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Hello Doctor, I Have Been Having A Problem With Nausea
Question: Hello Doctor,
I have been having a problem with nausea and sometimes lightheadedness. I get nausea after I eat a little. I am down to one yogurt a day and maybe some crackers and the like. Today I had a little cereal and a few cherries, 2 tbs mashed potatoes and now I am having some applesauce and yogurt. It all started with a terrible pain in my chest about a month ago after overeating. I am now taking omeprazole and zofran for the nausea but my insurance co. will not pay for the zofran at this time. I also have meclizine for the dizziness. I am scheduled for an upper gi on tuesday but dont know if I can take the zofran prior to the barium so I can swallow the barium. I need help.
I have been having a problem with nausea and sometimes lightheadedness. I get nausea after I eat a little. I am down to one yogurt a day and maybe some crackers and the like. Today I had a little cereal and a few cherries, 2 tbs mashed potatoes and now I am having some applesauce and yogurt. It all started with a terrible pain in my chest about a month ago after overeating. I am now taking omeprazole and zofran for the nausea but my insurance co. will not pay for the zofran at this time. I also have meclizine for the dizziness. I am scheduled for an upper gi on tuesday but dont know if I can take the zofran prior to the barium so I can swallow the barium. I need help.
Brief Answer:
Due to slowing of gastrointestinal movements
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.
I have gone very carefully through your query. Your problem seems to be due to gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux. Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces. If somehow this movement gets hampered, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand the bowel habits would not be proper. Degradation of undigested food in the intestines by the intestinal bacteria would lead to the excess gas formation.
In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake. This will help in increasing the gastrointestinal movements and will ease the problem.
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Continue to take omeprazole once daily before breakfast. Take Zofran as per requirement.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep (fluoxetine) 20 mg tablet (long term anxiolytic and a prescription drug) once daily for at least 2 months (it may take time for the action to set in). Discuss about this with your treating physician.
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Make sure that you do not leave your stomach empty for long durations of time (even if you do not feel like eating, take at least a couple of crackers).
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.
Hopefully that should help.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Due to slowing of gastrointestinal movements
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for using the Ask a Doctor service.
I have gone very carefully through your query. Your problem seems to be due to gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux. Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces. If somehow this movement gets hampered, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand the bowel habits would not be proper. Degradation of undigested food in the intestines by the intestinal bacteria would lead to the excess gas formation.
In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake. This will help in increasing the gastrointestinal movements and will ease the problem.
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Continue to take omeprazole once daily before breakfast. Take Zofran as per requirement.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep (fluoxetine) 20 mg tablet (long term anxiolytic and a prescription drug) once daily for at least 2 months (it may take time for the action to set in). Discuss about this with your treating physician.
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Make sure that you do not leave your stomach empty for long durations of time (even if you do not feel like eating, take at least a couple of crackers).
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.
Hopefully that should help.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Thank you doctor for your advice. I pray it helps me. I have this dizziness now and nausea. Would the stagnation cause the dizziness? I also have a problem with movement. If people are walking past me in a line I get dizzy. Also, I have an upper gi scheduled for tomorrow morning and an appointment with a gastroenterologist. If he suggests an endoscopy should I do it? Please answer soon. Thank you very much. God bless you.
Also, doctor, I have a medication called Meclizine which was ordered for me when my doctor thought I had inner ear problems. This was ordered over the phone he did not see me. Should I take that when I get dizzy or wait until this slow digestion passes? Thank you and God bless you. I wish I knew where you were located. I would like to come to you.
I am scheduled for an upper g i tomorrow morning. If I am nausious, can I take a Zofran before the test with the barium swallow. Also, my blood pressure is lower. 101/76, It usually is 152/94 before I take my candesartan 16 mg bid and atenolol 25. I also am on furosemide 20 mg. every other day.
Today since it is low I have only taken the candesartan one time and no atenolol.
Today since it is low I have only taken the candesartan one time and no atenolol.
Brief Answer:
Two different pathologies at play
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Sorry for the inadvertent delay in responding.
The dizziness is distinct from the nausea and bloated sensation. Meclizine can address the dizziness (and also the nausea). A better prescription alternative is betahistine and you need to ask your doctor to write it for you. The next alternative would be to get an audiometry done. Your dizziness could either be due to sensorineural degenerative changes. The organ of hearing lies in our inner ear (vestibulocochlear apparatus) and is also associated with the sense of balance. The problem could lie there.
The upper GI endoscopy will help in identifying the gastrointestinal cause but sometimes it might not yield any findings. Nevertheless, what I have said stands valid.
Please continue your blood pressure medication. Feel free to take Zofran when needed.
Regards
Two different pathologies at play
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Sorry for the inadvertent delay in responding.
