Crohn's or Gallbladder Symptoms

I am 33 and have been having GI problems since I was about 17 or 18. No matter what I eat, I am running to the bathroom within 30 minutes. There is severe cramping along with this mad dash for the bathroom. I get bloated for no reason at all, there is almost a constant "gurgling" in my intestines and they are also full of air. I recently had an ultrasound and the Dr told me it was gallstones. I have know I've had gallstones for about 3 years now, but my previous Dr said it wasn't severe. The symptoms have gotten a lot worse within the last 6 months. I am worried I may have colon cancer or Crohn's as a lot of my symptoms match these diseases. I am reluctant to have my gallbladder removed when I'm not sure it is the cause of all of these symptoms. I am desperate for ideas. I am tired of living my life around this, so much so that even my children are starting to say "Mama is always sick". I need help and I don't trust my Dr's "diagnosis". It just doesn't make sense that I would have this problem for so long and he's telling me it's because of gallstones that were just found within the last few years. Gallstones couldn't have caused the problem back when I was 18 so it probably isn't gallstones now. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

[Gina04]

You should probably see a gastroenterologist and try to get him/her to do a EGD and colonoscopy.  During the tests, they can take biopsies, etc. to check for lactose intolerance, celiac disease, etc.  My mom had colon cancer at 34 years old.  I too am having gastro problems.  I have had irritable bowel symptoms since I was a teenager but, since January, I have only had like one or two normal bowel movements, if that.  My previous colonoscopies (I have to get them every three to five years because of my family history.) have been basically normal but I am having another one done next month.  It sounds like your problem could be something as 'simple' as celiac.  It is not easy being on a gluten-free diet (I've dealt with that due to the autism spectrum disorders and Fibromyalgia in my family.) but if that stop your gastro problems it would be well worth it.  

[Gina04]

You should probably see a gastroenterologist and try to get him/her to do a EGD and colonoscopy.  During the tests, they can take biopsies, etc. to check for lactose intolerance, celiac disease, etc.  My mom had colon cancer at 34 years old.  I too am having gastro problems.  I have had irritable bowel symptoms since I was a teenager but, since January, I have only had like one or two normal bowel movements, if that.  My previous colonoscopies (I have to get them every three to five years because of my family history.) have been basically normal but I am having another one done next month.  It sounds like your problem could be something as 'simple' as celiac.  It is not easy being on a gluten-free diet (I've dealt with that due to the autism spectrum disorders and Fibromyalgia in my family.) but if that stop your gastro problems it would be well worth it.  

[harrald]

I can give to you a website that give all the data you would ever want to know about digestion and kidney disorders and diseases. John Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, says there are 25 or more digestive disorders, and many have similar symptoms. The National Institutes of Health in Maryland provides a website:  http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov.This website has a section for digestion and kidney. Click on Digestion and a webpage will come up with digestive disorders/diseases from A to Z. Back on he first page, look to the left side of the page and you see blue bars. In a blue bar, click on Kidney Diseases, and the same type of page gives you kidney diseases from A to Z. It is hoped that you can learn as much as you can about your problems so you can converse with the doctors.

[emil123]

That sounds similar to what I saw on TV once and it was called Habba Syndrome or something like that.  It had something to do with the gallbladder not storing bile correctly and which caused severe diarrhea as the main symptom. The lady on the program was misdiagnosed as IBS for many years. I also have gallstones, but my symptoms are more of pain and not so much diarrhea, although I have that too from time to time.  They can do a HIDA scan to evaluate your gallbladder and to see if it is functioning properly -- the HIDA scan gives more information than just having an ultrasound by itself.  I'm having one done soon myself for essentially the same reasons.  If I were you, I would look into that and the Habba Syndrome thing and see if it sounds similar to what is going on with you.

[emil123]

I would also do as the other posters suggest and get a colonoscopy to rule out things like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.  Those diseases also frequently cause uncontrollable diarrhea.  If the colonoscopy comes back normal, I would look into the Habba syndrome thing which can cause problems even if you don't have gallstones with diarrhea being the main symptom.