is this lactose intolerance??

Hi doctor, thanks for your help in advance.  For the past month or so I've been dealing with alot of belching, gas and bloating in my stomach a feeling of fullness like I just ate a huge meal. I also feel like I have a lump in my throat at times. Sunday, I ate a bagel, pretzels and at night I had a pizza burger and fries, after that I felt really full and uncomfortable.  Within an hour I had severe cramping in my lower abdominal area followed by diarrhea. After I went to the bathroom I still had the same symptons of bloating, fullness,  constant belching and gas. I decided to go see my gp on monday and he sent me for a lactose intolerance test yesterday tuesday, wont know the results until end of week.  He asked me to go on a dairy and bread free diet for 7 days to see if the bloating and other conditions change.  Besides the drink I had to take during the lactose test, I ate a salad with slices of chicken.  By 5pm I had lower abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Again still feeling bloated, gassy and bleching even up until this morning.
I only seem to get the cramping in my lower abdomin (abdomen) right before the diarrhea or severe gas.  The main discomfort is this lump in my throat (only way I can describe it) and the bloated feeling at the top part of my stomach, right in the middle just below my breast bone. That upper quadrant of the stomach.  Can you give me any advice on this?  Would it be best to go see a gastrologist instead?  I sometimes have to pound myself in the chest to bring up the burp and sometimes force the gas out since it gets so uncomfortable and definitely embarrasing. I hope you can help guide me to what steps I should take or possibly what I may have.  thank you!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Lactose intolerance is certainly possible.  Breath tests can be done to evaluate for this.   Other forms of malabsorption - such as fat malabsorption - can also be considered.  Sending the stool off for analysis can be considered.

Regarding the upper GI discomfort, an upper endoscopy or upper GI series can be considered.  An ultrasound can also be done to evaluate the liver and gallbladder.  

These tests and options can be discussed with a GI specialist.  

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_

[suzzie1]

Hi  If I were you I would eliminate 'wheat' from my diet. The foods you named ( pretzels, bagel,pizza, burger, fries etc) all have wheat in them...yes even the fries!!  It would be worth while giving it a try...you will know after 6 or 7 days...but it means no biscuits, cake,certain types of chocolate bars, crisps, packet soup, gravy, ANYTHING with wheat (flour) and believe me it is EVERYWHERE. On the plus side it means eating 'fresh' food which can only be good for your health.  Good luck..

[poco1023]

Thanks suzzie1 for your feedback.  I have actually been told that from friends and family this week. All I've been eating since starting the 19th is eggs,breakfast sausage, salad with grilled chicked, veggies or small steak. When I went to the doctor on Tuesday the 19th he told me no bread or diary products, so I've been doing that for the past now 5 days.  I do feel less bloated, but I'm still uncomfortable even eating this way for 5 days, still have the belching,gas and lump in my throat.  Eating this way is very boring for me let me tell ya, but I know its better for me. My only concern is I still have all the other symptons so there has to be something else going on too, i would think. Hopefully I'll have the results of the lactose test monday/tuesday then I'll go from there. Thank you for your response I really do appreciate.