Hi Basher
Sorry to hear that you are still experiencing a lot of probs. Its not fun, I know! I find just talking about problems very helpful, and sometimes it can help shed light on what going on. Communication is everything, and I don't really see a problem with chatting away on here.
With regard to the pains in your upper back area, I am quite sure it is linked to the stomach trouble you are having. When I started Physiotherapy for my 'apparent' popped disc, (I highlight apparent because I'm starting to wonder if I every had one), I started to get the stomach problems. When I asked if the back injury could cause stomach problems, the Physiotherapist said she has never heard of that happening, but she is aware that certain stomach problems will cause back pain. The pains I started getting, that has led to so much time off work, were located just above the middle of my back, in line with bottom of my shoulders. If a line was drawn right through me then the line would go through to my stomach. The lower back pain that I described to you was, I'm pretty sure, linked to driving. As I said before, I get no discomfort from my lower back now, since I haven't been able to drive. Once this is all sorted, I will be looking for alternative employment.
I had a haircut last week, and the barber, whom I've known for quite sometime, said I didn't look right, its amazing what everyone else can see, that I was oblivious to. Luckily I haven't been lightheaded and dizzy for a while, and actually been feeling better, than I have done for a while, hardly any sharp stabbing pains, and I came off anti sickness pills, with no flare ups of nausea, apart from this morning. I tried an experiment yesterday, I had a few pieces of dairy milk chocolate yesterday, because I had been feeling quite good, it tasted so nice, I miss my sweet stuff! I had a few twinges of discomfort during the day, it also made me burp a lot, and this morning I feel a little bit more icky than I have in last week or so. But all in all, not a bad experience, but it does suggest fatty, sugary foods seem to aggrevate my symptoms.
You mention lots of wind. Is this in the form of burping or farting? I'm eating a lot more veg lately, but don't tend to fart a great deal, my wind is in form of burping. Does your stomach bloat at all?
My stools have been wierd lately, they have gone from being very pale (one was almost white), firm and non smelly, till lately when they have been very soft (not diarrhea), smelly and like you, seem to have a orange look about them, I'm putting it down to the increased fruit and veg munching. But one thing is worrying me a bit about my movements, the food I eat seems to be going straight through me, and isn't digesting well, I see peas, carrots, etc in my stools, and they look just as they did at the point of eating them. I am on a PPI, which apparently can speed up digestive tract time, so with that and the lack of acid in my stomach due to the meds, I'm hoping some of the food can't actually be digested.
I get my next round of blood test results in next couple of days, and have to finish taking my PPI on Tuesday, which I am worried about, really dont want to go back to what I was experiencing a couple of months ago, still, no guts, no glory. Also, got an abdominal Ultrasound coming up. I'll update my discussion when I know more.
Like you, I've tried to stay upbeat, but it doesn't work, there are so many related issues that could cause symptoms like ours, it's hard for me not to think that I might have something more serious wrong with me. Time will tell I guess.
Take care basher, and its nice to talk about all this, saves my missus getting all the ear ache from me!