Gastritis, Bloating, Undigested Food in my stool

[lrglaser82]

I was diagnosed with constipation from irritable bowel syndrome four years ago, after undergoing a barium enema and a symodoscopy.  I was told to take Miralax twice a day.  The over the counter version of Miralax sparked problems, it does not work as well as the prescription version.  My doctor’s solution was to try it in combination with stool softeners.  We also tried Amitiza, which did not work.  

When I move my bowels undigested food is present, whole blueberries, chewed tomatoes, and pills in the same form they were in when I took them.  Close to two months ago I had an episode where I had a debilitating pain in my abdomen.  I also became 15 pounds bloated immediately when the pain started.  The weight has not gone down.  I have had diarrhea a few times since this began, the weight receded after I went to the bathroom, but the next day I was bloated as bloated as before I went to the bathroom.  When the pain began, I couldn’t eat and had terrible indigestion.  It took me a week to be able to eat again, and a little longer to get back to my normal diet.  

I underwent a series of tests, x-rays, blood tests, an ultrasound, and an endoscopy.  The endoscopy diagnosed me with gastritis.  I noticed when I eat large amounts of wheat one day, the next day I am more bloated than the day before.  I mentioned this to my doctor, requesting to be tested for a wheat allergy.  He brushed this off.  I have always had a problem that after I eat I become very bloated.  My stomach puffs out a few inches after eating a bowel of cereal.  My doctor did a biopsy when he did the endoscopy.  No H pylori were found.  My doctor suggested I try an over the counter acid reliever, which I already tied and they failed to alleviate the problem.  I know the gastritis is caused by something, but my doctor does not seem determined to figure out what is wrong.  I want to know what is causing all my problems.  Please help me!!!  I don't know where to go from here.

[musicchick581]

Get tested for celiac and crohns and stay away from wheat and gluten. eat in very small amounts throughout the day. eat organic foods and throw in some raw foods as much as possible, or if you can't tolerate that, try rice, applesauce, and easy to digest foods until you can. stress causes anxiety also which causes these problems. you may also want to try digestive enzymes and nix the meds you're on. cut out the microwave, try flaxseed, see a natural doctor and be patient. it could take anywhere from 3 months up to a year.

[QBRANCH]

I have had ulcerative colitis since I was 12 years old, and was put on sulfasalizine. I am 24 now, and recently have been struggling with constipation and a hard stomach that comes and goes. I thought the hard stomach may have been because I was full of impacted waste, but it sometimes stays bloated after going to the bathroom. I am currently trying an oxygen based colon cleanser which seems to be helping a little bit, but my main concern is the stomach. I had a colonoscopy done 2 months ago in which they just told me I still had colitis. I am currently eating fruits, veggies, whole wheat breads, and some nuts. The stomach also seems to feel like a "hard mass" moreso when standing up. Any ideas or suggestions?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree with the workup thus far.

A colonoscopy can be done - this is a more comprehensive test than the sigmoidoscopy.  I would also consider more specialized tests like anorectal manometry and motility testing.

If negative, you can consider malaborption.  Testing the stool for fat content can be done to exclude this.  Blood tests for celiac disease can also be done.

Otherwise, further imaging with a CT scan of the abdomen can be considered.

If the tests remain negative, optimizing treatment for IBS can be considered and discussed in conjunction with another GI consult (preferably at a major academic medical center).

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_

[lrglaser82]

I forgot to add one thing.  My doctor suggested I drink a bottle of magnesium citrate to help with the bloating.  I did this, it did not help.  Not only did it not help, it also took over 20 hours to work its way through my system.  It is suppose to take between a half an hour and 6 hours to work.  My doctor shrugged this off as my colon being sluggish.  He has suggested in the past that I have kinks in my colon where things get caught.  Could that have caused the medicine to be as slow as it was?  Why did it take so long?