What's going on with my digestive system

Thanks for your comments, I'm quite surprised this thread got so popular. I've tried to make a point of keeping this thread updated to help myself and to try and help others, although I do forget sometimes and need prompting with notifications. However, of late there isn't much to report, slow process of FODMAP and food elimination. Already found out that white bread and strawberries are trigger foods, they both make me very unwell. My dietician wants to do some formal skin prick allergy testing on me as the reaction from eating strawberries and white bread comes on within 10 minutes of eating, and takes me to a illness level much worse than I normally get. They also want ot test me for coeliac disease, again, but with no gluten in my diet this seems quite a pointless exercise, although the dietician seems to think they will be able to find out if I have a gluten allergy / intolerance regardless.

I'm interested in your comments concerning your back, and the person you read about having a nerve problem that was causing these types of problems we get. You probably know from reading this thread that all my problems started from back pain that came on one morning whilst at work. My partner is always saying to me that she thinks there is a problem with my back, as I keep complaining about it. Too be honest I forget what I've complained about half the time cause there always seems to be something wrong, so I don't notice it. You mentioned that you went back to work, and after some heavy lifting your symptoms came back. When I get active I notice that my symptoms come back, or get worse. When I approached the physiotherapist about this and asked her if back pains cause digestive problems, she said she had never heard of this but was aware that stomach problems, not digestive tract problems, can cause back pain. I think its something that needs addressing again, and like you I will be mentioning this to my GP when I next see them. Do you get back pain in one specific spot or can it affect any part of your back? Mine tends to be lumber / lower back region. I get pains up around and inbetween my shoulders now and again, but I put this down to bloating, indigestion, acid reflux, or whatever else is going on with me at the time. Still definitely something to suggest to the doctor, my back is so weak that I will need some physiotherapy to strengthen it up before I attempt to go back to work anyway.

Good luck for the future, I hope you can get to the bottom of your problems. And cheers again for the comments concerning this thread, its nice to know my time and effort trying to keep it going are appreciated. Hopefully we can close it as 'SOLVED' one day soon!!

Hi Dustin

Thanks for reading my discussion and taking the time for responding. I do hope your course of treatment for SIBO goes well, and you make a good recovery, best of luck!

Couple of questions I wanted to ask you was how did you get your diagnosis of SIBO? Were there any specific tests / investigations you had to go through to determine your diagnosis? I have already questioned my doctor, Gastroenterologist and Dietician about this before, and they were convinced it wasn't SIBO, even though I've had my own thoughts that this could be causing my symptoms.

I was diagnosed with CFS/ME a couple of months ago, and even though I've been on a low FODMAP diet for ages now, which should help eliminate bloating, I still experience lots of bloating, pain and generally feeling ill almost constantly. This could be related to CFS/ME as IBS symptoms are common for people suffering with this illness, but I am still hopeful of finding a specific cause and the cure for it. If you would be kind enough to let me know how you were diagnosed with SIBO, then I can see whether any of the testing I've had done would have eliminated SIBO.

I would be grateful if you could let me know the info I've asked about, and thanks again for your comments.

Thank you for your kind and inspirational words Tonnette, I will keep trying to find the exact cause for all my symptoms, and I am always hopeful of finding a cure. However, it is becomming increasingly difficult since the doctors have diagnosed me with CFS/ME with IBS. I get the impression that they feel they have done their job in labelling my symptoms and giving their diagnosis, and that is all they can, and will do for now. I still have doubts about this, and I am considering what would now be a third opinion from another doctor, but have this feeling that they will look through my notes and give exactly the same diagnosis. Still, I'll keep trying to get to the bottom of all this, never know, one day everything may turn out well again.

Take care!

They haven't found out whats wrong with me yet Tamara, firstly it was IBS, now its CFS/ME, just waiting for the next diagnosis now !!! Dustin mentioned SIBO to me in his post, which is one cause I have mentioned to doctors and dietician before, but they don't seem convinced enough that it could be this to test for it. Just had more blood tests done to eliminate other causes and determine whether I can be referred to my local CFS/ME clinic (local being 30+ miles away from where I live!) Should results come back negative then I can be referred. Got an MRI scan on my head on Saturday, just precautionary. I did start a new discussion 'Whats it like to have CFS/ME' as along with the symptoms you mentioned that you get, I have developed additional one's on top.

