54, still menstruating and loaded with weird symptoms

[McS1944]

I'm 54)I have a small hiatal hernia. I had a lot of phlegm in my throat for a while and some burning in my chest and my doctor gave me 15 mgs of Prevacid. Around the same time last spring I'd been getting increasingly stronger indigestion, bloating and finally sudden diarheah and fever and chills.  He did 2 blood tests one after the other to check for bacteria in the blood which there was and he'd sent me to get a ctscan with iodine contrast. Base of lungs, and liver, colon, bladder, pelvic organs all appeared normal.  Stool sample was w/o blood. He gave me antibiotic that I'd never had before and within a few days I was remarkably better.  They thought bacterial overgrowth.
  It's now November and the burning in my chest is back. I was told by my gynocologist that my uterus is prolapsed (into top of vagina) and that there was a bulge in vaginal walls when I cough from rectum on one side and bladder on other (which explains bladder incontinence).  Here's my big question now. I had an old flare up of herpes a few weeks ago around my anus. This may be unrelated. I have since had rectal burning inside, some off and on mild nausea. Doctor did rectal check and found only one small inner hemmorhoid..no blood. Bowel movements in morning, crampy when I wake up but sleep fine. No diahreah but loose. At end of day it's so uncomfortable to sit. A vague feeling inside, slight pressure and mild burn. Fatigue.  Colonoscopy 5 years ago was normal w/NO polyps.  CA125 test normal. Tests last spring normal. NO blood in stool. ctscan normal. pap normal. What is this? Could it all be pelvic floor related? Would it cause occassional nausea and rectal pressure. Some days of fatigue. I've lost about 8 lbs since the beginning of the year. I did quit fast food but seems like a lot to drop. Oh..I'm still menstruating. Every 3-4 weeks. Then last period was 2 weeks. One really bad day of horrible lower backache and cramping then by day 3 it's over.  Lots of stuff. Sorry.  Please help.

[yoshi]

You have to start a new thread in order for Doc to reply

[TTL]

Is gastrointestinal disease or any bowel problems associated with your menstrual cycle. I been having irregular menses and my stomach is swollen and hard so I was wondering.

[yoshi]

did you go back to your doctor and test for bacterial overgrowth?
It is known to come back.

[LEAZA]

I have had stomach problems, and intestinal problems for ten years and I just had the AlCAT TEST. It has literaly saved my life. It tests your blood with 150 foods, additives, and food dyes. They tell you what foods you should not eat. It turns out all these years the doctor was telling me I was Lactose Intolerant. But after I did the ALCAT test they strongly suggested I never eat the following.

Goat Milk or goat milk products
Cow Milk or any dairy
Wheat or wheat products
Gluten
and Cassinete which is a found in any cheese and non dairy creamers.

If interested in having the test done here is the website address.

www.alcat.com

Thanks for listening
Lisa

[McS1944]

I had a CA125 test for ovarian cancer and it was negative. I had a CTscan with iodine contrast and it was negative. I believe that showed liver, spleen, colon,bladder, ovaries, adrenals and base of lung.  I'm a nervous wreck.  I eat normally during the day but I feel the heaviness at the end of the day. Bedtime I'm exhausted. I've never dropped to sleep so instantly or deeply. Rectal burning.  My doctor did a digital exam a few days ago and found nothing but a tiny internal hemorhoid.  I don't feel sleepy during the day although my lower back bothers me by afternoon.  I get so scared in the middle of the night that something is wrong. Don't know what to do next. I had a colonoscopy exactly 5 years ago and there weren't even any polyps.  I have occassional burning in my chests but prevacid helps that (small hiatal hernia).  Rectal burning could be prolapse in uterus/bladder/rectal.  What of the indigestion (occassional) pressure, tiredness?  Good news..no blood in bowel. No extreme change in bowel . First thing in morning bowel movement with some cramping but then I'm done for the day.    My next colonoscopy is scheduled Dec 15. I told them my symptoms and they didn't seem to be alarmed.  Am I crazy?

[yoshi]

ovarian cancer can cause a lot of stomach problem.

[ozark]

have they tested you for a urine infection?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Difficult to say without examination.  

With a normal colonoscopy, that would rule out most of the serious lower GI causes.  If there continues to be pressure and loose bowel movements, you can consider more specialized testing like an anorectal manometry to evaluate the anal sphincter muscle.  A referral to a colorectal surgeon can also be considered.  

If this avenue is non-revealing, another referral to a gynecologist can be considered to evaluate for pelvic floor dysfunction.  

Regarding the burning in the chest, you can consider an upper endoscopy to evaluate for ulcers, inflammation of the upper digestive tract or GERD.  

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

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.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com