long standing stomach pain, now upper back pain ...

[beastmaster1]

1yrI’ve had pain in my stomach,onlower left side,my stomach pretty much always bloated and it is a pain that is just theream 28 years old male Caucasian & a vegetarian for about 6 years,just recently 5 days ago took zantac,stomach madesome weird noises then I felt the pain also in my upper back on the left side, that is still there one of the other symp. as well is foul smelling gas.doc thought it might be an ulcer so I have
triedprilosec,famotidine,pepto,tums but none of them really helped IBS?I do have stress but doesn't everybody? also doneblood test while back and it was fine check for h.pylori negative.Also have low energy and if go forwalk get faint and tired,nausea is almost always there daily ,went to a hospital and they want to doendoscopy few months ago but I got scared and didn’t go back. also tried up my b-vitamins protein etc. just in case I thought it might b anemia but I am oligo-lactose vegetarian eggs & dairy,and I get enough essentialvitamins.allstarted last last yrafter being bit by my friends’puppy and I got stressed out I guess…have had it pretty much since then,some days worse than others,also took parasite capsules for a little while that contained wormwood thought maybe it is a parasite…I feel like I do have gas though, a food allergy?was thinking as well about doing maybe a colon cleanse?The pain in the upper left of my back seems internal as taking a pain relief med does nothing I have no insurance going thoughts?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

IBS is one possibility.  I would also consider diverticulitis, colon polyps or cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or other forms of colitis.  

Imaging studies like a CT scan would be helpful in ruling out many of the major diagnoses.  If negative, I would also consider a colonoscopy.  

Regarding the nausea, the endoscopy can rule out most of the upper GI diseases.  Further evaluation can be done with an ultrasound to evaluate the liver and gallbladder, as well as a 24-hr pH study to definitively rule out GERD.  

These options can be discussed with your personal physician, or in consultation with a GI 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.
kevinmd_

[okthatsme]

Ok, I have some of the same issues as you.  For 6 years, on and off, I have had stomach issues.  It first started like gastroenteritis, and I went to several doctors to find this out.  I too have been a vegetarian for six years.  My bloating is ridiculous.  At first I thought that I had to let go of dairy and become vegan.  My discipline was not good enough, However I was vegan for a week and it helped, but not enough for me to continue.  About 3 months ago, I was diagnosed with an H pylori ulcer, too the antibiotics, and problems went away a week after my treatment was taken.  I don't have much stomach pain now, but I still have the bloating.  Its not relieved by eating.  It takes 3 days of fasting for my stomach to even look normal. I've had 2 miscarriages since 2002.  I wonder if this has anything to do with it.  I'm to the point, of "if its cancer, let me know".  I cant even stand of for 10minutes without the feeling of pressure on my stomach, and expanding.