Help with digestive issues! Stomach spasms, bloating, nausea.

[kps8619]

I have had digestive issues for about four years that are hampering my life. I am a 28 year old female.  At some point in the day I will start to crave sugar, then start to feel nausea, extreme fatigue and spasm like gas. Dr's tested fecal fat levels and for a bacterial infection.  Though I didn't test positive for IBS, they pretty much told me I probably have it and left it at that. Bowel movements seem to offer relief from this symptom, which I have daily, but they are not easy, and I never feel like I have enough.

I took laxatives for a while, which seemed to help, but obviously it wasn't healthy to continue doing so on a regular basis.  I started eating cereal that had sort of a laxative effect and eased some of the symptoms, also exercising.  Anything I do seems to lose its effect after a while.


Symptoms happen almost daily, but seem to be worse right before my period.  Two years ago another symptom sprung up.  Once every couple months I would feel tired and feel a gnawing spasm in my stomach, directly below my rib cage.  Once, about every four-six months it would get so bad that I would vomit up anything I swallowed including my saliva.  Doc tested my liver and did blood work for ulcers.  Nothing.  He eventually put me on antacids. I had another bad attack, and now he wants to do an upper gi.  

Just wondering if anyone has a similiar problem or what this might be!

[kps8619]

Just updating! I went through with the upper GI and they found nothing.  I also had an abdominal CT with no significant result. They did notice some constipation.  The doctor proscribed mirolax which helps on a daily basis but not during these bad attacks.  

I kept a calendar of my symptoms and began to notice that I was getting sick on almost the same day every month, which is odd.  Ibuprofen provides some relief which is even odder, and I'm leery about taking that, especially with a sensitive stomach.  I was on the pill and tried going off. My cycle changed, but the episodes didn't.  

[GhostOf1901]

The upper GI is a very good idea. During the test they'll likely test you for a possible candida overgrowth, which may explain the fatigue and the sugar cravings. Could also be the cause of the spasms.

In addition, I would also recommend a gastric emptying exam: the spasms, nausea and vomiting coming the way it does make me wonder about the possibility of gastroparesis, which sometimes comes in waves like what you describe. (In fact, the constipation may be indicative of a generally weakened vagus nerve, which controls, among other things, part of the digestive process.) The unpredictable nature of the digestive process may also be one of the things causing the fatigue.

In any case, keep on with the tests. I think you'll be able to get past the "IBS" diagnosis and into something a bit more concrete.