Recent ongoing stomach problems

[dizzyblonde8]

Hello...I have recently had an onset of stomach problems, which I believe (but don't want to self-diagnose) to be related to stress and worry about some other recent health issues concerning my blood pressure, but also very possibly related to recent usage of Astelin antihistamine nasal spray and Benadryl capsules. Also before that, earlier in the Spring, I had used a baby aspirin daily for about 1 1/2 - 2 months because I had read that it helps your chances to become pregnant if you have an elevated ANA, which I have for several years now. Besides the use of those items, I had also increased my caffeine intake greatly over the months before onset of problems.

A few weeks ago, I noticed that there was noticeable undigested food in my bowel movement and I'm assuming most of it was undigested almonds or oats from the breakfast bars I had been eating daily for months. I had not noticed this before and it frightened me. At first I thought I might have intestinal parasites, but went to gastro Dr. and tested negative and also negative to H. Pylori and my TPI was negative for inflammation. My liver enzymes were normal. My WBC are normal. No fever. I had been having sudden self-induced stress-related HBP because of worrying over what may be causing my stomach symptoms and some dizziness/imbalance I had a while back.  I also had a normal Abdominal Ultrasound, showing only two small gallbladder polyps. My doctor said this should not cause my symptoms. I was told to start Aciphex but haven't yet. I wanted to get my HBP under control, which is now.

I have been experiencing a gnawing in my lower stomach/intestines at first when first noticed undigested food in stool. I had started on some BP meds, which I'd never taken before, and they had a diuretic and potassium. I also started on Neurontin/Gabapentin for what they thought was sudden trigeminal neuralgia brought on my by HBP and stress. Turns out that the Neuro Dr. doesn't think it's TN, and discontinued Neurontin, which I read had a side-effect of stomach pain. I stopped taking it but still have stomach problems. I feel better since off meds. Both of those meds seemed to make my stomach very tense and sore and rumble. It also has a burning sensation in my upper stomach and comes and goes. I had Reflux before and some voice box erosion. I'm thinking that the excessive caffeine use, baby aspirin (which I stoped 2 months ago) and a few times a couple of months ago, before stomach problems began...I had taken some Organic apple cider vinegar to balance acid in my stomach, but seems like after that problems started. I only took a few tablespoons total, over two weeks and drank water with it. I started having prolems not long after.

My stomach seems tense and hard to relax but was worse when on the meds mentioned. I am eating better now...regularly. I had not eaten much in two weeks when problems started.

My stomach seems to be highly irritated to all these things that have taken place or I've taken in recently and I'm wondering if it is Gastritis or if the Reflux has eaten away my stomach lining ? My gastro Dr. wants me to have a colonoscopy and Upper GI endoscopy, but she ordered when my BP was very high and I was stressed and having symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia, and I felt I could not tolerate those test well at the time. I really don't like that Gastro Dr. and am going to see another this week, hopefully.

In the meantime...what do you suppose it may be ? No fever, no nausea, no diarrhea since I stopped the HBP meds, WBC normal, semi-undigested food in BM, but has gotten better, Stomach burning and soreness to pressure, growling sounds. Had open appendectomy in 2001.
Do you think antihistamines and stress and prior baby aspirin use could have damaged the lining in my stomach ? Or is this Reflux related, maybe ?  

[dizzyblonde8]

Hello margypops,

Thanks for your reply. I am hoping it is just a reaction to the meds, since it started after use of them. My Gastro Dr. ordered these invasive tests (colonoscopy and Upper GI endoscopy) and I am afraid to have those just yet, but I am also afraid to put them off in fear of something more serious going on. I never had gastro problems before the meds, though.

Thanks again for your comments.

DizzyBlonde

[margypops]

Possibly some of the Meds have caused the symptoms see what happens if you ease off them I know that the Blood pressure meds can have side effects as my husband had some also He has GERD and had side effects from them, also. the semi digested food happens with a lot of food,  Corn can be seen it is simply the way it is digested.The hunger growling does sound like a med reaction.