Dude! So What’s Up with Your Stomach?

Time to talk about what has been going on. It started at mile 42 of Leadville. BAM! Instantly I couldn’t run anymore. The next two week s were filled with frustration from a DNF, mild nausea, and some discomfort. Then I went to the American Discovery Trail Marathon. Despite being on-pace for my goal at mile 21, I was crippled to a jog with stomach shut down.

I took a week off of running and scheduled a doctor’s visit. He thought I had a gastric ulcer. After sticking his finger in a place where no man should touch me, I was put on ulcer medication. That night was spent doubled over in pain with no sleep. I had cramping, sharp pains, and fullness. For 11 weeks, I could not eat a reasonably sized meal without feeling completely stuffed. I was never hungry anymore. A glass of beer would spoil my appetite for the entire evening. Many nights I would just skip dinner all together.

I went to the Denver Marathon with a goal of taking a Boston qualifier home. Everything was fine for about 20 miles, then it got hard, as marathons should. But at about 22 miles, I was throwing up stomach acid and slowing. The last mile killed me and I missed my time by a mere minute and 30 seconds.

Eventually, I was seen for an endoscopy to confirm the ulcer, but it came out clean. I was referred for an ultrasound to check gall stones, gall bladder lining, and other gastrointestinal structures. Again, it was clean. So I continued on the medication for a few more weeks. Then it ran out.

My dad recommended Probiotics to help set the digestive system straight. I was skeptical but I was looking for anything to change this feeling. I don’t want to jump the gun, but so far, so good. I haven’t had the full feeling, I am able to eat reasonably, and although I haven’t run a marathon since starting treatment, I haven’t puked or had stomach problems. I am looking for things to improve gradually on this treatment and return to the doctor if there isn’t a significant change. 2010 looms with a lot of tough runs and I need to be set straight.