ginger for nausea | Arthritis Information

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Waddie, thank you for advising me to try ginger. I had spent three days getting ready to have a party for 11 couples. I've been having occasional nausea in the afternoons. Here it was, three o'clock and people were going to start arriving at five, and I was lying on the couch holding my stomach. I remembered what you said and got a jar of crystallized ginger pieces out of my spice cupboard. They're very small, and I ate half a dozen of them and started to feel better almost immediately.

A glass of ginger ale later and I was ready to rock and roll. The party went great and I made it without collapsing. I think I'll keep some ginger in my pill box for the future!Yes, ginger is helpful with stomach or indigestion problems.  Cyrstallized ginger pieces help, as well as ginger tea and Trader's Joe's triple ginger cookies!!!  Very tasty, and, oh yes, medicinal -- so I tell myself.   I have chrystalized ginger, ginger hard candies and ginger chewie candies in my desk at work.  I swear by it.  I definitely have some the day after MTX.I wish I had seen this post hours ago.  I do have some ginger tea in there.  I hope that's good enough, will have some ginger tea.  this nausea is relentless.

thanks.Hey Blue, so glad that worked for you.  You know, ginger is also a natural anti-inflammatory too.  I brew and drink ginger tea every day.  About an inch or so of thinly sliced fresh ginger brew for 20 min., I like to add green tea to it.  It makes enough for the day and it is really great ice or hot. Shelly, I hear you. I am so sick (har har, very funny) of this. It's just come on the last week or two. Seems like twice a day I get so nauseated, about mid-morning and mid-afternoon. I'm going to try eating half as much breakfast and lunch, and finishing them during the nausea hour, to see if having something in my stomach all the time works. Of course there are weight issues I am struggling with so calorie count is a concern too.

It's good to have the ginger to help out, but it's not very convenient to feel like crap twice a day. We're going on vacation next month with a bunch of other people, and I'm not looking forward to being in a golf cart, struggling to play golf for the first time since being diagnosed, and getting my regular bout of what I call "sandpaper stomach." It hurts and makes me want to barf at the same time. "I'm just going to lie down on the green. I'll be over here, out of the way, and I'll try not to groan during your putt."

I just realized, this probably means that I'll have to tell all these people about having RA and what my freakin problem is. Man, I HATE talking about it to acquaintances. All my good friends know. I don't want to be one of those people who think their medical condition is fascinating conversation, which is why I love this site. You can talk about yourself all the time to people who actually are interested and have ideas about helping, and not feel like a self-absorbed bore.

Maybe a group announcement. "Okay, people, listen up. I'm on crazy drugs and they make me sick to my stomach, so make room for me to lie down on the couch whenever you see my face turn white. Mainly 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM. Thanks for your support."

Ginger really helped with morning sickness when I was pregnant.

If you need stronger anti-nausea protection during your vacation, you might talk to your doctor about a prescription for compazine, zofran or another anti-emetic to use as needed during your vacation.  After all, it's a vacation - you should be able to enjoy yourself and leave as many worries behind as possible. Bluehour,

LOL! Yes, this nausea business does make you feel you want to lie down right where you stand even if it is the green of a golf course, that was just too funny b/c I can see that happening. real life things can be hilarious.:)

I feel the same way as you about not really sharing my condition. but people come right and ask me things like how did you hurt your leg or did you hurt your back. b/c I am always limping and I look younger than my age. plus most 45 yo can actually walk without limping.

I used to say "exercising." now with my hands so obviously affected, I say arthritis. I'd rather not have to say anything at all.

The nausea is better at the moment.  It might be my meds. I have always had a sensitive stomach. so it doesn't take much. but will eat some breakfast while I can this late morning..

