GI issues for nearly 2 years and no answers...Please help!!
Posted , 10 users are following.
Please can somebody help me??
I have suffered with gastrointestinal problems for almost 2 years now and after numerous tests I am still suffering and no nearer finding out whats going on.
Historically I had a cast iron stomach - could eat anything with no issues. However I started getting stomach pain which was in my upper abdomen just under my sternum and I can only describe it as feeling like I'd been punched and winded.
I also started to get bloating, really badly. To the point where I looked pregnant. It tended to be better in the morning and gradually got worse and worse througout the day to the point that in the evening it was really painful and uncomfortable. Then I would get general pain across my whole abdo area and my stomach would be very noisy - gurgling etc.
I've tried various diets: FODMAP, Gluten free, Lactose free etc etc and I can't find a food trigger it seems to vary every day and I'm not sure its related to food specifically.
When I first went to GP about it they did various blood tests and found I had a vitamin B12 deficiency. I was then referred to hospital and had a gastroendoscopy and colonoscopy as well as biopsies for Coeliac. Everything was fine and they said it wasn't a bowel disease, there were no ulcers, no inflammation and it wasn't Coeliac or Pernicious Anaemia. I was diagnosed instead with IBS.
After doing some research I found that IBS does not cause B12 deficiency and also the tablets I was given for IBS - Mebeverine and Buscopan etc made no difference whatsoever. So I'm really doubting that diagnosis also I doubt suffer with constipation or diarrhea.
I've started seeing a new doctor and they have ran more blood tests: There is no indication of inflammation/infection and everything appears to be ok including Thyroid. The doctor thought it could be H Pylori. However the antigen stool test came back negative.
I've since had an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound and again that has come back clear - no stones/cysts etc.
The doctor prescribed me Omoprezole 20 mg twice daily. That seemed to settle my stomach a little bit but it made me extremely nauseous so I had to drop it to once daily and that seemed to help the sickness and I'm not due to see the doctor until next week.
Other symptoms I have are: fatigue, muscle aches, dry itchy skin, joint aches, Reynaud's disease, 'brain fog'. I've been having b12 injections 3 monthly so in theory none of the symptoms should be related to that
I am literally at my wits end. I'm at the point where I don't want to go out for meals with friends/family because I'll feel dreadful. Holidays get ruined because I get so badly bloated and pain after eating.
Does anybody have any ideas at all? Sorry its so long winded.
0 likes, 25 replies
agentdove Sidd
Posted
Hi Sidd
What your describing sounds more like cfs/me.
I suffer with this and like you have had lots of test come back negative. It also has symptoms with stomach discomfort, pain and bloating as you describe.
I also had a hernia that was not found on several occasions until I had a separate operation. This too may cause upper abdominal pain?
IBS can be an umbrella diagnosis when they can'take find anything else. It does sound like your really going though it at the moment. 😣
Hope you find somthing that helps soon. Take care and stay strong xx
Sidd agentdove
Posted
Hi thank you so much for your reply.
I had never even considered this but now I come to think of it fatigue is my pain symtptom alongside the bloating so that's very interesting.
I'll have to do some more research.
:-)
pippa58442 Sidd
Posted
Your symptoms do sound like IBS. When nothing else is found, IBS is the diagnosis; I would accept your doctor's opinion because you have had many negative tests. It is very common to doubt an IBS diagnosis. It may well be you have IBS and a B12 deficiency and both may be unconnected with each orher. Anxiety will make your symptoms worse. Ask your doctor for a different medication; you may have to try several to find one that works because everyone's IBS is different. Mebeverine is known not to work and to cause nasty side effects, I had to stop Mebeverine, but Buscopan worked. You can get joint pain with IBS too.
You can get itching and nausea with omeprazole. I had this but it was mild and went away. You may also be reacting to the B12 injections. Maybe ask for a different PPI/antacid that is less toxic on your stomach. I take over the counter antacids and they work fine with no side effects.
Sidd pippa58442
Posted
Hi Pippa thanks for your reply.
It's not that I'm doubting it I just think that too often it's used as a diagnosis so further investigation isn't done.
The IBS symptoms and the b12 started at the same time and prior to that I was always very healthy.
None of the IBS medication has worked whatsoever nor have the diets which makes me think something else is causing the IBS symptoms. Either way I can't go on like this
pippa58442 Sidd
Posted
Sometimes anti depressants help with IBS and some benefit from gut targeted hypnosis. While many people benefit from the Fodmap Diet, some do not. Some people don't have food triggers and so diets don't help. Others have food reactions that don't fit in with the Fodmap plan. IBS is so different for everyone and that is why it is difficult to identify and treat.
Maybe ask to be referred to an IBS clinic as well. They can spend more time with you and tailor treatment to fit your particular IBS. GP/family doctors don't have much time to spend with patients these days so it can be difficult to get proper treatment.