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Why can’t I eat in the evenings?

37 replies

Myridiculousstomach · 20/11/2023 23:09

I have had horrible bowel and stomach issues for years (currently awaiting a colonoscopy before anyone asks. Last had one 5 years ago which was clear). I have intolerances to a lot of foods, mainly fruit and veg. Nightshades except for potatoes are murderous and I can’t cope with onions, garlic, leeks etc. it’s upsetting because I used to be a real foodie and loved highly flavoured spicy foods. My diet now has to be very bland or the bloating, pain, nausea and diarrhoea are unbearable.

Even more inconveniently, over the past year I’ve become unable to eat a meal in the evening. Breakfast and lunch are fine, even really large meals at those times, but I cannot eat a meal past around 3pm and I cannot eat AT ALL except for a couple of small mouthfuls of food after 5pm - e.g. a few crisps, or a Babybel, or a couple of squares of chocolate. If I eat anything more than that my stomach bloats enormously and painfully, food repeats on my for hours, I feel nauseous for hours, I often have diarrhoea and I can’t sleep until my tummy bloat goes down which can often be a good 6 hours after eating. Does anyone know why this happens? It causes so many problems as I can’t eat out in the evenings or have an evening meal with my family. If I try then I have no evening to speak of as I spent the entire time feeling too unwell to move from bed.

OP posts:
bellac11 · 20/11/2023 23:15

Are you hungry and unable to eat or just not hungry? If you are hungry then try to eat very small meals for breakfast and lunch with some small snacks, literally 20g of nuts or 30g hummus with 5 carrot sticks ( just using this as an example of the size) andthena smalldinner. Yourtummymightneedverysmallbutregularstimulation, but if you're not hungry I wouldn't worry about it

SeymourBusiness · 20/11/2023 23:17

Maybe you have an intolerance and need to try an elimination diet?

bellac11 · 20/11/2023 23:17

Omg, no spaces!

Myridiculousstomach · 20/11/2023 23:18

bellac11 · 20/11/2023 23:15

Are you hungry and unable to eat or just not hungry? If you are hungry then try to eat very small meals for breakfast and lunch with some small snacks, literally 20g of nuts or 30g hummus with 5 carrot sticks ( just using this as an example of the size) andthena smalldinner. Yourtummymightneedverysmallbutregularstimulation, but if you're not hungry I wouldn't worry about it

Edited

Sometimes I’m hungry in the evenings, sometimes I’m less hungry. Even if I haven’t eaten all day (tried this once in an attempt to go out for an evening meal) I get the same symptoms after eating in the evening. I’ve tried the regular small meals thing and it didn’t help so now I just eat a big breakfast and a bit lunch then nothing.

OP posts:
Myridiculousstomach · 20/11/2023 23:19

SeymourBusiness · 20/11/2023 23:17

Maybe you have an intolerance and need to try an elimination diet?

I don’t think so - I did this about 4 years ago and eliminated all the foods that caused a problem. Nothing else causes me issues when I eat it as long as I don’t eat in the evenings.

OP posts:
GingerRedBull · 20/11/2023 23:21

I think eating in the evening is overrated. I much prefer a big lunch. Eating after about 7pm just leaves me with indigestion and gas.

Aquamarine1029 · 20/11/2023 23:23

Peri-menopause.

CiaraLee · 20/11/2023 23:25

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CiaraLee · 20/11/2023 23:26

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Myridiculousstomach · 21/11/2023 00:07

I did wonder about this. I am 45 and peri menopause is causing all
manner of shit so it wouldn’t surprise me if this is part of it.

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CiaraLee · 21/11/2023 00:08

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Neverendingstory2 · 21/11/2023 00:56

I have symptoms similar to this. Usually if I eat around 2pm I’m not hungry the rest of the day. And if I do eat I have reflux, bloating, etc. I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia when I had colonoscopy about a year ago. So now I just roll with it.

CiaraLee · 21/11/2023 01:03

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Boredofmyguts · 21/11/2023 09:11

If you have digestive issues you shouldn’t eat 3-5 hours before bed so it’s best to fill up earlier anyway. Ensure you have enough calories in the day & keep hydrated.
Peri is doing a right number on my health - digestive & otherwise. It’s that, plus having covid that whacked my digestive system right off.

worldwidetravel2017 · 21/11/2023 18:21

Have you had a full blood count recently?
Have you considered a qfit test / poop test?
Have you specifically be asked for your liver function test ? & Kidney test ?

HappyHamsters · 21/11/2023 18:25

Are you taking any medication that might affect your digestion. I eat my main meal at lunchtime now

Myridiculousstomach · 21/11/2023 19:48

no medication and I’ve had endless blood tests recently - the basic stuff and more specialist tests plus poo samples etc. All normal.

OP posts:
HumphreyCobblers · 21/11/2023 20:16

SIBO?

Sorry don't know much about it but have a google. It seems to fit your symptoms

worldwidetravel2017 · 21/11/2023 20:29

Myridiculousstomach · 21/11/2023 19:48

no medication and I’ve had endless blood tests recently - the basic stuff and more specialist tests plus poo samples etc. All normal.

Have they specifically done liver serum alt ?

worldwidetravel2017 · 21/11/2023 20:29

Whats your rough age and whats your feretin number ?
Equally vit d number ?
B12 number ?

worldwidetravel2017 · 21/11/2023 20:30

Myridiculousstomach · 21/11/2023 19:48

no medication and I’ve had endless blood tests recently - the basic stuff and more specialist tests plus poo samples etc. All normal.

Have you had gastroscopy ?

worldwidetravel2017 · 21/11/2023 20:31

Been checked 4 ovarian cancer ? / feeling full - bloating etc ?

  • ^ had a transvaginal scan ?
Ca125 is a blood test 4 inflammation - have u had that ?
Myridiculousstomach · 22/11/2023 05:33

Yes - it was fine.

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Myridiculousstomach · 22/11/2023 05:34

worldwidetravel2017 · 21/11/2023 20:29

Whats your rough age and whats your feretin number ?
Equally vit d number ?
B12 number ?

I’m 45 and I can’t remember the exact numbers but everything was well within the normal or optimum ranges.

OP posts:
Myridiculousstomach · 22/11/2023 05:35

worldwidetravel2017 · 21/11/2023 20:30

Have you had gastroscopy ?

No. I’m awaiting a colonoscopy but my GP didn’t think I needed a gastroscopy.

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