As for help / advice I can give you, I'm at a loss really. I have to say that my digestive system has calmed down quite a bit from being put on a low FODMAP diet, even though I generally feel groggy daily and still experience flare up days. My diet is very lacking in foodstuffs due to so many reactions to different types of foods, that I have had to be put on 400ml of Fortijuce a day to keep weight on and help give me the nutrients I am lacking from my poor diet. What has helped me most is cutting out sugar, fat, alcohol, caffeine, processed foods, bread (yeast), eggs, pork, lamb, fruit, most vegetables and pasta. I'm gluten and lactose free too. I can eat small amounts of chocolate, but it has to be a specific brand. Decaf coffee is ok, but can't drink tea.

I'm also getting CBT at present to help with anxiety / depression, as I am finding it very worrying and difficult to reintroduce foods into my FODMAP diet, due to the anxiety a having bad reactions, I just can't bring myself to do it. I also need help with panic attacks as when I do feel able to get out and about, any slight discomfort or pain triggers panic in me. I'm pretty much housebound at present, either due to CFS/ME, IBS or anxiety, I'm a mess really! Very demoralising when two and a half years ago I had just as much get up and go in me as my children have. I could eat anything, drink anything, do anything, I had a life, and now, I'm stuck here on the sofa most days, feeling sorry for myself and feeling ill, missing the life I used to have.

I live in hope that one day my health will improve enough to have a bit of a life again, but I'm also trying to come to terms with the fact that there doesn't look like there is going to be a miracle cure and I could be like this for some time yet.

I wish you all the best for the future, and I hope you have more success than me in finding the cause of your symptoms and getting them treated. Good luck.

Hi Walter

Sorry to hear that you are having as torrid a time as myself, you're right, at our ages, I'm 42, I feel like we're way too young to be going through all this. I wish I had some advice for you, but unfortunately things haven't improved for me, totally the opposite if I'm being honest. I've recently been diagnosed with CFS/ME, which have IBS type symptoms as part of the illness. Now my doctor seems to think I have developed Fibromyalgia, and has referred me to a Rheumatologist for further investigation of this, and again IBS is a common symptom of Fibromyalgia. So I'm still under the radar as they say, but I'm doubtful of any positive results the specialists may find. I've also got to have a head MRI scan in a month, just to illiminate the possibility of MS. I'm also receiving counselling for anxiety and panic attacks, something that has developed due to being so unwell most of the time, and not actually knowing whats causing it.

I noticed you take the PPI Prilosec, but also antacids. Are you sure that these can be taken together? I'm currently on the PPI Omeprazole, but it states quite clearly that I should not take antacids with this medication. It might be something worth looking at, just in case it might not be helping your symptoms. As for other recommendations, I'm lucky enough to have been prescribed a nutritional drink called Fortijuce, that enables me to stick to the few foods I can eat, but gives me some of the nutrition I need to keep me sort of healthy, and it also keeps my weight maintained. I would loose even more weight without it due to the few foods I can actually stomach, I've lost a total of 4 stone since my problems started. Other than that Walter, I'm afraid I don't have any other things I can suggest, due to the fact that I'm getting used to my new diagnosis'.

I would be very interested to hear how your Echo results turn out, I've always had a worry that my problems couls be linked to my heart, lungs, etc, however the doctors and specialists I've seen see no reason to check this part of me out, my lungs sound clear and my heart seems to be ticking away nicely when they listen, and thats all they have to say. They haven't seen me when my heart decides to race and/or pound out of my chest for no apparent reason, or I struggle to breathe, they all say its anxiety, which yes it could be, but surely other possibilities should be illiminated before they make these claims. I have tried to tell them on numerous occasions but it seems my queries fall on deaf ears. If you could let me know the finding of your Echo, I would be extremely grateful.

I wish I could give you some advice or info that might give you some hope, but at present, there really isn't much in the way of positive comments I can give you. Please take care and all the best for the future, and I hope your health improves, sooner rather than later!

Forgot to mention, I'm currently on a low FODMAP diet, which might be worth you trying, if you haven't already, plenty of info on the internet to help you with this diet. It basically illiminates most / all foods that have fermentable carbohydrates in them. This in turn will reduce the amount of gas / wind produced from these foods during digestion, therefore, in theory, leading to less bloating, burping and flatulence. I have to say that my IBS problems have reduced since being put on this diet, and has helped me feel a bit physically better. I still have a daily feeling of nausea and bloating, but not as intense as before and generally I have improved a bit in this area. I still get bad flare up days now and again, however these are less frequent than they used to be.

