Feel The Burn

[Nyxie63]

Gotta love it! Where else can we discuss this stuff?

Anyone else get this? I'm sitting on the toilet, minding my own business, doing my excremeditation. When the stools come out, they burn! Its like an "I've been eating hot peppers" kinda burn. The stools can be either C or D. Doesn't seem to make any difference in the burn or not.

I don't get this all the time. Maybe a once a month, although it seems to last for a couple of days. I had a colonoscopy back in Sept and everything was normal, except for a mild case of diverticulosis, so there aren't any fissures, hemerroids, or anything like that.

Is it something to be concerned about? Is this part of being GI or do you think there's still something in my diet that needs to be eliminated? I've already cut out gluten, corn, soy, and sugar. I've switched over to raw dairy as opposed to commercial dairy products, although I still cheat a little from time to time (and pay for it). The raw dairy doesn't seem to cause the gastro problems the commercial dairy did. And the commercial dairy (when I do cheat) doesn't seem to be related, due to timing.

Any ideas?

[JNBunnie1]

Gotta love it! Where else can we discuss this stuff?

Anyone else get this? I'm sitting on the toilet, minding my own business, doing my excremeditation. When the stools come out, they burn! Its like an "I've been eating hot peppers" kinda burn. The stools can be either C or D. Doesn't seem to make any difference in the burn or not.

I don't get this all the time. Maybe a once a month, although it seems to last for a couple of days. I had a colonoscopy back in Sept and everything was normal, except for a mild case of diverticulosis, so there aren't any fissures, hemerroids, or anything like that.

Is it something to be concerned about? Is this part of being GI or do you think there's still something in my diet that needs to be eliminated? I've already cut out gluten, corn, soy, and sugar. I've switched over to raw dairy as opposed to commercial dairy products, although I still cheat a little from time to time (and pay for it). The raw dairy doesn't seem to cause the gastro problems the commercial dairy did. And the commercial dairy (when I do cheat) doesn't seem to be related, due to timing.

Any ideas?

I was gonna guess hemmorhoids, sorry, not much help.

[ravenwoodglass]

I get this also but only when glutened. I have intolerances to dairy and soy and just did a stupid little challenge yesterday that left me on the throne for quite a while. No burn effect at all. In my case I think it is a DH type reaction and will occur for two or three days after a glutening.

[jewi0008]

Gotta love it! Where else can we discuss this stuff?

Anyone else get this? I'm sitting on the toilet, minding my own business, doing my excremeditation. When the stools come out, they burn! Its like an "I've been eating hot peppers" kinda burn. The stools can be either C or D. Doesn't seem to make any difference in the burn or not.

I don't get this all the time. Maybe a once a month, although it seems to last for a couple of days. I had a colonoscopy back in Sept and everything was normal, except for a mild case of diverticulosis, so there aren't any fissures, hemerroids, or anything like that.

Is it something to be concerned about? Is this part of being GI or do you think there's still something in my diet that needs to be eliminated? I've already cut out gluten, corn, soy, and sugar. I've switched over to raw dairy as opposed to commercial dairy products, although I still cheat a little from time to time (and pay for it). The raw dairy doesn't seem to cause the gastro problems the commercial dairy did. And the commercial dairy (when I do cheat) doesn't seem to be related, due to timing.

Any ideas?

I know EXACTLY what you are talking about! I get this, too...I think when I'm glutened. I cannot trace it...I only know that when I eat badly it happens. Usually it's just for one day...and typically the morning after. It hurts and burns so badly. You are not crazy; it really does happen. I wish someone could tell me what food(s) cause it, too!

[cyberprof]

Yep, a constant occurrence prior to diagnosis, only when glutened now. I used to have to carry baby wipes with me in my wallet everywhere I went!

[Lisa]

Oh yes!

This is what sent me to the doctors - flaming poop and yellow in color with no warning. It felt like all my stomach acids were leaving my body. Yup, gluten.

[Nyxie63]

Thanks for your replies!

