New Here Tired of being Sick

[tiredofbeingsick]

Hello. I am a 44 year old woman. I have always had bowel issues since I was a child. Looking back I wonder if I may have had something major going on in my teens because a lot of what is going on now was happening back then as well.

I am currently waiting on the results of biopsys I had during an EGD taken on Monday. I am suppose to hear from my Gastro doc this afternoon with the results. I have had abdominal ultrasound, HIDA Scan and an EGD. I have the following symptoms:

• Diarrhea-daily within 10-45 mins of eating
• Right Side Pain-In Small Intestine area, near belly button and lower groin area
• Anemia-Take Iron Supplements
• Feeling Tired all the time
• Headaches/Migraines
• Irregular Periods-abt every 2-3 months

The pain in my abdomen is all over and it feels like a burning sensation as well as a soreness. It is sore to touch in my small intestine area (My Gastro Doc said that was the area where it was sore when he touched) also it hurts close to my belly button in the right side and even down in my groin area at times.

Within 10-45 mins after having eaten/drank things I have the urge to go potty. I always have loose stools that are yellow/greenish in color and some float. Always loose, never firm. Coffee does this a lot for me. This morning when I woke up I drank half a cup of coffee and within 5 mins I was in the bathroom! Soda seems to affect me the same way. I cannot eat anything if I am going out anywhere.

The HIDA Scan revealed that my Gallbladder works just fine but I did have some bile reflux. The EGD showed a Hiatial Hernia and my Esophagus was inflamed thus the reason for the Biopsys. I might mention I also have a history of elevated Liver Enzymes to which no cause has been found other than the Hep doc states he feels it is "Probable Autoimmune Hepatitis" but has not been bad enough for treatment. Had a liver Biopsy done about 10years ago and my liver was minimally inflamed then. Autoimmune Diseases run in our family, my mother had Pernicious Anemia, Thyroid Disorder, Type 2 Diabetes, I have a sister with Type 1 Diabetes, another sister with Fibromyalgia and Thyroid Disorder. I have battled anemia all my life off and on.

I do not know what the heck is going on with me. I am coming here reading everyones stories and hoping that maybe someone here has similar symptoms as me. Thanks in advance! :sign0085:

 

[afidz]

Hello, I am sorry to hear that you are having such a rough time, your symptoms sound like a IBD. Hopefully the doctor can figure out whats wrong with you quickly.
As far as foods go, everyone is different in what they can and can't eat during a flare. But I can give you a rundown on what I don't eat.
I stay away from anything that is acidic like tomatos, citrus and pop. I don't drink caffeine during a flare. Nuts and seeds are bad for everyone (they can get stuck in ulcers formed in your intestines and cause a whole bunch of problems) I don't eat raw veggies, they are too hard for my stomach to digest. I have heard that some people can't eat red meat in a flare, I don't have a problem with it.
Is here as link to the "undiagnosed club" in the forum. Talk to people in there, I am sure they would understand your frustration and might be able to offer some advice http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=75

 

[tiredofbeingsick]

Hello, I am sorry to hear that you are having such a rough time, your symptoms sound like a IBD. Hopefully the doctor can figure out whats wrong with you quickly.
As far as foods go, everyone is different in what they can and can't eat during a flare. But I can give you a rundown on what I don't eat.
I stay away from anything that is acidic like tomatos, citrus and pop. I don't drink caffeine during a flare. Nuts and seeds are bad for everyone (they can get stuck in ulcers formed in your intestines and cause a whole bunch of problems) I don't eat raw veggies, they are too hard for my stomach to digest. I have heard that some people can't eat red meat in a flare, I don't have a problem with it.
Is here as link to the "undiagnosed club" in the forum. Talk to people in there, I am sure they would understand your frustration and might be able to offer some advice

Thank you for the reply and the information. I will definitely read all I can about it and as soon as I hear from my doc today I will update. Keeping my fingers crossed that I get some answers.

 

[dannysmom]

Hi and welcome. Have you had a colonoscopy too? With all the lower ab pain and D I would have expected a GI to order that. Have you had blood tests like ESR, CRP ... or the Crohn's antibodies (ie ASCA)?

My son has similar symptoms yet is still undiagnosed even after MANY tests.

 

[tiredofbeingsick]

Hi and welcome. Have you had a colonoscopy too? With all the lower ab pain and D I would have expected a GI to order that. Have you had blood tests like ESR, CRP ... or the Crohn's antibodies (ie ASCA)?

My son has similar symptoms yet is still undiagnosed even after MANY tests.

Hello Danny`s Mom,

Thanks for responding to my post. Sorry to hear about your son and you not having gotten any answers as of yet. Let me answer your questions by stating this:

My Gastroenterologist called a couple hours ago with the results of my Biopy`s that were taken during the EGD. He stated that they appeared pretty normal and he could find nothing there to indicate why or explain the abdominal pain and the anemia that I am having. So he said he has a few more tests he wants me to have done. He stated that he just did not want to throw a whole bunch of tests at me all at once, he would rather we do them one at a time and see what the results are and just basically treat this as a process of elimination.

He indicated that he wants me to have a CT Scan with contrast early next week. I asked him what exactly it was he was looking for and he stated signs of inflammation of the Pancreas, Liver or Kidneys. He said if the CT Scan proves inconclusive then he will want to move to me having a Colonoscopy.

So I feel like he is on top of his game and he is certainly not dismissing my complaints at all. He seems to feel there is some merit to what I am saying or he would not be running these tests. I feel wonderful about that aspect of it. I have been to so many doctors over the years and have them just basically shrug me off, I think I have found a doctor that truly understands and believes that I do indeed have something going on that needs evaluating. :thumright:

The only blood tests that I have had as of lately have been the following:

• Iron & TIBC Panel
• General Health Panel
• Lipid Profile

It has been several years since I have had an ANA test ran. I am just hoping that he can find something, anything to just explain what is going on and why I have this continual pain in my abdomen. I will admit at times it scares the crap out of me. Im ever afraid it might be Cancer. I would be lying if I stated that did not cross my mind as I am sure it has most everyone here as well over the course of diagnoses.

That is about all I know at this point. I still do not have any concrete answers but I feel he is adamantly doing his best to find some answers for me.

 

[hammykins]

You might want to get tested for low vitamin D as well. I found out I am extremely deficient and it can cause fatigue and pain. Also make sure you get your CRP and Sed rate tested because those are indicators that something is going on. Hope you find out what is bothering you, I know how frustrating it is but I cannot imagine having those problems for that wrong and not knowing!

 

[hammykins]

Oh sorry I just realized that those tests were already mentioned, but they are important!

 

[dannysmom]

I am very glad your doctor is continuing to test and work with you! It helps so much just to have doctor's support, even if they can't figure it out. Good luck with the CT scan.