Just an idea for you, that might help your problems.

Hi Paul,

My echo was negative. My situation is tolerable but extremely annoying. I feel like I continuously need to clear my throat via a dry cough. It gets worse with different positions. In addition I'm chronically bloated, especially in the upper abdomin and my stomach burns and gf et hunger pains, which dry food eases. Also, I get bad headaches everytime i eat anything. That is annoying.

I've been told i have IBS due to anxiety. I'm not sure if it is I've been drinking ginger tea daily which I'm not sure if it helps. I'm been taking exedrin for my headache, pepto for my stomach issues, and gaviscon for my burning (in case I have reflux)

Sorry to hear your still have your symptoms. I've had them for over 4 month and I'm ready to be done withrough them.

Hi again Walter

The negative Echo result you had makes me think if I had one done, nothing out of the ordinary would be found. I'm always having to clear my throat too, but like you, my Gastroscopy / Endoscopy showed nothing out of the ordinary. Interesting you mention that eating eases your symptoms, it is the same for me, and that is a usually a sign of stomach ulcer(s), however our scopes were clear, odd! I was told to drink peppermint tea once, I tried it for a few days and it made me worse, so gave it up. All I drink now is water, and at least 2 litres a day, it is one of the few things that helps my bloating, which like you is chronic. I'm taking photos of my abdomen at the moment to show the doctor. I weigh 67 kgs, yet I look pregnant most of the time. Constant, chronic bloating needs to be investigated further, thats why I'm taking the photos to prove this is not a now and again problem.

Have you been tested for SIBO? Could be a possibility. I've questioned my doctor about it many a time, but they never seem that interested. I will keep on at them until they decide to refer me for SIBO testing, its one of the few things left to test for that could be causing these issues. Also you mentioned you were taking Pepto, is that 'Pepto-Bismol'? So you are not taking any type of proton pump inhibitor at the moment? It might be worth trying a PPI, I was producing too much stomach acid according to my doctor, and as soon as I started taking Omeprazole, the severe pains across the upper abdomen improved drastically, and I haven't had them since.

In addition to the info I gave you in my last post, I have gone gluten and lactose free, whether this has helped I'm not sure, but as I said before my IBS symptoms are improved, but not fully better. I do suggest going gluten and lactose free, and following a FODMAP diet as well, along with cutting out as much sugar and fat from your diet as you can. Yeast also causes me a lot of issues, so cutting out breads and bakery products might be something to try. You need to stick to this for a couple of weeks for it to become effective, surely its worth a try, what else have you got to loose. For me it was a total change of diet compared to what I was used to, and it was hard to adjust, but as I said, I have seen slight improvements in myself, but it hasn't been the magic cure unfortunately.

I too suffer with anxiety and a stress related disorder, my anxiety is quite bad, and I get panic attacks at the slightest thing that feels wrong either with myself or my environment. I am receiving counselling for this, but until they can pinpoint precisely what is causing my issues, then I think I will always have anxiety and panic attacks to some degree.

Trust me, I know how tough you are finding all this at the moment, and I can only hope you find some way of improving your symptoms. Remember, IBS might not sound like much, but for some people it can cause severe symptoms and problems, and be debilitating for the sufferer.

Hi Paul,

Thank you for your suggestions.It does seem that me and you are experiencing similar syptoms, but the danger inlies in assuming we have the same condition. For example I have had hemroid type systems for the past 2+ years, however my PPP examined me and told me it's not a hemroid at first now he changed his mind. Now for the past week, my tail bone area hurts everytime I sit for a while or comes around after sitting around for a while. Who knows if any of this is related to my gastroesophageal issues.

I'm sorry to hear that you have made little progress in figuring your condition. Please keep me updated, because I do believe we have similar symptoms. I'll try your diet. I have been a lot of dairy (cheese, eggs, yogurt) and breed in the last few months. It with be hard to give up gluten and dairy.

I have another chronic symptom that I failed to mention. Everytime i eat heavy foods (I had a beer with nachos satutday which was my second dinner), my heart starts beating rapidly and I get a bad headache.This symptom has been going on for almost a year.

We'll, I this is my condition. I'll keep in touch.

Hey Paul,

I don't think I have SIBO. My endoscopy came back, and sample was clear. I still have chronic upper abdominal bloating, and get really really pregnant bloated after eating. I really miss having a normal sized stomach. I cannot drink carbonated beverages, coffee, alcohol, etc.

