What the heck is going on??

[beterraba]

For over a year now, I have had a lot of gas and bloating.  Everytime I eat, I get bloated, usually have to have a bowel movement.  I have about one well-formed BM every other week, the rest is very large volume and soft, but not necessarily diarrhea.  

My main symptoms are:
1. Gas/Bloating
2. 2-6 large, soft BMs daily
3. abdominal cramping (sometimes feel like period cramping)
4. dull, achy pain in my upper left abdomen just under my ribs

Last April, I had the Mirena IUD placed, and since June have had no period (this is normal) and have had 2 ultrasounds (this Feb and Apr) that showed ovarian cysts on both ovaries, which I was told would NOT cause any of the above symptoms.  For the last 2 weeks I have had more pain much lower in my abdomen (left side) that is sometimes stronger, but mostly just achy, that radiates to my lower back and my upper thigh.  The Gynecologist said this is NOT they cysts, and that this is all GI.

I have tested negative for celiac and I eat very healthy.  A typical diet for me is Breakfast: steel cut oats with ground flax, mixed berries, a little brown sugar and cinamon; Lunch: PBJ sandwich on whole wheat, salad with little dressing, regular yogurt; Dinner: bean burrito with rice and cheese in whole wheat tortilla.  Snacks include dry cereal, string cheese, fruit, sometimes junk food.  I drink mostly water, some coffee in the AM, sometimes tea.  Occasional wine in the evening.   I am right around my ideal body weight and I exercise regularly.  I am 26.

I feel like I have been somewhat abandoned in my quest for a diagnosis.  My primary care dr. said "IBS" right away, and recommended gas-x (duh, as if I hadn't tried that) and tums.  She said to follow up with a GI dr.  The GI dr ran the celiac blood work, and said to investigate gyno issues first.  The gyno says its not that, take some ibuprofen or tylenol (again, duh)....so....HELP??!!

Thanks for any ideas and advice!

[doctornee medical]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
I read through your post very carefully and based on that I feel that you are possibly suffering from Celiac Disease/Ulcerative Colitis/Irritable Bowel Syndrome. All these result in tender abdomen, loose stool or loose stools alternating with constipation, abdominal distention, cramps etc. Parasites in the gut like threadworm, tape worm, giardiasis etc can behave this way. Hence a stool test is a must.
A number of times a gastroenterologist is able to diagnose these conditions by clinical examination and detailed medical history. Blood tests to rule out anemia, stool test to look for white blood cells, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy etc are used to diagnose ulcerative colitis. Braium meal and follow through, endoscopy etc are done to rule out GERD, Crohn’s disease etc. Irritable bowel syndrome is diagnosed by elimination of other causes. Gluten is a complex protein present in four main grains---wheat, rye, barley and oats. If you have gluten intolerance, then you probably have celiac disease or Non Celiac gluten sensitivity. There are blood tests called celiac test to detect gluten intolerance.
There are many things you can do to lessen the discomfort.
"Keep a stress diary. Persons with an irritable bowel have an intestinal system that overreacts to food, stress, and hormonal changes. "Think of your irritable bowel as a built-in barometer, and use it to help you determine what things in your life are most stressful," “Log in your food and beverage intake, too. Certain foods and beverages, just like stress, can activate an irritable bowel, so it's also helpful to record in your diary the foods and beverages that give you the most trouble.”
“Add fiber to your diet. Many people with IBS do much better simply by adding fiber to their dietsFiber tends to be most effective with people who tend toward constipation and small, hard stools, but it may also help you if you're suffering from diarrhea. The best fiber to add to your diet is the nonsoluble type—found in bran, whole grains, fruit, and vegetables.
Call psyllium seed to the rescue. An easy way to increase your fiber intake is with crushed psyllium seed,
Go easy on the bran. If you are adding fiber such as bran to your diet, add it slowly to give your body time to adjust. Too much fiber, too fast, can produce gas”
Read more on this link: http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/47/86.cfm

Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[beterraba]

thank you for your response.  I already eat a high fiber diet, and I NEVER have constipation.  Always just constant going.  haha.  I also have been tested for celiac and it was negative.  I have always eaten a high fiber diet, so this is not new in the last year or few months.  I'll continue to pursue this until I have a solid diagnosis.

Thanks!