Nausea and stomach pains.

[Bagadash]

I have been on Pred for PMR 23 months and have just successfully reduced to 2.5mgs using DSNS.

Prior to this starting in 2016 I have been having episodes of bowel cramps and nausea which started very slowly but have increased dramatically over time so that now they last much longer and are more frequent causing much pain and discomfort as well as striking out of the blue.

I have had CT scans and bowel examinations with nothing found although I think they were looking for signs of cancer. Referred back to GP then referred to dietician with suspected IBS. She said I wasn’t eating enough carbohydrate and when I gave reason (reducing weight gain from Pred), said she didn’t know anything about PMR but I should have some carbohydrate at each meal. I don’t agree with this as I had the bowel symptoms before PMR and have worked jolly hard to lose 7lbs and have no intention of putting it back on. As have stated earlier in posts I have no large intestine, lost it to Crohns about 50 years ago. She mentioned taking a probiotic and said she would send me a voucher for a months trial and if working I could then buy myself as not available on NHS. Would have thought she could have given voucher there and then but perhaps that is expecting too much.

I may be on the wrong thread here and if so apologise but I know from past experience that I have had an enormous amount of help here with PMR and maybe someone could point me in the right direction with this latest set of problems.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Carbs at every meal??? Sounds as if she is making up for not being able to say that to diabetics these days!!!

What advice had you been given previously about diet post-colectomy? How did you eat before PMR and low carb? The time you have had without a large intestine you must know pretty well what works and what doesn't.

[Bagadash in reply to PMRpro]

Surgeon gave very good advice which has stood me in good stead over the years. Try everything, if it upsets remove from diet for a while and then try it again. Don’t eliminate anything unless after repeated tries it still upsets. Even then it maybe ok after a few years.Before low carb I ate what I wanted. all I have done is cut out the bread at lunchtime and have soup, little cheese and apple, probably 2 out of the 3 and cut potatoes at dinner time and have more veg. No big deal in my book and was having these symptoms before reducing carbs.

She thinks fatigue is due to insufficient carbs but I know it is to do with PMR.

Not overly Impressed with dieticians in general, read an article by one who said that 1500 calories a day would ensure steady weight loss!!!!! In your dreams dear, I would be like a house on that.

You are right about me knowing what works and what doesn’t but this has got me beat along with all the medico’s I have seen. I don’t think it is any particular food and my theory is that for some reason the gut biome has got out of sync and not sure how to rectify it. I’m pinning my hopes on probiotic, just need to find the right one. So at the moment I am classified as having IBS which seems to be a catch all for unidentified problems with the gut.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bagadash]

I must admit - I'm not sure how your gut biome will work withsuch a large amount missing. But trying a probiotic might help - can only try,No - I've had some moments with dieticians in the past!!!!

VSL#3 comes recommended by an NHS GI consultant in Gateshead - I like it too.

[SnazzyD]

Have you tried a careful exclusion diet yet?

[Bagadash in reply to SnazzyD]

Hi Snazzy. No not yet but don’t think it is food related . Not a specific food that is. Maybe I should sop eating altogether, that would reduce weight if nothing else!!!!!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bagadash]

I always think how nice that would be - I wouldn't ever need to go shopping! Bliss ...

[Luciejc]

I've been slow tapering from Methyprednisolone and am now at 2.5 mg. Cramps and diarrhea began at 4mg. Not constant but once a day. Read it could be withdrawal and not enough cortisol.