Question:
I am 35 years old and for the past 3-5 years I have experienced a
condition approximately once a month (give or take) where the symptoms
include fatigue, aches, stomach gas and nausea. When it first started
occurring, it would last as long as two weeks,with the symptoms
sometimes being severe enough to keep me home from work for several
days. Since that time I have started taking care of myself more (e.g.
exercise, vitamins, etc.), the conditions persist, last about a week and
generally I do not need to stay home from work. The condition occurs in
all seasons. Last fall I decided to seek medical advice. The first doctor I went to
chalked it up to allergies, indicated that I could take prednisone when
it flared up, live with it or go to an allergist. I wasn't convinced
this was it, so I went to another doctor. She felt that is was a stomach
condition, perhaps an ulcer. Some tests were run and there was no
evidence of the bacteria associated with an ulcer. I am currently trying
to decide who to believe. Is it possible that my symptoms (i.e. Fatigue, aches, nausea and gas)
could be associated with an allergy, and if so, what steps can I expect
an allergist to take to help me out ? Any other thoughts ?
Answer:
You may want to try Axid or Tagamet. These are anti-acids that also
have the benefit of being an H-2 blocker (antihistamine). So, they
would work on your gas and indigestion and stomache problems by reducing
the level of acid in your digestive system, and also as a antihistamine
to calm down an allergic reaction. First, let me recommend a book to you: "Take Care of Yourself",
Vickery, MD & Fries, MD 6th Ed (10,000,000 copies sold)
It covers common medical problems, has decision charts on when to home
treat and when to see doctor. Now, could it be 'Heartburn' (irritation of stomach)
Avoid substances that irritate the problem; coffee, tea, alcohol, aspirin,
ibuprogen, naproxen. Smoking and stress make it worse. Tight jeans
make it worse. Relief from Maalox, Mylanta, Gelusil If worse when lying down, it may be gastroesophageal reflux.
1. Elevate head of bed 6 in. with wood blocks
2. No meals withing 3 hr of bedtime
3. Drugs, Tagamet, Pepcid, etc Do you eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables
per the Food Pyramid. (5 to 9 per day) Plus exercise. I went thru something like this at one point in my life.
Went to the doctor and he gave me charcoal pills and belladonna pills.
Also saw a cardiologist. Finally decided to take an exercise class at the local JC, where they run
you on a treadmill to exhaustion and recommend a course of regular exercise.
The exercise, and stopping drinking wine with dinner, cured the problem for me.
Also dealing with stressful situations in a less stressful way.
I keep the head of my bed propped up with wood blocks. I do have allergies and asthma, but that wasn't the problem this time.
(GERD [gastroesophageal reflux] is a common asthma trigger however)
