Weird Gastro Symptoms

[Chrisjr19]

Hi everyone, sorry if anyone’s posted something similar, had a look and didn’t see anything so thought I’d post.

I know gastro symptoms are part and parcel of ME/CFS and currently awaiting a colonoscopy after having a variety of scans and other tests that can find nothing with regards to my stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, etc (apart from a few months last year when my levels of Amylase from the pancreas were raised).

Does anyone else have discomfort under the left ribs that gets worse after eating (along with feeling like I’ve eaten too much/bloated in same area). It also makes it uncomfortable to lie on my left side in bed but not always. I also get what I can only describe as feeling like something foreign is around where my stomach is that can be worse when sitting in the car or slouching.

I’ve noticed that taking high strength probiotics can help reduce the symptoms but it gets worse after I stop taking them.

Thanks in advance for any help or feedback you can give 😃

 

[BeADocToGoTo1]

Yes, those are pains that I had for quite a while and in hindsight they were related to my pancreas damage. Since you had elevated amylase levels, it can be related to pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis) or duct issues. That does not mean it is the pancreas, but these symptoms should not be taken lightly. Did the scans you had include an MRI MRCP?

I have a thread dedicated to pancreas damage here:

https://forums.phoenixrising.me/thr...y-epi-and-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-cfs.62997/

Not sure if you saw this on another thread, but I will post it here as well.

Tests to consider if you have not already looked at pancreas issues or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI):

1. 24 hour fecal fat test - Simple, cheap and tests if you are breaking down fat properly, which can indicate pancreas dysfunction.

2. MRI MRCP with contrast - It gives a 3D picture of the gallbladder and high resolution liver, pancreas, gallbladder, ducts, stomach intestines.

3. Genova Diagnostics - FMV ONE - Gives a great overall picture of nutrient deficiencies, microbiome dysbiosis, pancreatic enzyme issues, and many more. Biochemistry and metabolomics in practice. This test should be standard for all primary care and family practice doctors as a regular preventative maintenance test, and for anything chronic or hard to diagnose. Great Plains Laboratories has similar tests.

4. Genova Diagnostics - Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis 2.0 with Parasitology (microbiome dysbiosis indicators), Fecal Fat Distribution (checks if you have issues with different types of fat intake and digestion), Elastase (for EPI, pancreas enzyme marker)and Chymotrypsin (for EPI, pancreas enzyme marker). Doctor's Data has similar tests.

There are many reasons for malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies often overlooked by doctors, so it would be good to rule out things like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), Candida yeast overgrowth, food sensitivities or allergies, gluten sensititivity, Chrohn's etc. Sadly most doctors do not thoroughly look at inputs and outputs, and often overlook symptoms that are due to micro-nutrient deficiencies. Just in case you have not looked into this, have you tested for nutrient deficiencies or any form of malabsorption or microbiome dysbiosis which can cause nutrient deficiencies? These can also cause severe pains, bloating and many other issues.

5. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) breath test, for example, Commonwealth Diagnostics International. But the FMV ONE will also provide an indication.

6. HbA1c. Also look at HbA1c as a quick, standard indicator of excess sugar intake which impacts your microbiome, pancreas functioning amongst many other things. 5.2% or lower is what I strive for.

One other (often touchy) subject is food and beverage. Have you taken an honest hard look at all your food and beverage intake? Do you keep a food intake diary and keep track of symptoms and times to see if there is a correlation?

 

[kangaSue]

SMA Syndrome can give you similar symptoms. This can chug along for years as a mild thing or even be transient before turning into a more severe chronic condition.

 

[Chrisjr19]

Yes, those are pains that I had for quite a while and in hindsight they were related to my pancreas damage. Since you had elevated amylase levels, it can be related to pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis) or duct issues. That does not mean it is the pancreas, but these symptoms should not be taken lightly. Did the scans you had include an MRI MRCP?

I have a thread dedicated to pancreas damage here:

https://forums.phoenixrising.me/thr...y-epi-and-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-cfs.62997/

Not sure if you saw this on another thread, but I will post it here as well.

