Recovery from Perforated Bowel and ETC

[emmytheduck]

I'm a 29 year old female and three months ago I ended up in the ER with a micro-perforation of the bowel. Previous to this I weighed 144 pounds (I'm 5'7) and my diet was just whatever I wanted, mostly crap food. But it wasn't an issue because I have a fast metabolism and I didn't care much about what I put in my body. I am also a smoker.

Luckily, I didn't have to have surgery for my perforation - it healed up over three days of intravenous antibiotics in the hospital. Here's the rub - it's been three months. My diet is unbelievably healthy but I'm down to 119 pounds. I have had four CT scans (completely normal) and one colonoscopy (also normal). I'M STILL IN PAIN AND HAVING "BOWEL PROBLEMS." My GI doctor basically wrote me off, as did my my primary doc.

My daily regimen - Zantac, Klonopin (I also have panic disorder), two stool softeners, and, only at night, percocet or lortab to kill the pain enough so I can sleep. Yes I know that the pain killers can cause more constipation but I've avoided that fairly well with the stool softeners and healthy diet and plenty of water. Also, I didn't have heartburn until after this all happened, that's why I take the Zantac.

Lately I've been having pains all over my abdomen that are sharp and come and go - I can literally feel everything moving through my GI tract.

I'm just curious if ANYONE out there can relate or has any advice. My doctors don't know what other tests to run because my CT's and colonoscopy were so normal and healthy. They also kind of write me off because of my anxiety and panic history. I know my body. This pain is real and the weight loss is scaring me.

Anything is appreciated!

[emmytheduck]

Thank you for your reply! I found a new GI doctor who seems to be much more knowledgeable and ready to help. She's going to focus on getting me back to a regular bowel habit first, using supplements and general diet and exercise changes. Then an ultrasound and most likely an upper endoscopy. She reassured me that a perforation of the bowel doesn't just "clear up" in weeks and that it's perfectly normal for my GI tract to still be acting up. I certainly hope this gets resolved. I'm too young and too healthy otherwise to be dealing with this!

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without knowing the relevant clinical details or a detailed clinical evaluation it would be difficult to comment specifically on the situation. Possible causes of the symptoms that may need to be considered include GI infections, inflammations, GI motility issues, malsorption syndromes, hormonal/ endocrine causes, medication side effects, systemic causes etc. Since a primary evaluation has been fine, a review with a second gastroenterologist to look at other possibilities may be suggested. If this comes out clear, causes unrelated to the GI may be evaluated for.
Hope the information is helpful.

Take care!