What is wrong!!!

[planetmars]

I Have had stomach problems for all of my life.  I was always constipated as a child, and now 36 years later I'm still fighting problems.

I have had 2 Upper GI's and was told I have acid reflux.
He had perscribed Pepcid, which worked for a while. (Years ago)

I should also state I have minor Anxiety and take Xanax as needed...maybe 1 -2 mil throughout a week.

Also I am vomit phobic...haven't thrown up since I was about 6 and am petrified of seeing, hearing or thinking that I will throw up, and sometimes work myself up with nerves if I think I am going to throw up.

Anyway's.  I consider myself regular (bowels) if I have one solid bowel movement once a day every morning.  3 Years Ago, I was at the doctor from severe cramping in my left side, he diagnosed constipation and told me to take fiber every day...which I do. (No Tests  were performed)

I had been in the doctor 4 years ago because of  a 2 week bout of diarreah & he said IBS...take fiber. (No tests were performed)

Everytime I eat, whether it be carbs, protien, fiber..I get a sour stomach, EXCESSIVE Gas (belching & flatulance).
Flatulance is instant, and constant after eating.  This mostly happens after my lunch or dinner's and alway's after eating at a restraunt...sometimes I will start to get a gurgling feeling, like I am going to have diarreah.  Freinds have told me I THINK MYSELF into feeling this way??  Could that be possible?

Nowaday's,  My bowels never feel like I empty completely, and they are hardly ever solid...not watery, but not solid.  I never have blood, or moucus.

And finnally, lately I have had a taste in the back of my throat that is sour, and feels like something is there, not a lump, just a escess of saliva...It subsides when I clear my throat, but will come back immediatley.  I do have sinus problems

I have not had any weight loss...and my diet is not the greatest, but I do try to get in alot of water, and some form of vegetables every day...someday's my whole day will consist of carbs, unfortunatley, I am a picky eater.

I can't bring myself to believe this is all in my head...I physically feel aweful, and do have these symptoms.

My question is, does any of this sound like it could be GERD, ACID REFLUX, HIATUS HERNIA, ANXIETY?  What medications could be recommended, and which doctor should I see to look into of all these symptoms.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

GERD/acid reflux/hiatal hernia are all part of the same disease spectrum.  The symptoms may certainly be caused by that.  

For further evaluation, I would suggest an upper endoscopy if the upper GI series is negative.  A 24-hr pH study can be considered if these tests are negative.  This study can quantify the severity of GERD.  

You may also want to discuss whether proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) can be helpful.  They normally are more effective than Pepcid.

If medications cannot control the reflux, then surgical options may be considered.

You may want to discuss these options with your personal physician.  

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.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[hollyd28]

I just had to respond to you because I have a lot of the same problems you do.  I have also had lifelong constipation.  I have pretty much resolved it by having a very low carb diet and increasing my fiber intake (I take ground flax seed).  I also have a phobia of throwing up, in public, anywhere.  Mine has stemmed from the fact that I have been sick with nausea for the past 4 years.  But, I too, can work myself up about it if I think about it too much.  As far as the anxiety and it all being in your head, I think that is bull.  I was sick for years before I finally had a test run that showed my gallbladder not working properly.  I am still not sure if that is really the problem, but am working on fixing it so see.  But, my point is, I was told for 4 years that it was all in my head and that it was just anxiety.  I saw two different therapists for extended sessions and they both ended up telling me that I had something physically wrong with me that was causing my symptoms.  Don't let anyone convince you that it is in your head.  You know your body best.  Look into the gallbladder thing maybe.  The test that I had done was a CCK HIDA Scan.  It shows gallbladder function.  Good luck and let me know if I can help at all.  I know how awful it is to be sick and have people think you are just making it up.  Good luck!

[planetmars]

Thank You for your comment...I have done so much message board reading, and know I am not alone.  I did have a gallbladder ultrasound 10 years ago, and that came back normal too...although, gallbladder misfunction does run high in my family, I should probably get it checked again.

I do know that after every test I have taken, I start to feel better for a while (I think due to the relief of the anxiety), but it always comes back.  The problem I have with the low carb diets are that instead of binding me, I get the runs as soon as I eat a carb, or a non sugar item, which I know triglycerides will cause diarreah too.

I do think I work myself up to an extent, but I also know I can't just think myself into chronic constipation, chornic bloating, etc...

It is so hard for me to bring myself to even get tested, because I am so fearful of the vomit thing, I think if I have to get anestesia it will make me sick, or I will gag on that tube for the edoscopy scope, etc...  But I know I have to get it looked at somehow!!

We shall see what happens!!

[KaseyT]

I have had a lot of tests over the years and the Endoscopy was probably the easiest one. Typically they don't use an anesthesia like you would get for an operation. You get an injection (can't remember what it is) and as far as you know you go to sleep and aren't aware of anything, but according to my doctor you aren't unconcious. Secondly there isn't going to be anything in your stomach to throw up since you are going to fast before the test.