Tests to consider if you have not already looked at pancreas issues or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI):

1. 24 hour fecal fat test - Simple, cheap and tests if you are breaking down fat properly, which can indicate pancreas dysfunction.

2. MRI MRCP with contrast - It gives a 3D picture of the gallbladder and high resolution liver, pancreas, gallbladder, ducts, stomach intestines.

3. Genova Diagnostics - FMV ONE - Gives a great overall picture of nutrient deficiencies, microbiome dysbiosis, pancreatic enzyme issues, and many more. Biochemistry and metabolomics in practice. This test should be standard for all primary care and family practice doctors as a regular preventative maintenance test, and for anything chronic or hard to diagnose. Great Plains Laboratories has similar tests.

4. Genova Diagnostics - Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis 2.0 with Parasitology (microbiome dysbiosis indicators), Fecal Fat Distribution (checks if you have issues with different types of fat intake and digestion), Elastase (for EPI, pancreas enzyme marker)and Chymotrypsin (for EPI, pancreas enzyme marker). Doctor's Data has similar tests.

There are many reasons for malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies often overlooked by doctors, so it would be good to rule out things like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), Candida yeast overgrowth, food sensitivities or allergies, gluten sensititivity, Chrohn's etc. Sadly most doctors do not thoroughly look at inputs and outputs, and often overlook symptoms that are due to micro-nutrient deficiencies. Just in case you have not looked into this, have you tested for nutrient deficiencies or any form of malabsorption or microbiome dysbiosis which can cause nutrient deficiencies? These can also cause severe pains, bloating and many other issues.

5. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) breath test, for example, Commonwealth Diagnostics International. But the FMV ONE will also provide an indication.

6. HbA1c. Also look at HbA1c as a quick, standard indicator of excess sugar intake which impacts your microbiome, pancreas functioning amongst many other things. 5.2% or lower is what I strive for.

One other (often touchy) subject is food and beverage. Have you taken an honest hard look at all your food and beverage intake? Do you keep a food intake diary and keep track of symptoms and times to see if there is a correlation?

Thank you so much for all of this information, this is definitely an area worth chasing down, I’ve been feeling like my pancreas is to blame the whole time. I was diagnosed with IBS about 10 - 12 years ago but wonder whether it’s related. I don’t get some of the classic symptoms of abdominal pain lower down just the upset stomach and problems digesting food with upper abdominal discomfort.

I’ve had a ton of blood tests (all function of organs, blood cell counts, inflammation, vitamin storage/deficiency, electrolytes, muscle wastage, etc, have come back normal apart from the blip with the Amylase and my potassium being low once along with high liver enzymes earlier last year that went away after a couple of months).

So far had a CT scan with enhanced contrast in June last year which was specifically looking at the pancreas although checked upper and lower abdomen and lower chest too. An upper endoscopy to check stomach, 3 x upper and lower abdominal ultrasounds 1 every 6 months.

A few chest X-rays because of chest pain and rib pain.

Stool sample checked but think they were looking for stomach bugs more than anything.

Waiting for colonoscopy which should be in next few weeks.

Doctors have tried a couple of different ppi’s, buscopan, etc for stomach issues but nothing has helped.

They found a couple of polyps in the gallbladder but these have remained unchanged over repeat scans and are only 3mm in size.

Am now on propranolol because I keep getting these weird episodes a bit like a panic attack that come from nowhere and make heart rate go through the roof, feel dizzy and faint, etc. They normally come on around tea time or when i go to bed. Along with this I get a variety of palpitations.

I’m going to start keeping a good diary as I suspect I’m having a problem with dairy. A couple of times when I’ve had too much all hell breaks loose without going in to details 😂 my diet isn’t as good as it should be as find veg and healthy food upsets stomach more.

When I’m back at the GP’s I’ll ask about the fat in stool test as that would be useful for a start.

