Need advice on Symptoms

[AV Man]

I'm a 43 year old male suffering from different digestive symptoms since 2000.  They inlcude acid reflux at night and after meals.   When symptoms really escaladed I would get severe bloating in the middle abdomen inlcuding change in bowel habits
with loose stools mixed with constipation.  My primary care physician did a sigmoidoscopy,  some standard blood work,  Fecal Occult, and a lower Barium X-ray which revealed nothing! On physical exam there wasn't any pain, tenderness or masses.

He put me on a PPI (Protonix) and said if it didn't help he would order and upper GI series.  The PPI actually helped for about a year, but on occasion, sumptoms would flare back up and I would go back on the PPI.  This has been going on for 3 years now.

Recently, I spent Christmas Eve in ER with what I thought was
a heart attack.  I presented to my hospital with shortness of breath, clamy, chest pain that radiated from behind my sternum and into the back, severe bloating. At one point pain was so bad that I almost passed out. All the tests were normal (EKG,CK Blood work, chest x-rays, physical exam, and 4 hours of monitoring led the attending physican to to believe it was atypical chest pain caused by esophogeal spasm.  

I follwed up with my Primary Physician days later and he ordered an ETT (treadmill) and put me on Nexum.  Treadmill was fine.  Things calmed down but I then developed a whole new set of symptoms that seem unrelated to GI.  I started getting sporadic muscle fasciculations widespread and some that have remainded constant in my left calve.  Off I went to a Neurologist who did a physical exam who deemed them benign since he did not find any indications of muscle weakness.  Extensive blood work was also done with tests comming back normal.

30-days after seeing the neurologist, I have now developed symptoms of shortness of breath, and a sensation that food is stuck in the back of my throat and flem (phlegm) build up making me clear my throat constantly after I eat. Some of the severe bloating has returned making breathing difficult during these episodes.

My physician has scheduled me for endoscopy in April which seems like a lifetime from now considering my symptoms.  He has also
going to send me to a cardiologist because of the shortness of breath.  I have no family history or medical history of cardiac problems considering I workout and exercise regularly and never have expereinced angina or chest pain-type symptoms.

Am I experiencing some mild dysphagia?  Can shortness of breath be related to some underlying GI problems?  Could there be any GI relation to the muscle fasciculations? Are my respiratory muscles weakening along with my ability to swallow because of nerve damage or some underlying GI problem?

These are my concerns and would like some education on at least
GI related symptoms and their relavance to my history.

Thanks a bunch!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

To answer your questions:
1) The sensation of food stuck in your throat is known as globus sensation.  GERD can be a cause of that.  There are also other upper GI sphincter abnormalities that are possible.  The upper endoscopy is a reasonable next test to evaluate the symptoms.  If negative, you may want to consider an ENT referral.

2) Shortness of breat may be related to an underlying GI problem.  There are also pulmonary problems that can obviously cause this.    You can consider a pulmonary referral or obtain a CT scan of the lungs and pulmonary function tests.  Once this is excluded, you can concentrate on GI causes.

3) I am unaware of a GI disease that can cause muscle fasciculations.  You may want to consider electrodiagnostic testing in conjunction with your neurologist for further evaluation.

4) There are several neurologic disorders that can cause respiratory muscle weakness.  A fluoroscopic exam can be considered to evaluate for any weakness in your diaphragm.  This is normally arranged through a pulmonologist.

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.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[yoshi]

i just came back from doc office.
all the **** we take (nexxium,prilosev,prevacid,zantac etc) either cause constipation and/or diarhea (diarrhea).
if the feces is not completely removed from the body,it will stay in our body and ferment and produce gas and cause bloating.
doctors make more money doing endoscopy,colonscopy etc and hospitals with all their staff and equipments need to pay their bills.
any one who walks in with good health insurance plan is music to their ears.
good luck,doc will be here soon  to advise you on taking more tests.

