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Feeling unwell for a while and want answers.

Posted , 7 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hi All,

I am new to this discussion board and I am after some advice. I have always had unusual stomach symptoms from a young age and they seem to be occurring more often with time. I am 24 and I was diagnosed with endometriosis 2 years ago. My stomach symptoms are stomach cramps (can be everywhere and sometimes really sharp right at the top) heartburn, burping, really bad nausea, lots of flatulents and loose stools as well as random body pains (like a pin prick), dizziness, headaches and shortness of breath. I am also very fatigue and sleepy. I sometimes will have loose stools up to 8 times a day and when these symptoms have been really bad, I wake up at 2/3am from my sleep with horrible nausea (thinking I’m going to throw up) but it ends up being a runny bowel movement. After going several times a day, I get a small cut in my bottom that bleeds. These symptoms happen at random times triggered by antibiotics, coffee and lactose and suddenly they stop. I’ve tried a FODMAP diet and it made me loose weight and I had to stop it after 4 weeks. My blood tests and stool tests have come back clear twice now, although I am always low in iron, vitamins D and my liver enzymes are slightly off. Doctors think I have IBS. I finally saw a gastroenterologist last week and had more blood and stool samples done. I am due to see them again in 1 week for a follow up on my results - they told me I’d need an endoscopy and colonoscopy depending on the results. I’m a bit scared of the two procedures due to the risks. 

Since my appointment, I’ve had random days of feeling queasy and episodes of feeling dizzy in the middle of the night and waking up dizzy in the morning. I’m so exhausted with no energy and random things ache.

All I know is I am lost for words and I feel so down, I’m over feeling so sick. It is making me anxious. Anyone having the same issues? Can IBS really be making me so ill? 

Thank you for listening smile 

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

  • kathryn36434
    kathryn36434 Guest

    Posted

    Hi mate

    Wow . I feel for you suffering at this level. 

    Your symptoms sound more varied and complex than the IBS-D I have experienced. 

    If I were you I would pursue the medical professionals as well as naturalistic providers to get some answers.

    Alll the best

    Kathryn 

  • susanna76806
    susanna76806 Guest

    Posted

    Hi Rosie856 sorry to here you arequire so unwell. I have IBS for about 5 years now.. I took gastritis about 8 weeks your symptoms are the same as me. Hope you feEl better soon x

    • Guest
      Guest susanna76806

      Posted

      Hi Susanna,

      Thank you for reply. I’ve heard of gastritis - how is that diagnosed and treated? 

  • Margot49
    Margot49 Guest

    Posted

    I have had many of the same issues.  I had more problems with constipation but dealing with daily nausea is horrible!  I have had those procedures and it is really not that bad as they use a light sedation.  Have to start somewhere and it can be a long journey but stay the course.  I have seen GI dictirs, ENT doctors, Neurologists and Motility specialists.  Some of the drugs prescribed made me feel worse or didn't agree with me.  The GI specialist at Stanford told me it can be a dance trying to find out what combo of things will work as everyone can differ.  I am somewhat stable now and have been able to reduce some meds.  I was prescribed Gabapentin to help with my stomach, trying to lower that dose.  I am now on Zantac twice daily having had issues with some other meds.  I have also been on Alprazolam for a number of years but now only take 1/2 pill at bedtime.  As I am sensitive to medications, the GI doctor suggested I try Iberogast, which is a natural OTC supplement.  I used to use it in the AM and PM then cut down to only AM.  Took maybe a couple of weeks to start working but I swear it helped!  I don't use it now.  You can order through Amazon.  Now, the nausea!!  Try to keep something on your stomach even if it is crackers.  Try drinking some ginger and honey in warm water ot tea.  Zofran is often prescribed but I don't like the side effects, dry mouth, what has worked for me is Tigan, you can take 3 X a day.  It is actually an older med my pharmacy actually has to order.  Sorry this is so long.  This is just MY experience and what has worked for ME.  You need to get the testing done.  Good luck.  

  • clarissa42245
    clarissa42245 Guest

    Posted

    Yea it can it makes me sick to my stomach it hurts so bad that I want to cry i often feel like throwing up with it its so bad that I get very nauseous and my stomach hurts
    • Guest
      Guest clarissa42245

      Posted

      Hi Clarissa,

      Thank you for your reply. I’m sorry that you have been having a hard time also - that sounds exactly like me. I’ve been so nausea that I think I’m going to throw up. Does it wake you from your sleep? 

  • pippa58442
    pippa58442 Guest

    Posted

    IBS can make you feel awful and very stressed and anxious. It can take a long time to diagnose.  It took doctors three and a half months to diagnose my IBS. Antispasmodics such as Buscopan worked for me.  It is very mild .  I am very sensitive to medications. I had a bad reaction to the light sedation used for my endoscopy. Tests will rule out other causes.
  • FA54321
    FA54321 Guest

    Posted

    Hi Rosie, I’ve only just seen this post; has anyone mentioned to you that you may have Coeliac disease? A lot of the symptoms you have are similar to mine before I was diagnosed with it.  If you are having an endoscopy and they have considered it, you need to be eating wheat daily for 6 weeks before a test for Coeliac disease so your body is producing the antibodies to detect it. I wish you well in your quest and hope you get some answers soon.
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi All,

    Thank you for your replies. I had my follow up appointment today with the gastroenterologist and my results all came back normal. Stool tests came back negative for any type of inflammation or infection. No sign of inflammation, vitamin deficiencies or abnormal blood counts. The doctor said this means there’s no sign f coeliac or Chrohn’s (IBD). They think I am lactose intolerant and it’s more IBS. I just need to monitor it in the meantime and take iberogast. I didn’t think IBS could make you so ill but obviously it does. 

    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 Guest

      Posted

      IBS flare ups can make you feel awful.  I had three and a half months of symptoms when I first got IBS.  Once I got diagnosed, my anxiety got better and so did my symptoms.  Stress flares it up. Avoid milk and dairy and try distraction techniques like hobbies and light exercise such as walking or swimming to relax you.  This works for me.  Stress makes IBS worse. 
    • Guest
      Guest pippa58442

      Posted

      I agree, Pippa. I’m so relieved that it’s only IBS but will try and manage it/avoid it as best as I can. I have given up on dairy, coffee, alcohol and chilli as these provoke it. So do antibiotics. 
    • pippa58442
      pippa58442 Guest

      Posted

      Antispasmodics such as Buscopan also help with the pain.  Your doctor can also prescribe other ones if Buscopan doesn’t work.  Nurofen also helps.

    • FA54321
      FA54321 Guest

      Posted

      IBS can make you feel very ill at times and people who don’t have it don’t realise how bad it gets. I agree with what Pippa said, but would also add, you may like to look at books on Mindfulness to help relax you too.
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