Very concerned about "stomach"!!!!

Thank you for taking my question. I am a 37 year old male. I have been diagnosed with acid reflux  a little over a year ago. I have had pain in my stomach for a while. I take prevacid. I have lost weight which concerns me because I have not been trying to lose weight. My stomach feels full and bloated just about all the time. I know this is going to sound weird but the weight I have lost does not seem like it has come from my stomach. I still have a small gut. I remember several weeks back I weighed a little over 200lbs and  now I weigh 187. I have been trying to gain it back but it is not working. I belch sometimes ( a lot) I am constantly passing gas. I wake up in the morning and will have 2 to 3 bowel movements before I get going in the day. A GI doctor did a endoscope ( I believe that's right) where I was put under local and he ran a scope down my throat. He said I was covered in pollops in my stomach. He biospied one said no cancer. At the time I was treated with biaxin for a tear in the lining of my stomach. I also have a hieinal hernia. Please respond with any advice you can give. It will be greatly appreciated. Thank you! They ran all kinds of blood work and it came back negative. I am really stressed out over this! Have not been sleeping to well.

Also, can taking antibotics affect the results of blood work?

Thank you!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree with the upper endoscopy, as this is the most comprehensive evaluation of the upper digestive tract.  

If GERD continues to be suspected, a 24-hr pH study can be considered to quantify the severity.  If medication isn't helping, you can discuss surgical treatment options.  

More specialized tests can be done with a gastric emptying scan as well as esophageal motility tests - as gastroparesis and esophageal dysmotility can lead to some of your symptoms.

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.
www.kevinmd.com