Worried i have ibd. need advice!

[fixxxer2012]

i have a long history of gastro issues that range back to 2003 after a bad bout of food poisoning. since then i had developed a hiatal hernia, gerd and ibs. i also had my gallbladder removed in 2005 which helped but also set off whats called bile reflux.

i have been on ppi's since about 2003. back in april 2012 i switched from prilosec to prevacid because i felt they were not helping much. while on preveacid i noticed alot of symptoms that i never had before such as severe nausea and a feeling of emptying my bowels often when nothing comes but mucus. i do get D sometimes after i eat because of extra bile in my system. i have since started taking a bile acid supplement that has helped.

back in july 2012 i was sick with a very bad upper respiratory infection that lasted almost a month. right after i noticed my right side started hurting below my ribs. felt like pressure and a balloon was there. i couldn't even touch my ribs. i got fed up and worried and went to the ER in late august. they did a lot of bloodwork and said it was biliary colic. i never felt comfortable with that because they never did any x-rays or scans to see what the deal was. the pain did get better in september and i have not had any issues with it until yesterday. stupid me started reading the side effect of long term usage of ppi's and how it can cause a bacteria infection in the gut. i have had alot of other unexplained issues as well. dry eyes, always red. bone and muscle pains, not sleeping good, headaches, fatigue and dizziness. ive heard a simple virus can trigger off crohns or ibd.

i tried to go back to prilosec 10 days ago and i don't know what happened but it set off severe acid reflux to the point i had burning in my chest constantly. i gave it a few days and went back on prevacid but im still having alot of issues. yesterday i was so sick i almost went back to the hospital. im burning from my mouth / tongue to my anus and everything in between. even my eyes burn. im bloated and have alot of gas and mild cramps. no D though at all but alot of nausea. ive never had anything like this but im starting to worry if this may be crohns? my ibs and gerd usually do not give me these severe symptoms. now this could be rebound reflux or a bacteria overgrowth but im not really sure as i hate playing doctor. i went to the bathroom so much yesterday my anus was raw and burning, again no D though. i had noticed a bit of dried blood on my underwear yesterday. im not passing any blood though, maybe hemorrhoids?

anyways i have no insurance and will not have the money to see a doctor for at least 3 weeks. can you guys give me any insight or advice on what this could be? no one in my family has had crohns but my mom did have ulcerative colitis later in her life.

* i forgot to mention i have had two barium ct scans, two upper and lower scopes as well about 6-7 years ago and they found nothing.

 

[David]

Greetings and welcome to the community!

I'm sorry you're having so much trouble, that sounds absolutely miserable

As I read your story, I was thinking, "This doesn't sounds like Crohn's to me" until I got to the very last part where you mentioned your mom had Ulcerative Colitis. As soon as a family member has any form of IBD, that increases your chance significantly and at this point, I think it needs to be suspected though I'm still doubtful.

Before the mention of UC, my primary thought was something along the lines of Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth or maybe Celiac Disease. But in reality, it could be so many different things. My best advice is get seen by a gastroenterologist.

We're here for you.

I hope they're able to figure things out soon!

 

[fixxxer2012]

thanks, yeah with no blood or D i didn't think it was ibd but i have alot of the other symptoms. something is playing havoc with my gut since july and i plan on getting it checked out as soon as i can. with no insurance it will be rough to see a gastro doc. i have had c-diff in the past and ive heard the ppi's can cause that.

come to think of it the other night i had a few samual adams beers with dinner and yesterday i was very ill. that does sorta sound like bacterial related. thanks david.

 

[David]

It's possible but I'd wonder more if it is food sensitivity or allergy. I personally can't have beer because of the brewers yeast but everyone is different.