Stomach bloating/ digestive issues

Posted by lizwhite80 @lizwhite80, Apr 14, 2017

Hi. I have been having severe bloating and stomach pain for over a year now. I have been checked for SIBO and H-pylori. I have had a stomach CT, an ultrasound, endoscopy, colonoscopy, a hida scan, and a bunch of bloodwork done. The bloating and stomach pain are accompanied by exreme fatigue, hot flashes, and severe foot cramping. I was told over a year ago (after choking on food and some serious heartburn) that i have an impaired esophagus. I was placed on Emaprezale. The stomach issues continued to get worse. I was placed on more and more stomach medicine by primary care dr and GI. Nothing has helped. I was 125 lbs and i eat healthy and would work out regularly. I am now 140 lbs. I cannot workout because it causes stomach pain. Plus i am so tired i can barely make it through work. I went to see a naturopath after no success with GI. I was eventually put on an elemental det after other gut healing steps did not work. Even on the liquid diet the bloating continued, but i was not as tired. Eventually i crashed and needed to eat again. I had a food allergy and them avoided everything i wss told not to eat but this did not help. I was told i have gastritis and esophagitis but nothing they have done has helped how i feel. It is getting hard to make it through the day. I need help. I have had previous health issues including uterine fibroids that lead to bad blood hemoraging. I ended up having a hysterectomy . I had brain and spinal cord surgery 20 years ago for syringomyelia. I have had pancreas problems. I was told i had autoimmune problems including juvenile arthritis and sjogrens. Now i test negative for autoimmune problems but have lasting joint damage. I am 36. My rheumatologist told me i have the joints of someone 65 or older. I have been checked for pancreas issues but have no problems anymore. I am taking digestive enzymes but they ate not helping. Sorry for the long rant. Any suggestions???

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Hello @lizwhite80. First, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Second, you never need to apologize for long posts here, as this community is for sharing your story, experiences, and concerns, and being thorough is encouraged!

First, I would like to invite @dandl48, @brie87144 @ryman, and @danybegood1 who all have discussed esophageal issues. While they don't share the same issue as you, they may have some similar experiences as yours as a result of the esophageal diagnoses.

Second, I would like invite @epvb, @klk370, and @megagrif who have all discussed having gastritis. Maybe these members could share if they have had any similar symptoms as to what you are experiencing.

Finally, I would like to invite @melperez1223, @kyjeanne, @jillnc, @marylou705, and @blindeyepug to join this discussion as well to share their experiences with Sjorgens.

@lizwhite80, you have experienced a lot of different symptoms and have been diagnosed with multiple issues. It sounds like you are dealing with a lot and are frustrated, but you have found a very supportive community and we thank you for finding us. If I may ask, has your physician or provider discussed with you about all of your past diagnoses and surgery's and whether or not they could be playing a role in your current symptoms?

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@lizwhite80 , Hi there. Did your Dr say anthing to you about IBS? I was diagnosed at age 21. Iam 65 now. And it has been an uphill battle practically the whole time. I also have GERD and gastroparesis, Diabetes 2, hypothyroidism and a couple other things. I am negative for Sjogrens thank God. I suffered with my stomach until i was prescribed Tagamet and Bentyl in the early 80's. I would have the bloating and pain and Bentyl took care of it. Do your bowels ever work at odds? Like constipation one day and diarrhea the next? Or, it doesn't have to work that way for you to be diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. You can have chronic constipation or chronic diarrhea with IBS. it can play havoc with your life. I cannot do without my PPI or my Bentyl. Or have you been to see your gynecologist? I have heard that bloating is a classic symptom of ovarian cancer. I am overdue for my gyno appt. Good luck Liz, keep looking. Btw, stress will make your stomach worse. So take care of yourself and let me know what the doctors are saying. Love, Judy

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WoW! You sound almost like me! I was diagnosed with Waldenstrom Macroglobelemia in 2015. Watch & Wait is where I am currently. However, I, too, have bloating, cramps, & diarrhea almost daily. Went to see my Dr. who sent me to a specialist. He wants to do all the tests they did 2 years ago ... again! Not fun. I'm not convinced the tests will show anything ... again! Currently I am on a restrictive diet, meat, potatoes, & rice. No gluten, lactose, fruits, or veggies. I'm afraid to eat. Always eat at home. Everything comes from our own farm (fruits, meat, veggies). I want to blame my cancer for my intestinal problems, but every Dr. I've been to says it's not related. Can't make any plans 'cause I never know from day to hour what's going to happen. Any help or suggestions?

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@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @lizwhite80. First, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Second, you never need to apologize for long posts here, as this community is for sharing your story, experiences, and concerns, and being thorough is encouraged!