How are you doing?

Hi Walter

Its odd that you mention having chronic upper abdominal bloating, cause thats what I get a lot of. For the last week I've looked pregnant, and my stomach is really hard. Its made me feel nausea at times, gives me sharp pains at random points all over my abdomen and in my chest, makes me feel quite dizzy and disorientated at times, and I constantly feel like I need to burp to relieve the symptoms. Today, this latest bout of bloating has eased quite a bit and I feel a lot better than I have done, but I'm sure it will come back before long.

Like I said before, I only ever drink water, apart from a daily small cup of decaf coffee that I have with lactose free milk, which I seem to be able to stomach ok. I haven't had a beer for 2 years now, and I do miss the odd drink now and again, but I can live without it. I have to say that since I've been ill, and cut out alcohol, sugar, fatty foods, my blood pressure and heart rate have dropped a lot, so I suppose its not all that bad really, pity I don't feel the benfits of it with being ill all the time.

I'm not sure if SIBO can be detected by and endoscopy, as the problem lies in the small intestine, and the furthest an endoscopy goes is to the duodenum (the last part of your stomach, and entrance of your small intestine). I think the two tests for Sibo are biopsy taken from the small intestine, or a hydrogen breath test. I'm pretty sure I'm right in thinking this, but as I've researched into it before, but could be wrong.

Forgot to mention that one of my diagnosis was Gastritis, which I'm pretty sure does cause bloating, but I doubt this as I think Gastritis is a constant illness, whereas I only get bouts of these problems.

At the end of the day, all my ideas are just guesswork really, and more ideas to throw at my doctor when I next see him. Another thing to look up that might be causing our issues is 'Candida'. Have a look and see what you think, certainly something else I can mention to my doctor.

Anyway, hope you are coping ok, and keep in touch.

Paul,

Thanks for your quick response. My lower intestinal diagnosis came from my pathological report from my endoscopy biopsy.

It's good you are going to see your doctor. My doctor seems to think that all my issues are from stress and anxiety.Take notes before you see your doctor. Be prepared with questions.

Yesterday, I felt ok. After going for a walk, I felt extremely lightheaded. It was bad. Then I had some food and rest and felt better.These are symptoms of hyperglycemia or low blood pressure, but they seem to come out of nowhere. I wasn't hungry. My stomach felt full.

When you see your doctor, can you ask him about a chronic throat clearing dry cough? A throat that feels like it's irritated by from below ( stomach ), above (post nasal drop), and muscular * (movements, positional) it has been bothering me for months now. Sometimes I need to cough to breath better, help chest discomfort, and is sometimes accompanied by burping. It is rarely painful, but always dry. It's like im coughing past the muscles in my throat. I had a chest xray, and they didnt find anything. Maybe my sphincter is missed up? I don't know. I do know when I swallow something in the morning, I feel like it get stuck in my throat.

Ok, my rant is done. Sorry for piling all this information on you.

Walter

Hi Walter

I didnt realise you sent me another message, I've stopped getting notifications for this discussion for some reason, odd!

The more I read what you have to say, the more i can relate to to it, we are very similar in our symptoms. For instance this bit:

"Yesterday, I felt ok. After going for a walk, I felt extremely lightheaded. It was bad. Then I had some food and rest and felt better. These are symptoms of hyperglycemia or low blood pressure, but they seem to come out of nowhere. I wasn't hungry. My stomach felt full."

Exactly the same as I go through, except it can just happen with or without exercise. Then there was this bit:

"Sometimes I need to cough to breath better, help chest discomfort, and is sometimes accompanied by burping. It is rarely painful, but always dry. It's like im coughing past the muscles in my throat."

Again, I can relate to this 100%, and it does worry me.

I will mention this to my doctor when I see him next, however I'm not due a routine check up for a month yet, so bear with me, but I will let you know what he says.

Just to update you, and this discussion, my doctor has now referred me to a Rheumatologist for suspected Fibromyalgia, however I've got wait until the start of December for my appointment. I experience a lot of random musclar and joint aches and pains, which is his reasoning for the referral. I have read that sufferers of CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia can have breathing difficulties, or experience flu like symptoms, which maybe a contributing factor to our specific throat clearing, breathing issues. Everytime the doctor has checked my lungs and heart he says they are fine, although I have never had any chest scans, but will try and get him to investigate my chest area a bit more thoroughly. I just had my head MRI, but still awaiting results. CBT counselling is pointless as I really don't believe anxiety is a cause for some of the problems I have, and I think the counsellor is starting to think that as well, I haven't had a panic attack for months now. Other than that nothing new to report.