[tessa0825]

Yoshi, If folks didn't present themselves to their Drs. with symptoms asking for diagnosis then obviously the Drs. wouldn't be ordering all these tests..I have yet to be approached on the street, by a physician asking questions about my insurance and  ordering tests for me based on that answer......I do think that many times we could take more responsibility for our health conditions and make appropriate life style changes thus maybe eliminating the need for so many tests....We seem to expect miracles from the medical profession without giving much to make that happen...If we are diagnosed with an illness, such as gastointestinal disease, and the advise is to take a purple pill once or twice a day, follow  a  strict diet, sleep on an incline, dont eat for hrs before laying down, lose weight, etc. If we only follow the part about taking the pills once or twice a day and symptoms continue then the Drs. must be wrong and don't know what they are talking about...Couldn't possibly be that we didn't follow instructions! I couldn't be a Dr. for any amt. of money...I have no patience and therefore I would have no patients..Tessa

[PAJ]

You are describing classic yeast infection symptoms see my post below

Teresa , see how you feel about doctors after you’ve banged your head against a brick wall for a few months That is non co-operation  total rejection of the condition yeast infection by doctors even though as you see the evidence is overwhelming in support of the condition. Believe me I’m a veteran of the process  

[yoshi]

paj,
well,my doc did mention possible yeast infection if anyone takes antibiotics such as prev pac for 14 days,so kudos to him.
tes,
you are right,doctors do not solicit patients on the streets with prescription pads and lab tests and special exams.but see.they are affiliated with a hospital/clinic and there are bills to pay and if doctors dont bring in business for them,who does??
but if you read all the postings on this board,so many folks have gone thru endoscopy,colonscopy ,24 hours study etc etc and they still have problems,it seems to me an awful lot of money has been wasted .

[tessa0825]

Obviously Hosp. and clinics have bills to pay just like every place every where in the world has bills to pay...Paj, everyone, that visits here often, knows your views about yeast infections....I have no opinion or comment... As for the views of unnessessary tests, most of the time, Drs. are reacting to the information we provide them..Sometimes those tests become live savers. Do you not understand that there are sick people who could not be helped without the information those tests provide? I had chronic heartburn for 30 years, as long as tums or tagamet were available and I wasn't doing alot of complaining my Dr. never suggested any furher testing...18 months ago a Dr. did suggest an EGD. That test saved my life. since then I have had 10 repeat EGDs, many dilations, Referred to one of the best gastroenterology clinics in the country,  had major thoracic surgery, and will need life time surveillance and treatment....We should be very thankful for the medical advances available to us instead of always knocking that technology....Tessa

[kwag]

just can't help myself, I have to post here.  The medical profession (and I am one of them) as a whole has to do tests sometimes to rule out possible culprits.  Tests can be vital to finding the problem and correcting it.  Having said that, I too believe that the proper info is not usually provided to patients and that many so called "alternative diagnosis" are not seriously looked at.  This would include candida.  Antiobiotics have been and continue to be prescribed in abundance.  These meds do some wonderful things when they are absolutely needed but can be disastrous also.  Most people are not educated about the meds they are prescribed.  People jusst do not realize that meds can bring much harm to them.  Also, candida is not gazed upon with the seriousness that it should be.  I believe as more and more people are looking into complimentary medical treatments, that traditional medicine will be forced to recognize certain facts.  And one of these facts is that the use of antibiotics has led to candidiasis in many people and that these "people" have to be treated for it.  As I see it, We have all strayed so far from how we were designed to live.  We feed our bodies junk (even what we think is good is really junk), and then we wonder why we are so unhealthy.  Pills will not fix our troubles.  Truth will.  Medicine has made many advances but how will that help a people whose lifestyle is killing them?  Also many "advances" are not with out serious side effects.  We all must educate ourselves and then each other.  And we must do so in love.  As a healthcare person myself, I have throughout the years changed my way of thinking and living.  I realize that all that I was taught was not accurate and I have and still am trying to educate myself, my family, and loved ones.  I have been learning to trust God.  Yes, I said God.  The Bible has helped me tremendously on how to live, eat, treat others and so on.  All of this affects ones health.  We were created and we came with directions.  I just did not know this for many years.  God bless

[jakey2]

I couldn't agree more with kwag!!...Its about time someone spoke up, unfortunaltly it wasn't me.  Not everyone has to believe, but it is definitely worth trying.  Having faith in God does help, He does Heal!!!... I am a living testimony to that.  It is refreshing to know that there are healthcare people that realize who we were created by and what we were created for.  Our bodies were never meant to be put through what we put them through, as far as stress goes and the food we feed ourselves.  We definitely weren't promised to live a life of bed of roses, but we surely must have faith in the One who created us!

I definitely have my share of trails with IBS, IBD no one has fully given me accurate results, in fact I went to the Dr's again today, 3rd time in 1 week and still need more test.  But I do have the confidence in my Doctor.  I've built a good relationship with great communication.  I enjoy this forum its nice to know others know exactly what I'm going through, this is a great support system.  I hope everyone feels better soon, and I pray for quick healing for all.  I appreciate the opportunity to be open and to share.

