modest multi-vitamin and mineral tablet can also be helpful , as a low acid stomach is not good at breaking down our food to make minerals and vitamins available for absorption.
STOMACH ACID IS VERY IMPORTANT. WE NEED IT TO BREAK DOWN OUR FOOD , SO THAT WE CAN ABSORB ITS NUTRIENTS .
Hope that you manage to get rid of your gut issues . As with all aspects of Pernicious Anaemia, doctors have very little knowledge or interest .
Hello Nanc72
I also have chronic constipation., although mine is slow transit constipation. I understand what a huge impact this can have on your daily life.
I'd suggest going back to your gastroenterologist (or getting referred). There are several perscription drugs to try. You might need to add another laxative such as miralax. Or maybe a daily fibre supplement.
Also if you haven't done it I'd suggest the low fodmap diet. It's a short term elimination diet and ideally should be done under a dieticians guidance. This may well identify foods that worsen/trigger constipation.
I presume you've had a diagnosis from a medical professional. This would be an important step.
There are plenty of support forums for people with IBS so this may help.
irritablebowelsyndrome.net/...
Wishing you well.
I am actually staring that diet today! Miralax is awful for me, not sure why. Makes things worse and so does adding fiber. So this is very gross (apologizing in advance) I just don’t go to the bathroom. When I finally do after 4-5 days it’s hard to pass not because it’s hard, but more of a mush consistency and I can’t pass everything. I am bloated all the time and feel horrible. I have had this since I was young and will be 50 in a few months. I have even had a surgery for rectocele repair. I am trying a probiotic again and the diet. Going to add the bitters also and see how it goes.
I have used fissy vitamin C. It helps the absorption of vitamins and minerals and is great for constipation .
Yes I agree Vit C is good and also magnesium will help with constipation.
Have you had your thyroid levels checked? I had the same problem as you which improved once I started on thyroxine. Also p, have a look at the FODMAP diet which may help
Yes I have and just recently. All normal
Normal is an opinion and not a result ! Do you know what was tested and do you have results ? Rarely are all the correct tests done in the NHS - SIGH. Happy to help 🌻
I am in the US. I have had every test done that you can imagine. You name it and I have probably had it done. Endoscopy, colonoscopy, gastric emptying study, small bowel follow through, SIBO, and I am sure there are more
I suffered from chronic constipation for many years. When I researched the medication I was being prescribed, I decided against it for so many reasons. Not least because ALL all in my mother's immediate family had gone that route, yet still died of bowel cancer. This has led to an interest in the gut microbiome which has been transformational for me. I make my own sauerkraut, Kombucha, turmeric bug and sourdough bread (using spelt flour) and take a daily Probiotic, although finding a good one at an affordable price was a challenge in itself!! I also avoid processed foods where possible and try to eat what has been grown or graised. The result is no more bloating and discomfort. How sad is it that I still get a kick of satisfaction from peering into the loo every morning😂.
I honestly can't say what caused my extreme constipation but know my grandmother used to have to mince raw liver which she put in milk every day so she must have had PA, my mother was never diagnosed but unfortunately had all the symptoms, so B12 deficiency could well be causal.
However, I'm of the generation that were presented with food to save us time and effort, which has been manufactured for profit not health!
I agree with Wedgewood's suggestion that B12 supplementation, plus the dietary and nutritional changes are paramount. We need to know exactly what we are putting into our bodies to know what we are fighting.
Quite by accident I found drinking Kefir 3 days a week really helped my bowel digestive system And my B12 problem which up until then, I found I was loosing B12 Active 5 units at every 6 weeks. But since drinking the Kefir, my last Vit B12 shows I’ve gained 20 active points.
I can’t have milk though.
There are non dairy versions of kefir and even a water version.
Really? I will see what I can find. Thank you 
Good point
Sounds like a great idea.
I haven't used bitters except in gin and tonics but I'm interested in checking the ingredients. In my case nightshades cause severe joint pain so I avoid them. Some bitters contain dandelion which some say contains solanine which is a nightshade like compound.
Anyway, you may not have any sensitivities or allergies, but you might like to know what's in different ones. There might be something you want to avoid in one.
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Betaine Hcl, taken for stomach acidity is inexpensive and not complicated. Start with a low dose and a protein meal. See how you feel. If I bloat, I take something to neutralize the acid like sodium bicarbonate in water. As I've gotten older, I need more betaine Hcl otherwise I bloat from lack of acid. We're all different, but I avoid combination supplements due to my allergic reactions. Good luck.
Hi Nanc72,
As others suggested try FODMAPS regime, the original format from a team of Doctors in Australia. It could change everything for you positively. Its quite tricky to get your head round to begin with, but if you follow their recipes for a week at a time its easier.
Probiotics play a crucial role in the peristalsis of our colon, and Symprove gets alot of good results because it survives the stomach bags natural acid and gets to the small intestine intact to multiply.
There other reasonably priced probiotics Optibac helped me alot.
Of you could eat pre-biotic and pro-biotic foods in moderation or via Fodmap discipline. The gentle way works best, by doing introductions of food gently, and not too many variants in one meal sitting.
Every best wish,G
Like others, I have found Betaine HCl transformational and can now eat small amounts of chilli and other foods that used to cause severe abdominal pain. I would be wary of the Fodmap diet as it’s mainly for intestinal problems. We in this community have stomach issues, which are quite different. For example, top of the list of ‘good’ foods for IBS sufferers is broccoli, which is top of my list of foods I can’t eat. But I agree that combinations of unfamiliar foods should be avoided. Bland, familiar foods plus a Betaine tablet is unfortunately the best option I’ve found after 15 years living with PA.
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