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Does anyone crash after eating?

Wolfcub

Senior Member
Messages
7,089
Location
SW UK
I would have rise of fight and flight, via my "belly" and the vagus nerve system. It is worse in the morning and better in the evening. It is definitely after eating, and I would give much to know what it is related to.
I get the same thing. Not always but frequently.
One weird thing started happening though. I found I'd burst in to tears after eating. Not from any sad thoughts or depression, but like a reflex that I had no control over. When the tears finished (not long -maybe 3 minutes) the other feeling passed, and I could sense my belly accept the food and start the rest-and -digest stuff. (parasympathetic nervous system)
So for some reason, crying must have flipped a switch from Sympathetic to parasympathetic.
My theory is it has something to do with acetylcholine and acetylcholinesterase. I am still working on the analysis of that.
 

Wolfcub

Senior Member
Messages
7,089
Location
SW UK
@Wolfcub as you say fast gut, I wonder whether you had a form of investigation of pancreas elastase, and also those who do better on enzymes might want to look into that, because you could have this not so severe but in a lighter form.
No I haven't had pancreas elastase examined, and it's hard to get anything done here in lockdown at the moment, which isn't an out-and-out emergency. Is that a stool test, or blood?

But yes my gut is fast. Full transit is usually about 15 hours
 
Messages
93
I notice I fall asleep after most meals, and the effect is much more pronounced when my fatigue is worse (eg winter).

I suggest it is normal to be slightly fatigued after eating, and that is why many cultures such as Indians (from India) and Latin Americans take naps after meals.

I think the problem becomes much more pronounced for us with CFS though. Just like high temps and humidity outdoors tire me out, so does a meal.

It helps to avoid starches, and fasting helps too until I eat next time.
 

judyinthesky

Senior Member
Messages
361
@Wolfcub wow! I think you should do a stool elastase sample, because it is an easy labor test. So if labors are available, it would just be one test you need to do. It can help with assessing whether enzymes might help. Particularly if you have always diarrhea. And are a little symptom twin. I would be interested in the other illnesses you might have.

"One weird thing started happening though. I found I'd burst in to tears after eating. Not from any sad thoughts or depression, but like a reflex that I had no control over. When the tears finished (not long -maybe 3 minutes) the other feeling passed, and I could sense my belly accept the food and start the rest-and -digest stuff. (parasympathetic nervous system) "
I can understand that, because I get grumpy after eating. An uncomfortable feeling of tunig up the nervous system - now which part would that be... haha I suppose the sympathetic one. Crying in general can help to release stuff so it would make some sense. Yes it definitely is not related to any sad thoughts. But my fatigue is related to rumination and sad thoughts.

@Slushiefan yes I say some extent is normal, but it is not so normal that you get fatigued AND strange happenings in your nervous system, pseudo palpitations etc. So there is a fatigue syndrome, and there seems to be something else, because not all with CFS describe this, but I suppose nerves are very individual.
 

bensmith

Senior Member
Messages
1,547
Having this very bad all of a sudden. Gives me anxiety attack too for some reason. Or maybe something similar. My heart rate shoots up to 150 and i feel im going to pass out before my heart goes nuts. Its really weird and scary.

Not sure what the plan is atm. Maybe sipping liq food. Like ru i wonder if its my body cutting energy.

First meal is def the worst. Has anybody seen a stomach doctor for this issue?
 
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Wolfcub

Senior Member
Messages
7,089
Location
SW UK
@bensmith I know exactly what you mean because I was getting that same horrible feeling esp. in the 1st year of ME/CFS. It's not so bad now, but I can still sometimes feel a bit of "fight-or-flight" thing going on after eating, almost as if receiving food has shocked my whole system.

It could be related to something going on in the Vagus nerve. I have definitely found belly breathing and mindful diaphragmatoc breathing (for about 15 minutes BEFORE eating) helps.

The first meal is a big shock too because there has been a period of fasting, and as soon as food goes in, blood supply rushes to the digestive system from all over the place. That can mess with blood pressure too.

I wonder if drinking something like warm water with honey mixed into it for a little while before eating that first meal could help calm symptoms?

I always have some honey (good stuff like raw honey etc) in the morning, on a spoon, and my herbal tea on the side, at least 30 minutes before eating, and I find that helps reduce the "shock" feelings.
 

bensmith

Senior Member
Messages
1,547
Ok ty so much @Wolfcub ill try this and glad itcalmrd a bit its bizarre. I have noticed breathing mindfully does help, but ill try and donsome morr pretp like you mention.
 
Messages
14
hi, i am struggling with the same problem and it is slowly driving me crazy. :) What causes the symptoms (for me): too much addrenaline (I don’t have an addrenaline-producing tumor based on CT, so it’s a vegetative nervous system problem). I went a little further and it turned out that I have autoimmune small fiber neuropathy, which led to dysautonomy in me and this may also be responsible for the symptoms of CFS. I did the test used by CellTrend and the problem was revealed there. (of course I haven't been able to get treatment so far ....) Perseverance for everyone !!
 

bensmith

Senior Member
Messages
1,547
Glad to hear that congrats! I need to try and figure iut a way to adress jt but my issues keep piling up. Like a new one every 10 days lol. What kind of doctor diagnosed you? Who deals with this stuff?

What is your treatment?
 

gbells

Improved ME from 2 to 6
Messages
1,491
Location
Alexandria, VA USA
If I wake up- have black coffee only, I can feel almost normal until I get hungry enough to eat.

