What's going on with me?

[torturedwriter]

I am a 24 year old male. My problems started 2 years ago when i took penicilin that was prescribed for an ingrown hair. I had a severe allergic reaction and became ill for a while. They put me on antihistamines and the rash went away. However I still always felt very dehydrated, overheated and when I sweat even to this day, it is itchy still.
Moving on to the main problem. After this incident, I noticed that I was burping up a lot more gas than I usually do. It didn't feel acidic, it was like dry gas. It became more and more frequent over the next few months until eventually I started getting a lot of sore throats. After the sore throats came tightness in my chest. It felt like presure on my chest and had trouble taking full breaths. Doctors never helped much and eventually I started to get really worried as to what this crushing pain in my chest was all about and why the gas kept getting worse.
I then started getting stabbing pains directly under the left "breast", under the rib. There were times where I would get a sharp stabbing pain in my stomach for 2-3 hours straight where I couldn't even move without it hurting. Then I started getting pain in the centre, across from my stomach, and now I even have constant cramping where my intestines would be.
Doctors have probably given me a blood test for everything imaginable. I've had ECG/EKG tests heaps, all normal, chest Xrays are clear, urine and stool samples good, and did a hyliobactor breath test which came back normal.

So my current symptoms are constant dry gas coming up my throat, chest pain and pressure, intermitent stomach and duodeman pains, and bad cramping pains/ gas in the intestines.
So basically, doctors aren't much help. They keep just testing my heart and chest because of the chest pains but I believe it has something to do with my intestines and or stomach. I am having an endoscopy next week to have a look in my stomach but wanted to ask an expert for advice as to what may be going on and why.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I would look for an upper GI disorder, such as GERD, inflammation of the esophagus or stomach, or an ulcer.

An upper endoscopy or upper GI series would be reasonable tests to discuss with your personal physician.

If those tests are normal, imaging the abdomen with an ultrasound or CT scan can be considered.

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 Pho, M.D.

KevinMD.com
Twitter.com/kevinmd

[torturedwriter]

Can't believe I had to pay money for this totally worthless answer.
Thanks for nothing.

[aar1151]

I have had these similar problems for years but I have ulceative colitus and recently I had my gall bladder removed and surgery for severe acid reflux.  I suggest you go to a gastroenterologist -- actually that  test you're having is probably being done by one.  My son also has colitus and he gets the cramping with gas.  Good luck.  Hope you find a good gastro doctor -- it makes a world of difference.  aar1151