Frustrated and confused

[saraXanne]

Hey all. I've been lurking the forum for a few days and decided to join. In my opinion sometimes patients are more educated on and can better relate than doctors.
Here's my story:
Two years ago on Christmas Eve my symptoms began. I actually thought I was pregnant because I was extremely nauseated, had terrible diarrhea, was dizzy, and tired. Those symptoms lasted for a week. I eventually got my period and my symptoms went away. That week I lived on white crackers and lost ten pounds.
Since that week two years ago my symptoms have gotten worse, this past week being the worst so far. I usually have no symptoms for a few months and then *BAM* one day it hits me and I'm in agony. I am about $15,000 in medical debt from being in and out of the emergency room. The only testing I've had is a CT Scan and blood work. When I had the CT Scan the ER doctor thought I had appendicitis and told me that I was going to be rushed into surgery. Then the doctor came back into my room an hour later and told me they were going to wait overnight and I was to be discharged. I went home and back the next morning and the new doctor decided that my appendix was fine.

My blood work is always abnormal but the ER doctors never seem to be concerned with it. Every time I go to the ER I am told I need to see a GI, which I cannot do because I am uninsured.

This past week has been the worst my symptoms have ever been. I haven't been able to eat this entire time. One of two things happen if I eat. Either 1. I am in the bathroom within 15 minutes with watery stool, or 2. I get a really bad pain under my left rib cage that feel like someones hand is inside of me squeezing and it feels like that space is really full. The pain is so bad it makes me shake. I also get that pain in both of my sides if I lift heavy things, but more on my left side.
My symptoms are:

Pain
Nausea
Exhaustion
Diarrhea (watery stool)
Stool that floats
Bright red blood (but I have red that this is probably from hemorrhoids or a fissure)
Aversion to food
A bright red rash in a grid pattern that is all over my back (this is new and happened a few days ago)

I have no idea what is going on in my body and at this point I'm getting depressed.
If anyone has any insight I'd really appreciate it.
I know I need to see a doctor, but at this point I cannot.

 

[Adam1971]

Hello and welocme to the forum. I am glad you joined because I know many experienced folks will chime in shortly. One thing I wonder is if there is a teaching hopsital around that may be open to payment plans or forgiveness for medical expenses. I hope there is because you need to get some treatment! Not to be harsh or scary, but the inability to eat, the red blood, and the diahrrea will lead to dehydration and malnoursihment. I have been there, and it took hopsital time with iv fluids to and meds to get me back on my feet. Please do keep checking back and keep us informed. Maybe there is a way others on this forum can make some suggestions that could help you.

Best and warm healing thoughts to you.

 

[David]

Hi Sara,

Have you tried any assistance programs so that you can get seen by a GI? Either state or federal? Or are there any clinics around where you're at?

I hate to play doctor with undiagnosed people. You really need to see a GI. If this is absolutely 100% impossible and you've checked into every possible avenue, then let us know and we might have some suggestions that might somewhat alleviate your symptoms IF they are related to IBD or Celiac Disease and buy you some time to get in for proper evaluation and treatment.

By the way, what lab results are abnormal?

 

[saraXanne]

The blood work that was abnormal was my white blood count but I can't remember if my count was low or high as it was about a year ago. I haven't had any testing done since then.

Medical assistance is a headache is PA. I had it for a while but the state cut me off without notifying me. But that was about a year ago as I said.
I live in a low income area and as it turn out there is a free clinic open on Saturdays. I was in contact with someone who went there and was referred to a GI free of charge.
I'm going to try to make it there this Saturday.
I'm just so scared to go. I've been passed around and ignored by doctors for so long I'm just hesitant to go. About five years ago I had my gallbladder removed and finding a doctor that would listen to me was a nightmare.

 

[David]

I can understand your concern. But overcome your fear. Have a trusted person go with you if that'll help. It's extremely important that you get this properly diagnosed and treated.