Once I have some new info for this discussion, I'll put it on, I'd be grateful to hear any additions you might have.

Take care and all the best Walter, and for all you others following this.

Hey Paul, hope you are doing well . Any updates on your conditions? For me at least my upper abdomen seems to be always bloated, however no pain . (Could be all inight my head, but it does feel different than before ) I do still get a little nauseous between meals . A pepto quickly fixes that . My esopgagus and throat sometimes burns, but I'm not sure its reflux .

Now to my current situation . Every morning I wake up feeling ok . Nothing bothers me besides sometimes a post nasal drip and extreme dizzyness. However, throughout the day my throat begins to hurt. More like i feel something stuck in my throat, with post nasal drip which leads to my dry throat clearing dry cough. (Which I try to avoid clearing by coughing) and soon afterwards, I get a sore throat on the right side by my tonsils. I checked and my lymph nodes are enflamed and enlarged. And with that comes a little dissyness. I also sometimes have a strong heartbeat, even though my BP and pulse is low.

What can this mean? Can it all be gum disease? Or stress? Or allergies? Or something more serious? Can you relate to any of this? All I know is that throat has been getting sore for the past 6 days and my dry throat clearing cough still exists for the past 3+ months.

Hope ylto hear from you . Hope you are feeling better

Hi Walter

No new updates to report as yet unfortunately, still suffering with allsorts of problems.

With regards to the problems you face, I can relate to a lot of them. For instance, like you, I am always severely bloated but get no pain, I also get bouts of nausea, and I get a sore throat, as well as the constant need to clear it by coughing. Another thing I get is a hot, gassy sensation at the back of my throat. I also get bouts of dizziness, that seem to be linked to the more severe bloating episodes, I also urinate a lot too. I'm starting to wonder if I'm bloating so much in my stomach and bowels that these organs push against other organs, nerves, etc, leading to a lot of the symptoms I get. Its all very random too, yesterday I was really ill and very bloated, yet today I feel a lot better, and my symptoms, even though they are still there, aren't as prominent as they were yesterday.

Like you, I also wake up feeling ok, but as the day progresses, my symptoms get worse. Its almost like eating helps the symptoms briefly, but the digestion process starts to cause more problems. I don't experience any problems with my lymph nodes (or at least I don't think I do), and I don't experience as much problems with my tonsils, but I also get a strong heartbeat, however my BP and pulse rate are normal.

We are definitely very similar with our symptoms. What it all means, I don't have a clue, that should be for the doctors to find out. But as far as I know I don't have gum disease, I'm a lot less stressed than I used to be. I have wondered if I am experiencing allergies, and it is something I will speak to my doctor about again, but tests and indications in the past have almost ruled this out for me. I've always got the feeling/thought in the back of my head that I've got something more serious going on, and my Cognitive Behavioural Therapy counsellor has told me I should pressure my doctor to look at other possible causes, the first being getting my heart and lungs checked out (something that should be done before CFS/ME is diagnosed, but hasn't been done for me, yet I have been diagnosed with CFS/ME??).

Not due to see my doctor until the end of the month for a routine check up, and I will report what is said at that appointment. I'll obviously report any other findings if I get any, in the meantime, I wish you all the best Walter, and keep in touch, especially if you get any info that might be useful. Just remember, you're not alone, and keep hoping we get to the bottom of these problems soon!

Take care.

Hey Paul,

Thank for your reply . It's amazing that it appears that you and me have the same symptoms. I'm glad we can help eachother out . Unfortunately for me, because my doctor seriously believes I only have anxiety disorders, he won't diagnose me with anything else. Which is frustrating .Well, for the last few days, I still have the same symptoms of waking up ok, and throughout the day, the sensation of a lump in my throat appears. With the lump I tend to dry cough to clear my throat . Then that leads to a bad itchy throat and that eventually leads to lightheadedness. In the meantime, my upper abdomen hurts, which may be from hunger, but it doesn't feel like hunger pain alone. It's very annoying . I have realized however, that my throat is no longer sore and that rinsing with listerine and or salt helps slightly. (But that raises my lightnessness) but soon after my symptoms reappear .