I get so many weird and wonderful symptoms affecting various areas of the body/systems that the GP’s look at me like I’m mad (which I imagine is common with ME/CFS). I’ve had so many tests the doctor refused to do any more investigations last time I was there 🙁

 

[Chrisjr19]

SMA Syndrome can give you similar symptoms. This can chug along for years as a mild thing or even be transient before turning into a more severe chronic condition.

Thank you, this is another interesting avenue, I’ll have a look into this too 😃

 

[BeADocToGoTo1]

...I was diagnosed with IBS about 10 - 12 years ago but wonder whether it’s related. I don’t get some of the classic symptoms of abdominal pain lower down just the upset stomach and problems digesting food with upper abdominal discomfort.

IBS is often a signal that food and beverage intake and insults need to be closely studied. Elimination or temporary reset diets are good for this, but it is also worthwhile checking for any allergies or sensitivies. Gluten, dairy, legumes are quite common ones.

Digestion issues and abdominal discomfort can happen when you are not breaking down food properly. This can have many possible causes, such as bile production or gallbladder duct related, pancreatic enzyme, inflammation or pancreatic duct related, stomach acid issues (not acid enough), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, Candida yeast overgrowth, pathogenic bacteria, etc. All things to rule out.

I’ve had a ton of blood tests (all function of organs, blood cell counts, inflammation, vitamin storage/deficiency, electrolytes, muscle wastage, etc, have come back normal apart from the blip with the Amylase and my potassium being low once along with high liver enzymes earlier last year that went away after a couple of months).

Sounds familiar. I had 20+ doctors stumped after hundreds of tests. I have since been trying to educate as many as will listen through my book, as many symptoms are often not linked with malabsorption or EPI issues. Many tests are not considered by doctors. And rarely is there a comprehensive approach to help support the body in healing.

A few chest X-rays because of chest pain and rib pain.

Sounds familiar. So much bone pain, chest, ribs, in between the ribs, back, spine, abdominal, etc. None of the x-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds showed anything wrong.

Stool sample checked but think they were looking for stomach bugs more than anything.

Waiting for colonoscopy which should be in next few weeks.

Colonoscopy is good to rule out certain things, but in my case it showed nothing wrong. It will not tell you anything about malabsorption issues or EPI. It would be good if they check your stomach pH level at that time. too. Stool tests are good, but it does depend how comprehensive they were.

Am now on propranolol because I keep getting these weird episodes a bit like a panic attack that come from nowhere and make heart rate go through the roof, feel dizzy and faint, etc. They normally come on around tea time or when i go to bed. Along with this I get a variety of palpitations.

Also had these symptoms. I would get anxious out of nowhere, or a panic attack for no reason or even from a deep sleep. Dizzy spells were frequent. Palpitations and skipped beats, flip-flopping feeling of the heart was happening for a long time.

Have you checked your blood glucose levels when you get these attacks? Sometimes it was blood glucose that would go too low, especially during sleep. My body would then dump adrenaline to wake me up and blast me out of sleep in a panic. In hindsight, those were hypoglycemic episodes. It is why it is important to check things like fasting insulin, blood glucose, ketones, HbA1c, C-peptide, as your blood glucose and insulin system might be out of balance.

Also, micronutrient deficiencies messed with my neurotransmitters, hence the constant fight or flight feeling. Regarding the heart, again micronutrient deficiencies were the cause even though my cardiologist was talking pace maker and ablation. Malabsorption caused micronutrient deficiencies, which in turn caused issues with metabolic pathways and mitochondrial functioning, and heart and lung issues. For the heart you could look into taking a mitochondria supplement cocktail including CoQ10 (amazing!), B1, B2 vitamins, magnesium, creatine, and L-Carnitine.

I’m going to start keeping a good diary as I suspect I’m having a problem with dairy. A couple of times when I’ve had too much all hell breaks loose without going in to details 😂 my diet isn’t as good as it should be as find veg and healthy food upsets stomach more.