[Biskie]

In the beginning, God covered the earth with broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, and green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Then using God's bountiful gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's and Krispy Kreme.  And Satan said, "You want hot fudge with that?" And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "I'll have another one with sprinkles." And lo, they gained 10 pounds.

And God created healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair.   And Satan brought forth white flour from wheat and sugar from cane and  combined them. And Woman went from size 2 to size 10.

So God said, "Try my fresh green salad."

And Satan presented crumbled bleu cheese dressing and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said, "I have sent you heart-healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them."

And Satan brought forth deep-fried coconut shrimp, butter-dipped lobster chunks, and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And their cholesterol went through the roof.

God then brought forth running shoes so that his children might lose those extra pounds.

And Satan came forth with a cable TV with remote control so his children would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering light and started wearing stretch jogging suits.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with potassium and good nutrition.

And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them in animal fats and added copious quantities of salt. And Man put on more pounds.

God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite.

And Satan created fast foods like the 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then Lucifer said, "You want fries with that?" and Man replied, "Yes, and super size 'em!" And Satan said, "It is good." And Man went into cardiac arrest.

God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

And Satan created HMOs and PPOs.
Amen.

[yoshi]

this is so funny,Satan really is a genius.
i think i will go to mcdonald and get some french fries,they have the best in town.

[tessa0825]

Thanks for putting it all in perspective! You have made me start this day with a smile...Tessa

[Biskie]

With all the digestive complaints (and related problems), I have come to the conclusion that we must take these matters into our own hands. Bless forums like these! After having Crohns for 26 years, I have finally changed my diet to eat(chicken, beef, and pork), and drink (milk straight from the cows), from a farm that does not use pesticides or herbicides, does not inject the animals full of hormones and antibiotics, and does not cram the animals into one pen.  The animals are only grass fed (not grain fed) and I actually feel better.  I am lactose intolerant and this is the first time that I can drink milk without all the horrible discomfort that follows.  I take the Garden of Life Living Multi vitamins (and will start the probiotics) and get B-12 shots every month. I see the Gastro 2x year and get blood tests every 3 months (because of Imuran). I hope to be off of that soon. I quit drinking all alcohol 5+ years ago, and I feel better. Next step is to stop eating ALL white sugar, processed foods, etc.  That will be the real test. But look what we are all going through.  Is there a correlation to what ConAgra and the other giants are feeding us?

[kwag]

Diet and digestive problems definitely go had in hand.  Just like you, I have also been diaagnosed with cronn's since 2000.  I don't have sugar in the house, no pop, organic everything, never alchol, some exercise, and so on.  I quit the pentasa and I do feel better but I still struggle.  Everyday I have to beat the temptation for high carbs and no nutrition food.  I am addicted to it (probably the yeast in me).  I pray alot for the strength to feed my body with the food it needs to be healthy.  I can't do it alone.  I also take the garden vitamins(no iron) and the Prinmal defence adn the perfect food.  I went thru detox really bad at first!!!  I've researched that intestinal bugs are at the root of your illness and since you are doing garden of life, you must have read that also.  Good luck on the no sugar and very low carb thing.  It is hard but doable.  Will pray for you.  God bless

[gerd]

Bradford - what exactly do you mean by "muscle fasciculations?"

My symptoms are almost identicle to you. I get some weird twitching in my muscles and some other weird feelings.
Email me at ***@**** if you want - I realy want to talk to you

[Biskie]

How much of the detox did you take and what exactly happened (symptom wise) that was really bad?  I haven't gone through the detox yet. Thanks.

[kwag]

I started with the primal defense 1 per night.  After 3 days i went to 2 per night. After 3 days i went to 3.  Then the detox started.  Night sweats, muscle aches, pains, joints hurt, flu like!!!  i felt real bad.  I had night sweats the first night that I took one!!!  I also could not eat after the first one.  I tried to make myself eat pieces of lettuce and such.  I lost aabout 5 pounds in 1 week.  My coln started cleaning out.  I started to have numbness and tingling in my left arm and leg and left side of my face.  That scared me.  Reduced the primal and started at 1 again and went real slow.  Only added one on per week.  Did better.  It works better for me if i stick to NO SUGAR or bread or processed foods.  You have to change your diet.   I also started the super green food and that helps you detox.  Chlorella helps remove mercury.  I also had all my silver fillings in my mouth removed.  My colon reacts to the foods that i eat and i can now detect it.  I KNOW how to eaat, but sometimes i get so tempted and i have eated high sugar all my life.  Now i am paying for it.  I don't take meds for chronns at all.  That was my choice and if i can treat anything naturallly, i want to.  If my diet gets totally clean and I'm doing the nutrients well and i still have the s/s, then i would have to consider meds.  How does your colon react?

