I need help and hope!

[needregularity]

I am a 35 year old. I have 3 children. I noticed major changes after having my third child, my son. When I was delivering him I felt a ripping pain on my left side. The doctor told me it was his elbow, but he was already out as I continued feeling like something was ripping inside of me. About 6 months later I had my gallbladder removed due to stones. A little while after that I was still not feeling well and felt maybe it was from Mirena I had placed after my son. I then had my tubes tied. To make this story somewhat short... My son is now 3 almost 4. I have been having major bowel issues since. I only go to the bathroom about once every 7-9 days. When I do finally go I am literally going for almost an hour. It begins with loose stool then quickly turns to diarrhea. I have the worst stomach pains, sweating, shaking, lightheadedness and then numbness in my legs. I have been battling with weight since all of this began too. At one point my husband commented to me " I bet you loose 5 pounds whenever you finally go". So, I began trying to weigh myself close to the time, then right after. The change is tremendous. My stomach almost flattens completely. I loose atleast 5-6 pounds each time, but gain again as soon as I begin eating or drinking. I noticed through some of the posts something about acids in the stomach and soda drinking. I am a mega soda drinker. Pepsi is my vice.... I have tried "quitting" in the past, but I was pretty much brought up on pepsi. (needless to say my kids don't drink soda). I am at a point where this is completely controlling and affecting my life in every way. I have been working with doctors for a long time and am still nowhere except on anti-depressants, anxiety, heart burn, heart palpatation, and fybromyalgia medications along with arthritic strength tylenol. I really want to get off of all the medications and finally feel normal again. Any help in what will get me there would be appreciated. I know I can't be the only one in the world suffering like this. Someone has to know what is wrong... I hope!

[needregularity]

Thank you for your suggestions. I have had a colonoscopy in the past, I am on protonex for my heartburn. I have had an upper GI also. The test they continuously check is the thyroid, but there is nothing wrong there. I have tried to just live with the symptoms, but it is getting really tough. I want to be able to enjoy life again and be able to be active again. I have not had an ultrasound done since my gall bladder issues. I am awaiting yet another appointment with another specialist. I am getting really sick of doctors. I just hope something helps soon.

[ducky406]

I agree- I think it might be worth having some sort of scan done on your bowels. My MIL had a rough time delivering my husband and it caused her to have a hernia that meant really difficult poos. She needed surgery and has had to remain on an extremely high fiber diet since. So ask about getting some scan- be it a sigmoidscopy, colonoscopy, ultrasound or even a CT scan.

My mom is also an avid soda drinker and it has caused her to develop acid reflux disease. Have you talked with your doctor about this? Perhaps there is something that can be done about your heart burn.

Also - have you ever had your thyroid looked at? A wonky thyroid can mess with a bunch of different things from depression and anxiety to weight and bowel problems. Ask your doctor to test for the Free t3 and T4 along with TSH as it tends to be a bit more reliable at telling you what your thyroid is doing.

[leaving123]

Have you done anytime the CT-Scan of pelvis after the last delivery?