A menagerie of symptoms - Digestive Disorders Message Board

HarryCrumb · 05-26-2005, 06:38 PM

Hello-

For the past month-and-a-half I've been experiencing symptoms ranging from discomforting to scary. I first began noticing chest pains in early April, focused near the sternum on the left side of the chest but radiating to other parts of the left side, and occasionally into my back, shoulder, left arm, and right side of my chest. These symptoms were not brought about by any particular activity; they began shortly after I woke up and were intermittently with me throughout the day. I checked in with my physician about 3 weeks after these symptoms began and a stress test (EKG) was ordered, which showed nothing abnormal. The following day, after skipping breakfast (except for a cup of coffee), I ate lunch and preceded to develop severe symptoms, namely intense bloating, cramping, and pressure in my abdomen (esp. right side), a full feeling and pressure at the back of my throat which made it difficult to obtain a full breath, and light-headedness. After 20-30 minutes, I attempted to stand up and walk, figuring the pressure and tight feeling would let up. Instead, I became numb (hands, face, etc.) and started to black out. I ended up in the ER, where my EKG came back normal. I was prescribed Protonix and an anti-anxiety medication and was released.

Over the last few weeks, I have had similar "attacks" four times after eating. I notice that the last three "attacks" were preceded by a feeling of intense hunger/craving and shakiness. To alleviate these "hypoglycemic" symptoms I ate, which immediately triggered the pressure and pain sensations in my abdomen. The scariest part of these "attacks" is a hormonal (adrenaline?) surge that I can feel course through my body, further tightening my body up and making it all but impossible to do anything but remain seated or lying down. Each one of these attacks feels like an urgent medical event (and I did end up in the ER one more time following the first attack). Following the worst episodes, I'm weak, shaky, and experience muscle twitches across my body.

Some days I can eat OK with nothing but mild discomfort and gas. On other days I feel weak and not quite "there" (meaning not quite focused, or perhaps a little light-headed) with rubbery legs, and I know food will not alleviate, but rather strengthen, these symptoms.

I've had basic blood work, a stress EKG and two regular EKGS, an upper GI (negative) and a gallbladder ultrasound (results pending) and am at a loss. Any ideas? This is really hampering my ability to lead a normal life.

One more thing- I have not experienced nausea or vomiting with these episodes, and am not passing bloody stools.

Harry · 05-26-2005, 10:35 PM

Harry C,
This is certainly a problem that can be scary.
THe only thing I can think of is you are swallowing gas and you can't belch to relieve the pressure in your upper abdomen.

This conbined with an allergic reaction tp something can cause all these symptoms because I have had them...

I have used homeopathic remedies like Magnesia Phos and Aconitium Nap to get rid of the immediate symptoms.

I also think you lack magnesium, calcium and potassium in your diet.. Your blood work should have tested these --- were they OK???

I wish you well---Harry

Losec20mg · 05-26-2005, 10:42 PM

could be an allergic reaction whether to food or maybe somtin else..get an allergy testing.

good luck

walkerb · 05-27-2005, 11:35 AM

Hello,

I have experienced many of the same symptoms as you. Have you been on any antibiotics recently?? I am attributing some of my symtoms with a screwed up digestive system due to 3 courses of antibiotics that I have been on for Tonsilitis. I have been like this for 6 months now and I too have visited the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. I am a marathon runner!! I didn't know what was going on and after tests and the panic event happening again I know now that it was a panic attack. I have been taking a vitamin supplement and some probiotics and things seem to be getting better slowly. I have been to a nutritionist among other things and she says that this type of thing can happen a lot and take a long time to heal up. I have had all of the tests, even a GI scope last week and everything seems normal. The other thing that I tried but didn't work for me is that chance that you are developing an allergy to Gluten. Apparently this can just happen all at once in people and can produce the gas that you can't get up which is likely causing these other symptoms. I know very much how you feel with the not being able to concentrate thing. I have felt that way a lot, my head seems sort of fuzzy. It really makes me nervous, to the point of panic at times which then makes everything else so much worse. I hope one of my ideas can be of assistance.
Brian Walker

inperceptiveyes · 06-07-2005, 02:37 AM

I have the same symptoms. i have been miserable since March. i'm only 18, and it has been hard for me to feel well enough to go to school, and i was almost dropped from classes because of it. i have done a lot of research on my symptoms and digestive illnesses because i have had the hardest time accepting that IBS (thats all doctors could tell me) was the cause of my suffering. i came to find that many, many people can have parasites and not even know it. my boyfriends mother is a nurse, and she was the one who warned me about this potential problem. it is an underlying problem that to me, makes sense. the stuff you can look up about it online is scary, i have to say. realizing that i may have a parasitic infection terrified me. she recommended doing a colon cleanse called Colonix. its a program that you do for 1,2, or 3 months. it includes a fiber supplement, a tea, and capsules that rid your body of toxic waste buildup, which includes parasites. i am starting this tomorrow, so i will have to update the boards with how it is going.

i know it is quite alarming to think that hundreds of tiny bugs are reaking havock on your system.. but it is very likely to be true. please look into it.