Have fun on your vacation.  I can't wait to take one of those.  I'd like to visit costa rica or some warm place with a beautiful beach like the bahamas but will settle for a white sand beach in florida.:)

take care.
Shelly, maybe it's too soon to say, but today I split my breakfast in two portions, and did the same with my lunch. Ate at 8 AM, 10 AM, noon and 2:30. No nausea! Maybe the trick is to keep something in your stomach at all times. I have hope that this new method will continue to help, if I can just keep from eating A FULL MEAL at each serving!

JasmineRain, I would sure love to avoid adding any more drugs to the seething cocktail of chemicals which is my body. You're right though, if I can't control it I'll consider asking the doc. I always want to try and solve problems myself first. I've got three weeks before Arizona, which will be welcome during this looonnnng Michigan winter. [QUOTE=Bluehour]Shelly, maybe it's too soon to say, but today I split my breakfast in two portions, and did the same with my lunch. Ate at 8 AM, 10 AM, noon and 2:30. No nausea! Maybe the trick is to keep something in your stomach at all times. I have hope that this new method will continue to help, if I can just keep from eating A FULL MEAL at each serving!

JasmineRain, I would sure love to avoid adding any more drugs to the seething cocktail of chemicals which is my body. You're right though, if I can't control it I'll consider asking the doc. I always want to try and solve problems myself first. I've got three weeks before Arizona, which will be welcome during this looonnnng Michigan winter.[/QUOTE]

Yes, but this is a short-term fix so you can actually enjoy your vacation.  Bluehour,
I hope that works for you.  I usually try to have a few snacks during the day but got myself in a vicious cycle with the nausea not eating. but today was a decent day.  some rumbling sounds like upset stomach, not really indigestion, however.  anyways, it didn't stop me from eating  this time around. still craving cold foods mostly, i've been snacking on popsickles and frozen juices.  I am out of tomatoes for a salad.  so will go to the store in the morning or later this morning to get a few cold foods I can tolerate and try your plan for awhile.  I did manage to get enough down for my pills. I am so tired of the "chemicals" too, especially when the RA and its cousins like sjogrens are stilll alive and kicking.  some positive results may make all of these pills worht my while.
Anyways, enjoy your vacation.  Hope all goes well. :)
Oh, man, the noises my stomach makes! What a racket.

Shelly, I know what you mean about waiting for results. I am still in the pro-active stage here, where I'm just going on faith. And I'm still running into people who have the gall to dump unsolicited advice on me about how I am such a fool to take all these dangerous drugs. I should just be taking tylenol. I don't tell them their "treatment" is shortsighted and they should be doing what I am! When you're new to RA and groping for what to do, trying to stop and avoid damage, the last thing you need is to hear criticism.

Sorry, slight rant there. I really don't go around discussing this all the time, but I've still managed to receive guff from two acquaintances. That will teach me to respond, "I've got RA too" when someone I have met for the first time brings it up.

I am having trouble with my eyes too. I was diagnosed with "Brown's syndrome" years ago, where the tendon controlling the up and down movement of the eyeball gets inflamed. Now it seems to be inflamed all the time instead of occasionally, and I am tilting my head all over trying to focus. Is sjogrens mainly dry eye? Because mine are dry too but not debilitatingly so.Sounds crazy but sucking on a lemon slice helps me quite a bit with an upset tummy... [QUOTE=Blessed]Sounds crazy but sucking on a lemon slice helps me quite a bit with an upset tummy... [/QUOTE]

When I was pregnant, I often used sour lemon drops to quell the morning sickness.  They worked pretty well too!
Oh yes Jas....I didn't go anywhere without my lemons when I was pregnant...that's when I first used them for morning sickness.  Bluehour,
I think we all have experienced the "I have arthritis too" person. I usually just listen and be polite but realize they have no idea after a few questions.  Maybe they have a very mild, mild form that doesn't require doctor visits or meds or anything at all.  Not even a diagnosis (dx).
Claiming an illness was never something I did before getting RA.  I was so happy to be healthy.
However, I think we are all running on faith, especially the ones who have not experienced relief.  As long as I am somewhat functional i will working very hard to keep what little function and independence I have hoping, having faith something will work eventually. all at the same time making adjustment in my life for the limitations I have from the disease.  I get all sorts of gadgets to help out.
take it easy.
 