I looked in the possibility of candida (fungal infection in throat) However, looking at my throat in the mirror, I don't see any white spots, which is characteristic . Maybe it's an infected gum or tooth since my jaw has a slight discomfort? Maybe is sinusitis, because I do feel like all my sinuses are acting up from time to time? I have no idea

Well, hope you are doing ok and keep in touch .

Hi Walter

I know what your saying when it comes to doctors blaming anxiety, and I have to say from past experience anxiety certainly hassn't helped my symptoms and can make them worse. I've managed to get my anxieties and panic attacks under control a lot in the last few months and learned to try and accept my diagnosis of CFS/ME, Fibromyalgia, IBS, Gastritis, and that these can be the cause for a lot of my symptoms. Also, when anxiety kicks in, our bodies start to release adrenaline. It is used in fight or flight situations, however if we don't use that adrenaline in the correct way, and its left just sitting in our bodies, it is bound to make us feel ill. Don't get me wrong, I do still have the thoughts in the back of my head that the doctors may have missed something, or that there could be something more going on inside me. Thing is, we know our own bodys, we know when something is not right, and anxiety isn't the cause, its a by-product of how we are feeling and how our symptoms are affecting us. Has your doctor suggested counselling or CBT treatment? If anxiety is causing your symptoms, or making them worse, and affecting your life, then he should have suggested this. I would also get a second opinion if your not happy with your diagnosis / treatment. I did and it led to me getting my diagnosis. Don't forget, there is a long, slow road ahead when it comes to diagnosing certain illnesses. 

I have read a load of books concerning my illnesses, and one thing that I found interesting is that some people that suffer CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia, develop some irregular shaped red blood cells, and instead of being smooth, become rough and jagged. This then causes them to create more friction when travelling around the body, and less efficient in transporting oxygen around the body, and expelling carbon dioxide. It has been noted that sufferers of CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia have slightly lower oxygen levels in their blood, which could be a reason for lightheadedness, dizziness and feeling faint. I've been doing an experiment with an Oximeter I purchased, where I compare readings from my partner to my readings. Her oxygen levels are always at 99%, mine however fluctuate between 96% and 98%. I've never had a reading of 99% - 100%. Is this just coincedence, is it just the way my body works, or is it because of my diagnosis?

As for having an infection in your tooth or gum, I think you would be experiencing a lot more pain than just a discomfort. The sinus issues you get now and again could be a sign of something else going on. Cold and flu type symptoms are common for CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia sufferers, and I do get these symptoms now and again. As for your stomach, have you tried to change your diet at all? It might be worth trying to go gluten free, and/or lactose free for a bit, see if that helps your bloating issues. You would need to give it a few weeks for any noticeable change to start happening. Also, try and miss out the foods that can give allergic reactions, peanuts, soya, things like that. The FODMAP diet would be a good place to start, it eliminates all foods that contain fermentable carbohydrates (foods known to cause wind / gas).

I'm just waffling on with alsorts of info here, hoping some of it maybe of use to you, or anyone else reading this. Take it easy and keep in touch. All the best.

Hi Paul,

Thank you for all information you've posted and shared. Sorry to hear you still experience some issues. But glad to hear you got most of it under control. I too experience some of the issues you listed such as occasional flare ups, lost of appetite, nausea, dizziness, and inconsistent bowel movements.I too have had blood test and an endoscopy but all came out clean. Doctor also has suggested anxiety might also be affecting the way I feel. It's been two months now and my flare ups have decreased quite a bit by changing my diet. Also my appetite has come back a little bit but has not return fully. I occasionally get nauseous, usually after I eat and I have to gag to relieve the symptom. I too had weight loss but I think it's related to change in diet and my daily exercise routine. My bowel movements have been more consistent when using psyllium husk supplements. I no longer eat out and no longer consume alcohol. The one thing that has not return is my wanting to go out like I use to. Before my digestive issues I was an out going person. Enjoy socializing, travel, and adventure. Now I usually just go to work and home. My desire to try new foods or travel and explore is no longer there. Hopefully that will return one day. Again, thank you for sharing your experience. It truly has help me these past couple of months.

Hi Joe

Thank for your comments and I'm glad you've found this discussion helpful, it's nice to know that keeping this discussion updated is helping some out there. I'm just sorry I don't have any answers, or that illusive magic cure for us. I still hope that I'll find it one day.

