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A right old conundrum

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youngatheart1
youngatheart1

Hi Am at wits end over various symptoms and GP not interested.  Long one I am afraid, but might ring a bell with someone.  56 female, white, long history of GERD, diagnosed with diverticular last October and have had on and off IBS since a child.  So all stomach/colon/bowel related things.  Last few months following what I thought was a flair up have had on and off, more on really, pain which starts in left side under ribs, this then moves all over abdomen, sometimes into right, sometimes above belly button, sometimes just above groin area, stabbing and burning or just a dull bloated feeling. Did think it was wind but windeze does not help, nor does buscopan or colpermin.  Bloods ok, ultrasound ok, GP refuses to do an endoscopy as had one six years ago and nothing could have happened in that time !!!!! that worries me more than anything as that cannot be true.  Also said could not be H Pylori as would have been tested 6 years ago and if I did not have it then could not have it now.  My stools are normal colour, no blood, a little large on occasions and then pellets on others (sorry), no weight loss, no sickness, I insisted on a gastro referral which she did under duress and am waiting for that. 10 days ago took myself off to the walk in centre as fed up with my GP, saw a lovely doc who had a really good painful feel and said she thought it could be coleiac, so I thought I would cut it out and within 2 days all pain gone, but now back again even though cutting out gluten.  Really worried it is stomach cancer, my gp and walk in one said not because I would be really thin and have no pain, I do not believe this as the other day there was a lady doing an interview who had stomach cancer, she looked well, was cooking and eating, was not thin, but at the end it said she had passed away, she looked perfectly normal, it is that picture that I cannot stop thinking about.  Sorry to come across a bit neurotic but am fed up with not being believed.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • aveline
    aveline youngatheart1

    Posted

    Well, Coeliac occurred to me, too - reading your post. Don't cut out gluten...get tested!  You wouldn't heal in 2 days, so you'd still experience pain and symptoms. Don't let anyone rule it out for you without proper testing...  But, we can say that about the rest of the possibilities, can't we?  I'd love to believe your doctors that this isn't cancer - so what is it then?  You'll be worried until they tell you otherwise with a true diagnosis. (not sure stomach cancer would even have you in pain in so many places, really...if you want to reassure yourself that it's not a tumor - far more likely diagnoses than The Big C) 

    Could it be gynocological? Like...fibroids or something?  Maybe a visit with the OB/GYN could get your answers (or rule out those possibilities).

    And, another suggestion based on what you wrote - try eliminating dairy or at least lactose (the sugar found in dairy). Some sources like cheddar cheese are naturally lactose free, but others could give you trouble and possibly in all areas described. You could have had some shortage of lactase (enzyme that breaks down lactose in the small intestines) which became more significant over time. It seems worth looking into.

    So, if the blood test comes back positive or even suspicious for Coeliac, then you'll get an endoscopy (with biopsies) and they'll probably look for H Pylori at the same time. Just take a step backwards to go forwards, I guess...but don't give up. Hang in there - and GOOD LUCK!! HUGS! 

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 aveline

      Posted

      Thanks for replying, I did wonder about cancer with pain being all over, googling doesn't help. I am going to stay on gluten and get tested, I do notice the pain a little worse after milk, so as you say maybe lactose. I thought I might keep a food diary and see what happens when. Take care
    • aveline
      aveline youngatheart1

      Posted

      A food diary is a excellent idea!! smile

      Please tell yourself it's NOT cancer wink  The chances of this being something not malignant are far greater than any chance that this is cancer. For you, my concern is that it's not one non-cancerous condition, it's multiple...but keep digging and you WILL find answers!  (Also why I thought maybe gyno, too?)  These boards are full of people who don't have cancer and do have lots of pains & symptoms that were/are hard to diagnose.  I wish you well!! smile

    • pchaney
      pchaney aveline

      Posted

      Hubby had H Pylori and after every meal major diareah. It was terrible but when they put him on the medication which I cant remember what the heck it was after a while it settled down . He has not had this happen since he was treated for that issue

       

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 pchaney

      Posted

      Hi, I am lucky as I do not have diorrhea which I suppose is why GP said not HP, would just be nice to know what is causing constant pain.  Glad to hear hubby is better, 
  • pchaney
    pchaney youngatheart1

    Posted

    The stomach is a sensitive thing. I have boughts of severe diaharea, bloating, feeling like I want to pass out, cramping and my belly balloons out like a basketball. When these happen I am laying out on the floor for 30 minutes not wanting to be touched lol. These events are evil I tell you but its only when I have an excess of dairy products. So mine is dairy. Then I like you am googling every page I can find including stomach cancer sites. You can drive yourself crazy when it gets to that. Just when you can start a dietary journal documenting what your diet is and on those days evaluate exactly what you ate. It helps keep me in check. I am overweight so I use fat secret to document mine but there are many sites out there where you document your diet and forums about those specific worries. It helps sometimes to get suggestions from other sufferers.

     

    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 pchaney

      Posted

      Googling is my worse enemy, everything leads to Cancer, my GP did say that they puy everything down to cancer, but do not ask the necessary questions like, what did you eat, are you this, are you that, if you see what I mean. For me it was seeing that poor lady who looked perfectly well, cooking, eating, lke me a bit overweight but she had terminal stomach cancer which did not fit which what my GP told me.  I am wondering if it is milk related rather than gluten as when I had a cappucino yesterday the pain got worse.  Will keep an eye out and look at the site you have mentioned.  Thanks again
  • complicated
    complicated youngatheart1

    Posted

    Hi - I had simiar symptoms to you - ended up in hospitals with part bowel obstructions exacly as your symptoms were in change of size of poo. Mine kept getting worse in the end severe pain which was excrutiating. I ended up being aditted on several occasions. Like you I was not believed and  think they thought I was a Morphine addict or something. 55 year old female. In the end they did a CT scan and discovered a Pelvic abscess. I had an eleven hour op leaving me with a ileostomy and on going problems. Keep on at the doctors - demand your treatment. You have the right to go to any hospital in the country for investigations. I live in Stoke and have been to the Royal Marsden London to see Prof Andreyev top Gastroenterologist, Christies to see Prof Clarke for Urology. So if you are not satisfied with an treatment do your reserach and ask for a referral to that consultant. All the best with everything = dont get fobbed off by any GP = if you feel like that make a complaint - its our health they are risking.
    • youngatheart1
      youngatheart1 complicated

      Posted

      Hi sorry for late reply have been away to Germany. Sorry to hear about your problems, hope you are getting better.  I do wonder whether once you hit your 50's it is down hill as so many things have got worse for me since then, my GP blames everything on the menopause.  The strange thing is that whilst away I ate and drank what I wanted, brave move but too be honest never had any pains or problems apart from a little twinge now and then. Came back on Sunday, yesterday had the worse diarrhea ever (sorry) horrendous pains and today still sore around tummy area.  I am racking my brains as to why, a couple of things have popped up, 1) the milk in germany in long life and did not have a lot and 2) I did not take my usual supplements, ie milk thistle, zinc, vit C, magnesium and probiotics which I am taking in case I have reduced levels due to taking esomeprazole. Yesterday I had porridge and cappuccino, so now wondering if it lactose or intolerance to supplements.  I have a gastro appt in early December so intend to make sure my concerns are heard, I just hope that my GP has not said I am a lunatic LOL. Take care
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