Can A Mild Tummy Bug Affect Usual Meds Absorption? 'withdrawal' Side Effects

[NovemberStar]

The past few days I've felt nauseous, and Friday night I heavily sweated all night long, with some mild body aches. I'm not sick enough that I can't do my usual day activities, but I wonder if this possible mild tummy bug is causing issues with absorption of my meds? I don't have any vomiting or any diarrhoea - I think perhaps my gut has SLOWED right down rather than speed up.

I have not changed the doses of my meds at all. I am on 300mg Venlafaxine in the mornings; a very small dose of Mirtazapine at night (1/4 of a 45mg tablet), and Quitapine 25mg tablets (2 in morning, 1 around lunchtime, 1 at night).

I feel really jolty and zappy - exactly how it feels if I've missed a dose of venlafaxine and not taken it until late in the day.

I will phone my Dr when she's at work on Tuesday for advice. But hopefully I'll be fully better then.

Had anyone else had this type of experience? As I said, it feels like I've missed doses of my meds but I know I haven't. It is such an awful feeling. And I have some MILD heart palpitations / slight 'racy heart' feeling as well. And I feel very 'dry' so have made sure I have had plenty of water tonight and no caffeine.

I am aware some of the feelings I have can be caused by the rare Seratonin Syndrome' (toxicity) but I have not had an increase or change in any of my meds for almost 2 months.

 

[Lucycat]

If your gut has slowed down then the medicines are in your gut for a longer time allowing increased absorption. However not everybody's gut works at the same rate so the medicine should remain in a therapeutic dose.

Vomiting and diarrhoea clearly reduces the affective dose by passing the drug out too quickly.

Slow down gut has the potential to increase the affective dose but in reality is unlikely to happen as there is a limited quantity in the preparation.

I hope this makes sense. In my opinion your symptoms are due to something other than a mild tummy bug.

 

[anthony]

Interesting question...

 

[RussH]

Are you taking any meds to aleviate your symptoms? if so, then they can affect you body absorbing the meds. There could also be something in the stomach meds that counteract your meds.

It could also be that you are not feeling well so that weakens your resistance to the PTSD symptoms; much like being overly tired seems to increase the whole mental / emotional issues we all deal with.

 

[NovemberStar]

I hope this makes sense. In my opinion your symptoms are due to something other than a mild tummy bug.

I think it can be both though - I might have a tummy bug (causing bloating, nausea, feeling too full on a small amount if food) AND the rest if the symptoms might be unrelated to that, but due to meds?

Argh! Really don't know. I have been having food supplement drinks the past few days and yogurts - today I'm going to avoid those and opt for very simple carbs instead. Woke sweating again overnight.

@RussH - no, I'm not taking anything for the nausea / tummy bug thing - cos yes, that could affect things.

It is entirely possible it's PTSD related. I have had 'psychosomatic' symptoms previously, although usually it's severe sharp pains that shift places along my body or extreme sudden tiredness where I have to stop want I'm doing and have a sleep. I know those were psychosomatic because I would experience mental and emotional agony, which would SUDDENLY change to physical pain (within a minute), during which time the mental and emotional pain would disappear completely. Then, when the physical pain would be so bad I'd want to throw myself through a window to stop it, it would stop and be immediately replaced with the mental and emotional pain.

(Which is kinda cool don't you think really - that my / our minds have the capability to do that!)

I did see my psychologist Friday and have had 3 nights in a row of vivid, awful dreams bordering on nightmares..... and. I am going they some really hard stuff in therapy..... I just wish if it is psychosomatic I'd know for sure, cos at least then I'd be able to know what it is and deal with it.:whistling:

I don't seem to have the zappy feelings until late in the day - I don't wake up with them - it's a few hours after I take my morning meds.

 

[Justmehere]

So sorry to hear you are feeling so crummy. Maybe it could be a med absorption thing.

I've been told by several a therapists and doctors that being sick (or tired or hungry or sleep deprived) can increase the body's emotional vulnerability and PTSD symptoms. For me, some PTSD symptoms can lead to a total loss of appetite and waking up in a sweat. Sometimes it feels like a virus, sometimes it's just stress. But often one can lead to the other.

I've also had a confusing overlap of psychosomatic stuff and medical stuff as I have processed through trauma.

I don't really have any advice or suggestions - I wanted to wish you well and hope you feel better fast!

 

[The Albatross]

@NovemberStar , as in the opening post you shared, "I don't have any vomiting or any diarrhea". I would say no on the malabsorption provided you have no other indication of gastro intestinal disease or distress. If you're constipate (not exactly sure if that's what you meant about "slowed gut"?) and have been doing adequate hydration, add fiber. Fiber is a regulator. Most people are deficient and people with underlying health issues and skew either way from the "norm" need it.

Check your diet for fiber intake.

Anything in tablet form is not necessarily 100% digested anyway. But I'm glad if you're feeling different you contacted your doctor.

 

[NovemberStar]

Hopefully I'm on the improve - less nausea today - I don't have a normal appetite and feel off a bit of food - but changing to a very very easily digestible food intake today seems to have helped with the feeling very very full.

@Justmehere - I think that is what it was - a combination of lack of sleep, mood swings, maybe too much caffeine in association with lack of sleep (wouldn't say my consumption was excessive - a little more than usual - 2 cups of coffee and a 'v' energy drink over a whole day...)

@The Albatross - not constipated, no - just feeling very bloated and full even after eating not much.... Thank you for your input though.

'Tuch wood' I haven't had any zappy sensations either today - maybe part of the problem yesterday was I was late taking my lunchtime quitiapine? On top of not enough sleep and the caffeine .. that might account for the zappy things and maybe an off digestive system wasn't connected to that.

Today I was much more mindful I suppose - and didn't do much. Not feeling so good mood wise, physically bit better (which would also fit if it was / is a psychosomatic thing).