"Gastric Help Now – Gastroenterology Relief"

Hello all,

I have come to the internet in desperation after years of constant medical problems that seem to have no end. My GP is not very helpful. It is getting to the point where my medical problems have taken over my life and I would like to just know what is wrong (if anything).

I am an obese 20 year old female. I had multiple ear infections as a child; my ear drum popped twice so I have slight hearing problems in one ear. At seven, my tonsils and adenoids were so large that I suffered from severe sleep apnea, so they were removed as the ENT was worried about brain damage. When I was six, they discovered that I was missing 9 adult teeth and they considered it to be a genetic defect of some sort, the cause was never investigated. Aside from cholestrol issues at 8 (solved through the Atkins diet, ironically enough), I was very healthy from about age 7 to puberty. At this point, I was just a little chubby. Puberty hit, and I gained probably 70-80lbs in a year. Although I developed in all other ways, I never produced a period. This was not dealt with until last year. Around this time, I started suffering from gastro-intestinal distress but it was tolerable, so life continued.

Around 14, I noticed that my left pupil was constantly dilated. I had multiple test and was referred to many doctors before I was diagnosed. They had suspected a brain injury/tumor (cancer was brought up), but it turned out to be Adie’s tonic pupil. Adie’s can be caused by lesions on the neurons/muscles that contract the pupil, or it has no cause (like in my case). There is also no cure.

Then I discovered a large lump on my right foot. Doctors orginally thought it was osteomyelitis, or sarcoma/similar cancer. I underwent multiple tests. They still weren’t positive what it was, but they decided surgery was the best option so it was removed in January. It turned out to be an ostechondroma, so they removed it, I spent 3 mos on crutches and they told me that there was less than 5% chance that it would ever recurr. It had recurred by the time I went back for a checkup. Because of it’s incredibly fast regrowth, they were worried it had come back as a malignant lesion so I underwent surgery again in August of the same month. Turned out it was just a regrowth of the osteochondroma, so they removed a ton of bone from the surrounding areas as well, so I was non-weight bearing and on crutches for nearly 6 months this time. By the time I went for my 3 month checkup, it had regrown. I was referred to a new, younger orthopaedic surgeon for another surgical option but it was an extreme idea so I declined. The foot is just xrayed 3x a year to make sure it doesn’t become malignant.

At this same time, I also had dental implant surgeries to try and correct my missing adult teeth. Also, my gastro-intestinal distress became so severe that I couldn’t function properly so I was sent to a gastro-entrologist as my mother sufferes from Crohns disease and they were afraid I did too. My GP sent me for a blood test for Celiac, but it came back as negative. She suggested I go gluten-free anyways because sometimes the blood test is wrong. I went gluten free and almost all my gastro symptoms disappeared. I went for an endoscope and colonscopy approximately 8 months after I went gluten free, but by then (as the gastro-enterologist explained to me) any damage to the villi from Celiac would have been healed, so no problems were found.

I had to have my gallbladder removed in Feb of this year due to gallstones, after which I developed GERD. I went to an OBGYN because I was 19 and had never had a period, and testing concluded that I have PCOS, or poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, which explains my excessive weight gain and lack of period. (I do have bad eating habits, but I should not be as large as I am – I have always been a very active person so the PCOS/hormonal imbalance explains some of that).

Finally, for the last year or so, I have been overwhelmed by all consuming exhaustion. I need about 12 hours of sleep to function, and the, and then that can usually get me through class or a bit of work, but then I need about a 3 hour nap if I want to do something in the evening. I was given 2 at home sleep apnea tests – the first came back as indictiative for central apnea (not obstructive.), the second test came back as inconclusive. I am currently on a 2 year wait list to get into our local sleep clinic.

Recently, I found a lump in my throat. The week later, I fainted at work. The ER doc performed blood work and an EMG, said it was probably heat exhaustion, which doesn’t make sense at all. He also checked my throat lump, and said it was likely a cyst so he sent me to an EMT who said tonsil regrowth. I also have frequent dizzy spells, incidents where my eyes shake, recurrent headaches and a recurrent rash in my inner elbows and across my abodomen (not weight related). I am always incredibly flushed and hot & awake sweaty.