The dizziness is distinct from the nausea and bloated sensation. Meclizine can address the dizziness (and also the nausea). A better prescription alternative is betahistine and you need to ask your doctor to write it for you. The next alternative would be to get an audiometry done. Your dizziness could either be due to sensorineural degenerative changes. The organ of hearing lies in our inner ear (vestibulocochlear apparatus) and is also associated with the sense of balance. The problem could lie there.
The upper GI endoscopy will help in identifying the gastrointestinal cause but sometimes it might not yield any findings. Nevertheless, what I have said stands valid.
Please continue your blood pressure medication. Feel free to take Zofran when needed.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Hi Doctor, thank you again for your advice.
I had the upper GI barrium swallow yesterday. It showed mild esophageal spasm and tertiary esophageal contractions. Trace to mild gastroesophageal reflux and a small hiatal hernia Thickeneded gastric fold pattern which could reflect underlying gastritis or otheer gastric process. Correlation with uppper endoscopy could be considered in the proper clinical scenario."
The meclizine is not helping me today with the lightheadedness. I took it at 11:30 am. because prior to that I was not dizzy. Should I have taken it earlier? Does it make your blood pressure come down. I still am constipated. Can being constipated make you feel dizzy. I took Milk of Magnesia today but will buy Metamucil tomorrow. I had a kidney stone ct scan last week. It showed 2 subcentimeter calculi in the gallbladder neck. No wall thickening or bile duct dilatation. Mild diverticulosis. No acute patology in the abdomen or pelvis. I went to the gastroenterologist yesterday after the test. She just added Zantac and told me to eat prunes for the constipation. I will go to the family doctor tomorrow and ask him to send me to an Ear, nose and throat doctor for an exam and audiometry. I pray that something helps me. Thank you again and God bless you.
I had the upper GI barrium swallow yesterday. It showed mild esophageal spasm and tertiary esophageal contractions. Trace to mild gastroesophageal reflux and a small hiatal hernia Thickeneded gastric fold pattern which could reflect underlying gastritis or otheer gastric process. Correlation with uppper endoscopy could be considered in the proper clinical scenario."
The meclizine is not helping me today with the lightheadedness. I took it at 11:30 am. because prior to that I was not dizzy. Should I have taken it earlier? Does it make your blood pressure come down. I still am constipated. Can being constipated make you feel dizzy. I took Milk of Magnesia today but will buy Metamucil tomorrow. I had a kidney stone ct scan last week. It showed 2 subcentimeter calculi in the gallbladder neck. No wall thickening or bile duct dilatation. Mild diverticulosis. No acute patology in the abdomen or pelvis. I went to the gastroenterologist yesterday after the test. She just added Zantac and told me to eat prunes for the constipation. I will go to the family doctor tomorrow and ask him to send me to an Ear, nose and throat doctor for an exam and audiometry. I pray that something helps me. Thank you again and God bless you.
Brief Answer:
Fiber foods are essential
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Pardon me for the inadvertent delay in responding.
The constipation needs to be corrected, as I have already said. Take prunes and fiber foods. No immediate intervention needed for the gall bladder stone. It's not necessary that taking meclizine earlier would have helped.
Wait and watch.
Regards
Fiber foods are essential
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Pardon me for the inadvertent delay in responding.
The constipation needs to be corrected, as I have already said. Take prunes and fiber foods. No immediate intervention needed for the gall bladder stone. It's not necessary that taking meclizine earlier would have helped.
Wait and watch.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you again doctor. I am still feeling poorly nausea and ligjhtheadedness. No one can tell me what is wrong and there is only three minutes ;left to talk to you. Thank you for all your help. I guess there is no way to get in touch with you again. If I signed on for more time would I be able to speak to you?
My transactions say I have an unlimited subscription but the counter stopped. Can I still talk to you?
Brief Answer:
You can ask.me directly
Detailed Answer:
You can ask me directly by following the link
https://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=69208
Alternatively, you can mention "Attn. Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha" at the onset of the question. I would be glad to assist you.
Regards
You can ask.me directly
Detailed Answer:
You can ask me directly by following the link
https://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=69208
Alternatively, you can mention "Attn. Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha" at the onset of the question. I would be glad to assist you.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Attn. Dr. Prof. XXXXXXX Saha
Doctor, I am feeling very poorly with the nausea and lightheadedness. The meclizine and Zofran are not working very well.
I am not eating very much and I have been moving my bowels but not very much. I cooked greens but am too nausious to eat them. I am able to eat a yogurt which I have done almost every day. I told you the results of the upper GI barium swallow. Is there anything on there that could be causing the symptoms of dizziness and nausea? Could not emptying your bowels do this. I have been drinking prune juice but only going a little bit. I bought the Metamucil but am afraid to take it because there is a warning that if your bowel habits have changed for two weeks or there is nausea, not to take it. What should I do?
