Thanks so much, really appreciate your reply and others here.
I do keep a food diary. Honestly most of the time I eat the same breakfast, one of several lunches and dinners I rotate through, snacks are usually a protein shake and fruit. Alcohol is usually 2 drinks a week. Coffee is 1-2 10oz cups a day. Nothing has jumped out at me as unordinary during flare ups from the dietary side alone.
Pain is generally localized in the stomach and I also have abdominal bloating. I feel full a lot despite not eating. More burping than normal. I believe a Dr ruled out pancreatitis or gallbladder at last ER visit, said it might be diverticulitis but that wasn’t pursued further than that. At one point I was given an Rx for raberprazole? that calmed down the inflammation after around 4 days combined with a BRAT diet. However this seems to be reoccurring.
I can’t be of much help but you should stop eating so many eggs anyway. Start having cereal for breakfast and see how it goes for a month. Allergies do develop as we get older.
Meanwhile, you’ve got to find a doctor who can see you no matter how far away.
And all I can really do is wish you good luck with this!
I used to do this once or twice a year, but you cut so much stuff out when doing it I don’t think it would help in identifying anything because it could be so many things.
I’m glad that you were able to get the CT scan and bloodwork in the ER, at least. The CT can at least rule out some scary stuff.
I’ve been through a lot of GI stuff in NW WA state over the years. Somewhat interestingly, when I finally wound up in the ER for severe stomach pain for days two years ago I wound up having a ruptured appendix taken out at 2:00 in the morning. At the time I remember thinking that I was glad to get the CT because it can show other shit, like tumors etc.
I’ve also got other more chronic stomach stuff going on and have seen GI’s from up north (in WA) and down in Seattle. If I were you I’d get in line to see a (hopefully board-certified) GI guy on the Island, if available, and if not perhaps up north in Vancouver or the surrounding area. It seems like you at least deserve a scope up above and maybe down below, too. It sounds like your health care system is glacially slow so getting in line now seems like a good idea.
I deal with a lot of doctors for work, too. Most doctors don’t seem to like it when patients come in with Dr. Google at their side asking for this test and that test or certain scans. Good doctors will be able to listen to your story (which I’m sure you’d be able to clearly explain) and determine which tests and treatment you’d need.
And, yes, anxiety-type disorders can cause stomach pains and other things, but stomach pains and other things can also cause anxiety. You deserve to have a good look. Again, I’m glad that you at least had that CT which would have ruled out a big fat life-ending tumor like my buddy had. The pristine blood work is also obviously reassuring. Good luck.
I too have had the honours of experiencing the 2am exploding appendix . That is what prompted my visit to the ER when I last woke with extreme pain - I thought “what could possibly be rupturing this time??!”
And yes, the emergency doc essentially ruled out cancer with the CT scan. He said whatever it was, it wasn’t a tumor or blockage or anything that needed immediate operating on. Which was great but also means it’s not really their problem to deal with.
It sounds like I have a line on an NP I can see who can at least order preliminary tests or send me to a specialist. I’ll update this thread as I find out more. I really, really appreciate your replies as well as the advice given by others here and in PM. This community is awesome.
Duh. I forgot irritable bowel syndrome. Which isn’t a very nice diagnosis because for many people who have it not much works and they have to live with abdominal pain and bloating for decades. And we don’t know what causes it. Generally quite intermittent but not fun.
Do an H. Pylori test but not what you order online, those will tell if the bacteria is present but not if you have an active infection. You need the Urea Breath Test which in the US you can get an any Quest location. If it’s positive, then you should get an endoscopy and have biopsies taken of the stomach lining.
I fought a nasty H. Pylori infection for many months, finally got through it after several rounds of massive antibiotics but it has left me with gastroparesis which now seems chronic.
I waited too long to get tested and on meds which allowed the infection to do a lot of damage. Trust me, you do not want chronic gastroparesis, it literally ruins your day to day life.
If the H. Pylori is negative you should probably still get the endoscopy and see if they can find anything.
Note: I didn’t read through the entire thread so my suggestions may have been covered already.
Thanks for your reply. I think I recall your post a while back on the subject and was hoping you might chime in.
H. Pylori test is definitely something I want to ask for. Just curious how long you waited? I feel like I had low grade symptoms I ignored for years (weak immune system, somewhat sensitive stomach to heavy meals etc) but had my first real “attack” in June which landed me in hospital. Things calmed down with an anti inflammatory after 5 days and I haven’t had another bad attack until this past weekend.
I’m glad you found a resolution but very sorry to hear about your gastro paralysis. That sounds absolutely awful.
