Severe stomach disorder

[thunderspoke]

For about 5 weeks now I've had severe stomach pain and intestional bloating, my intestines feel very swollen. The pain never goes away but is amplified after eating. It wakes me up at night and not much seems to help. A friend that had the same symptoms said he had a virus and nothing but the medication (flagil)worked for him. He has been pain free for two years now. Has anyone heard of this medication. I've been to the doctor, had upper GI and gall bladder scans.

Hi,

Really sorry to hear about your belly problems and the pain that you have been suffering from.

Were your bladder and gallbladder tests negative? You say that you have had severe belly pain for five weeks that it worse from eating. Have you had any changes in bowel habits and have you had any diarrhea with this?

Your friend is right that you could have an intestinal infection. The Flagyl that you mentioned is an antibiotic drug otherwise known as Metronidazole. In hospitals, it is sometimes used to treat such infections as C.Diff, but can also be used to treat such things as collitis.

I would really suggest that you go back to your doc and get some blood work done. Any pain that has gone on for as long as yours really needs to be checked out.

From your description though it sounds as if it is more related to your gut, rather than bladder or gallbladder. This sounds more the case lower belly pain and bloating of the belly. Hopefully if you get a blood work up, it will be able to trace the cause of any infection that you might have and you may also have a raised white cell count if you have an infection, but not necessarily.

I don't know whether you are taking any analgesia for the pain, but if so, be careful as some may cause constipation and this will make your pain worse.

Anyway, go get it checked out again and good luck.

Let me know how you get on?


Sarah

[thunderspoke]

Originally posted by Super Sarah:
Hi,

Really sorry to hear about your belly problems and the pain that you have been suffering from.

Were your bladder and gallbladder tests negative? You say that you have had severe belly pain for five weeks that it worse from eating. Have you had any changes in bowel habits and have you had any diarrhea with this?

Your friend is right that you could have an intestinal infection. The Flagyl that you mentioned is an antibiotic drug otherwise known as Metronidazole. In hospitals, it is sometimes used to treat such infections as C.Diff, but can also be used to treat such things as collitis.

I would really suggest that you go back to your doc and get some blood work done. Any pain that has gone on for as long as yours really needs to be checked out.

From your description though it sounds as if it is more related to your gut, rather than bladder or gallbladder. This sounds more the case lower belly pain and bloating of the belly. Hopefully if you get a blood work up, it will be able to trace the cause of any infection that you might have and you may also have a raised white cell count if you have an infection, but not necessarily.

I don't know whether you are taking any analgesia for the pain, but if so, be careful as some may cause constipation and this will make your pain worse.

Anyway, go get it checked out again and good luck.

Let me know how you get on?


Sarah
Sarah, the doctor called me back last night and said all test were neg. He seems to think it is stress related do to lack of sleep, I lost my job due to Sept.11th. I really don't feel stressed but he thinks because I can't sleep at night that I am. I do not have diahrea or any change in bowel habbits. Thanks.

Hi,

I am really very sorry to hear that and I then definitely think that you doc is right. Although you may not feel stressed your body is expressing the stress in the only way it knows how, which is to produce symptoms such as your, like pain.

Have you had an counselling since this?

If all your blood work is negative, then can I suggest that you try alternative therapies such as acupuncture. I think this may really be helpful. They will view you as a whole person and they will be able to treat symptoms of anxiety very well. You may find that following some treatment, your belly may be a lot better.

If you don't like the thought of needles, try Japanese style acupuncture. They use very thin needles that you won't even feel and sometimes use non insertion techniques. They also take pulses a lot and use palpation techniques, especially abdominal diagnosis, so if you don't mind someone prodding you belly a bit, they will be able find exactly where your pain is. This will lead to a diagnosis and some treatment. Normally, any pain is seen as stagnation.

You can find a practitioner by going to the Toyohari site. This is the list of Japanese Acupuncturists. Unfortunately, they are fewer than TCM practitioners. If you click on USA, this will give you a list of recognised practitioners.

I have had this sort of acupuncture and have found the health benefits excellent. I have suffered with sciatica for a number of months and have found it great. Completely gone.

You have nothing to lose by trying and you might be surprised by the results.

Let me know if you decide to do it and let me know how you get on if you do?

Take care


Sarah

Hi,

Just wondered how you were doing? You have not posted for sometime. Are you feeling better?

Do let me know.

Take care

Sarah