Mish-mash of remedies...too much?

I might be doing too much, too quickly, in an effort to help. I have IBS, and my Mom, who I help care for, has GP. We both have sensitive stomachs, of course, and Mom suffers from nausea and inability to consume much of anything. Lately she seems worse, and is so fatigued from lack of eating. I joined this site recently, and got great info. Today I fixed Mom Slippery Elm tea. I mixed half of the brew with her cream of wheat this morning (w/ honey), then a bit ago I made a smoothie for her using Whey Protein Isolate (half of the recommended dosage), and the other half of the Slippery E. tea, and half of an Ensure, w/ some milk. I tasted it, and it was not bad. I gave her a glass. After drinking, she is experiencing cramping. Something new. What do you think would be causing that? Too many things together? Or would the Whey Protein be the culprit rather than the Slippery E. tea?
Thanks for any input here. I'm a novice, and don't want to overdo a good thing, if you know what I mean.
Sindi

By mhp
Posted July 30, 2009 at 9:32 am
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When I start something new I do it after being on what I know works most of the time (most! no guarantees, it seems...) for at least 3 days. Some people wait even longer. Then, I introduce one thing and wait another 3 or more days. That way it is much easier to figure out the culprit. Good luck!

By Sindi
Posted July 30, 2009 at 10:58 am
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Thanks for the response, mhp. I'll cut out the protein powder and just do the Slippery E. tea for a few days, and go from there with introducing new things one at a time. Makes sense. I just got too carried away in an attempt to do the right thing, FAST. :-)

By mphotographer
Posted July 31, 2009 at 7:55 am
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Hi Sindi-
I only drink the slippery elm tea to help keep my bowels going. Is that why you are giving it to your mom? I have never mixed it with any other food-always drinking it slowly (1/2 an hour) after eating a meal. I have a feeling you might be putting too many things together. Do you guys have a GI doctor? Have you looked up the GP diet from the Mayo Clinic? You also might want to consult with a dietician. I would definitely try one thing at a time. Just an Ensure-then a few hours later, a smoothie with the protein powder, etc. But it sounds like you might want to get more dietary help from your GI or a dietician. I hope that helps! Take care-
Mphotographer

By shamrockmom
Posted July 31, 2009 at 6:19 pm
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Hi Sindi,
Is your mom lactose intolerant or lactose sensitive? Between the Ensure and Whey Protein which are both milk based and the added milk it may be to much milk products. I have been on a liquid protein diet since my surgery 7 months ago. I was told by my gastro to watch the milk intake because it can cause cramping/gas if you take in to much. I had to switch to an Organic Vanilla Flavor Soymilk.

By Sindi
Posted August 1, 2009 at 1:59 am
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Mphotographer & Shamrock Mom,
I was told by the Health Food Store owner that Slippery Elm had soothing and healing components for the intestinal tract, as well as keeping the bowels moving. I am not mixing it with other things now....just using it in tea, as suggested by you, mphotographer. And I have started using Rice Milk to see if dairy is a possible culprit, although in the past it has not been a problem. Trial and error, and we have an appointment w/ a GI specialist in August. Until then, using this site, and following the GP diet. Mainly liquids, and soft foods in small amts every 2 hrs.
Thanks for your help. Waiting for appointments w/ specialists can take forever, and even when you get to see one, the information they give is not as helpful as talking to others going through the same thing.
It's invaluable to have this dialogue.
Good night, and good wk. end to you all.

Sindi

By suzieb
Posted August 11, 2009 at 5:51 pm
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Hi Sindi and all, I have gp and severe small bowel motility dysfunction. I am unable to go on my own now. The regimen that works for me most of the time is miralax daily and 4 dulcolax every 4 days or so. Its not very comfortable and sometimes unreliable. I have not heard of slippery elm before. Does it work for CIP patients? Do you take it every day and does it make things move too fast? I am very interested in learning more tricks you all have for motility.
I am allergic to all the antiemetics with the exception of zofran. Zofran ODT has saved me. I would not be able to eat at all if it weren't for that wonder drug. I was not surprised to learn that reglan was going off the market.
Thanks for the info. Sara

By Sindi
Posted August 11, 2009 at 8:53 pm
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Hello Suzieb,
I got my information regarding Slippery Elm from mphotographer and health food store owners, who have all said great things about it. I have been using it more as a healing element for the intestinal tract, but recently found out that my three-yr. old grandson suffers from chronic constipation that I knew nothing about, and cannot go for a week at a time, and when he does it is extremely hard and he bleeds. My stepdaughter has him being treated by a pediatrician and they've tried Miralax, and prunes, etc. without much relief. I have just recommended her to try Slippery Elm. I definitely think it is worth a try. Also I have advised her to get a GI specialist involved, before it tuns into a bigger problem.

Now, Suzie, I'm very interested to know about Zofran ODT. I was surprised to hear that Reglan is being taken off the market. I use that now and then in small doses for my 83 year old Mom to help with motility and ease her nausea. But I've been very afraid of the horrible side effect warnings. So, please tell me about Zofran, and how it's helped you. I hate to see my Mom suffering with constant nausea and fatigue from inability to eat. She's frail and weak. We have an appt. with a specialist in two weeks. She had a CT scan this morning, with nothing abnormal to report in the abdominal area.
Thanks Suzie.

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