I had this before going gluten-free, but am paying much more attention to my body these days. Before it was a minor annoyance. Now, I see it as a warning sign of something going on. Yay Paranoia! (or Yay Self Awareness! depending on your point of view)

Its possible I'm getting glutened, largely because we live in a mixed household. Hubby still eats gluteny stuff and doesn't quite get the concept of CC. I gotta give the guy a bit of a break tho, since this all came on kind of sudden and its only been 3 weeks since my self dx. We're working on it. Come to think of it, he got a bunch of cereal dust (sugar smacks) all over the counter the other morning. I thought I got it all, but might have missed some or it might have gotten into something.

It looks like I'm going to have to start keeping a food diary again. I suspect strawberries may be a culprit, only because they've recently started making my tongue go slightly numb when I eat them. And I looooooves strawberries! *sigh*

[Lisa]

Dairy can have that same symptomatic response.

[Nyxie63]

Dairy can have that same symptomatic response.

Ah Crud!

Guess that means no more cheating, huh? Will try dropping all dairy (including the raw dairy) for a week and see what happens.

[Ursa Major]

I get that awful burn (accompanied by diarrhea) from potatoes. So, it can be caused by things other than gluten or dairy.

Gluten will give me D, but it won't burn. Only potatoes do that to me.

[Idiote Savante Goddess]

My son gets D and "the Burn" from tomatoes - both cooked and raw. I don't know if he gets it from other nightshades (he's an adult - I haven't asked lately).

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Nyxie63,

I also have experienced this, and so has my brother! I thought it was my stomach acid. That is what I figured. The thing is, I seem to have bile come out due to my gallbladder being removed several years ago. Most of the time, this occurs after eating high fat foods.

Dear Momma Goose,

I wondered if anyone else had that! I think that yellow stuff might be bile. The trouble occurs with me more when I consume high fat foods. Normally, I avoid them. My body appears to be overly acidic as it is, so I am trying to eat more alkaline foods now.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[Mango04]

It can be a sign that your body is detoxing.

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Mango,

I had not thought of that! You know, I have not had as much of that since drinking lemon water. Is that neat or what? Most people expect lemon to be acidic, but it is good to alkalize the system. Who would have thought?

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[Nyxie63]

Ursa Major and Idiot Savante Goddess,

Good ideas. Have started my food diary and will start keeping track of food group consumption and symptoms.

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NoGluGirl,

Odd you bring the gallbladder up. I'm planning on making an appt with the GI this week to talk to him about that (along with a few other things). I've been having pain on my right side, both front and back, about 4-5 inches right of the naval. The pain is sporadic, coming on maybe once every 7-10 days. When it hurts in the front, the pain is annoying but lasts longer and sometimes radiates down my leg or up to the shoulder. When it hurts in the back, it almost doubles me over but only lasts about 10 minutes or so. And the pain is in the exact same place - you could stick a pencil straight through and it'd hit both points. Have had this going on for about 6 months now, but keep forgetting to mention it when I see the GI (need more lists!). Not sure if this is gallbladder or not, but am going to bring it up anyway. I haven't made a connection between the pain and the burning, but now that I'm a little more aware, will start keeping track. Could also be ovarian cysts, but just had both a pelvic and trans-vag ultrasound in August and they didn't find any cysts on my right ovary.

-----------------------

Mango,

Interesting concept. Never occurred to me. Thanks!

[NoGluGirl]

Dear Nyxie63,

My gallbladder went bad when I was 20, likely due to undiagnosed Celiac. It was awful! The nausea was unrelenting. Gallbladder pain is typically below your right ribcage. Reflux is typical with it as well.

Diagnostics are far from perfect, but do help some people. HIDA scans are best to check for stones trapped in the bile duct. Small ones are a larger problem, because they tend to do this. Bile will back up as a result, and be unable to drain, causing severe pain. Basically, the HIDA scan is where you fast all night then in the morning go to the hospital for the test.

