Greetings. I decided to ask for advice in this forum because I don't know where else to post. I am in a very bad situation and still have no idea what is wrong with me. I don't know of it is IBS or anything else. Below is my story.
I am a 21 y.o. male. Two and a half weeks ago (Monday), I went to sleep during day. I woke up in the evening with uncomfortable pressure in the lower abdomen (right in the middle). It did not go away the next day. I had also then noticed that I was constipated. After doing some research online, I thought that it was just a typical constipation problem even if I never dealt with such issues before in my life. I bought a laxative from CVS. I took it but nothing happened. I then bought Miralax but all I got from it was some diarrhea. Since Tuesday night, I already stopped drinking and eating because I was afraid I was so full that I could burst something. I became worried that I could have bowel obstruction so I went to the emergency room.
In ER, they told me that I was dehydrated (from not drinking) and that diarrhea was caused by the laxatives. They did an x-ray and said that I did not have a bowel obstruction. So they recommended me to stop taking laxatives, to eat the BRAT diet, and to drink lots of fluids. Dr. told me that the abdominal pain would go away in 2-3 days. I was discharged.
I stopped taking the laxatives and diarrhea stopped. On Sunday of that first week, I had some bowel movement. It did not relieve the abdominal pressure. On Monday evening of next week, I started to have sharp chest pains. They were so bad that I went to ER again. I stayed there for 12 hours while they did a lot of tests and scans (including CAT scan). The doctor told me that my heart is fine, my blood vessels are not clotted and that I am not in risk of heart attack or anything like that. He again confirmed that I did not have bowel obstruction. He said he could not explain the abdominal pain and constipation but he suggested it could be acid reflux and thats why I had pain in chest. He gave me 2 prescribed medications ($200) for treating it. I have been taking it up until now but there is no relief.
Right now, I still suffer constipation and ongoing pressure on the abdomen. It is not awful pain or anything, just... pressure. I noticed that when I put a hand on my chest (right above the heart) I feel sharp sensation in the belly.
This week I got the bill from the hospital for almost $8,500. I am uninsured student so you can imagine how devastating this is. I am now withdrawing from my university and searching for a job to help pay the $350/month payment plan that the hospital set up for me.
The worst part of all of this is that I still do not know what is wrong with me. Is this IBS or is this something else more serious? I obviously cannot go to a doctor, I cannot afford it and am already financially ruined.
Can someone give any suggestions on what I am dealing with? Thank you.
Post Edited (discoverer) : 8/24/2011 2:20:25 PM (GMT-6)