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1214651 tn?1266763412

Nauseated 24/7

Since May of 2009 I have had 7 surgeries.  I have been in and out of the Hospital more than 15 times.  I have had part of my small bowel removed twice.  I have constant nausea daily, 24/7.  I have been to more than 7 doctors and no one can tell me what is going on. I have had blood tests, CT scans, X-rays, etc. with no avail.  I have upper abdominal pain right under my rib cage on the left side.  I pass horrible smelling gas and have horrible smelling, oily stools.  It looks like there is a layer of grease on the top of the water when I have a bowel movement.  I have been on home care IV fluids since December to keep me alive.  I have had zofran, phenergen, reglan, different muscle relaxers, pain medicines, and anxiety medications, but my nausea and vomiting do not ever go away.  I have had 2 endoscopies, 1 colonscopy, and an upper G.I. scan.  The test results have all been normal.  

I have recently started having horrible headaches sine the beginning of January and I have never had headaches before in my life.  I have had pregnancy tests and I am not pregnant.  The only thing that gives me a little relief is when I go to the ER and have phenergen injected through an IV but the nausea soon returns.  No doctor I have seen has been able to help me or find out what is wrong.  I am wondering if any of you medical professionals out there have any ideas of what this could be.  

I know my body and I know something is wrong.  I feel as though the doctors are just masking the symptoms (or trying to) but they are not finding the root problem.  I don't have a gallbladder and I had gastric bypass 6 years ago.  I continue to lose weight because I can't eat and really don't want to because it makes me sick.  I am 5'9, 25 years old, and 148lbs.

If anyone has any suggestions or helpful guidance please help!  I need to know why I am feeling this way.
26 Responses
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1214651 tn?1266763412
I'm so sorry that you have an addiction to pain medications.  That would be really hard.  I was going to a Pain Management place before all of this came out, but I was never on pain pills.  My Pain Doctor did nerve cell treatments which would deaden the pain for about a week and then I'd get another one.  It was a miracle and the only way pain was relieved.  I never liked pain pills and was terrified of getting addicted so I wouldn't take them.  So, I am so sorry that those stupid drugs got to you.  They suck!

If you are looking to get off the pain medications you should ask your doctor about the nerve cell treatment.  I'm sure they do it and I know that it helped me, so it may help you too!  No matter what you are definitely in my thoughts and prayers.  I hope one day they can figure out what is going on.  Pain is just a symptom of a serious problem.  Pain is a way that your body tells you that something is wrong.  Deadening the pain is not going to help fix you.  If there is anything I can do to help you please let me know.  If you find anything else out please make sure to keep my updated.  Good luck to you!
Helpful - 0
1240909 tn?1313712225
I'll be darned lol.  What an interesting read.  Complete strangers helped you discover what your problem was!

I've been having gastrointestinal issues since 2002.  Also severe pain that seems to come out of nowhere.  It's at the opening of my stomach, right in that soft spot.  I've had numerous endoscopies, colonoscopies, tests for delayed stomach emptying, gallbladder removal, CT scans, xrays, etc.  And don't get me started on meds - Protonix, Reglan, Belladonna, Ranitidine, Promethazine, etc.  Countless visits to the ER only to be shot up with IV Dilaudid and sent home with either Hydrocodone or Oxycodone, which led to the development of my Percocet addiction.  

I've seen maybe 7 different gastroenterologists - the most recent one gave up and referred me to pain management.  So that's where I stand.  I go in every 3 weeks for scripts for Percocet, Ambien, Promethazine and Flexeril.  I take the Flexeril everyday.  Promethazine as needed for nausea.  Percocet only as needed for pain.....................................yeah right.

I'm really glad there's some light at the end of the tunnel for you!  Yay for you.  :)
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480448 tn?1426948538
Yes, please keep us updated on how you're doing!  I wish you the best!  :0)
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1214651 tn?1266763412
Thank you so much!  You are a sweetheart and I appreciate it!  I will keep updating throughout this process.  :)
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Avatar universal
I have been wondering what was going on with you. I hope everything goes ok for you. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Helpful - 0
1214651 tn?1266763412
I just wanted to give an update of what is going on with me.  They have finally figured out what is wrong and it's going to require major surgery.  I had gastric bypass 5 years ago and with the scopes I had done last week they were able to see that it was closed badly and is leaking.  I have extreme bacterial infections throughout my intestines because of this, and many other problems.  To fix it they have to go in and do a complete gastric bypass revision.  They have to start from scratch and it will be as if I have an entire new bypass with all new parts.  My entire digestive system is going to be rebuilt.  I will have 4 feet of small intestine removed, a new stomach pouch made, and then they will connect everything back up.  They said that if I don't have this I will die a slow death, but there is no doubt that it will kill me.  They are 85% sure that this will fix me and also about a 94% chance that I will live.  Those are not perfect guarantees but it is either that or die, so I'm choosing to fight.  I go in for surgery in 2 weeks and we'll go from there.  They are planning on a 12-14 hour surgery, a 1 1/2-2 month Hospital stay, and about a 6 month recovery.  This is a huge process, but to save my life it is something that I absolutely have to do.  So thank you for all your concern and support!  Please keep me in your prayers and I will continue to keep you all updated.  Thank you so much again!  I feel like I have truly made good friends on this site.  :)
Helpful - 0
1214651 tn?1266763412
Thank you so much everyone!  As you can see it's 430 am and I'm still awake.  The pain and nausea have been bad tonight.  No fun.  I'm trying to not go to the ER because they always think that I'm just faking it and send me home.  I'm hoping I can wait and get a hold of the GI doc on monday.  I just pray that I can make it through the weekend!  Thanks again for everyone's comments!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Wow. You finally got an answer. I bet you are relieved. I can't believe all the time you have been suffering and all the tests you have had finally a simple CT scan showed something. That's great! Please let us know how you are doing.
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480448 tn?1426948538
Well, the good news is it looks like you may have an answer!  If you can try to find a silver lining in this situationm it would be that>  If the pain and nausea becomes worse, I would head to the ER. If mnot, call your doc FIRST thing Mon am.