Good, it always helps to be able to analyze it better. Have a look at Primal lifestyle for food ideas as it really helped me. It is essentially what our grandparents would have just called food. It was absolutely crucial in stemming the insults to the body, and provide better healing support to the body. We have completely lost the plot on what is a normal carb intake for our DNA, or what is considered healthy food, or just the sheer amount of chemicals, herbicides, pesticides in the food and drink(and water).

I get so many weird and wonderful symptoms affecting various areas of the body/systems that the GP’s look at me like I’m mad (which I imagine is common with ME/CFS). I’ve had so many tests the doctor refused to do any more investigations last time I was there 🙁

I know the feeling! I had many dozens of symptoms spanning every part of my body and went to dozens of specialists. I even had four doctors tell me my pancreas was fine, and perhaps it was psychological. Do not ever give up when you hear this type of feedback. You know best how you should be feeling.

 

[kangaSue]

Thank you, this is another interesting avenue, I’ll have a look into this too 😃

Going by your further mention of some other symptoms, you'd want to be ruling out renal Nutcracker Syndrome and MALS (Median arcuate ligament syndrome). You will sometimes have a bruit sound with any of these, get your GP to see if they can hear this (in the epigastric area).
MALS is a condition that is little known to be a cause of a mildly elevated amylase and/or lipase level.

 

[BeADocToGoTo1]

One other test to consider is a blood test called Trypsin that I forgot to mention.

 

[Chrisjr19]

Going by your further mention of some other symptoms, you'd want to be ruling out renal Nutcracker Syndrome and MALS (Median arcuate ligament syndrome). You will sometimes have a bruit sound with any of these, get your GP to see if they can hear this (in the epigastric area).
MALS is a condition that is little known to be a cause of a mildly elevated amylase and/or lipase level.

Thank you, I’ll have a look into this too!

 

[Chrisjr19]

One other test to consider is a blood test called Trypsin that I forgot to mention.

Thanks again for all of the information, given me lots to think about. I’m going to start by asking the doc to do the fat absorption test and retest amylase levels.

I’m currently taking CQ10 along with D-ribose and PQQ to help energy levels and repair and production of mitochondria. I also take b vitamin drinks.

I’ve also had doctors repeatedly tell me my pancreas is fine but the discomfort is exactly where it is located and they can’t find anything wrong with stomach.

Yes checked blood sugar when having episodes and it’s ok.

The rib, chest and spine pain is transient and comes and goes seemingly randomly. Although to be fair I have muscle knots everywhere...

 

[Alexi]

I could have written this.....my investigations are thwarted by consultant unwilling to accept that no evidence of malabsorption is not the same as evidence of no malabsorption

 

[Chrisjr19]

I could have written this.....my investigations are thwarted by consultant unwilling to accept that no evidence of malabsorption is not the same as evidence of no malabsorption

Hi Alexi, that’s where I’m up to now. Nothing was found on the Colonoscopy and the all tests come back normal.

The good news is that, whilst I’m still having problems, I’ve found something that really helps which is Slippery Elm powder.

I was visiting my mother-in-law and her friend (a doctor from London) was there. She also has ME/CFS, but has been ok for some time now.

She recommended taking a teaspoon of pure Slippery Elm powder dissolved in water last thing at night and first thing in the morning because it coats the digestive tract.

It’s really helped with my gastro symptoms and problems with excess acid. Some research suggests it helps with leaky gut too.

I’m eating well now, but still can’t put any weight on (I’m 6ft 3 and 9 stone 6 so underweight), so still think things aren’t working properly down there. But at a dead end from a gastro point of view. I’ve got a check up with the consultant in Nov, but they are likely to discharge me as they can’t find anything.

It’s definitely worth giving the Slippery Elm a try if you haven’t before though!

 

[BeADocToGoTo1]

Hi Alexi, that’s where I’m up to now. Nothing was found on the Colonoscopy and the all tests come back normal.

