More stomach issues...Dr thinks I have an ulcer....

[crissy82]

I wish that I could have one day where I wake up and feel amazing all day long. It has been so long since I have had one of those days. Most of my issues seem to related to my digestive system everyday. Either I have pain, bloating, nausea, burning, gas, diarrhea or a combo of all everyday. I had my gallbladder removed thinking that may be the problem (gallstones). Helped a little not a lot. I was told I had a little bit of a fatty liver (I am overweight). Dr said that was common. But it shouldn't cause problems. I have been tested for Celiacs. Negative. Colonscopy came up clear. Stool sample came up clear. So I have pretty much been told over and over again this is all IBS. But it is my understanding that IBS comes and goes. It isn't an everyday for years kind of thing. So what in the world is going on with me?

Anyways, I went to the dr on Monday after being bloated in my upper abdomen for over 3 weeks straight. Along with nausea and burning. She seems to think I have an ulcer. I was given a list of things not to do. No spicy or greasy food, no smoking, no drinking, no caffeine, no carbonated beverages, no Aleve, asprin or IB and the list goes on. She put me on a stronger PPI. I was on omeprazole daily now I am on Nexium. She wants to see me at the end of Feb to see how I am doing. If I am not doing better she wants me to have a endoscopy done. I had one about 5 years ago. Everything came back clear except for a hiatal hernia.

I just want to feel good again. So tired of this. 

[dancer67]

My daughters both have Functional Dyspepsia. Basically, you have all the GI symptoms of having an ulcer, but no physical symptoms. If your colonoscopy and endoscopy was normal, I would ask about this. It is in the IBS family, as IBS is also not detected physically. One daughter takes Protonix, and the other takes Amitriptyline. You might want to ask about this. I hope you feel better.

[toworryornottoworry]

Celiac blood tests can show up as false negative for a few reasons. I would recommend an endoscopy with at least 5 biopsies to really rule that out. It is strongly linked to gallstones and can cause high anxiety/depression and obviously, stomach issues. Very easy disease to manage too, despite what you may read on the internet the gluten free life is not hard at all once you understand what does/does not have gluten in it. You could also try a trial of gluten free for at least a month to see if it helps as you can have Non Celiac Gluten Intolerance (NCGI) in which nothing would show up on blood tests/endoscopies and you would only know by trying gluten free.

Unfortunately, stomach issues are very common in anxious people - Thus IBS. However I feel you should use judgement on whether or not you really feel like something is going on down there. IBS shouldn't be horrible discomfort, I think a lot of doctors diagnose it because they are too lazy to find the actual problem.

So if I were you I would say an endoscopy is in order, after that in combination with blood tests and your colonoscopy, you can really say it is just IBS.

[mommabear]

Crissy, is your stomach tender if you press on it?? I've been having stomach pain too for over a week now. I have the same symptoms as you pretty much. There is no way its IBS cause I get horrible pain in my gut. I was thinking of an ulcer too..... It sucks.

[marc]

I had an esophageal ulcer in June of 2005 and it was very painful. Every time I ate food,
it felt like my back was on fire. I also had pain that shot from my right rib cage to my back,
which mimicked gall bladder issues. My GI Physician told me that in some instances, removing
the gallbladder does not improve things. My GI and internal medicine physician both said that
EGD's are given on a symptom basis, with no recommended screening time frame.
I have had a total of 7 EGD's.

[vardnas]

I just want to share my own experience here—Crissy I had similar problems, and thought too that maybe I had an ulcer, but my problems were due to a LACK of stomach acids rather than an excess. This is actually common for anxiety sufferers, as our bodies are stuck in such flight or fight mode, not a lot of attention is paid to digestion. Oddly, low stomach acid production can lead to the same symptoms as too much acid.

If you can, and feel so inclined, seek out a holistic nutritionist. They will be better able to explain what's happening and help you. I caution you on long-term PPI usage, because those stop stomach acid production completely, which, if low acid is your problem, will only make your problems worse. Call me a cynic, but I feel like doctors love prescribing those drugs like candy because they make so much money off them from the pharmaceutical companies.

 

[floridaguy65]

Call me a cynic, but I feel like doctors love prescribing those drugs like candy because they make so much money off them from the pharmaceutical companies. 

Couldn't agree more....just my opinion, too:)

But, that said, my opinion has little medical bearing on what might be going on with you, Crissy. HA peeps can have medical issues just like the rest of the general population (I'm not saying you definitely have a medical issue, either). We have to address real health stuff, at times...no different than anyone. We are not 'protected' - in our health - one bit by our fear-driven actions and habits that are majorly spurred on by our anxiety issues. But, overwhelmingly, our (HA peeps) health issues do not put us in imminent peril and shouldn't cause us the level of angst that they, often, do. I said shouldn't...but I do know us HA peeps can 'what if?' ourselves into a wild frenzy:)

In an effort to live well, we have to look at pretty much everything in our lives and determine if we are doing everything that we can do to help ourselves. Diet, exercise, muscle tone, spinal strength, posture, flexibility are incredibly important for how we feel on a day to day basis. Very often, with these things being good in our lives, then we might be able to incorporate less pharmaceuticuls into our lives, perhaps. This is more of just a general statement...again, not particularly directed at you, C:)

What going on in your anxiety help?

Peace and Feel Well:)