They will give you an IV, and put you up on a suspended table where pictures are taken of your gallbladder. Next, they inject you with something that makes your gallbladder contract. The entire procedure usually takes between 45 minutes to 2 hours total. Fasting is the tough part! Although mine did not show anything, a former co-worker of my father's son who was only 12 years of age was diagnosed this way. After the operation, Nicky was no longer lactose intolerant and began growing again on top of feeling better!

Gallbladder ultrasounds are done similarly. However, nothing is injected into you when this is done. Fasting is again a part of the test preparation. They do a sonogram on it to check for stones. I had this done before as well.

The final method of diagnostics for gallbladder issues is an abdominal CT. You must drink a barium preparation the night before. (Be careful about this, by the way. It can have gluten, so make sure to check that ahead of time.) You then go for the test the next day, which is mostly just laying on a table, while holding your breath as they run you through this doughnut-like thing that takes the pictures.

Unfortunately, I had a situation where the idiot doctor I had at the time of the CT when the trouble all started was convinced from day one I was crazy. As a result, she missed a gallstone I had at the time. I was so furious when I found out. The technician I had told me about the stone when I got the ultrasound done nearly four years later! To this day, I want to squeeze that moron PCP's neck until her head pops off!

The HIDA scan showed nothing, but I just knew my gallbladder was the trouble. Finally, the doctor I had referred me to a surgeon, despite his belief there was no way it could be the gallbladder because the tests showed nothing. I informed him I had done research, and discovered those tests were only about 33 percent accurate at best. Judging by my history and the fact I had a previous instance of a gallstone with the symptoms, I was a candidate for surgery. At my ten day check-up after the operation, I found out my gallbladder was inflamed and very irritated, and could have ruptured! My best advice is, no matter what, trust what your body tells you and listen to your intuition. Your instincts never steer you wrong.

Let us know what happens at the GI appointment! We will be anxious to hear! Maybe the tests can be done soon. If they find something, you can fix this terrible situation. The gallbladder can cause a lot of trouble if it is going bad and stays in there. One woman I met at the surgeon's had sludge (a sand-like substance made of bile and fats) in her gallbladder. It was not showing up, and she was misdiagnosed fifteen times in less than two months! Doctors said she was just crazy, too. Eventually, the sludge ate through her gallbladder wall into her pancreas. She now has pancreatitis, liver problems, and kidney issues that will never go away due to doctors' mistakes.

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[Nyxie63]

NoGluGirl,

Wow! Thank you so much for the detailed info! Sounds like our PCPs might be related. Wouldn't trust that woman to dx a hangnail. Thank goodness she's aware of her numerous shortcomings and refers everything... and I mean everything. It really sucks that you had to suffer needlessly for 4 more years due to her incompetence. Don't blame you one bit for being POed at her.

My hubby had his gallbladder out when he was in his late teens. They thought he was crazy as well (ok, he is.... but not in that general direction) and had complained to the dr numerous times. THey didn't even bother doing any testing, although this was 20+ years ago. Don't know how things have changed. Was finally rushed to the ER during a severe attack and (get this) they thought it was initially appendicitis. Thank goodness they located the correct organ and removed it.

I'm not entirely sure its a gallbladder problem. Still, something's not right and it needs to be checked out. The exams really don't sound that much worse than what I've been through already. I have an appt with the GI this Wednesday. So soon! Yeah, shocked me too. Will definitely post with the outcome.

You're so right about trusting your instincts. So far, when I've followed them, I've been correct more times than not. Ferritin, B vits, adrenal fatigue, aldosterone levels, and more recently, the food intolerances. My only misfire has been candida - thought I may have had it - I don't. One of these days, my drs will have to realize that I really do know what I'm talking about.

Thank you again!

[NoGluGirl]

NoGluGirl,

Wow! Thank you so much for the detailed info! Sounds like our PCPs might be related. Wouldn't trust that woman to dx a hangnail. Thank goodness she's aware of her numerous shortcomings and refers everything... and I mean everything. It really sucks that you had to suffer needlessly for 4 more years due to her incompetence. Don't blame you one bit for being POed at her.