 
Blessed,
Sounds perfectly sane to me.  I will pick up some lemons and fresh ginger tomorrow just to cover my bases.  Maybe blend the both of them.
Thanks.
Shelly, I have just started giving myself a break in the ways you describe. I always was appreciative of my good health, and supported it with eating well, watching my weight, and exercise. I certainly wasn't used to making adjustments like figuring out how to carry less to work, open jars, keep from barfing, etc. I denied how weak my hands were becoming for a very long time, punishing myself with squeezing an exercise ball and trying to lift and carry things that were way too heavy. Now, I force myself to ask for help, mainly from my husband but from friends and even strangers if necessary. Yesterday, though, I was carrying some paintings into a beauty salon for display, and the gal asked me if I needed help, and I said oh, no. One step at a time. At least I made several trips.

I don't have it as bad as many on the site, which is why I'm putting myself through this medication struggle, to keep it that way. Oh, I am preaching to the converted, I know. It all takes a lot of time, Shelly, and let me offer you encouragement. I understand your struggle, mentally and physically. Good luck with your lemon-ginger concoctions!Thanks Bluehour,
That's very sweet of you. I really appreciate the words of encouragement and I carry the well wishes with me during my day to keep me going.  The stories here on the arthritis board of strength and courage are motivational and also let me know I am not alone in my RA struggles. 
 
I have been on a few arthritis boards and met some really brave people.  It definitely takes a brave person for this condition but trading tips and sharing our stories help even if just to serve as a reminder of things you already know when you are having a bad day.
 
Just as you have, I tried to keep going with the hands and the feet. pushing through the pain. I had a daughter requiring total care. so I had no choice. However, it really didn't matter what I took medication-wise, my hands have always been really stubborn.  the joint damage is obvious in the hands and in the feet. the medications never seemed to help with that. Initially it was NSAIDs then the DMARDs plaquenil, steroids throughout the years, arava, biologics, then mtx, and back to the biologics. the hands always behaved like I was taking nothing.  RA seemed to have a mind of its own.
You seem to be adjusting well and asking for help when you need to and that's good.
I think I asked for help in the beginning, especially on my daughter's behalf but then when I didn't get it, I developed other ways to become extremely independent and then not accepting any help at all which I wish it didn't have to come to that. but you what you have to.  I am doing a little better with accepting help now, but that experience in the past left me hesitant to do so. RA is so chronic I really try to do what I can on my own first so as to not burn any one person out. I have gotten really good at using the arthritis gadgets, like the grab stick and dressing stick, jar opener, etc. anything to help me be as independent as possible.
Where do you get your paintings.  Do you have a web site where I could take a look at some of the paintings?
Wishing you the best.  Take care.
 
edited for spelling by me.:)
 
 
 
 
 
Shelly632009-01-30 05:37:10I also tried Ginger Root which has a anti-inflammatory effectShelly, you are so right that the stories on the arthritis boards are inspiring. People have so much grace. I feel for you in taking care of your daughter. I'm so lucky in that respect as my boys are grown. I can't imagine doing everything for a child with hands like these. When I'm having a bad day I often think, at least I'm not trying to pick up a baby or pull loose the sticky tape on a poopy diaper. I would have to keep pliers on the changing table! I'm so clumsy that I'd probably poke the poor child with them!

I admire you for learning how to do it yourself when no help was forthcoming.

I have an art gallery, and I will PM you the website as it might be frowned upon as advertising to post it on the open forum. That's another place where I am lucky, as I am self-employed and can rest behind my desk when necessary (though I'd better not fall asleep or I'll also fall off my chair). I have to be there a lot, though. And as a pastel artist myself, I'm having difficulty holding the pastel to work on my paintings. Always something!
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