Thanks for the information. Since my last post, I've had continued gastro problems. I started having rectal spasms that have intensified in the last month. I've also experienced explosive diarrhea within 20-30 minutes of eating-not all the time but generally. A lot of bright red blood there also. Also, a lot of mucous in the stool no matter the consistency. I continue to have stomach pain randomly but noticed more often in the left side somewhat under ribcage. The left sided stomach pain is somewhat dull until I eat or during a bowel movement. At that time, the pain becomes more prominent. I am very fatigued, constant headache and my hunger has decreased significantly. I'm not drinking much caffeine at all. I drink a ton of water. I truly feel ill! I've seen my regular physician and she gave me antibiotic and suppositories. The latter seems to have helped with the inflammation of the rectal area but no change in anything else. Co-workers have mentioned I "look bad". Always comforting to know you look bad! Finally, saw a Gastro the other day. He didn't have much to say...he listened and told me I needed a colonoscopy. Didn't even examine me. I had a colonoscopy about a year and half ago and it turned up nothing other than hemorroids. I had the banding at that time also. Not a big change there either. I do indeed have bouts of constipation, then bouts of diarrhea although the last few months it's been mostly the latter. Gastro physician prescribed Dexilant 60mg for GERD. Hopefully, the colonoscopy will show something. I need relief and the stress is killing me. Will post findings. Thanks again.
I have diverticulitis (sorry about spelling) and first time I thought I was having a gallbladder attack, but mine had been removed 2 years earlier. The doc prescribed me antibiotic and it cleared up. Had a couple more smaller attacks afterwards..
Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
The symptoms could be exacerbation of the GERD. Treatment is a combination of drugs to reduce the acid and lifestyle changes. You will need to take a combination of medications like a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole, lansoprazole or pantoprazole empty stomach in the morning and an antacid gel after meals for complete relief. Possibility of H pylori infection too should be looked into and a combination antibiotic tried.
Life style changes that will help include: Avoid heavy meals and eat frequent small meals. Avoid too much of caffeine, tea, smoking, fried food and drinks both alcoholic and non alcoholic fuzzy ones. Avoid heavy exercises within 4 hours of a heavy meal. Raise the head end of the bed by pillows to 30 degrees. Go to bed at least 2 hours after food. Maybe these tips will help you. You should consult a gastroenterologist (a specialist who looks after the diseases of our digestive system) or a physician for this if these tips reduce your symptoms.
You could also be having Celiac Disease/Ulcerative Colitis/Irritable Bowel Syndrome/ Crohn’s disease. All these result in tender abdomen, loose stool or loose stools alternating with constipation, abdominal distention, cramps etc. Parasites in the gut like threadworm, tape worm, giardiasis etc can behave this way. Hence a stool test is a must. Problems of gall bladder and liver or that of pancreas too cannot be ignored.
A number of times a gastroenterologist is able to diagnose these conditions by clinical examination and detailed medical history. At other times a few tests are conducted. Blood tests to rule out anemia, stool test to look for white blood cells, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy etc are used to diagnose ulcerative colitis. Braium meal and follow through, endoscopy etc are done to rule out GERD, Crohn’s disease etc. Irritable bowel syndrome is diagnosed by elimination of other causes. Gluten is a complex protein present in four main grains---wheat, rye, barley and oats. If you have gluten intolerance, then you probably have celiac disease or Non Celiac gluten sensitivity. Crohn’s disease is a difficult entity to diagnose. An upper GI series using barium dye is done to see the condition of small intestines. The degree of involvement of the large and small intestine may vary from person to person. A biopsy is the most confirmatory.
Do discuss this with your doctor and get yourself examined. Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!