My hubby had his gallbladder out when he was in his late teens. They thought he was crazy as well (ok, he is.... but not in that general direction) and had complained to the dr numerous times. THey didn't even bother doing any testing, although this was 20+ years ago. Don't know how things have changed. Was finally rushed to the ER during a severe attack and (get this) they thought it was initially appendicitis. Thank goodness they located the correct organ and removed it.

I'm not entirely sure its a gallbladder problem. Still, something's not right and it needs to be checked out. The exams really don't sound that much worse than what I've been through already. I have an appt with the GI this Wednesday. So soon! Yeah, shocked me too. Will definitely post with the outcome.

You're so right about trusting your instincts. So far, when I've followed them, I've been correct more times than not. Ferritin, B vits, adrenal fatigue, aldosterone levels, and more recently, the food intolerances. My only misfire has been candida - thought I may have had it - I don't. One of these days, my drs will have to realize that I really do know what I'm talking about.

Thank you again!

Dear Nyxie63,

You are so welcome! I want to save anyone from the horrors I have experienced. I was with the stupid woman doctor at first. Later, I switched to a male PCP. He was the one that relied too heavily on the tests, but was kind for the most part. Maybe your doctor and that idiot doctor I had before are sisters!

I am so angry with the female doctor I went to because she literally ruined my life. Just because she wrote what she did, every doctor I saw afterward believed I was crazy just because a doctor wrote it. They will believe anything another doctor writes! I am frightened by the morons who get a medical degree.

Common sense is often lacking in today's society. The medical community is a perfect example of this.

Your husband was lucky they figured out the trouble! If his gallbladder ruptured inside of him, the damage could have been for good. My grandfather is diabetic, and did not feel pain. He just got very ill one day. They ran tests and found his gallbladder had ruptured and was leaking pus!

Grandpa was alright, though. They got it out, and put him on antibiotics. My cousin was stuffed with stones and nothing showed up in his previous tests. Stones can pass between testing. That makes this tricky.

Ways to tell the appendix is the trouble instead is it normally has a horrible pain across the lower abdomen. It is located at the end of the small intestine, if I recall correctly. The gallbladder is close to your liver, below the right ribcage. I used to get horrible lower abdominal pain when my gallbladder was in, though. I literally felt like a double-edged sword was going right through my gut!

Some other methods of telling if it is your gallbladder can include if ginger irritates your stomach instead of helping it. No one knows why this is, but it tends to aggravate symptoms of gallbladder disease. Also, if you have tried acid reflux medications such as Prilosec, Aciphex, and other PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitors), but they only help for a while then stop working, that is another sign. Symptoms can cause people to end up in the ER, because they literally feel like they are having a heartattack with the chest pain. They discover their gallbladder is the culprit. Monitor your foods, and note how soon after a meal you feel symptoms.

When you have a high fat meal, or anything with lactose, symptoms tend to occur. With gallbladder issues, you normally take several hours after eating to react. Pain going all the way through your back is not uncommon with this. I often had trouble breathing until I could belch. Then I would be okay. Pain can go all the way up your side.

I am glad you got into the GI so quickly. Really, the hepatologist would know more about gallbladder trouble. I have not had good experiences with GI doctors. I have found them to be the most arrogant, and the most idiotic. However, you may have better doctors where you live. As you said, it may be a gallbladder issue, and it may not. Hopefully, you will find out one way or another soon!

I am glad you do not have Candida. I do, and it is miserable! That is on top of the fact I may have Lyme and all kinds of other issues. My frustration right now is getting my current physician moving on it. I now see a regular MD that is also a holistic physician. She is unsure how to interpret Western Blots, which is what the obstacle is. There are no Lyme Literate Medical Doctors here. The closest is in New York, and I am uninsured and unable to work.

The instincts are definitely the best thing to help you. Listening to them is your best option. Sometimes you need to meditate and let your body speak to your mind. That is how you can know for sure. I hope you find out some good news Wednesday! I will be sending positive energy meanwhile!

