Part 1:
I am a 35 year old male in good health. In general, I eat pretty healthy and I go to the gym 4-5 times a week. However, I have been trying to figure out a stomach/GI issue that I have been dealing with for the past couple of years. When it started a couple of years ago, it only occurred every once in a while. Then it started happening a couple times a week. Well, in the past 9 months, it has been occurring every day and has become progressively worse. Basically, I am dealing with abdominal bloating/distention and intestinal gas (functional bloating). When this issue started a few years ago, it seemed like the intestinal gas was the more prominent issue. However, it is the daily distention that is affecting my quality of life. It is extremely uncomfortable and sometimes downright painful (the pressure); not to mention it can potentially be embarrassing. When it is bad, I don’t feel like doing much and the pressure buildup also leads to more frequent urination. I have tried many things that don’t seem to help. Basically, it starts off in the morning where I am slightly bloated, but it isn’t too bad. I would say on a scale of 1-10, it starts off at about “3” on a daily basis. Then throughout the day, the gas pressure/bloating builds and peaks (anywhere from 7-10 on the scale). It used to peak in the late afternoon, but now it happens sooner; I also feel my stomach get very tight immediately after eating meals as the day progresses. Actually, for the past month or so, I have noticed it has been pretty bad in the mornings (4-5 on the scale). If I can pass some of this, it will slightly subside and then start to build as the day progresses. If not, then it gets worse earlier in the day. My doctor is perplexed because these are the only symptoms. Because my symptoms don’t include any elimination issues (i.e. diarrhea, constipation, etc.), he says that IBS and other similar diseases/issues are unlikely; I don’t fit the profile. The following is a list of the tests/procedures that I have done. All of the results are normal.
Celiac blood test – Negative. Also confirmed via biopsy.
H. Pylori Bacteria blood test – Negative. Also confirmed via biopsy.
Hydrogen breath test (Lactose Intolerance) – Negative
Abdominal ultrasound – Everything is fine. A small polyp on my gall bladder was found. It is most likely a cholesterol polyp and would not produce my symptoms.
Hem-occult slide test – Negative
HIDA-Scan gall bladder test – Normal (87% ejection fraction)
Food Allergy Blood Test (IGe) – Negative to all foods, except a very minor allergy to oats
Endoscopy – Normal. There was a minor esophageal abnormality in the biopsy, but it is not likely causing my symptoms. The abnormality is consistent w/ something that is found in people who have difficulty swallowing. Since this isn’t a symptom or issue of mine, it won’t be treated.
Colonoscopy – Normal. There was a minor abnormality (acute irritation) in the biopsy from the colon which was determined to be caused by the preparation for the colonoscopy (laxative).