Abdominal problems getting worse

Posted , 4 users are following.

Hi all, 

I have seen a few doctors regarding my condition and I'm currently under a treatment but it feels like they are just throwing ideas to see what it sticks. My problems started 2 months ago, one night when I woke up with some abdominal pain. I though it was from a fruit juice I drank on the empty stomach that evening. The following day though I had to leave the office because I felt my whole chest was blocked and I couldn't breath, shivering and just feeling bad all over my body. Went to my GP who diagnosed me with a gastroenteritis and gave me Omeprazol and some anti diarrhea drugs, although I didn't have any. Symptoms went away after a few days but I still remained with a lack of appetite and feeling bloated. I could stay 24 hours without eating and still not feeling hungry. Also I could eat anything and it didn't make me feel better or worse. Close to the holidays I started to have a little pain again and being afraid to not have another episode I went to another GP (mine was in holiday). She gave me blood tests and also some tests for gut flora based on stool samples. Everything came clean, except the gut flora which was a disaster: clostridium species were all over the place, lactobaccilius were almost nonexistent, blood and inflammattion markers were bad. She proposed me to see a gastroenterologist.  

I went to the hospital and the guy laughed at me saying that I was tricked to pay for that report which they never ask because it isn't reliable(?) for them. He proposed me though to do an endoscopy and colonoscopy. Not happy with it I went to another one who also didn't pay attention to that report. In the end I did the 2 investigations and no changes were detected, the biopsy showed a small inflammation, post infectious they said and type c gastritis. No food recommendation was given,just to eat moderate amounts. 

My problem is that I'm feeling worse and worse: sometimes I wake up in the night with amazing head aches and during the day I also get some episodes of dizziness that I can hardly stand up or walk straight. During these episodes I also noticed some skin rashes, on my abdomen which go away the next day. I went back to my GP and told her my latest symptoms and she prescribed me again some PPI for 2 months together with some magnesium and B6 and probiotics with Lactobacillius plantarum. This was last week and on my own I also went on diet: toasted bread with some cheese in the morning and evening, and plain rice or pasta at lunch. I was feeling quite well until this weeekend when I went to a company training. I only ate some fish and potatoes and 8 hours later I was crawling in my bed from head and abdominal pain. In 2 months I bought a whole bag of pills for all the possible symptoms and yet I feel like I'm back to square one. Eating is like a Russian roulette, my energy levels are at minimum and I have the feeling that even for doctors it's like a guessing game. So any directions would be much appreciated

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5 Replies

  • Posted

    If your gut flora was out of balance, was SIBO mentioned? The other possibility could be IBS.  Try avoiding potato which can be an IBS trigger food.  Were you tested for celiac and h pylori?

    If gastritis was found, try avoiding chocolate, coffee, alcohol and anything greasy or spicy.  I'm suprised your doctor did not tell you this.

    Keep a food diary to identify other food intolerances which may be the cause of the stomach rash.  Rashes can also be caused by stress.

     

    • Posted

      Thanks for the answer. SIBO was mentioned as a high risk. IBS was also mentioned as a possibility howevere during this period I did not have any change in bowel movements, no diarrhea or constipation. I already cut off on coffef and alcohol, not that I am a heavy drinker, sugar products. 
    • Posted

      Do you have change of bowel habit now?  Has your doctor suggested a

      a SIBO breath test or tried you on Rifaximin which is used to treat SIBO?

    • Posted

      Nope. All is working like a Swiss clock down there, everyday around same hour it needs to go. My GP gave me a prescription for Flagyl(metronidazole) but the gastroenterologist told me not to take it since it was not a specific test for Clostridium difficile. I found a slot for an appointment in the hospital Thursday. Anything I should speciffically ask for? I will ask about these breath tests but maybe there is something else I can propose so that things move a little faster, instead of just waiting. Thanks
    • Posted

      You seem to be getting conflicting advice.  I would take the medication your doctor gave you and see if it helps.  If you react badly to it or it doesn't work, you can always stop it.  At the moment, I would just concentrate on trying to get a SIBO breath test first and at least that is one thing ruled in/out.

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