Unfortunately I haven’t really tested for anything - I’ve mentioned this elsewhere but I’m in Canada and in my area it’s near impossible to see a Dr for non-urgent issues. It can take months to get in front of one.
One of my episodes sent me to hospital where I was given a blood work up and CT scan of my upper abdomen, both which appeared normal, given an anti inflammatory prescription and sent on my way.
I’ll definitely add that to the list of things to look in to.
A few years back, I had bad stomach pain a few hours after eating. Was pretty convinced I had cancer as my mother died from pancreatic cancer. GP ordered upper GI scope and prescribed PPI for acid reflux. Turns out that’s what the problem was. Hope you get some definitive answers soon.
I waited about 8 mos before I got the H. Pylori test, which I did on my own. I walked into Quest and paid for it myself. The reason I waited is that I was having bouts of afib/Tachycardia which was a priority over the gut issues though it turns out the cause of the afib was almost certainly from the H. Pylori. After the afib resolved I focused on the gut issues. H. Pylori is very difficult to eradicate and I had to do multiple rounds of heavy duty meds to kill it. H. Pylori prevents the body from absorbing various vitamins and minerals which, in turn, causes a whole list of issues from lethargy to pain to headaches, etc.
I’ve learned a lot about gut health along this journey. Your gut is the center of almost every function in your body. You should consider taking digestive enzymes while you sort this out. In my opinion, based on a ton of research and speaking with a host of experts, H. Pylori is severely under-diagnosed in the US.
Living with gastroparesis is unbelievably difficult and I’d hate to see this happen to anyone else. The simple test may eliminate it as a possibility for you. If you catch it before it gets out of control you should be able to kill it quickly.
Would seeing a naturopath be an option? They could help you through an elimination diet, which is probably something easier to do with guidance.
I’m on the mainland in New West and my doctor is on the West side of Vancouver. Seeing him involves taking half a day off work as I have to trek across two cities, but I still feel lucky to have a doctor. As a bonus, he’s actually good!
I hope you find GP or NP and, more importantly, some relief.
Heck, At this point I’d be open to seeing a psychic.
I’m not opposed to a naturopath but actually got a line on an NP. I have an intake on Wednesday and hopefully can book an appointment soon after. I’d rather pursue that avenue first and rule out things like an ulcer or diverticulitis etc. I also don’t want to go changing a bunch of things at once between different medical practitioners etc.
“I spent a total of 36 hours waiting in the ER over 3 visits (canadian healthcare system ftw…) only to be given a blood panel and CT scan and be told there’s nothing wrong with me”
Were you having pain / vomiting at the time of the CT ? Did you ever have these symptoms before your ruptured appendix ? Was the CT with I.V. and oral contrast , or non-contrast ( which may limit diagnosis ) ? Although unlikely, must R/O intermittent small bowel obstruction from adhesions, internal hernia , SMA syndrome etc.
I saw my GP about stomach pain and she could see something was wrong and sent me straight to ER. It was like a Charley horse under my right ribs. You could see the muscles spasming.
I was so sick. None of their tests were positive. I was referred to exploratory surgery and the doctor had me take a ton of magnesium ahead of it yo rule out a deficiency. It totally solved my problem. I had been in pain for a year or so sporadically. I wasn’t sleeping etc. if I forget to take magnesium I’ll get cramps again.
Good luck. I hope it’s as easy of a fix as mine was.
By the time I had the CT scan the pain had subsided quite a bit from 8/10 to maybe a 3-4/10. It was with IV.
I hadn’t had symptoms this severe prior to this June (which is when I had the episode that sent me to ER). Appendix was taken out in, I think 2020 or 2021. I had an inguinal hernia repair in 2022. Prior to that I would say I had no health issues, other than a somewhat slowly worsening “sensitive stomach” over the years and a propensity for getting every cold/flu that came my way.
Did the CT scan mention any air fluid levels in dilated bowel? You were improving by that time - partial SBO still needs to be ruled out , maybe related to previous adhesions from appe/surgery. Need a gastroenterologist , maybe check a private clinic in Van.
One would think CT done at time of SBO would pick it up. Not mentioning it to the pt if they have it would be pretty bad ER medicine. I would be skeptical of SBO being the cause. One thing about SBO from adhesions doing more surgery may produce…more adhesions. Hopefully the NP looking into the cause of all this would request copy of CT report because that would be good practice. My experience with NPs in Canada is they are pretty thorough. Efficiency maybe not so much but that has been declining among primary care and emerg docs as well.
. That is what prompted my visit to the ER when I last woke with extreme pain - I thought “what could possibly be rupturing this time??!”