Abdominal pain varying from upper right side to lower right

[IowaHawkFan]

Hey everyone my name is Jordan and I’ve recently *around three-months* been experiencing some bowel related issues. I’ve always been kind of plugged up before but the past three months have been extremely bad. Mainly constipation that may alternate with the “D” word, however mainly plugged up. At first it started out as slight anxiety and abdominal pain on occasion, however, it slowly became chronic and debilitating even though the pain was never severe. (this will be a bit of a read and I apologize in advance…I’m just not sure what to do anymore about it and would like some input from people whom may have experienced similar things)

I just figured this was anxiety related at first as I’ve always been in excellent health and am only Twenty-One years old and my parents both recently passed away, however, it’s become apparent while anxiety and depression may be making it worse, it’s not the root cause.

Unfortunately, because of my situation of being a college student without a steady job and since my parents have passed away I have no way to get insurance…Every time I go to the doctor’s office they seem to stonewall me and suggest against. On my last visit they said it was probably IBS and gave me a certain anti-depressant that has really helped with the abdominal pain…BUT, there is still slight pain and the other symptoms remain.

The ARNP also had me try fiber supplements and eating a cup of yogurt, which seems to help to a certain degree, but not entirely. I’ve also noticed “dark spots” that I’d attribute to being blood sometimes after a B.M? But I’m not entirely sure if it’s blood or not. Anyways, I was hoping to list some of my symptoms and see if any of you have experienced any of these symptoms and what you found out about it. Any advice, help, or anything else you’d care to share would be appreciated!!! =)

Symptoms included:
1.abdominal pain, mainly on right side. Can vary from upper right side to lower right side. Sometimes present on left side of abdomen but only rarely.
2. Dizziness/fatigue. The fatigue is present mainly all the time… The dizziness seems to come after I eat a meal.
3. Erratic B.M.’s. Vary from shape, size and color greatly. Never noticed any blood*as in red* in B.M.’s, however, dark spots on occasion and coffee ground like substance on the T.P. White material that almost looks like…hmm, snot is almost always present in the toilet. However, sometimes clings to the material.
4. What seems to be a fever. Mainly at night and seems to mainly make my ear lobes a bright red color and feel like they are burning. It’s veeery weird and have never experienced anything like it before in my life!
5. Tingly hands, feet, and fingers. At first I thought my limbs were asleep…but no matter what I tried to do to get them awake, it wouldn’t work.
6. My vision seems…different. Almost somewhat…blurry? I’ve been “out of it” before…but I’m almost constantly out of it now.
7. Weird sores in my mouth *I do brush my teeth 2-3 times daily and gums* I’ve had them for years oddly enough…they never hurt…yet they are present..It’s like a cut in the mouth.

As of right now that’s all I can think of at the moment. It has really taken a toll on my life in a whole and has significantly impacted my life socially and as a student. I thank anyone if they’ve been able to read this “article” and apologize for its candidness and length, however, it is the only way I knew how to describe it all and make it easy to interpret. Thanks for reading this and please…any advice, similar stories, or ideas on what it could be, anything…would be appreciated!

 

[Rebecca85]

The 'coffee grounds' you mention could be blood from higher up the digestive system- basically it has long enough to dry and clot. This is actually more of a worry than red blood (as that tends to be from haemmorhoids rather than anything sinister). The dizziness and tingly sensations could be from dehydration, or a vitamin deficiency, or iron deficiency. I also had vision disturbances that I attribute to iron deficiency, when I get really fatigued, my vision goes almost too bright and too sharp, like I've been watching the world on an old CRT telly and switched to LCD HD! This had lessened after a while on iron tablets. I have also heard that mouth ulcers can be a symptom of a vitamin deficiency.

To cut a long story short, you need full blood work doing, including ferritin and B vitamins. If you are deficient in any of them, they could be the cause of your non bowel symptoms. But it is not 'normal' for a healthy young man to be deficient in any of these, so that would be strong evidence that you do not have IBS.

You should also have a stool test to see if the coffee grounds is blood. Again, if it is, that rules out IBS.

Then I guess you would have to get the usual (expensive) diagnostic tests. But to be honest, your priority should be to find out for definate what is going on with your body, and sort out the money later. There may be assistance programs you can apply for at a later date.

Anyway, hope this all makes sense, I haven't had my coffee yet!

 

[IowaHawkFan]

The 'coffee grounds' you mention could be blood from higher up the digestive system- basically it has long enough to dry and clot. This is actually more of a worry than red blood (as that tends to be from haemmorhoids rather than anything sinister). The dizziness and tingly sensations could be from dehydration, or a vitamin deficiency, or iron deficiency. I also had vision disturbances that I attribute to iron deficiency, when I get really fatigued, my vision goes almost too bright and too sharp, like I've been watching the world on an old CRT telly and switched to LCD HD! This had lessened after a while on iron tablets. I have also heard that mouth ulcers can be a symptom of a vitamin deficiency.

To cut a long story short, you need full blood work doing, including ferritin and B vitamins. If you are deficient in any of them, they could be the cause of your non bowel symptoms. But it is not 'normal' for a healthy young man to be deficient in any of these, so that would be strong evidence that you do not have IBS.