I'm sorry to hear about your problems, that seem very similar to mine, they have been life changing for both of us. I get quite down some days when I look back on who I was, and what I was able to do a few years ago, but I do look at the few positives I can draw from having to change my lifestyle. For instance, my heart rate and blood pressure have reached very healthy levels, my weight is now at a good level, and I'm saving a lot of money from not eating out and/or socialising as much as I did. I do still manage to get out to see friends and family, not as much as I would like, but enough to stop me from going totally stir crazy! I think it's helped having to accept the fact that this is my life now, for the foreseeable future anyway. It'll never stop me from wishing that I want to have some elements of my old life back though.

I'm due to see my doctor again in a couple of weeks, and then a Rheumatologist at the start of December to be investigated for Fibromyalgia. Whether any of these appointments come up with any new information is something I'm doubtful of, but you never know!! I had the results of my head MRI scan a few days ago, and everything is fine there. Good news of course, but its just another test that can't determine whats causing all my issues. I'll keep updating this discussion with any new info that I get, fingers crossed that one day I'll have the news that we are all waiting to hear. If you have any info to share, then please let us know, it might help others out there with the same problems.

Take care and all the best for the future Joe, and just remember that even though we are going through all this, it could be a lot worse!

Hey Paul . I havent written to you in a while. How are you doing? I'm glad you are ok with the head MRI . I had a few thoughts before I go into my current condition.I read somewhere, that a daily dose of Prilosec in conjuction with a proper diet for a month should be excersized correctly.I remember, most of my stomach pains came after i ended my month of my prolosec regiment (I started it before i had bad gas and heartburn now and then) and I returned to my really bad diet with my prolosec . Acid level can be tough to regulate corrently. However, this doesn't explain the dizziness or throat problem. So that that, I do remember, at my doctor's office my Blood Pressure was way up there, around 150/80 back in april. (Even with my BP meds).However, a few week's later, I almost passed out because my BP was so low . (While on the same meds) my doctor told me it was anxiety . Ever since that, my BP has been chronically low, even without my BP medications . And when eat, i always still get light headed (and that could be because BP goes down when you eat) my doctor told me it was all anxiety and obviously i had a stress test and echo done to show my heart was OK .

Let me get to my current condition .I get nauseous more frequently now . Yesterday I had to take 3 pepto . My throat is always sore, sometime hurts more, sometimes less.I still wake up ok, but whenever I sit down and or bend my head forward, I been an odd sensation in my neck . Around, my thyroid, that is sensitive or the tough . My breathing is fine and I could swallow, however when I speak, ny throat hurts . It could however be an unrelated bug .

I still get lightheaded easily and I still can't drink any soda and alcohol easily gets me lightheaded . Oh, and also my stomach and esophagus tend to burn near the end of the day . So, basically, I and back to square 1 or feeling terrible .

Hi Walter

Nice to hear from you again. Sorry to hear you are having a rough time of it at the moment, don't worry, you're not alone. I've been having quite a bad flare up for thelast few days. I'm getting quite nauseous, dizzy and feeling like I'm going to pass out. Everything seems fine though, heart rate does fluctuate, but is always at a normal level, my blood pressure is always good, so I have no idea why I keep getting these feelings.

How your doctor can blame all your problems on anxiety really makes me wonder if you should be getting a second opinion. I've got to say that when I asked for a second opinion, I have been getting much better, and thorough treatment, when beforehand anxiety was the cause for all my issues. I knew it wasn't, and since the second opinion, the doctors surgery I go to has actually been listening to me, hence my diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / ME. I know that anxiety can highlight symptoms making them worse, but I knew that anxiety wasn't the driving force behind my problems. But I have to say, since getting my anxieties about my illness under control, the symptoms I experience are never as bad as they used to be.

Have you got a home blood pressure monitor? I bought one when my symptoms were bad, and its a useful tool to keep track of your blood pressure. I used to check mine morning, noon and night to give me an idea of whether or not my blood pressure readings were linked to my symptoms. It proved that it wasn't the case, and that blood pressure had no impact on how I felt day to day.

