New Case- In need of help!

Hello everyone. Great forum. I am hoping that someone out there may be able to shed some light on what is going on with me. First, I am a 36 y/o male, non-drinker, non-smoker, lean build who has not eaten red meat or drank soda in twenty years. Prior to 2006, I have had no history of GI problems.

In September 2006, during a deployment to the Persian Gulf on an aircraft carrier, I started to get severe abdominal bloating, cramping and mucus discharge from my rectum. Also, my stool began to have a yellowish appearance. I attributed it to a bug I may have picked up while deployed, but after suffering for almost a year, in 2007 I decided not to confuse being tough with being stupid, so I saw a GI specialist.

I had the full GI work-up, including endoscopy, colonoscopy, blood work and stool tests (ova and parasites). Everything came back negative or normal, except that the colon biopsies showed "microscopic colitis" which the GI specialist attributed to the colonoscopy prep. He diagnosed me with IBS, gave me Dicyclomine for cramping and sent me on my way.

Well, as you guessed it, the Dicyclomine was worthless, and I continued to struggle along with cramping, bloating, mucus discharge (sometimes tinged with specks of blood). In March 2009, I caught that nasty intestinal bug that has been going around. I ended up being admitted to the hospital for dehydration, and because of the fever, the hospital administered Cipro and Flagyl as a precaution. I was discharged a couple days later, but have been a mess since then.

I saw another GI specialist last week (I moved since 2007) and had the full work-up again. This time, the Dr. found gastritis, duodenitis, esophagitis and a small hiatal hernia. This was not seen in 2007. He found no indication of colitis, no Crohn's, no gall bladder problems et al. So, I was sent home with PPI (Protonix 40 mg). That's it.

As of today, I still suffer from cramping, bloating, mucusy stools. Now, I also suffer from persistent nausea that makes eating near impossible. What do you think? I am/was a fit, athletic person and a healthy eater (no sweets, red meat, alcohol et al) who is now sickly, barely able to muster up the strength to put in a full day's work. The only other facts I can supply is that for years my calcium and albumin levels in my blood has been elevated, cause unknown. I also suffer from leg cramping, also cause unknown. I do have a positive family history of hyperparathyroidism, but I have been tested twice and my PHA has been normal. Can GERD be "silent" and cause these problems? Up until last week, I NEVER experienced what I am reading in these forums, i.e. heartburn, acid reflux, chest pain et al. Finally, I am wondering if anyone has struggled with food allergies, especially to soy.

Thanks everyone!

Kinsan,

First of all Welcome to HealingWell and I am so sorry you have been experiencing these nasty sx for so long.

Silent Reflux Can Cause: hoarseness, a "lump" in the throat,  trouble swallowing, chronic cough, too much throat mucus and heartburn.

The term REFLUX comes from a Greek word that means "backflow,"  and it usually refers to "the back flow of stomach contents."  Normally, once the things that we eat reach the stomach, digestion should begin without the contents of the stomach coming back up again....refluxing.

The term Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) refers to the backflow of food or stomach acid all of the way back up into the larynx (the voice box) or the pharynx (the throat).  LPR can occur during the day or night, even if a person who has LPR hasn't eaten a thing.

Not everyone with reflux has a lot of heartburn or indigestion.  In fact, many people with LPR never have heartburn. This is why LPR is called SILENT REFLUX, and the terms "Silent reflux" and "LPR" are often used interchangeably.  Because LPR is silent, it is sometimes difficult to diagnose.

Chronic hoarseness, throat clearing, and cough, as well as a feeling of a lump in the throat or difficulty swallowing, may be signs that you have LPR. 

I don't see these sx listed as your major problems.

It would be good if you could get to a GI physician that could help you nail down a dx and a treatment plan that works.

Please keep talking to us and know that there are many here with lots of wisdom so I am sure you will find some other ideas to consider.

Again, welcome to HW.

Kitt