"All tests". This is something that I had to learn the hard way. Doctors operate from their very small silo of experience and training, and so "all tests" according to one doctor is completely meaningless. Had I not asked for tests that I wanted to get done, and I had to be very adamant, I would not be here today. These days there is luckily a lot of medical information at our fingertips where we can help the research. No one cares more for your well being and health than you do. No one has more time available to really delve into research than you do. The tests that saved my life I mentioned in a prior post.

It’s really helped with my gastro symptoms and problems with excess acid. Some research suggests it helps with leaky gut too.

Excess acid is often a misnomer and often is pointing ironically to stomach acid that is too low (pH too high) or overgrowths of bacteria or yeast. Root cause of acid reflux, silent reflux, heartburn etc. are amost always due to food and beverage intake, that over time do the damage. Alcohol, smoking, high sugar/carb, high processed food diets are often easy culprits. If it will help you and is of interest, you could pm me a typical day of all your food and drink intake to see if any elements look familiar to me. Silent reflux was one of the downstream issues that I had to resolve as well, in a multi-pronged approach. It can take many months of dietary changes to see the effect, and you have to be super strict for a few months. I dedicated a whole chapter to acid/silent reflux, yeast, and bacterial overgrowth and how I resolved them.

I’m eating well now, but still can’t put any weight on (I’m 6ft 3 and 9 stone 6 so underweight), so still think things aren’t working properly down there. But at a dead end from a gastro point of view. I’ve got a check up with the consultant in Nov, but they are likely to discharge me as they can’t find anything.

Be prepared with what you want to cover (bullet point list printed on paper for the doc is what I always did so I would not forget anything), and what tests you want to have done.

132 lbs is very low, and weight loss and inability to gain was one of my symptoms too. When you are not absorbing all your nutrients, your body will start breaking down muscle for amino acids and bone for minerals; essentially cannibalizing your own body to keep you alive.

Something to try

There is a pancreatic specialist (dr. Freedman) who suggests you can try taking pancreatic enzymes with your food to see whether that helps the symptoms, as a way to determine if you have some form of EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency). It is something simple and non-invasive to try. It helps break down your food into usable nutrients. If your primary care physician is ok with prescribing something like Creon for you to try, that would be a great option. Otherwise, you can buy over the counter versions, but they will be less strictly controlled in terms of enzyme strength and quality. I used Dipan-9 for a while until I got Creon prescription, but there are many others.

Good luck, and you can always ask me more details either here or through pm.

 

[Chrisjr19]

"All tests". This is something that I had to learn the hard way. Doctors operate from their very small silo of experience and training, and so "all tests" according to one doctor is completely meaningless. Had I not asked for tests that I wanted to get done, and I had to be very adamant, I would not be here today. These days there is luckily a lot of medical information at our fingertips where we can help the research. No one cares more for your well being and health than you do. No one has more time available to really delve into research than you do. The tests that saved my life I mentioned in a prior post.



Excess acid is often a misnomer and often is pointing ironically to stomach acid that is too low (pH too high) or overgrowths of bacteria or yeast. Root cause of acid reflux, silent reflux, heartburn etc. are amost always due to food and beverage intake, that over time do the damage. Alcohol, smoking, high sugar/carb, high processed food diets are often easy culprits. If it will help you and is of interest, you could pm me a typical day of all your food and drink intake to see if any elements look familiar to me. Silent reflux was one of the downstream issues that I had to resolve as well, in a multi-pronged approach. It can take many months of dietary changes to see the effect, and you have to be super strict for a few months. I dedicated a whole chapter to acid/silent reflux, yeast, and bacterial overgrowth and how I resolved them.



Be prepared with what you want to cover (bullet point list printed on paper for the doc is what I always did so I would not forget anything), and what tests you want to have done.

132 lbs is very low, and weight loss and inability to gain was one of my symptoms too. When you are not absorbing all your nutrients, your body will start breaking down muscle for amino acids and bone for minerals; essentially cannibalizing your own body to keep you alive.

