Need help with chronic, debilitating nausea

A friend suffered from the same symptoms plus very bad intestinal cramps. After several visits to several specialists over and over again, it turned out to be her gall bladder.

a reply to: Scouse100
I have had good luck using Emetrol on my children when they had nausea and vomiting.
Wikipedia: Emetrol

a reply to: Gothmog

A friend suffered from the same symptoms plus very bad intestinal cramps. After several visits to several specialists over and over again, it turned out to be her gall bladder.

That happened to my sister too...she had a huge gallstone blocking her common bile duct.

Sometimes a half teaspoon of salt in a glass of water can help with that. I don't really know why it works but I remember sometimes we got that when we were kids and it did work.

a reply to: Scouse100

I did read about gallbladder issues being a possible cause actually, would a scan pick that up?

If the problem is gallstones then yes, a HIDA scan will show it unless it's become lodged somewhere. But if it's gall "sludge" (thick sediment, unformed stone material) and inflammation, the scan will be useless. Gallbladder disease can be very difficult to diagnose, but it would definitely make sense as a cause for all these symptoms.

a reply to: Scouse100

I was going to suggest ginger, then saw she'd tried that...cannabis is a good suggestion because it sounds more of a mechanical problem, as in her gag reflex is over stimulated...in which case relaxation would be the best approach. I was anorexic for years, and as a result, I can make myself sick just thinking about it, literally.

My suggestion would be Bio-yogurt. As a stomach liner and settler. Then little and often, and contrary to most advice, animal fats. Nice bit of black pudding and a couple of poached eggs. Nothing oily, but rich high energy food. Little and often. Get the taste buds activated and the salivary ducts workings, that will over-ride the gag reflex. Trust me, I know...but to begin with, don't overload the stomach...small, snacky portions.

Liver disease, kidney disease and inner ear problems can all cause nausea. At least until the doctors get this diagnosed they can prescribe Phenergan for her. If she cannot keep a pill down, it also comes in suppository form, or IV drip. Is she dizzy? Dramamine helps that a little. Do consider her a fall risk.

They really need to make an effort to control the symptom until they determine the cause. I'm actually shocked they haven't. Can you ask them to call the pharmacy? Tell them it's starting to wear on her, and she's not tolerating it well.

So sorry, I know you are worried. Nausea is such an nauseating thing.........

originally posted by: tigertatzen
a reply to: Scouse100

I did read about gallbladder issues being a possible cause actually, would a scan pick that up?

If the problem is gallstones then yes, a HIDA scan will show it unless it's become lodged somewhere. But if it's gall "sludge" (thick sediment, unformed stone material) and inflammation, the scan will be useless. Gallbladder disease can be very difficult to diagnose, but it would definitely make sense as a cause for all these symptoms.

Generally after age 45 is when the gall bladder begins to stop working . I found out through my friend's ordeal that it may require several scans to be detected and the last thing that doctors look for. The gall bladder does not stop working all of a sudden , the symptoms get closer and stronger with the passing of time.They just about have to do the scan while the patient is having the symptoms to be detected. In her case it took several as the scans showed up normal . Until she lucked up and had a spell just before being scanned and during the scan. Believe it or not , during the scan they couldnt even detect her gall bladder. It was removed and now no more spells.

originally posted by: muchmadness
Cannabis.

If you're in a medical state, then I would talk to her doctor about this.

My mom suffered from intractable nausea for years. It was so hard to watch her be so nauseous all the time, with little relief.

The medications she took for it knocked her out and it's not like she woke up and was able to eat very much.

She should be seen by a gastrointestinal specialist too. They need to find out why she has the nausea in the first place. But, it has been proven that a plant is one of the most effective treatments for chronic and debilitating nausea...

originally posted by: tigertatzen
a reply to: Scouse100

I did read about gallbladder issues being a possible cause actually, would a scan pick that up?

If the problem is gallstones then yes, a HIDA scan will show it unless it's become lodged somewhere. But if it's gall "sludge" (thick sediment, unformed stone material) and inflammation, the scan will be useless. Gallbladder disease can be very difficult to diagnose, but it would definitely make sense as a cause for all these symptoms.

Actually, this isn't true. A HIDA scan shows the sludge, inflammation, and infection. An ultrasound will not, it only shows stones. You can have cholecystitis (inflammation) without cholelithiasis (stones).

