Debilitating stomach problems for 2 years, unsure what to do now
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hello,
I've been experiencing severe discomfort in my upper abdomen for around 2 years. The main symptoms are complete loss of appetite often accompanied by discomfort in my stomach (I can't describe it as a 'pain', more like a burning - I can only describe it as something akin to food poisoning). I also get bad heartburn and acid reflux (even though I'm on 40mg Omperazole a day) and loose stools. It's very severe and stops me doing normal daily activities.
I have Coeliac Disease, however I follow a strict gluten-free diet and have recently had an endoscopy showing the inflammation in my small instestine has completely healed, meaning there isn't any gluten getting into my diet accidentally.
I have also had a colonoscopy and abdominal CT scan; both normal.
It does confuse me a little is that on my endoscopy lab report, it states that a degree of chemical or reflux gastritis may be present due to the pathology of the biopsy specimens. My doctors seem to think this is insignificant.
If anyone has any ideas about what could be causing this or what avenues to look into next regarding tests, I'd be very grateful of people's input. This has gone on for such a long time now and has had a devastating impact on my life, I'm just at a complete loss.
Thank you.
0 likes, 5 replies
lilian05079 Monarch98
Posted
What kind of diet are you on...have you kept a food diary to see if there is any particular food that may be causing your problems. Have you had a full blood count that may show any vitamin deficiencies.......do you take probiotics to maintain good gut flora? Your endoscopy test would have picked up HPylori..did they look for that?
Monarch98 lilian05079
Posted
Thank you for your reply. I have kept a food diary and eliminated milk, which helped things for a while but now back to square one. I remain dairy-free though.
My FBC was normal with no deficiencies. I think they looked for H. Pylori, I will check though. I have done a stool sample to test for that before however which was negative.
I forgot to mention previously that I also get quite severe headaches and which I didn't link to my gut symptoms originally but it has become quite apparent that they are linked. I presumed after my Coeliac diagnosis that it was the gluten giving me headaches but I still get them so not sure what's causing those.
The doctor mentioned a referral to an endocrinologist today but I'm not really sure what they specialise in and whether it will help me or not.
lilian05079 Monarch98
Posted
An Endocrinologist specialises in the endocrine system....hormones..system consists of thyroid, hypothalmus, adrenal glands which all work together. Sometimes if your adrenals are stressed this can cause gastro problems..if you are stresing psychologically about your health.....maybe your doc is thinking along those lines...best wishes..keep us posted...
Crazymary Monarch98
Posted
You can try taking your acid reflex pill with a allergy pill like Claritin twice a day for 10 days. Also keep a food diary, you may be eating something that's causing these attacks. This is old lady wisdom I am not a Dr. good luck, let me know if it worked for you
pippa58442 Monarch98
Posted