Hyperactive Pyloric Valve

[CrazyCatLady 130]

Sorry in advance for graphic post.

So, after 9 weeks of consistent/constant bright yellow, loose, cramping stools, I finally talked to a doctor. Because I've always been the "I can fix it myself!" or the "I'll just wait it out" type, I was hesitant to bother a professional and be told "nothing to worry about". But having painful, uncontrollable diarrhea multiple times a day has gotten to be an issue. I can't always dissapear into the restroom for 30 minutes at a shot while working. And the sharts (see other threads!) are getting worse, not better. When my intestines start with the sharp, stabbing pain, I begin to sweat, ache, and feel dizzy. I am constantly dehydrated because of the total liquid nature of the stools.

So, after asking some questions and collecting a sample, GI doc sends me for a slow-contract GI series...and here's the fun part: I now have an answer for WHY. Apparently, my pyloric sphincter (the one at the bottom of the stomach, that is the "gateway" between the stomach and the duodenum) has become overactive, in that it opens and allows unprocessed, incorrectly-pH'd food to pass out of the stomach when it is approx 50% full (1.2oz!). Upon reaching my small intestine, it is immediately rejected because it has not been properly broken down and mixed with stomach secretions, causing it to be moved along at a rapid pace. The phrase "gastric dumping syndrome" was used many times by the physician - so there goes the myth that sleevers can't dump! In my case, that is exactly what is happening. The bad news is - physician has no idea how/why this is happening. No matter whether eating solid Proteins, drinking fluids, eating Beans, etc....everything seems subject to this effect. I am already waiting 45 minutes after drinking before eating, and 30 minutes after, which is making it even harder to get my fluids in.

There were no recommendations to remedy this issue, other than to stretch my window of fluids to an hour each direction - but large quantities of fluids (over 6 oz per 30 minutes) makes my intestines react as well. Does anyone have any experience with this? It's gotten so bad that I consumed NOTHING for the 8 hours I was at work today, because I was not at liberty to leave the floor for any reason, save for my 30 minute lunch, and I couldn't chance consuming something and having a bad reaction. Any advice or experience is welcome.

Nine weeks out from surgery and still having things crop up. Man, bummer.

[Dooter 1,457]

Wow. That's pretty much how I lived most of my life up until about 2010. I started a diet to combat intestinal yeast, and I've not had the problem again. I'm not saying that's your problem, but a LOT of people have it that don't know it. It causes all kinds of different problems in the body.

Are you taking in any fat or sugar? At my worst times, fat and sugar sent me RUNNING for the bathroom. chocolate especially.

How the heck are you supposed to get in ALL your fluids and ALL your food when you can't drink an hour on either side of eating?? Criminy!!

Just throwing out ideas here......

[PollyBlue 22]

Wow. Sorry I can't help, but good luck with this one. I'm interested in what other people have to offer.

[Thinner Peace 24]

DId this start 9 weeks out, or right from the get go? Have you tried altering your diet (i.e. excluding milk products)? At first it sounded like Constipation but the constant diarrhea sounds more like a bacteria or food allergy.

[Dooter 1,457]

DId this start 9 weeks out' date=' or right from the get go? Have you tried altering your diet (i.e. excluding milk products)? At first it sounded like Constipation but the constant diarrhea sounds more like a bacteria or food allergy.[/quote']

Uh huh, uh huh...People HAVE been known to develop dairy issues after surgery... Good thinkin'

[CrazyCatLady 130]

Sorry gals, already beat you on that one.

Had issues right out of surgery, so they told me to pull lactose...then whey, then casien. So no dairy, haven't had it in weeks. They the thought was to pull gluten, so that's gone. Now even soy.

I subsist on....solid animal Protein, and a few select veggies and fruits. That's it. It's a miserable existence. But the issue is, that EVERYTHING causes this. Water. Iced tea. Poached chicken breast with no seasonings of any type. I should note, that I was advised to add in some ocassional good fats (1/4 of an avocado...which seems to be the only thing that doesn't cause the terrible diarrhea, 1 tbs of ground flax seed, 1tbsp of olive oil), as my fat-soluable Vitamin ranges were getting into the malnutrition level.)

I did ask the doc if there were any modifications in diet or otherwise that could positively effect this issue, and he said no - he felt that the nerve that innervates the sphincter had possibly been damaged in surgery, which is causing the hyperactivity. I'm not sure what else I can subtract from my diet at this point. I have deviated and eaten other things a few times, with disasterous results....went through 4 pairs of pants one day. Humiliating.

[Finding Myself 146]

Can you get another opinion from another GI doc?