Got a question folks...
By ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (63252)
United States
May 26, 2011 7:22pm CST
I'm not looking - well, not too much - for a solution to my current problem, so much as trying to understand the roomie's reaction.
I have a stomach ache today, actually nearly as bad as the one I had before they yanked the gall bladder...
Like then, the roomie keeps wanting me to eat.
"You have to eat," she says.
Actually, since I'm 100 lbs (or about 7-8 stones) more than I should be, I really can afford to go without a few meals - if you know what I mean...
Still, why, when I'm afraid it might come right back up, does she keep insisting I need to eat?
I know my mother would want me to eat dry toast or hot tea, or ginger ale or saltines, but the roomie seems to think I need food.
Bland food, true, but food...
So, did any of you guys grow up with that belief? Or maybe you know something I don't know, and she does? Or is it just a cultural difference? I really don't know about that, because we both have German great-grandmothers... is it because she was an Air Force brat or her mother was raised in Kansas?
Oh, and I am taking suggestions too....
11 people like this
25 responses
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
27 May 11
I am Puerto Rican born and raised in the US and many Puerto Ricans tend to feel that while sick and or something hurting means you have to eat. lol
Why beats me, perhaps it is a way of expressing their care and love for you. Sometimes I wonder if they take the old saying that a way to win someone's heart is through their stomach. Because supposedly a happy tummy makes for a happy heart.
Tho, I am like you that while my stomach is upset I really do not care to eat. If she continues to insist try some soft liquid items like soup, which may help.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157675)
• United States
27 May 11
Make sure that the fat is skimmed off the soup. I took some soup to my sister recently and she said that there was too much fat for her lack of a gall bladder.
2 people like this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
27 May 11
Great idea so maybe something like a broth. 
2 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
27 May 11
oh elicBxn can I ever sympathize with you this morning as I have a
stomach ache to beat all I have ever had, I have diverticulitis and ever so often I take stool softeners as I get too constipated otherwise. well this morning I have what feels like knots in my colon and am cramping and typing hoping to divert my pain and get to feeling good again.I have had friends say that taking stool softeners gives them gas pains well I g uess I am finally getting that same reaction. its not appendistiis as I have had an appendectomy years back. so it hasto be gas pains from the darned stool softener. yuck.. my mom always told me to only eat dry toast and hot tea for upset tummies. here its apple juice dry toast and apple sauce. when your tummy is u pset it works although I dislike apple juice and am not fond of most apple sauces either.mylotting is helping a bit as it keeps my mind off my gut. lol lol.hope we both feel better soon.
3 people like this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
27 May 11
Are you still having pain? Perhaps you can go do the doctor ...
Normally , during my mom's time , eating helps. They think everything is related to gastritis when it comes to stomach ache , but it could actually be other things like early signs of diarrhea or stomach bloating and so hence and forth. Perhaps she thinks you need to eat more to fight the pain. If it persists , just visit the doctor yeah.
2 people like this
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
27 May 11
"It's just her way," as people say of folks such as she. I say she's just bossy. Always has been. She always thinks she knows better than anyone else about everything! No wonder I get her & Glenda mixed up at times! You KNOW what I mean! So just stand up on your hind legs & tell her "MYOB, V!"
When did you turn into a wimp, Elic? I mean, we're talking about the same brave little person who defied a total stranger, a pushy boyfriend who was bullying his girlfriend in the pizza place's parking lot, & he was much bigger than you? I was so darned proud of you! C'mon! Just tell her to back off! And follow your doctor's orders, not hers.
Here's hoping you get to feeling a lot better very soon. Have they determined what's doing this, hon??
Maggiepie
"Men, said the Devil, are good to their brothers; they don't want to mend their own ways, but each other's. ~ Piet Hein, poet, scientist 1905-1996
Maggiepie
"Men, said the Devil, are good to their brothers; they don't want to mend their own ways, but each other's. ~ Piet Hein, poet, scientist 1905-1996@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
27 May 11
Well, so do I, but my only real concern is how intimidating she can be. She is an alpha female, remember! Don't let her stress you out!
