Strange series of symptoms over last 10 weeks...

I'm a Male, age 37, a bit overweight, but generally have been in good health all my life and able to eat just about anything with no problem. In the last 10 weeks or so I've had the strangest progession of symptoms recently. I've been to 2 internists, a Gastroenterologist and a Neurologist, and pretty much everyone thinks "it's nothing to worry about" but I'm still stressed out about having odd discomforts and generally not feeling "right" lately. So here go the various symptoms that I've encountered:

- troubles started with frequent loose stools in abnormal yellow and occasionally greyish colors
- then had sharp chest pains, was diagnosed with a small 2cm Hiatal Hernia (and likely GERD) by GI doc after an upper endoscopy
- also had some minimal rectal bleeding (bright red), GI doc did flex sigmoidoscopy, and all was normal in biopsies
- dry mouth that turned into bitter taste in mouth
- been on Prevacid (now Nexium) for the GERD and it seems to have helped the chest pain

The above symptoms have mostly subsided, but the following symptoms have continued to this date:

- weird "tingling"/prickly sensation in my shoulders
- frequent (but not severe) gas discomfort below ribcage and belching
- my stools are generally flat/ribbon-shaped
- vague all-over feeling that something isn't quite right (I know this is hard to describe)
- I've also lost about 10-15 lbs in 10 weeks, but I'm not sure if that's the illness or just because I'm eating better.

In general, I feel a little better AFTER eating and have maintained my appetite. and I found that a key trigger that made the diarrhea much worse was foods with High Fructose Corn Sweetener. I'm avoiding such foods now, as well as avoiding lactose on my GI doc's advice.

I have tried going off of the PPIs and just using Pepcid AC, and the symptoms above still remain, so I'm guessing these aren't side effects of the PPIs.

Between all of the doctors, the following tests have all been performed and come back "normal":

- Flex Sigmoidoscopy
- Upper Endoscopy (although 2cm Hiatal Hernia was detected)
- Fecal Parasite/Ova tests
- Amylase/Lipase tests
- Hemoglobin A1C test
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
- Chest x-ray
- Cardiac enzyme tests and stress test (when I was having chest pains)
- CAT scan of chest and abdomen (with only barium contrast due to shellfish allergy)
- H. pylori bacteria test
- Physical/motor function tests (Neurologist)

Does anyone have any idea what direction I should go in now? Do you think I just "wait and see", do you think that further tests are warranted, or do you have any ideas of if or how these symptoms could be related?

I think that all of my Internet research has made me try to guess if I have everything from IBS to Colon Cancer to Fibromyalgia to a Candida infection, and I need some direction from a professional who can point me in the right direction to calm my anxiety.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Tough to say without examination.  You certainly have had a comprehensive evaluation with a battery of tests and visits to 4 physicians.  

To silver lining is that if there was something serious going on, it likely would have been picked up with the tests you have already had.  

One consideration would be a colonoscopy.  This is a more comprehensive test than a flexible sigmoidoscopy and can pick up polyps or masses throughout the whole colon.

Regarding the chest pains, you can consider a stress test to ensure there are no blockages in the arteries leading to the symptoms.

You can discuss these options with your personal physician, or in conjunction with a gastroenterologist or cardiologist respectively.

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.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[yoshi]

if your stomach is producing too much gas,you can try taking alka selzer,extra strength gas X,chew gum and see if it helps

[pstrauss]

I've tried simethicone for the gas, and it really hasn't helped. The most annoying and persistent symptom is the tingling that I'm experiencing in my shoulders. Is it possible that gas pressure could be creating sensations in those nerves?

[yoshi]

yes,gas can affect other parts of your body,it could swell up your face,give you headache.
for me,when gas x does not work,i try alka selzer,but alka contains a lot of salt.

[pstrauss]

I already went through the cardiac stress test, and everything was normal. I think it's really odd that the most persistent symptoms is the tingling sensation I've been having.

[painsince2003]

Ask dr. for a hidascan (I know I'm not spelling it right).  Like you, all my tests were OK. Then each week/month symptoms began to get worse - intense pain.  Then hidascan revealed gallbladder not functioning properly. GB removed, and that type of pain is gone, but I'm still experiencing pain in the area.  At least I'm able to function and not worry about the excuriating pain with GB attacks.  Good luck!

[dobelife4me]

Something to help the problem of gas would be proper food combining.  Never eat starches and proteins in the same meal.  Do not eat various fruits together.  Do not eat fruit with anything else, usually at least an hour before or after other food is best.  You can mix proteins with vegetables and you can mix starches with vegetables.  Try it for a few days and see if it makes a difference.  It worked for me.  Good luck!

[SantasLilHelper]

Did you ever learn more about the cause of your symptoms?  I have similar symptoms since Feb. and have lost 25lbs.  The "tingling" sensation I get is on my left side below the shoulders and I also have constant pain in front of the left lower ribs.  GI has said I have IBS, GERD and a hiatal hernia, but I'm still not a believer in the IBS diagnosis because of the other symptoms I have.  I have had CT Scan, Abdm. UltraSound, upper GI, endoscope and colonoscopy, bloodwork and all has come back normal except for the hernia.  The most annoying symptom is that I just don't feel right.  I don't feel like I am in the game completely...inability to concentrate, a little foggy, muscle aches etc.

[astros18]

Pinched nerves can cause the tingling sensation. A systemic yeast infection can also cause a feeling of creepy crawlies on your skin. If tests have revealed that nothing serious is going on, I would pick a course of treatment from all your research and begin. Rule out things by trying one thing at a time. For instance, if you think it is yeast, start a protocal for yeast. Cleanse your colon and begin a good probiotic and yeast/fungal detox. Go from there, you may solve the problem yourself!