Mast Cell Disorders Forum

Mast Cell Disorders Forum
http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl General Mast Cell Disorders Discussion >> Symptoms >> Slow GI motility http://mastcelldisorders.wallack.us/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1324176369 Message started by hb36 on 12/17/11 at 14:46:09

Title: Slow GI motility
Post by hb36 on 12/17/11 at 14:46:09

Can anyone suggest anything to try for constipation? Sometimes I feel like I can't possibly have MCAS. So many of you seem to have the opposite problem. My stomach is not distended so I don't think I am swollen to be causing it. I am using probiotics, ranitidine, miralax and just added a little magnesium for this. Following low histamine diet and GF recently too but still learning. Any suggestions until I can see my doctor next? Thanks!

Title: Re: Slow GI motility
Post by redbird on 12/17/11 at 16:04:49

stewed prunes..or prune juice..taste bad but a good natural product

Title: Re: Slow GI motility
Post by Joan on 12/17/11 at 18:28:01

My suggestions would be, if you're not already doing these.....

Drink more water
Eat salads and fresh fruits and veggies every day
Eat more high fiber foods, such as whole grains
Eliminate potentially binding foods from your diet, such as rice and cheese
Don't take any calcium supplements with calcium carbonate in them.
Try the probiotics every other day or just 3 times per week
Keep track of what you're eating and correlate that with your symptoms
See your gynecologist for a check-up

Title: Re: Slow GI motility
Post by Riverwn on 12/18/11 at 03:53:15

Hi hb!!
I just wanted to let you know that both chronic diarrhea and constipation are symptoms of this disease. We often end up playing both ends (ha another pun lol). Hope you feel better soon!
hugs
Ramona

Title: Re: Slow GI motility
Post by ShellyHunter on 12/18/11 at 08:27:40

Not having diarrhea but being constipated most of the time is what makes my dr second guess diagnosing me with MCAD. He says I should have awful diarrhea. I say I am on too many meds that keep me constipated, I can't have diarrhea. He says I should anyway.

Title: Re: Slow GI motility
Post by Riverwn on 12/18/11 at 12:11:05

Shelly not having diarrhea is good it probably means that you are doing well tweaking your meds. I get diarrhea when either my meds arent right or I eat something I shouldnt have. You dont "have" to have it if youre under control. Tell your DR he will learn from YOU , lol.
hugs
Ramona

Title: Re: Slow GI motility
Post by hb36 on 12/19/11 at 08:19:21

Thanks for the tips everyone! I went to get a massage today and the therapist said my muscles are in knots...maybe my stomach is too. I called my doctor today because of very low bp and stomach issues. I am hoping he will start me on Gastrocom...guess I'm hoping it will help the constipation.

Ramona, nice to see you on here! I was beginning to worry about you :)

Title: Re: Slow GI motility
Post by Riverwn on 12/19/11 at 09:21:44

Hi hb and thanks for the kind words :)

What strength of Zantac do you take?? I take 300 mg twice a day, which is normal for most of us on the board....If you have any problem with heartburn or GERD take Prilosec (the cheap generic one) but only take it temporarily (30 days) OR when you need it. This is a proton pump inhibitor and will help you get the acid under control.

While you wait to see your DR I would try to stay on more natural forms of help for that constipation--like prunes, applesauce etc... hot drinks in the morning, walking (as much is comfortable for you) yogurt with live cultures, etc. If you need to use a medication, I would not go any farther than something like COLACE which is over the counter, cheap and is a softener not a laxative. The problem with us is, if you push the issue too far you will throw yourself into the opposite side--diarrhea. Thats why I suggest whatever you do, make it gentle. I agree with Joans suggestions too. Hope youre better soon.
hugs
Ramona

Title: Re: Slow GI motility
Post by shabrans on 12/20/11 at 04:40:46

I also have troubles with constipation and am limited in foods I can eat to remedy this as have problems with saliclyates as well as histamines.I do try to walk or do yoga daily(small amts as activity is trigger-i have fibro so doesnt take much activity).Anyways I laso take probiotic daily and recently went from 1 to 2 tablets magnesium daily which is now starting to help-i have used epsom salts too in small amts but taste so horrible and dont want that as routine thing.Gastrocrom did help some too but now decreasing dose waiting for ketotifen instead as gastro is just too expensive for me. Good luck.

Title: Re: Slow GI motility
Post by hb36 on 12/20/11 at 08:45:47

Thanks! yes, I take Zantac 300 mg twice a day. It doesn't seem to help much though. My stomach still churns over and over. You can hear it and it grosses people out! I was taking Omeprazole for several months (prescribed by my GI) long before I had even heard of mast cell stuff. I read that you can have problems with B12 deficiency, etc. after long term use of PPIs so I quit and I had a total rebound effect that was awful. So now I am afraid to try it again :( Maybe I just need to get over that fear.

Shabrans, do you find that increasing the magnesium lowered your blood pressure alot? I often have low BP and I was a little worried about increasing for that reason. Yes, Gastrocom is so expensive which is why I am not on it yet!

Title: Re: Slow GI motility
Post by Kate: on 12/20/11 at 12:00:43

I don't have any suggestions for you, but just wanted you to know that I have MCAS and battle constipation. Probiotics and magnesium seem to help.

Kate

Title: Re: Slow GI motility
Post by shabrans on 12/27/11 at 15:10:41

I have not noticed any change in blood pressure with magnesium and I do have uuproblems with it dropping sometimes though much more stable with all the meds

Title: Re: Slow GI motility
Post by Joan on 12/27/11 at 20:31:31

I use epsom salts in my baths. Supposedly, it's absorbed through the skin.

Simethicone helps a gassy stomach. Gas-Ex or a generic, used as directed on the box, can keep the noise down. Run it by your doc, though, before trying anything new.

Title: Re: Slow GI motility
Post by iamnotalone on 12/28/11 at 17:11:28

Omygosh;
I recently P.M.ed Lisa cuz I had "issues" with "Fast Motility", and was too embarassed too ask the forum ! :-[
I was wondering if it's okay to take something like Imodium, etc.?
Anyhow, how silly of me :D ! Hb36- how does your body react after a massage ? I've had two since being diagnosed. First time, I was fine. Second time, I had awful gut issues- but couldve been cuz Id indulged a bit the day before -and toxins were releasing :-/ ? I'm going for a massage on Friday, so we'll see...
so good to know we're not alone!