Digestive issues. Comments appreciated!

[magusfey]

Hello forum! I've posted on here before with this issue, but now I have a lot more information to give and hopefully someone will be able to give their opinion this time. I am a 29 year old male, technically "obese" (5' 10'' and 216 lbs.), I have controlled high blood pressure through Lisinopril 10mg tablets once daily, ex-smoker (quit in 2004), and a non-drinker.

I have had BM issues my whole life. They are usually more loose then they are solid. Sometimes there is a yellowish liquid excreted with the stools when they are very loose. I've been known to go somewhere between 1 - 4 times a day on a normal day, and when my bowels "act up", for a good day or two it's just me in the bathroom over and over again. Usually happens about once a month. Also have always had excessive flatulence. This however, is not the reason for my post. I am simply relating this information in case it somehow ties in to the topic.

I've been having digestive issues since March of this year that I have never experienced before in my life. I will relate my symptoms to you all:

- Started out with gagging in the morning before I ate. That went away.
- Developed a cough for about a week that accompanied a sore throat. That went away also.
- Developed a pressure like feeling below my sternum. This comes and goes, but currently has not bothered me in a long while.
- Acid Reflux, almost daily, that I would feel hit the back of my throat (currently taking Omeprazole 20mg twice daily for this). It keeps the reflux mostly controlled. I will probably have to ask for something like Nexium to control it better.
- Had a dull ache under my left ribs initially. This evolved into a pain that occurs under my right ribs almost daily, but never for long (10 seconds or so each time it happens).
- Sometimes the right rib pain feels more like a squeezing sensation. Even have had a burning pain a few times.
- Stomach and bowels make really loud gurgling noises occasionally.
- A stiffness between my shoulder blades, and in my right shoulder blade itself (rarely, in the left shoulder blade as  well). Sometimes it radiates to the whole right shoulder.
- Frequent belching and "hiccup burps" during meals, and after drinking liquids.
- Initially had some weight loss, but now I am gaining weight at a very slow and steady rate.
- Occasional excessive mucus in throat.
- I've also experienced chest pain/tightness before.
- I also have been noticing more muscle spasms, which I figure is due to stress from all this.

Tests I've had done so far:

- 3 CBCs (all normal)
- Diabetes test (negative)
- Cholesterol test (normal)
- H. Pylori blood test (negative)
- 2 Liver enzyme tests (all normal)
- Pancreatic enzyme test (normal)
- Endoscopy (showed grade 2 GERD and reflux esophagitis)
- Abdominal ultrasound (showed a slight fatty liver)
- Urinalysis (normal)

So I obviously have GERD. My question is, what is possibly causing it? I feel like there is something more going on. I have a HIDA Scan this coming Monday (08/01/11) to figure out whether or not my gallbladder is to blame. The gallbladder looked good on the ultrasound (normal size and no stones), but my doctor felt it would be a good idea to check my gallbladder's ability to function. So what do you all think? What the eff is going on with me? Any input from the community would be appreciated.

[darkstaff]

Hey Magusfey

I have exactly the same symptoms you are having.

Rib pain (when i breath it gets worse)
Fatugue
Left shoulder pain (my is closer to the neck)

Did they ever figure out what was wrong? Was it GERD?

Dark

[darkstaff]

Hey Magusfey

I have exactly the same symptoms you are having.

Rib pain (when i breath it gets worse)
Fatugue
Left shoulder pain (my is closer to the neck)

Did they ever figure out what was wrong? Was it GERD?

Dark

[shermay]

Well at least your scan was normal.  GERD can and is very painful - have they checked out your vit b12, folic acid and a sed test?

Cramps in the night can be caused by anemia.  so the above mentioned tests would helpful.

[magusfey]

Got the results of my HIDA scan today. Everything came back normal, so that rules that out. No idea what's going on with me now. Can just GERD seriously cause all these issues?

[Cdngal]

I dont know if the leg muscle spasms would be related to gallbladder, are they in your calves when you get them?  If so that could be low potassium or dehydration.  Let us know what the doc says about gallbladder?

[magusfey]

My muscle spasms are normally not painful. Every one in a great while, my right leg muscles will tense up completely in the middle of sleeping and that is VERY painful when that happens.I am unable to move the leg at all until the pain subsides.

Last night I was sitting on the couch and I had a spasm like sensation under my ribs on the right side. Lasted for about 20 seconds and went away. It was very odd. Gallbladder issues are sounding more and more likely.

[shermay]

Hello,

When you have the spasms are they painful?  if so this would indicate a gall bladder problem.  I am surprised however that they could pick up anything on your blood tests and through the scan - but maybe the HIDA one will.

IMO it does sound like a gall bladder issue.

Hope this helps.

[Cdngal]

Alot of the new symptoms you have with the pressure pain on upper right side, acid reflux, shoulder pain...those ate typical gallbladder symtoms... I had a very sluggish gallbladder which only showed on the HIDA scan before i had that all my tests were completely normal, frpm blood to MRi, other then the barium showing acid reflux.  I had my gallbladder out in Jan and all my symtoms have gone away... i did have to change my diet though, after and well before came to the point i couldnt eat much of anything.  Have you tried going on a low fat diet as well as non fat dairy and skim milk, to see if this helps at all?  Good luck with your test hope you get some answers i know how frustrating it can be.