In short, I have been battling stomach cramps and acid reflux and nausea and gas and a lingering wheezing cough now and then since the summer (it is now January). I initially had a slight case of gastritis (or so they declared) and it subsided, and seldom was a problem other than a lingering taste in my mouth. I then happened to injure myself while lifting a railroad tie and that caused some neuro-muscular damage to my ribs (CT Scan revealed no other damage than this) and because of all the pain and stress from that issue, anxiety as well, my gastritis came back: but I still had rib pain, and they gave me toradol for the pain, but that tore my guts up and it has been a living hell ever since (this was at least three months ago) though I will admit some days are worse than others, and a change of scenery sometimes (for whatever reason) aleviates the symptoms.
I have visited the ER a number of times (I havent had insurance until here recently so all I have to go on is my experiences in the ER), and despite blood tests and urine tests and CT scans they have detected nothing peculiar---and now they are saying what I have is 'colic' because if it were gastritis I would be having pains in the upper abdomen and chest.
Some days are worse than others. Sometimes I feel better standing up and sitting, other times I find no relief unless I'm lying down, and most times thats only on my side. Constant fatigue, and my sleep pattern has completely gone to hell. Constant belching, rumbling in my guts, nausea, cramps, nausea--- bowel movements are sometimes normal in appearance, other times like water or really loose and soft---- sometimes my abdomen hurts whenever I cough or move around too sharply (if something were wrong wouldn't it have shown up on an x-ray or ct scan, which I have had in the passed few months?). And I even have a slimey/hairy kind of tongue with a white coating.
I must admit I do have extreme anxiety, and thinking about
it just makes me feel worse than I already do--- and I am well aware that anxiety/stress/depression can cause physical pains all over, often times vague in descript
ion and regionality--- but to last for this long, nonstop?
Oddly enough a few times I went I was given ativan (because my blood pressure was sky high and I was shaking) and the majority of my symptoms subsided. However, that was months ago, and the problem still remains. Could it really all be in my head, or the continual anxiety has created a problem worse than when it started?
I have did alot of research into H. Pylori and have yet to be tested for this (the docs in the ER told me that a blood or stool sample test wouldn't be sufficient enough, that I need to get an endoscopy done so they can collect a culture: yet I have read everywhere that says blood and stool tests are indeed sufficient), and while it seems to make alot of sense (symptom wise) I almost find it hard to believe that this is it or is accountable for everything I am feeling---- I have no fevers, I have not thrown up, I do not have bloody or tar-like stools--- so I am quite perplexed. I am going to see a gastrointestinal specialist in the next few days, because the hospital has made it clear to me "there's nothing we can do," and suggested seeing the specialist.
My concern is if I come back negative for H. Pylori and have no apparent ulcers or blockages (last night they told me they didn't believe I had that problem, else I wouldnt be able to go to the bathroom at all and as long as I have had this problem I should be dead if that were the case, etc @ blockages) or no apparent tears and damage in my intestines, stomach, colon, etc..... What is the conclusion to be made?
I have read some horrific stories all over the Internet of people who have been declared "normal" in every regard, but battle this "undiagnosed intestinal ailment" regardless of tests and medications without much help or hope to be relieved. I have made changes to my diet. I have reduced smoking. I have excercised. I have taken over the counter antacids and inhibitors to reduce acid. Very little relief, except when my symptoms are so bad that after a few days (or even weeks) or such changes does it go back to being somewhat tolerable.
I have been reading lately about
IBS and how anxiety can not only trigger this, but also be the root cause. I seem to fit this in virtually every regard---- then again it could be Crohn's or Diverticultis (but surely that would have shown up on the CT scan or blood tests @ the latter?). UGHHHHHHH, lol, can anyone relate to this hell I have been going through? Any suggestions, any kind words at all?
Post Edited (RUFUS47) : 1/15/2017 9:48:40 AM (GMT-7)