[Biskie]

Let me know what to expect from the detox - how long to build up, etc.... kinda scary.
Thanks!

[Biskie]

sorry, Kwag - didn't read your last comment till after I posted again ;(
I read that a person should take one primal defense per day for a month - then increase to 2x day.  I am seriously weirded out on the whole detox thing, espeially after what you went through. My colon reacts to just about everything - especially chocolate (boo hoo) - and sometimes I really have to remember what I have eaten after my body reacts - sometimes I think I'm becoming allergic to everything. Only thing that really seems to help now is raisin bran and bananas. I am also addicted to sugar and sometimes I have to have some in the morning after coffee so I can function.  I know, cut the coffee, but can't. How does iron sit with you?

[kwag]

Iron is something that i try to avoid.  I never take supplements with iron in them.  Detox can be hard but it IS WORTH IT!!!!  pLEASE DO IT.  You will not really detox as long asa you are consuming sugar and starchy foods.  Cut these out.  Your health and life are worth doing this.  It is soooooooo hard but you can do it.  I read the Jordin Rubin books and i keep on rereading them to inspire me to stick to it.  I also pray for the strength to do what i need to do and sometimes i mess up and then my colon hurts and i try again.  Reqad about leaky gut.  I know i have this (of course with Crohn's disease i have a leaky gut).  Please don't give up.  Keep trying.  You're worth it.

[kwag]

Muscle twitches are very common in people with digestive disturbances.  If you have leaky gut and i bet you do, then please th book by Jordin Rubin about digetion and the book by Elaine Gottschall called Breaking the Vicious Cycle.  They are not expensive at all and they are full of info to help you heal your gut and body.  God bless

[Mother Margaret]

Muscle twitching is a symptom of having too much of a chemical in ones system.  It is a symptom of chemical overexposure of some kind.  Back of on any newly added medications, unless they are esssential and you may note a difference; what were you doing differently just before the 'twitching' started?

The shortness of breath?  That is one symptom of hemolytic anemia. I noticed it on the Yahoo definition of hemolytic anemia.  The chemical 2-butoxyethanol (ethylene glycol monobutyl ether) is said to cause [b]hemolytic anemia[/b] & these are the symptoms:

Chills,
Fatigue,
Pale color,
Shortness of breath,
Rapid heart rate,
Yellow skin color (jaundice),
Dark urine (indicative of blood in urine - never dismiss this! Stop exposure immediately!),
Enlarged spleen

Besides this, 2-butoxyethanol targets the [b]kidneys and liver[/b] and there is
[b]Central Nervous System damage[/b] showing up sometimes as:  
[list][*]Loose your temper easily?
[*]Short term memory loss
[*]Difficulty concentrating
[*]Personality changes to 'grumpy' - Extreme Irritability
[*]All the time Depression
[*]Suicidal Tendencies[/list]

Doctors don't seem to recognize this chemical as the primary source of harm, but many, many times treat the secondary problems related to endocrine disruption and the above ... should it be grouped together with what has come to be known as 'gulf war syndrome'?  Is our military particularly harmed by it? These chemicals have been identified by the Govt as solvents troops were exposed to in gulf war; (& most likely today, too) but they don't know how harmful it is. It is in paint, varnishes, automotive products, cleaners and degreasers in general.

To find more info search on the internet. Just put in 2-butoxyethanol and the pages go on and on and on. When you see MSDS that stands for material safety data sheet. You have to memorize the warning signs, because they are in many every day cleaning products, and the chemical is not named, only the warnings given.

It is the red blood cells that are damaged. Ask for the Retic ratio and ask for a lab tech to comment on the red blood cells. And realize 2-butoxyethanol causes:

Narcosis
Damage to the kidney
Damage to the liver
Present an abnormal blood picture showing: Erythropenia
Present an abnormal blood picture showing: Reticulocytosis
Present an abnormal blood picture showing: Granulocytosis
Present an abnormal blood picture showing: Leukocytosis
Likely to Cause Fragility of Erythrocytes
Likely to Cause Hematuria