I don't know if you read Joe's response to this discussion. He said that changing his diet has improved his symptoms. I was wondering if you have made any changes to your diet to try and help your symptoms? It might be worth going to extremes with this. My father in laws partner started getting symptoms similar to mine. She decided to just eat plain boiled white rice and just drink water for a couple of days. This settled her symptoms down, and then she gradually introduced different foods. If a food reacted with her, she would go back to the plain white rice, until she settled again, and then introduce a different food. Doing this has helped her identify certain foods that cause her symptoms to worsen. I know it doesn't sound much fun, but it might help you in the long run to try it. I'm on the low FODMAP diet still, and even though I still get bad days, they aren't as intense as they used to be. Just an idea for you.

I do hope your symptoms improve soon, if you need any help or advice, I'm always here and I'll do my best to help.

Hey Paul,

Happy thanksgiving hope you are having a good one . I'm at a lull now watching cartoons with the kids, so I figured I'll update you .

Lately I've still had the content bloating where my upper abdomen bulges out from the rib cage.My sore throat has halted after brushing my teeth after every meal . However, my neck pain has increased . I wake up feeling okay, however as the day progresses, right below the voice box hurts and burns, especially after moving around my neck . After touching my neck and extended aches, I just start getting dizzy and nauseous ; It seems to located to the right side of my neck . Going up along with the muscle that travels up to my ear.The pain on contact is my right lymph node, which was enlarged when I had a sore throat, but now it's decreased in size but the pain is worse.

So now, I usually wake up fine, but in time my neck starts to hurt whenever I bend it forward, when I swallow I feel like there is plastic or something in my throat, my stomach is badly bloated and I get nauseous a lot, I get very lightheaded and dizzy, I can't drink red wine and hard alcohol ( because of the dissiness and burning in my esophagus), my throat feels really odd and painfull after walking around for a whIle or with a change on temperature sometimes and I still have that dry cough whenever I cough .

So that is my life . My mother, a pathologist, keeps telling me its anxiety that I am tensing up my neck and I get various viruses that are going around .

How are you? Thanks for listening..

Hi Walter

Nice to hear from you. I'm from he UK, so don't celebrate Thanksgiving, however I will wish you a happy Thanksgiving and hope you have / had a great day!

Sorry to hear you are still struggling, with no real great improvement with your symptoms. I think your mother could be right in saying that anxiety isn't helping your problems, and could be causing you to get neck pain, and being generally run down, enough for you to catch viruses, etc. Lets not forget however that you do have underlying problems that you don't have the answers to why you are getting these problems, which will be adding to your anxiety, causing a vicious circle you are caught in that is hard to break. When we get anxious, our bodies get tight and tense, which has a strain on muscles. Also, with hightened anxiety levels we tend to produce more adrenaline. Adrenaline in our systems is a good thing in a fight or flight situation, however if we are not using it in that way, and its just sitting in our bodies not doing anything, it can make us feel quite ill. I can't stress enough how important it is to try and get your anxiety under control, or as under control as you can. Take myself as an example, I'm currently having a very bad IBS flare up that started at about 3:00pm yesterday. My IBS flare ups make me feel very nauseous, faint, dizzy, short of breath, tight chest and causes lots of abdominal and bowel pain and cramps. A year ago, when my anxiety levels were high, these symptoms would be heightened, making everything seem worse than it actually was. Now, even though this flare up is a really bad one, I am able to cope a lot better with it, and I believe that is mainly down to getting my anxiety levels down. Don't get me wrong, I still am anxious about my current health as I don't have the answers as to why I'm getting all the symptoms I get, but I do believe, getting them under control has helped a lot in making my symptoms easier to deal with.

Like you, I wake up feeling ok most mornings, but get worse as the day goes on. My bloating has been worse than ever lately, which has been put down to constant IBS, with different degrees of severity. I saw my doctor yesterday for a routine check up, and he has agreed with me that to help my anxieties further and give me more reassurance, he will give my heart and cardiovascular system a check over, so I'm being referred for some more tests soon. I've got my appointment with a Rheumatologist in a week and a bit to confirm / refute my diagnosis of Fibromyalgia / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This appointment should be the one that will give me my final diagnosis of my illness, which will be nice after 2 years of testing / investigation. Hopefully, I can get the treatment I need to help with my symptoms after this, although making a full recovery is looking less likely than it ever did. I think I have to accept the fact that there is no miracle cure out there for me yet, and I could be like this for years to come yet.

I hope your problems aren't affecting your life too much Walter, and you are able to enjoy life to a certain degree. I'll let you know what happen with my appointment with the Rheumatologist, as well as the cardiovascular testing that I'll be going through. Take care and all the best!