Maggiepie
"Men, said the Devil, are good to their brothers; they don't want to mend their own ways, but each other's. ~ Piet Hein, poet, scientist 1905-19962 people like this
@WilsonMaple (9)
•
27 May 11
Whether she she trying to help or not, you should try to keep something on your stomach. Any healthy clear liquid or soup that will produce as little gas as possible is good. I think the way to keep her off your back is to overcome the fear of stomach ache first. Show her that you have a planned and timed menu of what you plan to eat to keep stomach comfortable. Once she sees that you are keeping to your schedule she may back off. If all else fails you being nice all about it, tell her point blank she is the cause of your discomfort and to BACK OFF.
1 person likes this
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
27 May 11
I'm sure she doesn't want you to get sicker. I suppose you have told her that if you eat you might get sick. I guess she is worrying about you getting faint or something. You do need to eat something but I would agree with what your mother would have said. When my stomach is upset all I want is Ginger Ale. Maybe she was raised eating different things when she was ill.
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
27 May 11
If she pushes you to eat, & you get sick to your stomach? Go let it fly on her shoes. Maybe then she'll quit wheedling. 
Maggiepie
"Men, said the Devil, are good to their brothers; they don't want to mend their own ways, but each other's. ~ Piet Hein, poet, scientist 1905-1996
Maggiepie
"Men, said the Devil, are good to their brothers; they don't want to mend their own ways, but each other's. ~ Piet Hein, poet, scientist 1905-19962 people like this
@lajonez (477)
• Poland
27 May 11
so really maybe she is just worring about you... that you're going to faint and feel bad, you should tell her that you're not feeling weak and everything is fine, and that you're afraid to eat to not feel worse
Ps. Mint essence is good for stomach pain :)
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157675)
• United States
27 May 11
Not sure why she wants you to eat. I would be telling you to keep the fluids up, like gingerale. I know that the roomie is diabetic,are you? Even with stomach issues if you are diabetic you have to have something to keep your blood sugar stable.That could be where she is coming from. I would get really upset when my daughter did not feel well and would almost be too forceful about what she needed to do. I just wanted her to do something. I have two nieces who have had their gall bladder removed and some other friends over the years. Sometimes certain foods caused pain and other issues long after the gall bladder went bye bye. For one friend it was grapes, grape juice, grape jelly, grape flavored koolaid. You get the picture. If you are miserable, trust your gut (no pun intended) as far as food goes.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157675)
• United States
27 May 11
I dislike fat as well. May be why I still have my gallbladder. Last week we were given some burger and made chili from it, but it was the cheap kind and I had pain from that chili, not only heartburn, but a pain in my side. I usually can eat almost any kind of chili with no trouble whatsoever. I blame it on the fatty burger.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
27 May 11
we do seem to have a good bit in common - need to find out if we might share more than just a love for mylot...
I'm afraid that the hot tea is out, I'm already running hot and that just makes me feel worse
the doc thinks I might have a bacterial thing going on - got to catch some poo and take it to the lab... 
2 people like this
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
27 May 11
You do need to eat but if you are having issues, may I make a suggestion? The one, best thing that I did in my health was to drop processed sugar and corn syrup from my diet. I also cut back, drastically on empty carbs and eat more protein, fruits, veggies.
I do not drink any soda, even diet. I drink tea, water and even cut back on milk. I drink almond milk, most of the time.
I am NEVER sick, and I mean NEVER. A good website to check out, about being well, naturally, is mercola.com. I also take certain natural supplements (including krill oil, Vitamin D, and others), regularly.
Change your diet and not only will you feel better, but maybe lose some weight. Also, exercise. Do you do it? I started going to the gym, 2-3 times per week and lost 6 inches on my waist.
Good luck.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
27 May 11
I was drinking Crystal Light and that wasn't helping, I think I needed the bubbles to help me burp.
I NEVER drink milk anymore. I love eggnog but even THAT is making me sick now.
I do need to exercise more, but I am walking.
but when my stomach is like this, I really know I can't handle fresh fruit - heck, the other day I never ate dinner because I accidentally swallowed a large chuck of apple and even if it had passed, it FELT like it was stuck in the stomach...
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
27 May 11
I was born in Italy and my mother, being traditional to Italian culture, loves my sister and I with food and she also believes that most ailments can be cured with a good meal and those that can’t must be allergies!
She contradicts herself by being the first to comment if we gain weight and yet continues to over feed us and can be quite offended if we refuse! The fact that my mum is a wonderful cook does not help!
She contradicts herself by being the first to comment if we gain weight and yet continues to over feed us and can be quite offended if we refuse! The fact that my mum is a wonderful cook does not help!2 people like this
@Orea15 (281)
• United States
27 May 11
Do you still have your appendix? A belly ache and nausea are a couple of symptoms of that. If in doubt, look it up online, because the symptoms are sneaky and not necessarily what you think they are. I was fooled.
As for feeding, some people have funny beliefs about the importance of food for the body. We who are overweight have plenty of calories stored, so as long as you stay hydrated, you don't have to worry about missing a few meals.
Hope you feel better soon,
Orea
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
27 May 11
I do have my appendix, but the CT scan in March showed no inkling of a problem with it.
I agree, that with the extra weight, and the fact that I don't FEEL weak, I can go without - tho I do have to watch my blood sugar (I tend to get low rather than high.)
I can tell tho, I get shaky and my head hurts
1 person likes this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
27 May 11
LOL...This reminds me of Tim Hawkins' routine where he talks about how Mom always tells him to go sit on the pot for everything wrong. Here's the link if you want to see it. Soooo funny! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMm9570-Vns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMm9570-Vns
2 people like this
@alaskanray (4636)
• United States
27 May 11
Yes, we love Tim Hawkins here in my house. I bought three of his DVDs and hope to get more in the future. The guy has me busting a gut sometimes.
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
30 May 11
Hi Elic
It seems that is the first reaction of People when you say you have a Stomach Problem that they need to eat which I do not understand either
Now drink yes but not eat
So I do not know why she is trying to make you eat as you do not want to
Ask why she thinks it will help you as you do not believe that it will
I hope that you are better now
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
29 May 11
Food Poisoning or other ills
~
If your stomach-ache is that bad, a trip to the doctor's may be in order rather than food, or even to the E.R.. You may have had a touch of something nasty to eat. E-coli or Bocholism can make you pretty darn achy or at worse kill you so you need to be looked at.
~
You may also have an appendix yelling at you. If it needs to come out, it needs to come out yesterday before explodes like a biological grenade.
~
I have had a monster stomach ache turn out to be Irritable Bowel syndrome, which was fixed up by a prescription of medication and some heavy duty fibre tablets. I was then going like a goose for a couple of weeks, and the ache was then gone.
~
A relative of mine had to have some intestine snipped as it wrapped up on itself. You can't be too careful with the guts.
pain, stomach ache, E-coli, Bocholism, E.R., appendix, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
29 May 11
appendicitis is not outside of possibilities, but since it was PERFECT last month it would be strange to go south this quickly...
I have wondered if it could be food poisoning, but I'm not too sure about that, since I've been bad since Tuesday (and getting worse until I went to the doc on Friday)
I had a lower GI thing done last month and my large intestine was so perfect, he said to not bother with another for 10 years - it hasn't been colon cancer that has killed ANYONE in my family - at least not so far...
The doc said that there is something going around, he's seeing a lot of this lately, so I may have just caught this at Walmart of the like.
He said 2 Imodium every 4 hours if that's what it takes, but so far I'm not eating that much and so don't need too much... more like 2 every 12.
Just to be safe, tho, I did just take one of my allergy shots...
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45594)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
27 May 11
So many questions!
I'd go with your mother's advice, and talk to your doctor.
1 person likes this
@bellis716 (4799)
• United States
27 May 11
I don't know why your roomie insists that you eat solid food. I would go along with what you said your mother would have suggested, tea and dry toast or saltines and/or ginger ale. I'm a big believer in ginger ale. I believe that it kept me from having to be hospitalized when I was so sick for so long with my first pregnancy.
2 people like this
@Shar19 (8231)
• United States
27 May 11
Sounds like she's just worried about you and concerned. It's her way of showing how much she cares about you. It also takes a long time for a person to want to eat the way they used too after getting the gall bladder taken out. I remember when a friend of ours had hers done and it took months before she was eating somewhat normal. Hang in there.
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63252)
• United States
28 May 11
well, she knew I wasn't eating, and I'm actually getting a little weak, but the doc said to not push it if I didn't feel like it would stay down - yesterday I had some jello and later a few pieces of candy.
We made a tuna mac thing and I had a bowl in the middle of the night and another this morning - they are sticking, but they really weren't a LOT of food, and all it seems to have done was start the other end up again - at least I was able to catch what I needed for the doc... ick
