What is wrong is me? Please Help!!

[Janine H]

I've pretty much have had stomach problems all my life but they have definitely gotten worse.  I have many different symptoms.  At first I thought it was just a nervous stomach.  I always got diarreha when I had to go somewhere or go on a trip.

But then I noticed that my stomach bothered me when I ate anything with seeds or anything with skin on it like red potatoes.  Then lately anytime I ate cheese or fried foods I would get excruciating pains in my stomach and I wouldn't be able to go to the bathroom and when I finally did it was like water with tiny little particles.  These pains would wake me up from a dead sleep.  They were so painful they felt like I was going through labor.

I've been to a doctor that thought I had irritible bowel syndrome and he put me on all this different medications but they ended up making the diarreha episodes worse.  I also got xrays and cat scans done and found nothing.

My girlfriend has been having a similar problem and she thinks it is a gall bladder problem.  I looked that up and I do have some of the symptoms but not all.  I don't get pains in my rib area or back area.

Now I am pregnant.  I am only about a month in.  I remember having bouts with diarreha in the beginning with my first pregnancy and then it stopped but not like now.  It is terrible. I am afraid to eat anything or go anywhere.  I feel like i am starting to lose weight.

I am going to my gyno tomorrow and i will ask her about my problem but I wanted to get your opinion.  Please help me!!!! You can't help but get depressed with this problem.  Thank you.

[bunkywoo]

Hi Janine:
I can certainly relate to your problems. I have been dealing with stomach problems for about 3-4 years now. I have had CT scans, MRI's, upper G-I's, you name it and everything comes back negative. I've been to 2 different doctors now and they have both said it's irritable bowel syndrome. I think they just put that label on it when they can't figure it out. I don't have diarreah so much, but the stomach pains move around alot and sometimes I'm fine for weeks on end, then it hits me and won't leave for weeks. Right now I've been experiencing pains in my back, sharp pains in my lower abdomen, and the top areas of my rib cage. During their search for the stomach pain problem, found out I was positive for Hepatitis C which I have now been on treatment for for about 5 months. That was a joy going in for one problem and finding out I had that! I've been told the two are not related though. Reading different posts around these forums, there is one test called a Hide a Scan that can detect gall bladder problems that won't show up on ultra-sounds, etc.
Good luck and let me know if you get a smarter dr. than I've had who can diagnose this condition correctly.
Laurie

[hope_i_can_help]

The scan that you are referring to is known as the HIDA scan, or CCK HIDA.  Whereas the gallbladder ultrasound shows the size and relation of the gallbladder, the HIDA scan is a separate test that is done in the nuclear medicine department of radiology. You go in, they start a very small IV, and then inject you with a radioactive substance that will show up on their machines. Then you will lay on one of their tables, for quite a while-usually around an hour or so, and the machine monitors the substance going through your biliary system. This test will actually show the FUNCTION of the gallbladder and accessory organs, not just the appearance. As far as the gallbladder goes, they may determine that you have an "ejection fraction" of a certain number. I had an ejection fraction of 35%, which means that my gallbladder was only functioning at 35% its full capacity. Anything under 35%, and they will probably remove your gallbladder. I had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and the surgery wasn't as easy as some people make it. It really takes you a good 3 or 4 days to be up an at 'em. I hope this info can help you somehow. Good luck to you, and God Bless.

[4gpact]

You may have a stomach motility disorder, sometimes known as gastroparesis. That would certainly explain why you are unable to digest foods with skins, seeds, etc. your stomach does not have the strength (literally) to digest certain foods. foods high in fat are also well known culprits, because they slow the stomach down even more. Ask about a gastric emptying test. In the meantime, avoid foods with fiber (such as raw fruits and veggies, whole grains, nuts, foods with skins, etc, that would be mechanically difficult for your stomach to digest. You will find yourself eating more carbs, but that might be what it takes to reduce the misery. There are also medications, but first try to find a good diagnosis. Also do a web search for more info. Not everyone has exactly the same symptoms, and hormonal changes can make a difference too.

[gardenmaniac]

I too would vote for the HIDA scan...but ...don't know if it is safe when you are pregnant.

[sdrhue]

I do not have diarrhea but ran across your comments doing a search on the web.  I do have similar problems and was wondering if anyone had any answers.  I am a 35 year old female and have recently started having sharp pains in my left side under the bottom of my rib cage. I believe they call this your left upper quadrant.  It usually does not bother me unless you press on it which causes severe pain.  Sometimes I can have quick sharp pains off an on that usually only lasts a few seconds.  When I lay down on my back and on may left side it is very uncomfortable.  At times, I also seem to "feel" that whatever is there catches on something when I am sitting down.  My problem is that I have had a x-rays, ct chest scan, bone scan, adom. sonogram and now a hida scan.  It seems that the sonogram indicated that my gallbladder may not be functioning properly.  I have been told however, that this would not in anyway be causing the pain I have on the left side.  I also show no symptons on a gallbladder problem.  As of yet, my insurance will not authorize an abdominal CT scan so I do not know what that might show.  I have also been given some nerve medicine, just in case I have an abnormal nerve in that area.  This has not helped nor has the pain medication I have been given. I basically have no other symptons but the pain in my left side under my rib cage.  Any ideas!