Terrible Bouts of Stomach Cramping, Vomiting Green Bile

[debbo778]

This information is about my 28 year old son. Five years ago he started having attacks of  terrible stomach cramps that went from occurring every few months to every few weeks. He throws up green bile This usually lasts for one day. These continued for almost 3 years, during which time he lost weight, missed work, and accrued medical bills. He had colonscopy and x rays and nothing showed up. He also had a test for parasites. Nothing showed at that time. He was told he had IBS. He does not have the dirreah bouts so frequently associated with IBS>  He was given phenegram for pain.  These attacks stopped two years ago as a direct  answer to prayer. I believe that God intervened. However, he continues to have bad eating habits, eating very limited fruits and vegetables. Last night, he had the first attack in two years. Again, the dehabilitating pain and cramping, leading to an emergency room visit. They tried to "knock him out" but couldn't. They sent him home with more phenegram, which helps a little, but did nothing else. He also has a high stress job, which he does like and which is helpful to mankind. He has been on heart medication for 14 years for SVT, and has done well. He has had no surgeries. Have you ever heard of this? Please advise.

[ozark]

vomiting green usually means a bowel obstruction.  Your son could have an intermittent obstruction such as malrotation ( which is usually seen at a younger age). Have they done an abdominal xray when he is symptomatic?

[Tatergun]

A related discussion, Any new news? was started.

[maddie888]

A related discussion, none was started.

[debbo778]

I called my son. He couldn't remember, but didn't think they ever x-rayed him in ER. He said the problem is it takes a while to drink the barium and do whatever is needed for the X Rays, and he wouldn't be able to keep the liquid down. That's frustrating, because it does seem like the perfect time to x ray him.

[debbo778]

I think they did one time when he was in ER but didn't see anything. I'm going to check with him on that again. That did not do any x rays when he was in ER last week.
He is going back for an endoscopy and sonogram next week. It has been frustrating because all the articles relate to young children and this started when he was 23!
Thank you so much for your information.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

IBS is possible.  Further evaluation can be done to exclude other causes, like GERD, anatomical abnormalities, ulcers or a motility disorder.

You can consider an upper endoscopy and gastric emptying scan to evaluate the symptoms.

If IBS is the diagnosis, treatment can include tricyclic antidepressants, antispasmodics, increasing the fiber in the diet, or probiotics.  

These options can be discussed with his GI physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com