food intolerance or something more sinister?

[Deb_1957]

I am a 51 year old female suffering with chronic lower left quadrant ab pain for 9 months.  I had a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy before this occurred.  Since then, I have had mri of lower spine (disk problems/herniated disk discovered and two doctors believe this could cause ab pain and two say no - anybody have experience with this?), CT scan of pelvis, transvaginal ultrasound (plus CA-125 to rule out ovarian cancer, which was normal) and lower GI, plus the usual blood work.  Nothing abnormal found.  I had blood drawn to evaluate for food allergies and intolerances.  Around 20 foods were found reactive and I was told to avoid all of these except the non-reactive tested foods.  This is very difficult because I cannot eat wheat, eggs, or yeast, plus a number of fruits and vegetables.  I have been doing my best to avoid these foods for 3 weeks.  I have not reached 100% better, more like 80% normal.  Still the occasional bloating and back pain in additional to the ab pain which is a deep ache vs. stabbing pain.  My question is, for anyone who has tried an elimination diet, did you feel 100% within a certain period of time or did you have to wait weeks or months (or did you ever feel better)?  I am concerned that maybe I should continue looking to rule out more sinister diagnoses vs. waiting more weeks/months hoping to feel better.

[boulette]

Hi there,
I have been having gastro problems for the past 6 months. Started off with severe ab pains, sickness, nausea and diorrhea, then back pain, in my lower back. When I get the ab pain, the back pain is worse. But I still get the back pains too. I've had colonoscopy which was normal, endoscopy which was normal and MRI on my lumbar spine, which came back as normal, apart from a few minor changes in my discs. I see my specialist next week to find out more. But it sounds like you - I did a home test for food intolerance and it came back that I was intolerant to egg. Not sure how good this test was, but I am going to ask my health provider to test me to make sure. So I am presuming that I have an intolerance. i thought of all sorts - i even had a vaginal ultrasound for my ovaries, as I felt like heavy period pains in my back - almost like labour pains. That also came back normal. I sometimes feel that the Dr's must think I am imagining it all! Anyway, hope you get some answers soon, but id does sound like my scenario. Good luck,  Sarah.

[Deb_1957]

Pain is usually only 2 to 3 on a scale of 10.  Sometimes it's almost imperceptible but when it comes back, I always start worrying again.

Gluten intolerance can be tested with a simple blood test.  Mine was negative although I show an intolerance to wheat (gluten is found in rye, barley and maybe oats?).  There are plenty of web sites about Celiac disease.  Individuals vary greatly in their symptoms so it is often very hard to diagnose.  You should see if there is a support group in your area so you can ask people there about their experiences.

Are you saying your pain started after your surgery?  Was your gallbladder surgery done laparoscopically (small incisions) or more major?  Maybe you have adhesions, which is internal scarring that can be very painful.  Have you looked into that?  I know of a friend who suffered from adhesions and had additional surgeries to try to correct them but not sure how successful this was for her (I moved away so not in touch with her anymore).

I have back pain as well as ab pain.  When back pain is the only problem, I can handle it.  When ab pain kicks in, they seem to amplify each other.  I know have disk problems so I am asking if people who have back pain have the same scenario or if this is unique to me.

[bankerlady]

I have not been tested yet but I feel that maybe I might be gluten intolerant.  I have intense pain and have to be on pain pills 24/7.  I had my gallbladder taken out in Aug and have had problems since.  I am still going thru a series of test and I'm so afraid that they will not find the answer to my pain.  How bad is your pain?