First, I would like to invite @dandl48, @brie87144 @ryman, and @danybegood1 who all have discussed esophageal issues. While they don't share the same issue as you, they may have some similar experiences as yours as a result of the esophageal diagnoses.

Second, I would like invite @epvb, @klk370, and @megagrif who have all discussed having gastritis. Maybe these members could share if they have had any similar symptoms as to what you are experiencing.

Finally, I would like to invite @melperez1223, @kyjeanne, @jillnc, @marylou705, and @blindeyepug to join this discussion as well to share their experiences with Sjorgens.

@lizwhite80, you have experienced a lot of different symptoms and have been diagnosed with multiple issues. It sounds like you are dealing with a lot and are frustrated, but you have found a very supportive community and we thank you for finding us. If I may ask, has your physician or provider discussed with you about all of your past diagnoses and surgery's and whether or not they could be playing a role in your current symptoms?

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@lizwhite80, sorry but i can't help much since I don't suffer from bloating. I do suffer from GERD, Barrett's Esophagus , high grade dysplasia(at 1 time) and have a hyiatil hernia. I also can answer some questions you might have about Mayo in Rochester.

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@JustinMcClanahan

Hello @lizwhite80. First, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Second, you never need to apologize for long posts here, as this community is for sharing your story, experiences, and concerns, and being thorough is encouraged!

First, I would like to invite @dandl48, @brie87144 @ryman, and @danybegood1 who all have discussed esophageal issues. While they don't share the same issue as you, they may have some similar experiences as yours as a result of the esophageal diagnoses.

Second, I would like invite @epvb, @klk370, and @megagrif who have all discussed having gastritis. Maybe these members could share if they have had any similar symptoms as to what you are experiencing.

Finally, I would like to invite @melperez1223, @kyjeanne, @jillnc, @marylou705, and @blindeyepug to join this discussion as well to share their experiences with Sjorgens.

@lizwhite80, you have experienced a lot of different symptoms and have been diagnosed with multiple issues. It sounds like you are dealing with a lot and are frustrated, but you have found a very supportive community and we thank you for finding us. If I may ask, has your physician or provider discussed with you about all of your past diagnoses and surgery's and whether or not they could be playing a role in your current symptoms?

Jump to this post

Thanks for your reply! Yes, different doctors did a few tests trying to determine if these problems are associated with past problems. They believe the problems are not associated. They checked my pancreas and liver ducts and said they were perfectly fine. This is also when then tested me and said i was not autoimmune.

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@danybegood1

@lizwhite80 , Hi there. Did your Dr say anthing to you about IBS? I was diagnosed at age 21. Iam 65 now. And it has been an uphill battle practically the whole time. I also have GERD and gastroparesis, Diabetes 2, hypothyroidism and a couple other things. I am negative for Sjogrens thank God. I suffered with my stomach until i was prescribed Tagamet and Bentyl in the early 80's. I would have the bloating and pain and Bentyl took care of it. Do your bowels ever work at odds? Like constipation one day and diarrhea the next? Or, it doesn't have to work that way for you to be diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. You can have chronic constipation or chronic diarrhea with IBS. it can play havoc with your life. I cannot do without my PPI or my Bentyl. Or have you been to see your gynecologist? I have heard that bloating is a classic symptom of ovarian cancer. I am overdue for my gyno appt. Good luck Liz, keep looking. Btw, stress will make your stomach worse. So take care of yourself and let me know what the doctors are saying. Love, Judy

Jump to this post

Hi. Thank you for your response. My doctor had talked about IBS but then ruled it out. I dont always have problems using the restoom. The bloating and pain come on after just drinking water but they do not usually lead to restroom issues. I have not been to thhe gynecologist for these issues yet. Maybe i should give it a try. Thanks.

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Hi. Sorry to hear about your problems.Sounds very frustrating. I too have adjusted my diet many times but it has not helped. Like you, my tests show nothing and they said my problems are not related to prior health problems. Maybe this round ot testing will offer more information for you. If i hear anything helpful i will let you know.

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Hi guys my problem is that my belly is getting bigger and im not feel any pain at all.. I thought that i was pregnat but its not.. I hope u could help me guys tnx

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I am so sorry for all you are going thru. I know it is so hard when doctors can't find the problem. I have swallowing problems most of my life. I have GERD and IBS. Two of my sisters have a lot of trouble with stomach and bowel problems. They have pain and bloating but the doctors keep saying they can't find anything. I am sorry I can't offer any advice. I sincerely hope you get some help soon because I know how discouraging it can be.

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