Doctor, I am feeling very poorly with the nausea and lightheadedness. The meclizine and Zofran are not working very well.
I am not eating very much and I have been moving my bowels but not very much. I cooked greens but am too nausious to eat them. I am able to eat a yogurt which I have done almost every day. I told you the results of the upper GI barium swallow. Is there anything on there that could be causing the symptoms of dizziness and nausea? Could not emptying your bowels do this. I have been drinking prune juice but only going a little bit. I bought the Metamucil but am afraid to take it because there is a warning that if your bowel habits have changed for two weeks or there is nausea, not to take it. What should I do?
I am eating very little.
Brief Answer:
Fiber supplements need to be taken
Detailed Answer:
For follow ups to questions answered by me, they would be answered by me irrespective of whether you mention by name.
Coming to the issue of nausea, I need you to confirm whether you are following the steps that I had mentioned in my first response. Unless you are taking fiber foods and supplements, the situation would not improve. Also confirm whether you have discussed with your treating physician about the long term anxiolytic that I had mentioned.
Regards
Fiber supplements need to be taken
Detailed Answer:
For follow ups to questions answered by me, they would be answered by me irrespective of whether you mention by name.
Coming to the issue of nausea, I need you to confirm whether you are following the steps that I had mentioned in my first response. Unless you are taking fiber foods and supplements, the situation would not improve. Also confirm whether you have discussed with your treating physician about the long term anxiolytic that I had mentioned.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I am not taking the fiber supplements because of he warning I told you on the label. I am trying to eat foods with fiber but I am nausious most of the time to eat them. Today I had a little raisin XXXXXXX a small amount of applesauce and a baby food spinach and applesauce. Tonight I had a few pieces of escarole and some crackers. My blood pressure keeps going down. My heart doctor told me to cut my one blood pressure pill (candesartan 16 mg.) in half and take half in the morning and half at night instead of 16 in morning and 16 at night. I also take atenolol 25 mg. My pressure used to be high. I have not talked to my family physician about the anxiolytic that you mentioned because I forgot when I was there. Why do you think I need that. Isn't that a nerve pill? I sort of am afraid of the fiber supplements because the night before I got the initial pain in my chest in mid July, I had taken Mira-lax. I did not know if that had anything to do with the pain. I do not think I mentioned it but this all began in July with a pain in my chest after having overeaten at dinner. I had the mira lax the night before and rice.
The pain was very strong and felt like something was expanding in my chest. It felt like I had to pass stools but nothing came out. This went on for an hour. I took a liquid antacid and prayed a lot. Then it left. When I told my doctor he said it was a gas bubble. His physician's assistant ordered Carafate for me and Omeprazole. I was doing better on these meds and then about mid August developed the nausea. The PA thought I had aluminum poisoning from the Carafate an sent me for blood tests. I did not have poisoning but he kept me off the Carafate and ordered Zofran for the nausea. I think the Carafate may have caused some constipation and I think the Zofran may cause it also. If you think I should take the Metamucil I will do that tonight.
The pain was very strong and felt like something was expanding in my chest. It felt like I had to pass stools but nothing came out. This went on for an hour. I took a liquid antacid and prayed a lot. Then it left. When I told my doctor he said it was a gas bubble. His physician's assistant ordered Carafate for me and Omeprazole. I was doing better on these meds and then about mid August developed the nausea. The PA thought I had aluminum poisoning from the Carafate an sent me for blood tests. I did not have poisoning but he kept me off the Carafate and ordered Zofran for the nausea. I think the Carafate may have caused some constipation and I think the Zofran may cause it also. If you think I should take the Metamucil I will do that tonight.
I have a pill called xanax that was prescribed for me.generic aprazolam 25 mg. I am supposed to take half in the am and half at night. Is that something like you suggested. I have not been taking it because I did not think I needed it.
Brief Answer:
Questions answered
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
* I think that the mentioned anxiolytic will help by improving your gastrointestinal motility in an indirect way. No, it is not a nerve pill. Xanax does the exact same thing, but only in short term. Prodep is a long term anxiolytic. Taking any of these should help.
* Fiber intake in whatever form is very important. Nevertheless, I will encourage your to take Metamucil.
* The chest pain is possibly due to gastroesophageal reflux. Your doctor is right in pointing it to as a gas bubble.
Regards
Questions answered
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
* I think that the mentioned anxiolytic will help by improving your gastrointestinal motility in an indirect way. No, it is not a nerve pill. Xanax does the exact same thing, but only in short term. Prodep is a long term anxiolytic. Taking any of these should help.
* Fiber intake in whatever form is very important. Nevertheless, I will encourage your to take Metamucil.
* The chest pain is possibly due to gastroesophageal reflux. Your doctor is right in pointing it to as a gas bubble.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
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