Hi everyone,
My name is Emmie. i'm 22 years old. I apologise for the long thread but this is basically my story. I guess my aim in joining this forum is to...i don't know really, maybe just see if there are others like me, to obtain re-assurance that i am not just some medical freak show.
I've always had digestive issues as long as i can remember. Been told numerous times as a child that i had IBS on top of the lactose intolerance.
When i turned 12, i was very very ill and it wasn't until i was 15 that the doctors diagnosed me with endometriosis and interstitial cystitis. I had many surgeries and loads of medications. Obviously since they are both chronic illnesses and i never really had any relief.
When i was 19, my symptoms got much worse. the abdominal pain intensified. mainly on my RHS but also on my LHS. I was having diarrhea constantly, constipation, nausea after eating, vomiting usually followed. I lost 10 kgs, i was weak, tired all the time, my joints ached and so did my lower back. i experienced bloating after food, EXTREMELY painful bowel movements, painful passing of gas, muscular aches, migraines, dizziness and such. I am 22 now and my symptoms haven't abaited. i sometimes get 2-3 months of relief before the cycle starts all over again.
I have seen 5 gastroenterologists in the past 3 years. have done extensive tests. but nothing is showing up. my colonoscopy biopsies only showed mild active inflammation with few neutrophils scattered here and there.
I had a laparoscopy, had my inflammed appendix removed. I was told they found scar tissue, mostly on my gallbladder and fluid in my pelvis but all this seems normal to the specialist.
The only lead i have so far is gastroparesis, as i did a pillcam endoscopy and the pillcam remained in my stomach for 5 hours.
I've been told to go on the gastroparesis diet which is only liquid and vegetarian. I'm not minding it so much because eating red meat and chicken and such cause intense pain but it isn't a cure.
Noone is wanting to help me and doctors tend to use the word rare, unheard of around me making me feel like a freak. I've also been told to take anti-depressants...flippin unbelievable:eek2:
I mean i wouldn't be trying so hard if i didn't really believe there is something not quite right with me. It's affecting so many aspects of my life and i don't know if i should still pursue it. try another specialist or do as they say and wait for something dramatic to happen.
Anyone out there like me??? i'm despairing and about to give up!
My name is Emmie. i'm 22 years old. I apologise for the long thread but this is basically my story. I guess my aim in joining this forum is to...i don't know really, maybe just see if there are others like me, to obtain re-assurance that i am not just some medical freak show.
I've always had digestive issues as long as i can remember. Been told numerous times as a child that i had IBS on top of the lactose intolerance.
When i turned 12, i was very very ill and it wasn't until i was 15 that the doctors diagnosed me with endometriosis and interstitial cystitis. I had many surgeries and loads of medications. Obviously since they are both chronic illnesses and i never really had any relief.
When i was 19, my symptoms got much worse. the abdominal pain intensified. mainly on my RHS but also on my LHS. I was having diarrhea constantly, constipation, nausea after eating, vomiting usually followed. I lost 10 kgs, i was weak, tired all the time, my joints ached and so did my lower back. i experienced bloating after food, EXTREMELY painful bowel movements, painful passing of gas, muscular aches, migraines, dizziness and such. I am 22 now and my symptoms haven't abaited. i sometimes get 2-3 months of relief before the cycle starts all over again.
I have seen 5 gastroenterologists in the past 3 years. have done extensive tests. but nothing is showing up. my colonoscopy biopsies only showed mild active inflammation with few neutrophils scattered here and there.
I had a laparoscopy, had my inflammed appendix removed. I was told they found scar tissue, mostly on my gallbladder and fluid in my pelvis but all this seems normal to the specialist.
The only lead i have so far is gastroparesis, as i did a pillcam endoscopy and the pillcam remained in my stomach for 5 hours.
I've been told to go on the gastroparesis diet which is only liquid and vegetarian. I'm not minding it so much because eating red meat and chicken and such cause intense pain but it isn't a cure.
Noone is wanting to help me and doctors tend to use the word rare, unheard of around me making me feel like a freak. I've also been told to take anti-depressants...flippin unbelievable:eek2:
I mean i wouldn't be trying so hard if i didn't really believe there is something not quite right with me. It's affecting so many aspects of my life and i don't know if i should still pursue it. try another specialist or do as they say and wait for something dramatic to happen.
Anyone out there like me??? i'm despairing and about to give up!