I have been trying to figure out what’s wrong with me for about 4 months now. It all started with a urinary tract infection in beg. of May which turned into a bladder infection (took two diff antibiotics in a row bc it had progressed). Toward the end of the 2nd antibiotic, I felt intense pain and pressure just under my ribs, especially on the right. Had to go to ER twice. Found a mild yeast infection in June, wondering if that’s related or a sign of an overall abdominal infection. I’d never had any of these infections previously (I’m 24), wondering if possibly I have an autoimmune disease of some kind. Had an ultrasound to check my gallbladder b/c problems run in family, no gallstones. I have seen tons of doctors and feel I’m having to research on my own/talk to nurse friends to find out what tests to demand. Have had CT scan (normal), blood tests (normal, so no inflammation, etc), a pelvic ultrasound to look for a possible ovarian cyst, numerous urinalysis’ and stool tests (currently checking for H. pylori bacterial infection and taking a second ova and parasite test as they can come back negative- I went to Mexico in April so wondering if I got a parasite there), and have even seen a gastro. Most are saying it’s Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which I’m not ruling out, could be quite possible. However, I’d like to rule other more serious things out before we make that conclusion, especially since pain is in the upper right more, just under ribs, sometimes sharp pains up my rib cage and sometimes pain lower near my ovary. Also have flu-like symptoms sometimes/feel out of it, and go through monthly cycle of about a week where I can barely work if at all and wake up multiple times at night, often shaking for up to 45 minutes before a bowel movement. Any idea of what this could be. I have asked about celiac disease, Chron’s disease, interstitial cystitis, etc. and they are usually not willing to investigate further. ug. Would appreciate any personal experiences and/or ideas of what it could be. Thanks.

I am a 37-year-old male, 190 lbs. I have been to two urologists with different diagnosis. I have had trouble starting my urinary stream for as long as I can remember. The stream remains weak during urination and as a result I have a phobia about urinating with others nearby. There is never any pain or blood during urination. I also get up 1-2 times a night to urinate. There is no family history of prostate cancer in my family. I went to a doctor April 2008 because of increased strain while trying to urinate after I get up at night. I do go frequently during the day…especially after the first urination.

The first doctor said that I suffer from BPH due to an enlarged prostate. He performed a cystoscopy…urodynamics and a prostate ultrasound. Nothing significant was found during the cystoscopy. The prostate ultrasound came back with 29 cc or grams…not sure which unit of measurement is correct there. The urinalysis findings led my first doctor to believe that I may have MS possibly resulting in detrusor sphincter dysynergia (DSD). MRI scans of my brain and spinal cord came back negative for MS. The MRI for the cervical spine did find a right posterolateral C5-6 disk herniation that mildly contacts and flattens the ventral cord extending to the proximal right C5-6 foramen. I was on flomax/avodart for 7 months with no change in urinary habits. His recommendation is for a procedure…TUMT/TUIP or TURP.

I recently went to another doctor for a second opinion. The results (history/tests) from the first doctor were forwarded to the second doctor. After an oral examination, he did not feel that my prostate size was the issue. Since, I also have a history of large hemorrhoids/constipation/spastic colon and IBS; he thought there might be a correlation with that. I am an introvert and believe the source of most of my stress goes to my colon. He gave me a PSA test, which came back normal (0.5). Also, he performed a renal/bladder ultrasound. The results showed that I was not emptying completely…especially for someone of my age. After a cystoscopy with him (just last week), he said I have scar tissue in my urethra from a stricture. He thinks I may have suffered some injury as a child. He recommends that I undergo a Direct Visual Internal Urethrotomy (DVIU) to take care of the narrowing as a result of the stricture/scar tissue. He also wants to do an urodynamics test with me to see what he finds. He gave me a month’s sample of uroxatral, which did not help my stream any.

I am set to undergo an endoscopy with my Gastro doctor this upcoming week. Blood results show that I am chronic microcytic anemic due to low MCV/MCH. My hemoglobin is fine. My doctors think I have a Mediterranean gene even though I am mostly northern European. My ferritin levels are also really low and I have begun taking an iron supplement (ferrous sulfate). I underwent a stapled hemorrhoidectomy last October and already have one autoimmune disease (limited scleroderma/CREST syndrome); so he wants to rule out Celiac disease, I suppose due to possible malabsorption. I no longer have a bleeding issue with my hemorrhoids due to the surgery. Also since any effort to bulk up my stool due to increased fiber and laxatives has failed.

My biggest concern is the vast difference in opinion between both urologists in what my issue may be. Any suggestions. Are there questions I should be asking my doctors.

Thanks,

Tim

A very dear friend of mine has celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder). She’s currently pregnant with twin girls. The pregnancy with her son, she was severly anemic, sickly, and tired all of the time. She didn’t find out she had celiac disease until her son was 6 months old. She is on a strict diet because of food allergens. And she does take nutritional supplements for health reasons.

She went to her mid-wife, and told her about her plans to feed the twins. She is going to pump (breast milk), and feed through a bottle for 6 weeks maximum, and then gradually switch the twins to an organic lactose-free baby formula. My friend will be taking extra vitamins, minerals, and other supplements to help ensure her breast milk is nutritionally complete.

The mid-wife is 100% supportive.
The gastro doctor is 100% against.
The lactation consultant-is 100% supportive, and is militant she give the twins breast milk for at least a year.

But she can’t give the twins breast milk for a year. Six weeks is about all she can handle. She doesn’t want to end up as sick as she when she had her son.

So breast feeding moms, what is your best advice for my friend. She’s confused.
3 reasons: One she has an autoimmune disorder, she doesn’t want to be so sick like she was when she was pregnant with her son, and she is also returning to work part-time until her husband gets home from deployment sometime next summer.