Something to try

There is a pancreatic specialist (dr. Freedman) who suggests you can try taking pancreatic enzymes with your food to see whether that helps the symptoms, as a way to determine if you have some form of EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency). It is something simple and non-invasive to try. It helps break down your food into usable nutrients. If your primary care physician is ok with prescribing something like Creon for you to try, that would be a great option. Otherwise, you can buy over the counter versions, but they will be less strictly controlled in terms of enzyme strength and quality. I used Dipan-9 for a while until I got Creon prescription, but there are many others.

Good luck, and you can always ask me more details either here or through pm.

Thanks again for all of the help and advice @BeADocToGoTo1 it is much appreciated!

I tried the Solgar Digestive Enzymes, but they didn’t seem to make any difference and seemed to cause stomach upset, but I noticed they have Betaine HCL in as well. Tried taking that separately for a while and seemed to cause stomach pain. Guessing the levels of enzymes and quality compared to something like the Creon stuff is probably not anywhere near as good.

I’m pretty much at a dead end now, my GP says that anxiety is the cause of my issues (and the trigger of my CFS) and the last Amylase test was raised but only a little (120 odd if I remember correctly) so they wouldn’t take any further action.

I’m at the stage where there are so many symptoms across different areas of my body that the GP is lost really.

To add to all the usual stuff I’m now having further problems with my eyes and sensitivity to light/ blurry patches, but an eye test showed that my eyesight is prefect (in terms of the hardware).

Back at the GP’s today so will make a bullet point list of symptoms and run through.

 

[kangaSue]

Just another thought on the subject.
I mentioned MALS above as fitting for your symptoms, MALS can cause these symptoms by causing chronic mesenteric (intestinal) ischemia (CMI) but you can also have CMI from plaque stenosis (atherosclerosis) of the mesentery arteries, or CMI can be as a flow on from autonomic dysfunction (microvascular intestinal ischemia).
Unlike acute mesenteric ischemia which typically comes on suddenly and rapidly produces pathology signs, CMI is mostly restricted to causing short periods of ischemia around the digestion process and usually only involves the mucosa layer, the mucosa layer being self repairing so a colonoscopy won't turn up anything untoward either in the vast majority of cases.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28395788

 

[BeADocToGoTo1]

Thanks again for all of the help and advice @BeADocToGoTo1 it is much appreciated!

I tried the Solgar Digestive Enzymes, but they didn’t seem to make any difference and seemed to cause stomach upset, but I noticed they have Betaine HCL in as well. Tried taking that separately for a while and seemed to cause stomach pain. Guessing the levels of enzymes and quality compared to something like the Creon stuff is probably not anywhere near as good.

I’m pretty much at a dead end now, my GP says that anxiety is the cause of my issues (and the trigger of my CFS) and the last Amylase test was raised but only a little (120 odd if I remember correctly) so they wouldn’t take any further action.

I’m at the stage where there are so many symptoms across different areas of my body that the GP is lost really.

To add to all the usual stuff I’m now having further problems with my eyes and sensitivity to light/ blurry patches, but an eye test showed that my eyesight is prefect (in terms of the hardware).

Solgar enzymes contain so much filler ingredients including many irritants I would not touch that! Peppermint, which for some reason is included, also can also cause acid reflux. Creon or Dipan-9 will only contain pancreatin (pancreatic enzymes) to help with breaking down food. LifeExtension also has enhanced super digestive enzymes, which still contains some ingredients that I would prefer not to see, but is a lot cleaner still than Solgar.

Anxiety and panic attacks, even from deep sleep, were also symptoms I had. The large variety of symptoms that stumped >20 doctors...check. Eyesight problems like blurry sight, night blindness...check. In my case they were all due to lack of nutrients causing a vicious cycle, due to essentially not absorbing my food.

Are you able to stomach medical food (e.g. Metagenics GI Sustain or similar) or protein powders (make sure they are super clean, organic, no sugar or fillers)? Just to get a bit more calories and micro-nutrients in easy form.