If a right upper quadrant/gall bladder ultrasound is negative, they usually do the HIDA scan to rule out if it is sludge and inflammation causing the symptoms.

HIDA scan info from Mayo Clinic

Wow, thanks so much for all your suggestions, I am overwhelmed (in a good way)

Lots of things to try here and interesting that gall bladder keeps coming up, I will mention that to the Dr.

a reply to: Scouse100

It might be something that she's eating. Maybe a preservative or dye is having an effect on her. That, or like somebody else said, it might be gluten.
Greathouse mentioned using baking soda. That works great. I've seen others mention peppermint. That works wonders, too. Muchmadness mentioned cannabis. While not legal in a lot of places, it helps a lot, too. My sister had extreme nausea from radiation and chemo treatments and it helped a lot.
Best wishes to your mom. I hope things get better and that the doctors will be able to help. If I think of anything else that's good for stomach ailments I'll come back and post.

originally posted by: angeldoll
Liver disease, kidney disease and inner ear problems can all cause nausea. At least until the doctors get this diagnosed they can prescribe Phenergan for her. If she cannot keep a pill down, it also comes in suppository form, or IV drip. Is she dizzy? Dramamine helps that a little. Do consider her a fall risk.

They really need to make an effort to control the symptom until they determine the cause. I'm actually shocked they haven't. Can you ask them to call the pharmacy? Tell them it's starting to wear on her, and she's not tolerating it well.

So sorry, I know you are worried. Nausea is such an nauseating thing.........

Yes she has had balance/diziness issues which is why they sent her to the dr at Ear nose and throat before gastro but he was certain that this area is not the cause of the nausea due to the infrequency of the balance issue vs the constant nausea and the severity of the nausea. She has tried most of the anti nausea drugs and also betahistine for the inner ear to no avail to control the symptoms. I guess the balance issues could be caused by the nausea due to not eating or anxiety about it rather than the other way around, I don't know.

originally posted by: Scouse100



Wow, thanks so much for all your suggestions, I am overwhelmed (in a good way)

Lots of things to try here and interesting that gall bladder keeps coming up, I will mention that to the Dr.

Don't worry too much about what might be, let the Docs do the tests, they will find anything obvious. If they don't, then start looking elsewhere. Just keep doing what you are doing for now, sounds like you're giving her the best care.

a reply to: Skid Mark

Thank you!

Yes she has tried gluten and dairy free to no avail and now she is eating so little, just plain toast/crackers mainly and water that there is not really any dyes or anything so although I was convinced it was something like that to begin with I don't think it is now.

originally posted by: Obsrvr
a reply to: Scouse100

She needs an MRI. That sounds like a brain tumor.

I would agree she needs an MRI asap. It sounds like it could be neurological in origin.

originally posted by: woodwardjnr

originally posted by: Obsrvr
a reply to: Scouse100

She needs an MRI. That sounds like a brain tumor.

I would agree she needs an MRI asap. It sounds like it could be neurological in origin.

you probably have more experience of MRIs than most of us here, but just to emphasise, neurological doesn't necessarily mean life threatening. How hard do you think they should push for the MRI, assuming they're actual Scousers and having to deal with the NHS?

originally posted by: woodwardjnr

originally posted by: Obsrvr
a reply to: Scouse100

She needs an MRI. That sounds like a brain tumor.

I would agree she needs an MRI asap. It sounds like it could be neurological in origin.

Really? I think my mum is probably worried it is something like this knowing what she is like. I don't think it is though, being rational and looking at all her gastro problems I was kind of going more that way, the ENT Dr said go to gastro first and then neuro if that shows nothing up.

originally posted by: Anaana

originally posted by: woodwardjnr

originally posted by: Obsrvr
a reply to: Scouse100

She needs an MRI. That sounds like a brain tumor.

I would agree she needs an MRI asap. It sounds like it could be neurological in origin.

you probably have more experience of MRIs than most of us here, but just to emphasise, neurological doesn't necessarily mean life threatening. How hard do you think they should push for the MRI, assuming they're actual Scousers and having to deal with the NHS?

Yes we are scousers dealing with the NHS to confirm!

a reply to: Scouse100

If she's down to toast and crackers and still getting sick, that's bad. I wish I knew of some way to help.