Posted 4/22/2015 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
I am going to try to make this short but it will be hard. I work out (weight lifting) about 4 days a week. I'm 45 so i'm not body building, but i do push myself. Back in December started to feel a slight tenderness in my upper abdomen (and only when i would do a certain exercise). Didn't hurt and wasn't all the time. Thought i had strained a muscle. This continued on and off until two weeks ago.
On a Saturday night I went out and got hammered (i don't drink much and first time in 15 years i drank to the point of throwing up all the next day). That following Monday i was back in weight room. On that Wednesday i felt the abdominal discomfort more and just pushed through it. By end of workout I was sweating and slight shortness of breath. It felt like someone was grabbing my insides and twisting. My doctor is a good friend and he looked at me that night. Nothing. Had bloodwork next day = everything fine. Worked out the next day and a little of the same.
I took the next three days off and felt better by end of weekend. No issues with eating ... although i noticed i wasn't quite as hungry. Worked out Monday and felt same symptoms ... pain just not as bad. Later that day experienced an unbelievablely emotional and stressful situation at work that really affected me for next 48 hours (just to keep that in mind).
that Tuesday i had an ultra sound (this was the last day that i worked out in weight room BTW). Only thing it showed was some tiny polyps in my gallbladder. Nothing that either my general doctor or the general surgeon thought were anything to worry about. by Tuesday i was having issues eating. Would eat very little and yet felt full. This continued and got worse as week progressed. Pain in abdomen would get worse and i would have back pain around my kidney areas. Hard to get comfortable. I have lost about 6-8 pounds that i didn't need to lose.
At night i was able to sleep fine and would wake up with zero pain ... until i tried to eat.
Had a endoscopy on Thursday. Only thing it showed was a VERY VERY small hiatal hernia. Again, both doctors said it is so small it shouldn't be causing my symptoms. Yet the symptoms got worse. Started to have some heartburn (i've never experienced heartburn before ... wow). My chest felt tight. Burping more. Very very slight warmth in chest. Absolutely NO wash back ... at least than i can tell. Again abdomen pain and back pain.
It was so bad Friday during the night that I went to ER Saturday morning and they did CT Scan. It showed ... nothing. Doctor diagnosed Peptic Ulcer Disease and prescribed Protonix which i started that day.
Saturday night i ate some crackers. Sunday i ate bananas, yogurt, hot dogs (without bun), toast ... felt okay. Still had the on and off abdomen pain and back pain but nothing over the top.
Monday i had yogrut and an Insure for breakfast. I was fine. At lunch i tried a small chicken Fried steak and it tore me up instantly. I could feel the pain in abdomen begin by bite 3. I felt full after eating it. Pain lasted most of the day.
Saw doctor that afternoon for follow up. He said he still thinks its my gallbladder although he hasn't completely ruled out the hiatal hernia and a weird case of reflux. He wants me to (a) not workout (b) eat anything and everything and keep a journal of how it affects me.
Tuesday i ate scrambled eggs for breakfast (was fine), grilled pork chops and brocoli rice cheese casserole for lunch (fine) and then an italian sandwhich and a bowl of lobster bisque for dinner (fine). It was first day i didn't feel full while eating. I did get my abdomen and back discomfort during middle of the day but it wasn't centered around either meal.
Slept great last night. So thoughts?? I am really hoping its my gallbladder and that they can just take it. I really don't want it to be the hiatal hernia/acid reflux.
Keep in mind that i have not felt nauseaus a single time. I have no issues with my bowl movements (diareaha twice right after starting the meds Saturday) but back to normal now.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.