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Thirst, Tiredness & Headache After Eating - Linked To IBS Or Something Else?

Posted , 4 users are following.

Corporate94
Corporate94

Hi,

Not sure where to put this. Please move if in the wrong place.

Basically, in around 1 in every 5 meals (including lunch and dinner) I get the following symptoms after eating:

- Very Thirsty

- Extreme Tiredness / Eyes Hurt

- Foggy Head / Difficulty Concentrating (almost as if I am a little drunk)

This is normally resolved by drinking a significant amount of water (around a litre or two over a few hours) and slowly improves. I cannot find any obvious food triggers for this.

I also have IBS, Silent Acid Reflux, Eczema and Acne and I am beginning to wonder if perhaps it is all inter-linked? I am otherwise a healthy, skinny, fit 22 year old with a healthy diet. I do not understand why I have these problems.

I have been tested for diabetes properly by my GP about three times already with the most recent being around 6 years ago. I have also done numerous home tests over the last couple of years and they always come back clear.

I am having a flexible sigmoidoscopy soon and wondering if I should mention this issue to my gastro-specialist next time I see him? Any ideas on what it could be, why it happens and how to ease these symptoms? It's pretty irritating eating something (normally carbohydrates) and experiencing these symptoms. It can make my life really difficult if I cannot get access to water. Throughout the day, I would say I have always drunk significantly more water than average (even as a child) but the thirst, tiredness and general foginess I experience after eating sometimes is on a different level. This has been the case for me on / off for nearly the last decade, but perhaps has got marginally worse over the last few years. Or is this just normal, it is far more common for me after carbohydrate-heavy lunches?

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • borderriever
    borderriever Corporate94

    Posted

    Corporate

    When you drink your Water drop a bit of salt in the glass, take into consideration you need salt as the body becomes dehydrated and minerals like salt is lost through sweating, that may reduce the amount of fluid intake. It does not take more than a pinch to help.

    Your intake of fluids do not really sound to be excessive, sometimes of course the need of water can signpost other problems and I suppose your Doctor is beginning to cover all basis so do not worry. You can mention your excessive need for fluids when you discuss your problems on the day, although your GP would have discussed your condition when He arranged your tests.

    BOB

    • borderriever
      borderriever pippa58442

      Posted

      Pippa

      You do not put much salt in the water just a small amout per glass. Salt will make you feel dry if you put to much into the water. Your body needs salt especally if you are sweating or you are loosing minerals through visits to the toilet. If you take a pinch of salt and your hyraton is poor you will feel more thirsty, you are just replacing what you have lost.

      Years ago people used to put a sprinkle of salt in their Coffee, it brings out the taste of the Coffee, it also rehydrates at the same time. I do that in the summer when hot, it does seem to help, just a touch, not much.

      BOB

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 borderriever

      Posted

      I once put salt into my coffee in a cafe by mistake and it tasted awful.  I thought it was the milk, then I realised I had picked up the wrong sachet.  If I want to taste the coffee more, I have espresso.  

      Luckily, I don't go to the loo frequently; rather I have trouble going.  For me, any type of cold drink quenches my thirst without adding anything to it.

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 Corporate94

    Posted

    Try eliminating the foods that trigger your symptoms; a food diary would help.  Try reducing or cuuting out carbs from your diet. Since you have IBS, have you heard of the Low Fodmap diet?  Were you tested for celiac?
  • astrozombie
    astrozombie Corporate94

    Posted

    I have IBS but a long, long time before that symptom reared its head I had hangover style migraines. If I am tired they are worse and symptoms start with shaking. I have had these for a very long time. I could not handle them when younger and spent time in hospital. I wax violent towards property these days when I get them I just need to lie down but as a teen I had all sorts of injections and drugs. I have always been a rather anxious person and this may have led to IBS for me. 

    I do not these symptoms after eating but first thing in the morning. At Easter I had them for 2 days. For me headaches are separate to IBS. 

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