Digestive disorder...? Opinions please.

Pasc · 04-24-2007, 12:11 PM

Hi everybody...

Prepare yourselves for a long post. I'm writing here out of exasperation as no professional I've seen so far has been able to commit to a diagnosis.

I hope I've posted in the appropriate place by the way...

For about 4 months I've been having varying symptoms relating to what I can only conclude must be a digestive problem. After having chest pains I had an ECG, blood pressure and blood tests which all came back as normal. A lung function test showed a slight defficiency but two x-rays also showed no problem with respiration (These chest pains went away after a few days strangely). I'll list my symptoms below as they are many and varied

Exhaustion after exercise - especially climbing stairs/lifting or carrying. I get a feeling of butterflies and being out of breath for a minute after just a couple of flights of stairs. When I'm tired toward the end of a busy day this symptom is brought on by just walking around. Also, after walking I often get wind, and the feeling I need to pass solids.
Change in bowel habits. More regular - I'm passing solids approx every 2 - 3 hours in the daytime. Stools aren't as solid as they should be, and i get occasional diarrhea (once a fortnight). Also I feel a mild sickness all the time as if I've eaten something that didn't agree with me - along with increased flatulence and gurgling. I get what as a child I used to call 'farty pains' (and have never found a better description for), which feels like air getting trapped and forcing it's way through my bowels.
Weight loss - I've lost about a stone (14lbs) in 4 months. However it seems most of this is muscle wastage due to the fact that I am avoiding exercise. Arms and legs getting scrawny.
Pressure in head and neck. This is like the feeling of hanging upside down when all the blood rushes to your head. Only it happens when I bend down or kneel, occasionally I will see stars when I do this. I also have a bulging vein on the right hand side of my neck.
Slight dry cough. Worsened after a large meal and more irritating when I first lay down in bed (subsides after a few minutes though).
Loss of sleep - feeling restless in the night, usually only getting 3 or 4 hours sleep which is a lot less than I'm used to.
Headaches - at least one a week for the last 5 weeks. An intense constant aching on the right hand side behind the eye. Lasts about 4 hours usually. None if the usual pills (aspirin/paracetemol/ibuprofen) will touch them.
Migraine - different to above as I suffer from these occasionally anyway. I get a 'slient' type that is with an fortification aura and speech articulation problems but only a very mild headache afterwards. They have been much more common in the last few weeks.
A small point, but I notice an increase in salivation which can be a little uncomfortable at times. It doesn't taste of anything but I'm drinking water to wash it away.
This is all accompanied by a general sense of 'groggyness'. Like the night after a party when you don't feel quite 100%. I lack concentration and motivation.

There it is. IBS has been suggested to me by several people, but I don't think this accounts for the exhaustion or headaches. I should note I have two more appointments made next week with my GP and also a chest specialist so here's hoping.

Anyway, if you've got to this part of my post then thankyou very much for taking the time to read it. I'm not at death's doorstep, nor is my problem 'debilitating', but it's a bally nuisance. So any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Good health to you all.

Alagaesia · 04-25-2007, 02:23 AM

Have your doc test you for parasites. Some of those problems could be caused be a parasite. Make sure you tell your doc about every single symptom you're having. Also talk to him about acid reflux or GERD. I know from experience that GERD can make you really tired and make you lose sleep.

catloverlou · 04-28-2007, 11:24 AM

Hi PASC. You and I have MANY of the same symptoms. I have lost almost 20 lbs. in the last few months. I am tired all the time, rarely sleep more than 3 to 4 hrs. a night, and stomach always feels lousy. I rarely get headaches however.
I had a colonoscopy 3 days ago, and they found diverticula. They have put me on antibiotics for 10 days in case of bacterial infection. Have you had this exam yet? They decided I needed it when my bowel habits started to change like you, was going 2 or 3 times a day, then turned to diarrhea every day.
I have had IBS-D for MANY years, but the gastro doesnt think that is my problem this time. There are so many alike symptoms for these digestive disorders, its really hard to know which one is the culprit. Please dont take this the wrong way, as I am VERY sorry you are having problems, but I was almost relieved when I read your post, and realized I was not alone is these symptoms. Please let us know how you are doing, and what your gp decides.
By the way, all my other tests (blood) came out fine too!
Good Luck! Catlover

Pasc · 10-09-2007, 10:52 AM

Well thanks for your replies all that time ago guys.

I'm back and it turned out I had developed Pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart) from an unknown virus. A visit to the emergency department and an xray showed my heart swolen up like a basketball. I had a pericardial window operation and a couple of months on from that my energy levels are shooting up. Most of the other symptoms have gone too.

However the bloating and bowell problems remain. I am now passing regular, healthy stools but just beforehand I get several 'spasms' of intense pain in my bowels. I also get regular wind which causes some milder pain.

I am still very bloated. My normally large round 'inny' bellybutton is now squashed down to nothing from above by my oversized tummy. I have lost 3 stones during the last year so I'm as skinny as a rake apart from this big round belly that makes me look pregnant! My abdomen and bowells are quite tender as well, especially they are sensitive to sudden movement. After sitting for even a few minutes I get up and my abdomen feels cramped and stiff, a feeling which lessens after a minute walking around.

I wondered if it was the medication I'm still taking. I'm on Bisoprolol Fumerate, Perindropril and Furosemide taken daily. My doc doesn't think they should have any effect though. I wondered if it might be IBS brought on from the general trauma of the last few months.

Well thanks for reading. As before, any comments or ideas are greatly appreciated.

Good health to you all.