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gastrointestinal issues

I am a 50yo female, for 2 + years (could be longer just lmuch ess frequent) i have been experiencing "spells" which include the following... my stomach begins to ache, burning feeling.  this lasts several minutes to several hours before progressing to explosive diarrhea (usually begins in middle of night) and pruitis (itching mostly to palms of hands and sometimes the feet) extreme nausea (but rarely vomiting) I have experienced one bout of passing out and the doc explained it was probably from a quick loss of fluid.  This "spell" will last anywhere from an hour to several hours and was coming about 6-8 weeks but has recently started coming about every other week or so.  In the midst of this I also have had bouts of gastroenteritis (as diagnosed by the doc) where i experience similar episodes with NO itching but added pain in the upper/center quadrant and, at times, the lower/center quadrant (not just nausea but pain).  I had a gall bladder ultrasound and there was no indication of malfunction.  my blood work has come out mostly "normal".  I did get diagnosed with "fatty liver" after the ultrasound and my levels were "High" on my liver function tests but not anything "alarmingly high" according to doc.  we thought it may be biliary cirrohsis but those liver tests, again, slightly "high" but still in "normal" range.  nothing in particular seems to bother me food wise,  I can have these "spells" after 2-3 weeks of fantastic eating routine or after having pizza and ice cream... or water for that matter!  
we are at a loss for a cause!!!  they would like to do an MRI but i would have to pay in advance a $2500.00 co-pay that I cannot afford.  
any suggestions???  
thanks!
Linda :)
8 Responses
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3923358 tn?1358552214
Try dropping gluten. It could be celiac disease. Dont eat it for 3 weeks then start eating it again and assess the symptoms. If you dont really want to do that you could get a blood test done that would diagnose you!:)
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4851940 tn?1515694593
Accurate testing for Haibacter Pylori is by a stool test or breath test.  Blood tests for this bacterial do not give accurate readings.
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Avatar universal
What about artificial sweetners?  They are not really good for you as your body doesn't recognize them as food.  Could be in something you are eating or drinking disguised as safe... My Mom and I gave up artificial sweetners and our health improved.  Just a thought.  There is a video titled: Sweet Misery all about Aspartame.
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Avatar universal
thank you for your suggestions.  I have not had any additional tests to rule out the gallbladder which many people have told me it is but my doc seems to feel that the ultrasound showed it working well.  I, apparently had blood tests for critters such as h-pylori although i did not know that's what they were looking for so I mentioned it to my doc who let me know that those tests were negative also and that it would only explain a couple of my symptoms, not all.  so... I am still searching.  she has suggested that I could just have my gall bladder removed as a "preventative" measure but I'm thinking if I got it and it is working that maybe I need it and should keep it!  as for the financial assistance situation, seeing that I have medical insurance I do not qualify.  If I had none it would be free... go figure!

And as for diet... i do not eat red meat, i eat fish and chicken sparingly (1-3 times per week) i try to eat a well balanced, high fiber, low glycemic, lotsa veggies kinda diet as much as possible.  actually i am the healthiest eater in my family and/or of my friends.  i do not eat spicy or highly seasoned foods... etc...

i am just at a loss, as is my doc.  she suggested my next episode to proceed directly to the hospital ER... might be my best bet.

thanks again!
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Avatar universal
I also suggest being tested for h pylori
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1883841 tn?1345200360
I would go through ficinicial help at your local hospital for the fees you were told it would cost for the test then I would get a second opioion from a different physican, I hope you feel better soon
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
have you researched or been tested for h pylori
Helpful - 0
5285867 tn?1365993292
I had gallbladder issues where I was real sick. They did test after tests. I finally ate a radioactive pill to see my Gallbladder function. It was barely functioning at all. I had it removed. Now I suffer from Bile Reflux Gastriris. Have you tried too remove dairy, gluten, processed foods, meats, and junk food. Dairy and meat now days has so many chemicals in them. I eat as much organic which I can do now because I got rid of all the other processed foods. I also removed legumes. Yes it was a lot to remove! Do a little at a time. See if food is one of the problems. Read up on Monsanto GMO's. Remove chemicals in your home and get rid of all the chemicals in everyday use. I can give you a list what to look out for. Loony56
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