Stomache bloat, chest pain, diarrhea and recovering from alcohol/cocaine abuse

Hi,

  I'm a recovering bulimic alcoholic/cocaine abuser (I don't say addict because I didn't use every day.)  I'm 26, female, 115lbs at 5'6" and have been sober for a month.  I've was abusing drugs and alcohol for 5 years and recently quit.  I was bulimic for two months recently until a month ago.
  However, as of two weeks ago, everytime I eat my stomach bloats and I get light diarrhea.  My chest is sore when I breath deeply and I'm tired.  I'm sure this is related to the way I treated my body, but now that I'm not using, what is going on?  I'm afraid I have an ulcer or something similar, but the symptoms are not severe enough to warrant an ER visit.  

[Kevin Pho, MD]

An ulcer is certainly possible.  If this is suspected, a visit to your personal physician can be done to discuss whether an upper GI series or upper endoscopy can be done.  

Diarrhea can be evaluated with a lower endoscopy, such as a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy.  Sending the stool off for culture and analysis should be considered as well.  

If there is any blood in the toilet, or if the stools are tarry and black, then I would seek immediate care.

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 Pho, M.D.

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