No matter what I eat- 45 mins later or so I come down with brain fog, lethargy, that distinct feeling you’ve been poisoned.

infant, fasting with moderate exercise can actually fix me for a few days.

soon as I eat- I re-enter the state where time does not exist anymore and before I know it it’s 12am and I’ve no recollection of what I’ve even been doing or thinking about.

it really feeling like a signaling problem or something.

Watch your glucose load. Eating fast absorbing sugars causes big blood sugar swings.
 
Messages
14
Glad to hear that congrats! I need to try and figure iut a way to adress jt but my issues keep piling up. Like a new one every 10 days lol. What kind of doctor diagnosed you? Who deals with this stuff?

What is your treatment?
a neurologist who also deals with vegetative nervous system dysfunctions. In my case, he was a neuromuscular specialist because unfortunately I also have a problem of muscle origin, muscular dystrophy (with constantly elevated CK enzyme values, which is also due to the autoimmune process ...). IVIG could help with it, as it is autoimmune, but the insurer does not cover the costs .... sucks
 

Sledgehammer

Senior Member
Messages
270
For me it varies. I had orginally put it all down to the gut and a change in diet did very little. One day I could eat in the morning and it wouldn't affect me. Other days I would eat when up and I could feel the fatigue creep up on me very soon after, then I'd have to rest.

While typing this my Tinnitus is getting louder and that's the signal I'm in for a rough evening.
I ate around 2pm today. It's now 6.30pm.
 
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bensmith

Senior Member
Messages
1,547
Weird you say that my tinitus is bad lately too.

Interesting wasnt or isnt consistsnt.

Man im having some weird issues. When i crash after eating i always get half unconcious, my sexaul body gets really activated, feels like im working towards a wet dream. It gets hard and really hurts if i eat too much. I also get some hallucinations in think. Wtf. In raised my ldn? Also started when i added gcmaf, but honestly i was getting cold after eating before, and the ldn gave me that weird easure feeling before but it get insane now with after eating.
 
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Sledgehammer

Senior Member
Messages
270
Weird you say that my tinitus is bad lately too.

Interesting wasnt or isnt consistsnt.

Man im having some weird issues. When i crash after eating i always get half unconcious, my sexaul body gets really activated, feels like im working towards a wet dream. It gets hard and really hurts if i eat too much. I also get some hallucinations in think. Wtf. In raised my ldn? Also started when i added gcmaf, but honestly i was getting cold after eating before, and the ldn gave me that weird easure feeling before but it get insane now with after eating.

My tinnitus started with this illness over a decade ago and hasn't given me a break since.
I also have Chronic Sinus issues that nothing will cure. I sometimes forget my routine when it comes to eating and suffer as a consequence. Mind you it doesn't really matter as it's all hit and miss.
 

livinglighter

Senior Member
Messages
379
Daily evening crashing has led me to look into diabetic neuropathy / autonomic neuropathy. Reactive/fasting hypoglycaemia and postprandial hypoglycaemia. I also worked out I use food to try and regulate/improve my energy and I opt for carbs and sugars to do it.

the crashes I experience now sound a lot like sugar crashes, which happen during a hypoglycaemic episode. However, autonomic neuropathy causes difficulties with identifying it as you don’t get the shakes or faint.
Some people have been diagnosed with reactive hypo on here and have benefited from adopting a keto diet. Tight blood sugar control is said to help all the mentioned illnesses. I also have improved sustained energy when I eliminate sugars and carbs from my diet, it’s just really hard to stick to because if I don’t eat on time I need a sugar/carb to help me. Or if I over exert myself I need lots of sugars and carbs to help me.
 
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Aspen

Senior Member
Messages
145
I always have some honey (good stuff like raw honey etc) in the morning, on a spoon, and my herbal tea on the side, at least 30 minutes before eating, and I find that helps reduce the "shock" feelings.
Interesting! I usually have a cup of tea with honey in the morning, it’s the only thing that I can have without kicking off a sympathetic rush. I fast until lunch and I just dread eating, even if I’m hungry... I always feel in fight/flight afterwards and my energy tanks pretty steadily for the rest of the day after lunch. When I’m at my worst I can only have liquid meals and struggle to keep enough weight on. I eat a low-sugar & carb diet already and I avoid a bunch of foods I’ve become intolerant to... I don’t have much else I can take out of my diet at this point.

I recently bought organic food grade lavendar essential oils, waiting for them to arrive in the mail. I’m going to try drinking a few drops in water before I eat and see if that helps balance my nervous system. I saw someone suggest that somewhere on here, and I’ve had really good success with frankincense oils to help with cough and respiratory inflammation so hoping the lavender takes some of the edge off this too.
 

gbells

Improved ME from 2 to 6
Messages
1,491
Location
Alexandria, VA USA
I recently bought organic food grade lavendar essential oils, waiting for them to arrive in the mail. I’m going to try drinking a few drops in water before I eat and see if that helps balance my nervous system.

They are a strong antianxiety treatment. I was the person who discovered this. Do not use more than 2 drops stirred in 6 oz water and sipped as that is a strong dose. Lavender is proven by research to work, is very economical, is nonaddicting and safe.
 

Aspen

Senior Member
Messages
145
They are a strong antianxiety treatment. I was the person who discovered this. Do not use more than 2 drops stirred in 6 oz water and sipped as that is a strong dose. Lavender is proven by research to work, is very economical, is nonaddicting and safe.
Thank you! I will try this, for sure. I appreciate the instructions. :thumbsup: