Dyspepsia and Ibs for the Wise: How to Treat Functional Digestive Disorders (Fdds) with or Without Medication

DYSPEPSIA AND IBS FOR THE WISE

How to Treat Functional Digestive Disorders (FDDs)

with or without Medication

By

Larry Tremblay

B.A. Philosophy, B.A. Management economics

First English Edition

LIMIT OF LIABILITY: THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOK ARE INTENDED TO FURTHER GENERAL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, UNDERSTANDING, AND DISCUSSION ONLY AND ARE NOT INTENDED AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS RECOMMENDING OR PROMOTING A SPECIFIC METHOD, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT BY PHYSICIANS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PATIENT. BECAUSE INDIVIDUAL CASES AND NEEDS VARY AND GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION, MEDICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL KNOWLEDGE ARE CHANGING, READERS ARE ADVISED TO SEEK THE GUIDANCE OF A LICENSED PHYSICIAN, REGISTERED DIETITIAN, OR OTHER HEATH CARE PROFESSIONNAL BEFORE MAKING CHANGES IN THEIR PRESCRIBED HEALTH CARE REGIMES. THIS BOOK IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT FOR USE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO APPROPRIATE MEDICAL CARE. THE FACT THAT AN ORGANIZATION OR WEBSITE IS REFERRED TO IN THIS WORK AS A CITATION AND/OR A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF FURTHER INFORMATION DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE AUTHOR OR THE PUBLISHER ENDORSES THE INFORMATION, THE ORGANIZATION OR WEBSITE MAY PROVIDE OR RECOMMENDATIONS IT MAY MAKE. FURTHER, READERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT INTERNET WEBSITES LISTED IN THIS WORK MAY HAVE CHANGED OR DISAPEARED BETWEEN WHEN THIS WORD WAS WRITTEN AND WHEN IT IS READ. NO WARRANTY MAY BE CREATED OR EXTENDED BY ANY PROMOTIONAL STATEMENTS FOR THIS WORK. NEITHER THE PUBLISHER NOR THE AUTHOR SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES ARISING HEREFROM.

Back photo by Chantale Tremblay.

Text revision (French version) : Lise Bédard et Amélie Lapierre.

Translation : Amerique traductions – 1192 Rue Du Domaine, Cap-Rouge (QC), G1Y 2E1 – Phone: 418-652-9247.

Edition and distribution:

Larry Tremblay, Editor. 2518, chemin du Foulon, Québec (Qc), Canada G1T 1X7

(tremblay.larry@videotron.ca)

Avis to librarians: this book is in the catalogue of Library and Archives Canada:

(www.collectionscanada.ca/amicus/index-f.html)

Preceding French editions: ISBN 1-4251-1432-6 and ISBN: 2-9806102-1-2

Printed at Victoria, BC, Canada.

Canada, United States, Ireland, England

©

Copyright 2011 Larry Tremblay.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4269-8868-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4269-8963-6 (e)

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Contents

THANKS

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

1 – INTRODUCTION

2 – MY STORY

3 – MY APPROACH

MY PSYCHOANALYSIS

FOR WHOM IS THIS BOOK INTENDED?

DIAGNOSIS

For Gas In The Stomach And The Large Intestine

For Excess Nervous Tension

MY HYPOTHESES

For The Gas

For Nervous Tension

Visceral Hypersensitivity

RESISTANCE

The Forbidden Eructation And Flatulence

For Nervous Tension

Rejecting The Values And Practices Of The Past

Our Resistances (What Purpose Do They Serve?)

EXPELLING GAS FROM THE STOMACH

A Few Assumptions

Belching

Belching While Lying Down

We Need A Place And Time Just To Ourselves

Becoming Aware Of Signs Of Improvement

RELEASING GAS FROM THE LARGE INTESTINE

EVACUATING THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

The Oesophagus

The Upper Part Of The Stomach

The Middle Part Of The Stomach

The Lower Part Of The Stomach

The Lower Colon

The Upper Part Of The Colon

GETTING RID OF NERVOUS TENSION

RELEASING THE PAIN

THE RELIEF

WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM IT AND THE LIMITATIONS

To Exist

It Is Not A Cure (Does Not Replace Medicine)

We Should Stick With It And Do It Often

Discomfort, At First

Overcoming The Fear Of Being Physically Active, Of Inner Movement

Variations (Really Falling Ill, Gastro, Etc.)

The Feeling That Something Can Be Done To Treat Fdds

4 – LITERATURE REVIEW

A) – FUNCTIONAL DIGESTIVE DISORDERS (FDDS)

The Rome Criteria

B) – THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS

Gas And Flatulence

Gastroesophageal Reflux (Gerd)

Asthma And Gastroesophageal Reflux

Constipation

Diarrhoea

Gastroenteritis

Migraine

Vagal Faintness

Hemerrhoids

Insomnia

C – OTHER CAUSES OF ABDOMINAL PAIN

The Genetic Hypothesis

Diet

Acidity

Food Allergies

Food Intolerance

Monosodium Glutamate

Aspartame

Two Weeks Plan

Diverticule

Helicobacter Pylori

Inflammatory Diseases

Stomach Cancer

Benign And Malignant Tumours Of The Colon

Physiological Particularities

D) – RECENT HYPOTHESES

The Other Brain

E) – OTHER EXERCICES

Respiratory Gymnastics

Pierre Pallardy’s Approach

Emdr

Heart Coherence

F) – WHAT SHOULD WE TAKE

Time

Medication

The Placebo

Phytotherapy

The Diet

Dietary Supplements

5 – VARIOUS THERAPIES

Physiotherapy

Chiropractic

Acupuncture

Antigymnastic

Psychotherapy

Neurolinguistic Programming

Emotional Freedom Techniques (Eft)

The Place Occupied By The Conscious And The Subconscious

Colonic Irrigation

Relaxation (A Few Existing Techniques)

Other Sources Of Help

6 – CONCLUSION

APPENDIX III

BIBLIOGRAPHY

THANKS

I would like to thank Chantale Tremblay, my wife who, sometimes at the risk of hurting my pride, gave me the chance of knowing and taking better care of myself. I would also like to thank Normand, my son, to whom I provided my care, who did not question it, and who gave me the joy of seeing him suffer less than I did at his age.

I also thank my collaborators for the first edition of the work: Francine Allard, Jocelyne Raymond and Dave Tremblay (revision), André Dion for his sound advices, Lise Bédard (secretaryship), as well as Sigrid Choquette, for the pre-edition.

I particularly wish to emphasize the generous contribution of Dr Pierre Poitras, gastroenterologist, who commented the second and third editions, and who supported me in this journey.

I would like to thank readers of my first editions, especially those who forwarded their comments which gave me the courage to go on with my works.

Finally, I would like to thank the Journal (Association des employées et des employés du gouvernement du Québec), the Journal Vert and Du Cœur au ventre, the Association des maladies gastro-intestinales fonctionelles (AMGIF) review who published some of my works on functional digestive disorders, and Le Devoir, Le Soleil and Canoe.ca who published an article on my book.

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

Compared with the first two editions, this one includes a literature review. It basically completes the writings I undertook more than a decade ago. The Literature Review section deals both with the identification and with the pharmacological treatments of most of the symptoms already dealt with in the Personal Approach section. It also describes a few original approaches, such as those proposed by Pierre Pallardy and Drs Servan-Schreiber and Devroede.

The Literature Review section is divided into six parts: the Rome Diagnostic Criteria, meant as an international recognition of the diagnosis, terminology and treatments related to functional digestive disorders (FDDs); the description and treatments recommended for the most common ailments (flatulence, reflux, constipation, diarrhea, migraine, etc.); a few known causes of abdominal pain (food, allergies, diseases, etc.); some recent hypotheses (central nervous system, traumas, psychosomatic causes, depression); exercise suggestions from some authors; and, recommended means of alleviating some of the symptoms (homeopathy, herbal medicine, diet, food supplements).

Although the book deals with what can be done naturally to ease symptoms related to FDDs, the bulk of the information compiled in the literature review is about medical care and the medical conditions requiring the advice of a health care practitioner. To care for ourselves properly we need the best information possible, to decide when to turn to medical science or to other health care methods. This information should also help us prepare for our visit to the health care professional. Since FDDs are known to have a strong psychosomatic component, many doctors find that patients with this complaint are difficult to treat. When a patient is fairly well-informed, he or she can have a better relationship with his or her doctor, a fact recognized as one of the conditions for effective medical care.

Some criteria prevailed in the writing of the Literature Review. I tried to exclude promotional information as much as possible. I also tried to leave out any information that is unproven or scientifically weak. For example, in this edition I left out an article on Candida albicans on the suggestion of Dr Pierre Poitras, gastroenterologist, since the claims made by the author in a book written on the subject have been invalidated by research. However, I retained the information I found interesting, even though it was not entirely proven. This information is found mainly at the end of chapter four and also in chapter five. It is handled in a more editorial fashion. My goal is to inform, but also to appeal to the reader’s judgment. There are people who look for magic formulas, sometimes insistently, to ease their discomfort. Like medical doctors I do not believe in miracle cures to treat FDDs, but this doesn’t mean that a little curiosity is wrong.

According to Dr Michael Oppenheim, biofeedback and antidepressants share similar effects in alleviating FDDs, although biofeedback is more costly in terms of learning, and more difficult to apply. However, in my opinion, whatever the approach, the results will be improved if the gas release and relaxation techniques are used in combination with it. I am convinced that FDD-related symptoms can often be treated effectively through continuing efforts, a generous and caring attitude towards oneself, better self-knowledge and… good judgment (hence the title Dyspepsia and IBS for the Wise).

Finally, because FDDs are often linked to child abuse, post-traumatic stress syndrome, long-term effects of operations or gastrointestinal problems experienced abroad, this book is intended as a work of compassion. Several readers told me about their pain. Many times they did not take good care of themselves, if only to appear normal. They often mentioned that my expertise and the recommended exercises, finally permitted, greatly helped to set them free. I hope this edition will confirm the importance of taking good care of ourselves, like the child we used to be needed to be treated: with gentleness, patience, perseverance and hope, but also and most of all, with movements.

Quebec, January 10, 2006.

1 – INTRODUCTION

I am not a doctor. I have been suffering from dyspepsia and from the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) since my earliest days. I experimented with several approaches and tried to develop the ones that best applied to me, sometimes on the spur of the moment. My approach is meant to complement the medical one. The sensitivity and perseverance this approach requires are not obvious and are not taught. However, I can assure you that they allowed me to control my symptoms, even if they sometimes seemed to be sailing on an unpredictable, cruel and all-consuming sea.

The Personal Approach section describes in simple terms the symptoms I experienced, as well as some of the hypotheses I developed to understand and in order to relieve FDDs. This should help readers find their way and understand my approach. I then explain in detail the exercises for gas evacuation and for the release of nervous tension, and consequently, of pain. As this is a little known approach, as far as I know, I explain in detail the exercises and the various levels of improvement one can expect.

The spirit in which I approached this book is strangely similar to that of Peter Pan, the mythical symbol of my own generation (baby-boomers). When we were young, we all experienced a feeling of intense energy that could help us get well, play outside and run. I can still recall such moments, one could say, moments touched by grace when I felt that my energy would let me overcome all the potential trials and tribulations of life. Unfortunately, as time goes by and even more so for someone suffering from FDDs, we tend to forget this feeling of total energy. We begin to think that we will never feel it again. On the contrary, like Peter Pan, we should never stop believing and… try our best to achieve it. Moreover, we should transcend our pain and overcome the feeling of failure and despondency. We have to keep going, experiment, and move. What would Peter Pan be like if he hadn’t fought Captain Hook? And what if he was, in fact, this pain, physical as well as psychological, that assails and paralyses us? And what if he was memory and the fear of those who hurt us? If, as mentioned by Dr Daniel Dufour in his book Les tremblements intérieurs (p. 24), illness only conveys the message of a deep or superficial error in people’s attitude towards life. As sports enthusiasts will say: Triumph without peril brings no glory. Well, today, at fifty four, I am much happier, more optimistic, less unwell, and I am much more involved in sports than I was at thirty. I experience once again the wonderful energy I felt when I was a child. How I wish you felt the same!

As mentioned by Dr Scott Peck, the psychiatrist, in his book People of the lie (p. 44): Healing is the result of love. It is a function of love. Wherever there is love there is healing. And wherever there is no love there is precious little−if any−healing. Paradoxically, a psychology of evil must be a loving psychology. It must be brimful of the love of live. Every step of the way its methodology must be submitted not only to the love of truth but also to the love of life: of warmth and light and laughter, and spontaneity and joy, and service and human caring. If you substitute the symptoms and pain related to FDDs to Dr Peck’s psychology of evil, you will understand the purpose of this work: the knowledge and treatment of the symptoms to achieve a good life. I hope this book will mean, for you, as for Peter Pan, the start of a fascinating journey that will help you recover the joy of life.

I was introduced to the release of gases by my wife who, like me, is a long-time dyspepsia sufferer, without knowing it. It was during her pregnancy that she discovered the benefits of releasing gas from the stomach. The regular release of gas saved us from many sleepless nights and much discomfort. We have a twenty year old son who showed me, when he was still small and I was experimenting with the gas release exercises, that babies weren’t the only ones who needed to burp.

Some will tell you that there is no cure for FDDs. Like Peter Pan, I dream that I am cured, it is my challenge! Without being completely cured, with the help of regular exercises, I live my life as if I was, because at the earliest sign of pain or symptoms I do the exercises to help eliminate them. I hope my experience will enable as many of you as possible to get some relief from FDDs.

2 – MY STORY

There is a theory (see the section on the book written by Dr Devroede) which suggests that the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is often the result of the quality of the care provided in early childhood. Learning how to take care of a child depends as much on the parents’ personality as on the way they learned to care for others and for themselves. Therefore, we can presume that digestive problems are passed on from one generation to the next. In these pages, I describe my own history and that of my family.

My problems began at my birth. According to my mother I suffered from unending colic, sometimes accompanied by fever. She said that I had taught her sleepless nights. To get me to sleep, she had me lay on her side her and rocked me. After six months of this regimen she let me cry alone in my bed for three nights: her problem was solved; but my digestive problems persisted. Occasionally I had acute indigestion accompanied by faintness.

I suffered from anxiety and insomnia. I numbed the pain by rocking and singing to myself throughout the night, like a caged animal—to the great displeasure of my parents—to compensate for my mother’s reassuring presence during my first six months of life. The result was that I had a room all to myself since my older brother couldn’t stand me. I ended up by loosening up… out of sheer exhaustion. As fear gave me abdominal pain, so the abdominal pain fed the fear!

My mother had opened a business on the year of my birth. She was very active and didn’t have time to take care of us. She had hired a maid. Between the ages of one and three I did not let her hold me in her arms. The only way to get me to calm down was to put me in a child’s bed, isolated in what we used to call a furnace room. Ours had a window through which I could see the children playing outside. Day or night, when I suffered from insomnia, I was in the habit of holding in my stools and my urine for as long as I could. The movement of the stools, and especially the gases, was for me a major source of entertainment, and the only way I could postpone the care!

During the course of my psychoanalysis I recalled that my mother would change my diaper in the evening and at night, when nobody else would do it. My father had two jobs, including one that kept him busy until the middle of the night. When she took care of me my mother pricked me repeatedly with the diaper pins. This made me howl and, paradoxically, it made her laugh. Naturally, she comforted me afterwards. She would then say: Me and my left hand! When I was about two and a half, during a diaper change, I became aware of this little game. I began to cry and she took me in her arms. This is when I saw my father, an uncle and my brother seated at the table in the dining room. I started crying even more strongly to rouse them so that they would come and protect me from my mother. Nobody reacted. So I told myself that I could never count on them in the future, and that I would be alone to face life with mother … my night mother. When she put me back on the countertop to finish changing me, I made a promise to myself that, some day, I would pull out these pricks from my body. A child promise that I had forgotten, naturally.

Before discovering this little game I had been having strong intermittent pain that cut through the skin as if a hair was being pulled out of my abdomen, or a sting came out of my stomach or my legs. It was by analysing this phenomenon that I managed to remember the promise I had made to myself. It was as if the pricks were coming out of my body, one at a time. It was right then that I became aware that I was on the road to recovery, me and my sometimes stinging remarks! Since I had younger brothers and sisters, I remembered that they had also been pricked regularly. To them, at the time, I was one of those you can’t count on. During a discussion with my youngest brother, he told me that he also recalled having been pricked and that, unlike me who had put this in my abdomen; he had put it in his head.

My mother’s behaviour also had its counterpart in language. She was in the habit of saying things that always made me go out of my mind. Instead of getting angry I became paralysed, as if in shock or waiting to be able to digest her words. I realized that my first reaction to inhibited anger was a strong contraction of the large intestine. This caused constipation, and after a few days this invariably caused diarrhea, which was often accompanied by a migraine and a depressed state. When I was older I was often tactless or so awkward that I hurt myself. Instead of rebelling, I recalled my mother’s history: in her family, the father regularly beat the children, my mother more often than the others. I thought that she had made us suffer a lot less that what she herself had endured. Should I asked for anything more?

My father also suffered from abdominal pain all his life; he experienced this discomfort as something inevitable, unconscious. He was under the impression that any attempt to change his habits was bound to fail. My mother claims that she always knew him sick. Around the age of thirty he had lost weight and when he was about forty he needed to have surgery for a stomach ulcer but he refused, preferring instead to look after himself and be on the alert for a time. In the night he regularly suffered from indigestion. He developed stomach cancer in 1995 and died a year later, the cancer having spread throughout his body.

He found it difficult to assert himself and often ended up exploding in hysterical fits of anger when he was with relatives or when sensitive issues were discussed (such as religion, sex, money, school, managing the family business, etc.). He would often spark off discussions on these issues, apparently not realizing, we feared, that it would turn sour in the end. He also tended to isolate himself and worked hard manually in order to forget or not think, as he was found of saying. He was also very idealistic, to the point of rubbing people the wrong way by judging them, looking down on them or telling them what to do. My mother could not resign herself to leaving us alone with him. He would often put us down or miss the mark. My mother would then try to make up for it. In addition, he often hurt himself so that she also had to look after him.

He came from a large family, and most of them died relatively early from cancer. Having served in the military and been at the front in 39-45, he was sometimes very strict on the smallest details but totally overtaken by a relationship of authority. He’d say: "You find what’s good for you, I don’t know anything about