Feeling lost - what is this? !

Digestive health
1

Hi everyone,

I'll try to keep this as brief and compact as possible.

In the past I have had acid reflux issues that was treated with omeprazole - summertime last year I started getting quite constipated and by the time December 2014 rolled around I had adbominal swelling / bloating & discomfort (not painful ... just really uncomfortable) I really couldn't have a bowel movement without major struggle and and was finding blood in my stool quite alot when i could go.

Dr. Examined me, Prescribed some laxatives and advised change of diet citing IBS as the culprit. I went back to the doc 3 month later as after a change in diet and drinking alot more water my constipation and blood in stool symptoms improved about 90% but i had a lot of pressure at the bottom of my sternum - radiating to my sides and back and was still getting swollen / bloated abdomen - we figured the pressure was Acid Reflux again and I was given Lansoprazole which seems to be working.

My worry now is that after neutralising the Reflux and the constipation - I'm still getting abdominal cramping / swelling / bloating and i just feel like it isn't just IBS and we're missing something. I've cut lactose, dairy, gluten all from my diet for weeks at a time to see if my symptoms improve and pinpoint a possible allergy and although my bowel movements improved when off gluten - the abdominal discomfort still persists.

What's really niggling me is the fact that i still have blood every now and again in my stools and mucus at the start of a BM - it's always when i get this swollen uncomfortable feeling in my stomach and the blood is just streaked on the outside of the BM - not alot ... but enough to tell me that I'm still bleeding regardless of all the changes I've made. I even ate very little to nothing over a couple of days during my gluten free period to see if i had the symptoms and i still got the swelling and trickle of blood in my stool - this now makes me think more then ever that my issue isn't dietary related.

Ive mentioned colonoscopy / endoscopy to my Dr. To investigate but he feels that they are unnecessary and would only advise i go to give me peace of mind as opposed to him thinking i actually need them. I know i should get them and I'm going to ask for them.

I suppose my question here is, has anyone had similar experience and if so - what is this swelling? All i keep seeing if the link between some of my symptoms and stomach cancer which is playing on my mind - but why is my doctor not concerned with this as a possibility?

Thanks in advance to anyone that has taken the time to read and reply.

2

Hi

I am very sorry to hear your troubles I have suffered from nausea for the last year due to Hpylori but now think it's more gastritis. Waiting to see a GI doc in Sept. Although I never got pain and I do have acid reflux taking Lansoprazole too for the last year.

I think changing your diet is never a bad thing even though your symptoms are still there.

I am a vegetarian went dairy free and cut out sugar.. now I am going gluten free.

I am told too that there is nothing seriously wrong.. I have read a lot and seen many doctors all pointing to our gut and brain that work together. I know a big thing is stressing over what is not there can amplify things more. I say this cause I have been there going to the ER weekly. I have also done acupuncture which helps.

I read that going gluten free can relieve acid reflux then I want to get off the Lansoprazole.

I hope your dr tested you for colon cancer through stool testing. I was told by many when you have chronic or acute pain they test for the most obvious and the most dangerous being cancers. If nothing appears its elimination time. That's when you need to do your own trial and error which it sounds like you are doing. Since you have had a lot of constipation and strain could it be as simple as hemmroids ? Or you might need a gastric emptying test to see if your process is functioning correctly.

Well I hope this helps😉

3

Personally I believe doctors throw IBS as an answer to anything these days!! If you do not feel right in yourself demand those tests.. He/she works for you as you pay them!

4

Hi ccass just a mention about the blood on outside of your stools .my husband also had that but his gp said if blood on outside it is usually Haemeroids which it did turn out to be.Go back to your gp and ask for a colonoscopy that should put your mind at rest. Take care good luck chris