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[Nyxie63]

NoGluGirl,

I had a similar experience with the ENT. Wanted a second opinion from an Endocrinologist regarding my thyroid and had the ENT send my records over to her. Apparently, in the cover letter, he told her that I was a "nervous patient", which she not only took to heart, but then called me to my face. I'm not a nervous patient. I'm a difficult one! I read, I research, I ask questions. And I don't accept what drs say at face value if it doesn't make sense! For some reason, most of them hate that. Go figure. I've since dropped the Endo and am looking for a new ENT and PCP.

I've also come up with nicknames for my docs, based on my experience with them. The PCP is Dr Doofette. She's pretty much useless, although I've kept her because she's been handy for ordering testing and will write an rx for anything I ask for (good thing I'm ethical). Gotta say tho, she has fabulous taste in shoes! The ENT is Dr Doofus. He screwed up my first thyroid biopsy and then insisted I get half my thyroid removed based on the botched results. I fought back (no surgery!) and our relationship has been tense, to say the least, ever since. The Endocrinologist is either StupidEndo or RearEndo, depending on my mood. She was so patronizing, I halfway expected her to pat me on the head and give me a cookie. I wouldn't have minded the cookie. She also blamed all my symptoms on perimenopause (which she then refused to test for), when in fact, I was severely iron and vit D deficient, along with adrenal fatigue.

The Holistic MD is either Methuselah or WonderDoc. He's the first dr who actually listened to me and is the one who agreed to test for the nutritional deficiencies. He got the name Methuselah because he's gotta be in his 80s and looks like a stiff breeze would sweep him off his feet. He's retiring at the end of this year and I now have to break in another doc in his practice. Ok, end rant.

I haven't made up a name for the GI yet. Still trying to figure him out. He's mellowed a lot since I first started seeing him and has finally found his sense of humor. He's been having some medical problems himself and I think he's finally started to "get it" from the patient's point of view. I'll see what he has to say about all this. I hesitate going to yet another specialist (hepatologist), only because there haven't been any tests done to signify if there's a specific problem or not, and don't want to see a new doc based on rather vague symptoms alone. Never had a liver or kidney panel run.

Will try the ginger and see what happens. My reactions upon eating any of the offending foods have been fairly immediate, meaning something happens within an hour. I haven't had to take a PPI for my reflux since starting this new diet, and its been about 6 weeks now (not including the challenges, which I did at the 3 week mark). I seem to react very badly to wheat. Did a barley challenge last night to see if it was to the wheat or to gluten. Some minor reactions and still kind of urpy today. Not anything anywhere near what the wheat reaction was. Might end up having to take a PPI later on if it doesn't pass soon. OTC reflux meds don't do a thing for me. Had been taking Protonix and then switched to Omeprazole when my ins wouldn't pay for it anymore. I've been really wanting to get off the PPIs since they interfere with nutrient absorbtion and I have enough problems in that department already. I also don't like taking rx meds in general, although I also take a ton of supplements.

Glad to hear your grandfather and cousin are doing ok now.

Wow! You've got a lot going on! Neither Lyme or candida are anything I'd wish on anyone. If you're interested, there's another board with folks there who can help you interpret results. Its a peer-to-peer board and most of them probably know more than most docs about Lyme. I'll PM you with the info if you like.

I can't work right now either. Ran my own business and worked a part-time job until all the health stuff hit earlier this year. It sucks! I'm extremely lucky that hubby has a good job and, if we watch our budget, can squeak by on just his income. I feel so guilty not being able to contribute to the household anymore. Its all I can do to keep the mess in this place down to a dull roar. Some days, even that doesn't get done. I've been feeling much better this past week and think its because of the B12 I've been taking. Still need to stop and rest, but its no longer the work 5 minutes, rest for 1/2 hour routine.

Thank you so much for sending the positive energy! Goodness knows I can use it right now. And thank you as well for the info and for letting me vent. Frankly, the family's tired of hearing it and there's nobody else around in a similar situation.

Thanks yet again!