Stomach aches, heart burn, pain in adomen, irregular stool, acid reflux, weird attacks and surgery

Digestive health
1

Hello Everyone,

My issues started when I was a child, coming into an adult it has gotten ten times worse. As a child I had a very hard time with going to the bathroom, I was always constipated, I could never easily go.
Fast forward to my mid 20’s, I was constantly getting stomach aches, bad acid reflux and constipation.
About 2 years ago I started getting these “attacks”. I would start having horrible stomach pain, eating and drinking made it worse. The pain would start in my upper stomach and work its way down throughout my stomach. It felt like someone was grabbing my intestines and squeezing them. With this, my body felt hot but i never had a temperature. I would not/could not poop until the attack was nearly over 2 days later, then it would just be straight diarrhea. I thought it was my stomach issues acting up/IBS or i had a bad reaction to some food.
In October of 2020, I started having one the attacks only this time it was worse, the pain was unbearable so i went to the ER. After some tests they said my pancreas was inflamed and my numbers were off the walls. I had to be hospitalized for severe pancreatitis. Doctors looked at my gallbladder, there was sludge in it but no stones. They took my gallbladder out anyways and said this should cure the attacks I was having.
Well I just another attack last month, similar symptoms, back to the doctor I go. More blood work was done, and i had to submit a stool sample to check for ulcers. All my tests came back clean.
They now want to go and do an endoscopy which i am reluctance because I have a narrow esophagus, I have a hard time swallowing food.
I also am having pain where my gallbladder was, its a dull, sometimes sharp pain which I am reading thousands of others are having similar pain.
I am starting to wonder if my gallbladder was the culprit after all.
I am still having stomach issues, constant stomach aches and bloating, acid reflux, always gassy, and seems like my stomach is protruding/bloating, kind of like i always feel like i ate a big meal.
I did send in my blood-work to a lab to see if i am sensitive to any foods, everything came back fine.

I am starting to feel defeated.

2

hi Michelle, everyone knows their own body better than any doctors! take things 1 by 1! do not let your doctors tell you no and not want to do anything. if you have problems swallowing ask for an anaesthetic. i have coeliac disease and couldn’t get the tube down my throat, or the camera for that matter! i had deep sedation and had no idea about any of it, the only thing i did have was a sore throat. you may, for your own peace of mind need to know what this is. it could be gall bladder problems, stones maybe or something else. i just wish you luck,.,.

3

Endoscopy should have been the first thing to be done in your case. Don’t worry about the procedure, it is painless and has nothing to do with the width of your food pipe.

These symptoms are generally associated with IBS. So keep following up with your gastroenterologist.

For reflux issues you may consider antacids like gaviscon syrup, Tums or stronger medications like PPIs.

Try laxatives for your constipation.

Work on your diet and lifestyle.

Make yoga and meditation part of your life.

Don’t feel defeated. Keep fighting.