You should also have a stool test to see if the coffee grounds is blood. Again, if it is, that rules out IBS.

Then I guess you would have to get the usual (expensive) diagnostic tests. But to be honest, your priority should be to find out for definate what is going on with your body, and sort out the money later. There may be assistance programs you can apply for at a later date.

Anyway, hope this all makes sense, I haven't had my coffee yet!

It makes perfect sense indeed. I'm not exactly sure what the hemogloubin test measures in length, but my physian tested me for anemia and the results came back fine. As well as some other tests and the only slight abnormailty was a slightly elevated blood sugar level, which I thought a tad odd considering I hadn't eaten for a few days prior to the test.

I have another upcoming appointment with the gastro. doctor and will bring up the vitamin B tests and ferritin tests. At first I really thought I was possibly diabetic and it was a blood sugar issue. But then it became apparent that the problem seemed to be in the abdominal region.

As far as the vision thing goes... when you said sometimes things seem "really bright" That is exactly the way I'd some of most of the vision problem..And throw in some instances of dullness.

The gut/bowel problems have been going on since at least high school*some of them at any rate* but I hardly ever worry about my health and never payed much attention to it. Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease both were a problem in my family history. My dad actually had Ulcerative Colitis and his mom had Crohn's disease.

Thank you very much for the help and I appreciate it greatly and shall insist on the tests you mentioned above on my next doctor visit.

 

[Rebecca85]

You can be iron deficient and your haemoglobin can be fine or borderline. My haemoglobin was at 11.3 (being a woman they expect it to be 11.5 or above), and yet I had practically no iron stores (ferritin was at 8, ideally it should be above 20, if its below 12 you're in trouble!). So it's worth getting your iron checked even if you're not anaemic.

 

[IowaHawkFan]

I see! I figured as much. Thank you once again and I'm going to insist they run those tests!

 

[Rossy]

Hi, just reading from a few of your symptoms have you ever been seen by a neurologist? The tingling and the blurred vision might be something else altogether.

However, sounds like you may have a gastro issue so keep pressing for answers and make sure you tell them all your symtoms,

Take care

 

[IowaHawkFan]

Hey Rossy. I've been to one once before yes. *I have always had a shaking problem and actually some of the symptom listed above infrequently* He said there are no abnormilities. He basically said had "essential tremors" and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I have had a cyst since birth on my head but it's perfectly harmless. So I should be fine neurologically. It's really odd, all of it. I just really hope I get some answers soon.

 

[Guest]

hi there & welcome

i'd totally agree with the advice you've been given here, especially about the stool test - that really needs figuring as to whether the dark spots are blood or not, and if they are, that will lead to more testing..

have you ever had a colonoscopy or endoscopy? along with the bloodworks, i'd recommend you talk to your doctor about these too.

the tingly hands, fatigue, and dizziness could well be to do with being dehydrated - i've just posted elsewhere about rehydration sachets which can be bought over the counter, might be worth trying..

also, a lot of people with diseased areas of bowel or compromised absorption have a B12 deficiency... many many Crohn's patients have to have B12 injections regularly, or sublingual B12 tablets - one of the symptoms of the deficiency is tingling extremeties..

blurred vision can also be attributed to dehydration and B12 deficiency.. and things seeming 'over-bright' could be part of the anxiety issue... i can't remember what it's called but there is a condition related to high anxiety where all your senses are on overtime, lights seem too bright, noises seem to loud etc..

and.. i am so sorry to read of the loss of your parents this is awful for anyone to go through, but especially so at your young age.

 

[IowaHawkFan]

Hey Dingbat =).
I've had an endoscopy however it was when I was pretty young *10ish I believe*. Never had a colonoscopy though. I actually had abdominal pain so severe when I was around 18 I went to the ER but they found nothing wrong except constipation...which I found really odd as I've always kind of had that problem and the pain felt entirely different but I just figured it was nothing to worry about.

I've had the tingling feelings now for awhile and they have always seemed to come and go. Always thought it was odd and the doctors could never really explain it. In the mean time I was considering buying some multivitamins and seeing if that helps at all.

I've been able to kind of identify problems areas in the gut and it really seems to be center in certain areas and no where else which I found odd. Upper right side, middle lower abdominal region and right and left lower abdominal region.

Thats interesting about the anxiety issue you refer to as sometimes things are extremely loud and my ears seem to buzz. I will have to check into that more and see if I can find out what its called!

And thank you, it's been extremely difficult and has been a big challenge as they were both unexpected and just right after the other.

I really appreciate everyones help on this! Thank you all very much! I def. plan on asking my gastro. to run more tests this time around!

 

[DustyKat]

Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to a loss of nerve-insulating myelin which begins at the peripheral nerves and eventually moves up to the spine causing decreased reflexes, abnormal gait, weakness, fatigue, poor vision and impaired touch or pain sensation. Other signs include tingling or loss of sensation and weakness in hands and feet, and diminished sensitivity to vibration and position sense.

Sounds like you may very well have a B12 deficiency! among other things.

Dusty.