Loss of appetite, acid reflux, peri menopausal, dull ache in right side, desperate!
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi all. My name is Vicki and i'm 45 years old. A couple of months ago i experienced some acid reflux and change in my stools. The reflux passed in a couple of days but my stools remained softer, thinner and a yellowy/orange colour. I went to the Docs and a colonoscopy was arranged for me. Before the colonoscopy was scheduled I went to Spain on holiday with my family. Before the holiday I had 3 weeks of spotting before having a 2 week long period. The last period I had was in March, so the spotting and 2 week long period happened 4 months after my last period. During the holiday I started getting acid reflux again and began to loose my appetite. Not good on holiday! Since i've come back i've had the colonoscopy which seemed to be okay but my acid reflux is awful and I still have no appetite and have to force myself to eat. I have completely changed my diet to only acid reflux friendly food but I'm still suffering. I've lost nearly half a stone and i'm really worried. Could all this be linked to perimenopause? I also have a dull ache regularly around my right rib. Can anyone help? I'm struggling...
0 likes, 7 replies
LouiseScotland vicki19082
Posted
Hi Vicki, bodies are just a pain...literally at times!
I have no medical qualification but I would very much doubt your symptoms are part of the lead up to menopause.
It's good that the colonoscopy hasn't thrown up anything, so at least that is reassuring.
Two things you said caught my eye...the yellow/orange stools, and the ache on your right side. Can I ask if you have ever had episodes of feeling generally, horribly unwell, or have you had any severe episodes of pain anywhere in the abdomen, or in your right side, or through your right shoulder? The reason I ask is that any of those symptoms, either alone or in combination, could be indicative of gallstones, as could the dull ache.
It's just a suggestion, and I could be way off, but just something to bear in mind.
I hope you find out what's wrong, and feel much better very soon x
vicki19082 LouiseScotland
Posted
Hi Louise. Thanks so much for your reply. i have not had severe pain in my upper right abdomen but more of a dull ache and yes, it does radiate up to my right shoulder. A few years ago I was given an ultrasound for gallstones but only polyps not gallstones were discovered. I was monitored over a 6 month period to see if there were any changes to the polyps as apparently they can grow and become cancerous. There was no change. Last week I visited my GP mainly about the acid reflux and i was prescribed some tablets. I mentioned my previous polyps issue and was told I'd be put forward for another ultrasound. I am just so anxious waiting and so concerned that i don't feel like eating at all. Thanks again for your reply/support xx
Sally4x vicki19082
Posted
Hi Vicki,
I have had similar pains over the last few years. All that was found was gallbladder polyps when I was convinced I had gallstones. I even had an MRI of my gallbladder as well as an ultrasound. I was on Omeprazole for gastritis type pains, but it actually gave me bad stomach pains that went when I stopped it. I recently got the right sided pains back and had another ultrasound, but the polyps were smaller and insignificant. On the list of the 66 symptoms of menopause gallbladder type pains are on there.
Sally xx
vicki19082 Sally4x
Posted
Hi Sally,
Thanks so much for your message. Since my original message I paid for a private ultra sound as I had no idea how long the NHS appointment would take to come through. The polyps, which I already knew about ranged from 1.5mm to 9mm - six polyps in total. I am convinced that these polyps are causing my acid reflux and even the radiographer said that polyps can mimic gallstone symptoms. I have now been referred to a gastric specialist but again, have no idea how long that will take to come through. Can I ask you what happened with your pain, reflux and polyps? Are you okay now? Thanks so much. Vicki x
Sally4x vicki19082
Posted
Hi Vicki,
I originally was told I had one 4mm polyp then ten ranging up to 5mm. This was over three years and my symptoms came and went. I then had an MRI and it just showed one at 4mm. In June I had another ultrasound and it showed two at 2mm! They ignore them here if under 5mm. Right now I have no symptoms. I know they are concerned over 1cm about malignancy. They will probably suggest removing your gallbladder. They were going to for me if mine grew.
Take care,
Sally xx
pinkcatfairy vicki19082
Posted
Dear vicki
I too in peri lost my appetite and had to force myself to eat, i then had gastitis following loss of appetite, i had alot of reflux and with a hiatas hernia caused the gastitis i believe. Prior to menopause i had gallbladder problems and no stones were found but i asked for gallbladder to be taken out and they said it was infected, which didnt show on scans. I suffered with nausea dull niggly pains just under right rib, and pain radiating through right shoulder. I was told gallbladder seemed ok because scans did not show up anything but i know that it was the problem when i drank alot of full fat milk(it was one new years eve and i wasn't drinking alcohol) my friend decided to give me the milk and i had bad pains! I knew then it was the gallbladder.
dominique64820 vicki19082
Posted
hi vicky
this is all very interesting ive had acid reflux for 6/7 yrs now (had op for it last year but wasnt successful) never had reflux in my life before not even when i was pregnant. my husband is convinced its hormone related and linked to me being peri . im wondering if the gall bladder is connected though. i have a 4mm polup too. i dont break down fats well at all. i wonder if polyups effect the priduction of bile? the bile is what breaks down the fat. im seeing a new doc and hes just prescribed bio iden hormone replacement therapy. i tried bio progest years ago but it didnt help but hes prescribed oestragen and progest. ive read women have cured their reflux with hormone replacement therapy but ive also read it can get worse before it gets better so im a bit apprehensive about starting! i know some people have to experimemt alot with dose before they see improvements.
i really need to overcome the reflux as its destroying me as a person and making me soooo unhappy to the point i wonder if its worth being around any more???