 

[Chrisjr19]

Just another thought on the subject.
I mentioned MALS above as fitting for your symptoms, MALS can cause these symptoms by causing chronic mesenteric (intestinal) ischemia (CMI) but you can also have CMI from plaque stenosis (atherosclerosis) of the mesentery arteries, or CMI can be as a flow on from autonomic dysfunction (microvascular intestinal ischemia).
Unlike acute mesenteric ischemia which typically comes on suddenly and rapidly produces pathology signs, CMI is mostly restricted to causing short periods of ischemia around the digestion process and usually only involves the mucosa layer, the mucosa layer being self repairing so a colonoscopy won't turn up anything untoward either in the vast majority of cases.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28395788

Thanks @kangaSue I’ll have another look into this. I don’t get nausea after eating though and remember that being one of the main symptoms (still worth looking into every avenue though as I’m at my wits end!)

 

[Chrisjr19]

Solgar enzymes contain so much filler ingredients including many irritants I would not touch that! Peppermint, which for some reason is included, also can also cause acid reflux. Creon or Dipan-9 will only contain pancreatin (pancreatic enzymes) to help with breaking down food. LifeExtension also has enhanced super digestive enzymes, which still contains some ingredients that I would prefer not to see, but is a lot cleaner still than Solgar.

Anxiety and panic attacks, even from deep sleep, were also symptoms I had. The large variety of symptoms that stumped >20 doctors...check. Eyesight problems like blurry sight, night blindness...check. In my case they were all due to lack of nutrients causing a vicious cycle, due to essentially not absorbing my food.

Are you able to stomach medical food (e.g. Metagenics GI Sustain or similar) or protein powders (make sure they are super clean, organic, no sugar or fillers)? Just to get a bit more calories and micro-nutrients in easy form.

Thanks @BeADocToGoTo1 the symptoms you mention are eerily familiar! The panic attacks (especially waking up at 3am to have one) have become a huge pain in the a**!

I’m just at home recovering after another emergency trip to the hospital with what turned out to be a very bad panic attack. No damage to heart shown via blood test but initial ECG carried out by Ambulance guys had a slight blip (whether that was because of the panic attack though, I don’t know). Either way I’ve got to go back in the next couple of days to get a holter monitor connected for a few days to see if they can see anything up as having a lot of palpitations.

With the chest pain and pain in left arm it makes it very hard not to worry that it’s something more severe, but usually starts with overheating and sweating followed my heart speeding up rapidly, so still seems more like a panic attack to me. Even more annoying is that they come from nowhere and particularly at night or when I’m relaxing/winding down.

It doesn’t help that I’ve majorly overdone things over the last few weeks. A stressful family wedding, working in the garden and attempting for the 2nd time to do some decorating, followed by a day of entertaining friends and eating far too much food which didn’t agree with me have finished me off.

My GP wasn’t any more help and wants to refer me to the mental health team for the “anxiety”.

I definitely want to try some new digestive enzymes but I checked out the Dipan-9 and they were very expensive so I sadly can’t afford them

The Life extension ones look good and much more affordable so will order some of those! Thank you!

Not sure what the UK equivalent of the GI Sustain powder is but will have a look what I can find. I used to have Complan drinks but they are full of sugar so guessing they are not that great and they are full of dairy which doesn’t agree with me.

I also use Huel drinks when I’m run down, I get the vegan one, looks pretty healthy ingredient wise, although they do use a sweetener instead of the sugar. They are very high in fibre though which also causes issues.

Thanks again for all of the advice, it is much appreciated!

 

[Chrisjr19]

@BeADocToGoTo1 here are the Huel Ingredients:

 

[kangaSue]

Thanks @kangaSue I’ll have another look into this. I don’t get nausea after eating though and remember that being one of the main symptoms (still worth looking into every avenue though as I’m at my wits end!)

The information given about symptoms in much of the literature is only in the context of the chronic text book cases and plenty of people slip through the gaps in not having all the commonly occuring things happening at the one time nor of the expected severity.