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What Causes Dry Heaves, Chronic Pain And Nausea?
Question: my husband ,white male 66, has a hx of 90+ degree kyphosis post Harrington rod[1980s] and subsequent breaking and removal of rods in the 80s 90s and 2000...20 yr hx of well managed migraines that suddenly became totally different july 2015...in forehead/temple area and 24/7 without a break....severity of 3-7 and back is 4-8/12 on the pain scale..back and head have been imaged and tumors, bleeds etc ruled out...so we went the pain control route....coming off his migraine meds lowered severity of headaches but nerve blocks and epidurals failed...in addition his checkup 3 weeks ago showed platelets 127 but I had them rechecked 8/11 before his epidural on 8/12 they were 186....he has had trace white blood cell in U/A which got lost so another one was done on 8/11 which showed trace RBC...waiting on the culture as urinary frequency off and on....all other bloodwork normal and prostate exam and numbers are great....he has always been an overcomer even with chronic terrible pain....now he spends 2-3 days in bed and the rest of time in recliner....still has a great sense of humor but feels hopeless because the pain is worse than its ever been and constant...I am so frustrated...even Emory University neurology has just about come to an end of what they can offer... in addition , his spleen area is still tender [ultrasound said 12 + cm diameter] only upon palpation....in addition to the pain and lethargy, he was randomly dry heaving...I feel like i am slowly losing him and despite numerous trips to numerous docs over the last year no one can pin point what is wrong...can you offer any guidance....should I drag him to the doc again because of the nausea....he is tired of being poked and prodded ...I am a retired RN who was home with my kids for 25 yrs and reentered nursing as a certified hospice nurse until I came home 3 years ago to take care of hubby who at that time has also suffered 3rd cranial nerve palsy and had subsequent removal of benign pituitary surgery...thank you for any help...I can't think straight and am so frustrated that I can't seem to help him...
The dry heaving was about an hour ago...he is in the bed now
Misread above...he is on Coreg, Losartan, Lasix for CHF... Gabapentin,Lyrica, and Pamelor for pain.... he tried all the "codone " meds, botox, migraine triptans, even Fentanyl and muscle relaxers---all of these did not help...
Heard back from thyroid imaging...1.1 cm nodule will recheck in a year per Dr office....also urinalysis was fine...
The dry heaving was about an hour ago...he is in the bed now
Misread above...he is on Coreg, Losartan, Lasix for CHF... Gabapentin,Lyrica, and Pamelor for pain.... he tried all the "codone " meds, botox, migraine triptans, even Fentanyl and muscle relaxers---all of these did not help...
Heard back from thyroid imaging...1.1 cm nodule will recheck in a year per Dr office....also urinalysis was fine...
Brief Answer:
Good hydration
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting a query,
I read your query and and understood the concern for your husband.
The nausea your husband is suffering from looks to be a cause of electrolyte imbalance and dehydration.
Follow the below mentioned guidelines which may help him.
If the symptoms persists even after doing these remedies you need to consult a doctor immediately.
1) Drink plenty of fluids. One of the main causes of dry heaving is that there are not enough fluids circulating in your body, causing fluid imbalance. Your best course of action, then, is to drink plenty of fluids. Remember the rule: drink at least 8-12 glasses of water every day. Sports drinks with electrolytes are good, too, to correct this imbalance.
2) Eat something sweet to get your blood sugar up. Low blood sugar (or hypoglycemia) is a signal that your body is missing some nutrients that you need to fully function. This can cause dry heaving and also serve as a warning.[3] Luckily, it can be quickly remedied by eating a popsicle or some candy
3)Eat bland foods like.
Soup, broth, bouillon
Cereals (oatmeal, cream of wheat, corn flakes)
Pudding and custard
Eggs
Tofu
Toast
Soda crackers.
4)Eat small meals often. Do not allow your stomach to be empty.
Quit consuming caffeine.
Have cold food or drink.
Have antihistamines like BENEDRYL.
If the antiemetics like Bonine and phenothiazines are available over the counter in your location then you can try giving him before food 2 times daily for 5 days. If not available then get them prescribed by a doctor.
5)Many a time patient needs antianxiety medicines, which you have get prescribed by doctor.
Any issues do update me.
Take care.
Good hydration
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting a query,
I read your query and and understood the concern for your husband.
The nausea your husband is suffering from looks to be a cause of electrolyte imbalance and dehydration.
Follow the below mentioned guidelines which may help him.
If the symptoms persists even after doing these remedies you need to consult a doctor immediately.
1) Drink plenty of fluids. One of the main causes of dry heaving is that there are not enough fluids circulating in your body, causing fluid imbalance. Your best course of action, then, is to drink plenty of fluids. Remember the rule: drink at least 8-12 glasses of water every day. Sports drinks with electrolytes are good, too, to correct this imbalance.
2) Eat something sweet to get your blood sugar up. Low blood sugar (or hypoglycemia) is a signal that your body is missing some nutrients that you need to fully function. This can cause dry heaving and also serve as a warning.[3] Luckily, it can be quickly remedied by eating a popsicle or some candy
3)Eat bland foods like.
Soup, broth, bouillon
Cereals (oatmeal, cream of wheat, corn flakes)
Pudding and custard
Eggs
Tofu
Toast
Soda crackers.
4)Eat small meals often. Do not allow your stomach to be empty.
Quit consuming caffeine.
Have cold food or drink.
Have antihistamines like BENEDRYL.
If the antiemetics like Bonine and phenothiazines are available over the counter in your location then you can try giving him before food 2 times daily for 5 days. If not available then get them prescribed by a doctor.
5)Many a time patient needs antianxiety medicines, which you have get prescribed by doctor.
Any issues do update me.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Priyanka G Raj
Answered by
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