Keep us in the "loop"!  Pun intended!  :0)  LOL
Helpful - 0
1214651 tn?1266763412
I got a CT scan yesterday but my doctor is gone for 2 weeks.  I went to the Hospital and got the results.  It showed a loop in my small bowel of 3.8 cm.  It is the upper left quadrant exactly where my pain is.  I just don't know what to do about it.  I don't have any doctor to help me and now it's the weekend and all offices are closed.  I am so extremely nauseated and can't speak and in pain.  I'm just a little frustrated right now.  Thank you so much for responding.  I appreciate your input.
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480448 tn?1426948538
Best of lcuck...I do hope you find some answers soon.  Wishing you health and peace.  Please let us know how you're doing!
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1214651 tn?1266763412
I will call the U first thing in the morning!  If I can get in there faster that would be amazing!!  Thank you so much for all that info and for researching it all for me!  You're a sweetheart!

Sincerely,
jillstras
Helpful - 0
370181 tn?1595629445
I can't begin to imagine your frustration nor the hell you pretty much endure every single day.
It's just so hard to believe, with all the incredible tools doctors have these days, that they are having such a difficult time coming up with a diagnosis for you.  
I do hope this GI doc you're waiting to see is worth the wait and will finally be able to help you. But having to wait until April while you are in this much agony just doesn't seem right.
Have you considered going to Salt Lake City to a major hospital?
I believe the one below is only about 30 miles from Highland, UT.
This hospital has been ranked very high and teaching hospitals are usually very interested in "difficult" cases, which I believe yours qualifies.
I don't mean to stick my nose into your business, I'd just like you to get the very best care available to you. Maybe you could just think about it?

University of Utah Health Care, Salt Lake City
50 North Medical Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84132
(801) 581-2121
www.uuhsc.utah.edu
This hospital is one of nearly 5,000 that U.S.News evaluated for the latest America's Best Hospitals rankings.

I wish you the best and hope you will stay in touch with us.
You will be in our thoughts
Peace
Greenlydia
Helpful - 0
1214651 tn?1266763412
Yes they have.  When I went through my colonoscopy and endoscopy and upper GI they did some blood tests as well and they don't feel as if I have Crohn's.  I'm a little frustrated because I can't get into to my GI specialist until April 27.  I even had my family prac doctor call him and the ER room that I went to on Wednesday and they still said that he is not able to get me in.  I know he is good and I know he is going to work with me so it's worth the wait, I just am so tired of feeling sick and not being able to eat.  I also hate being in pain constantly.  

I go to a pain clinic on Wednesday of this week for the first time to help me though the next little while until the GI doctor can help me.  My Family Practice Doctor said that I need some relief.  I'm just very weak, nauseated, and in pain 24/7 and I need some help.  I literally feel like I am dying.

It's frustrating because I don't feel as if this has anything to do with anxiety.  I'm not stressed, I don't have panic attacks, and I only have mild depression which is caused by my health problems.  When I feel well I am fine.  I just really pray that this doctor is worth the wait and will stick with me and really dive in and figure out what is wrong.  I'm sick of doctors trying to cover the symptoms and not cure the problem.  I need the problem cured so I won't have symptoms anymore.  

Sorry for rambling, it has been a tough weekend and I just needed someone to talk to.  I appreciate you responding to my question and asking me questions.  Trust me, everything helps and I thank you so much for caring!  Have a great Sunday  :)
Helpful - 0
370181 tn?1595629445
Have they ruled out Crohn's?
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480448 tn?1426948538
Wow!  You're so young to have gone through so much. If you don't mind my asking...and I apologize if I missed it somewhere in your post, but what was the reason for your colon resections?

I would recommend the same as others above...a visit to an Endo, and if you already have a GI specialist (which I would imagine you do), perhaps get a second opinion.

Also, have you ever been tested for Celiac Sprue?  That could explain some of your symptoms.  To me, it sounds more related to the gallbladder, and possible pancreatic issues. Also, MANY people who have had a gastric bypass unforunately run into a lifetme of GI problems.  I'm sincerely hoping that isn't the case for you, but I have seen it happen many times.

My money would be on something related to the gastric bypass, glaabladder, or your pancreas.

Very best to you...hope you get some answers soon.  Let us know!
Helpful - 0
1214651 tn?1266763412
Thank you so much for understanding.  You really have no idea how much it means for someone to understand what I am going through.  I hope you have a great weekend!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes and I get the awful pain just like I still have a gallbladder.It helps immensely with the diarrhea too. I"ve had to go on the med a few times since having my gallbladder removed. I get extremely sick,diarrhea and vomit bile. I also get really tired and feel like total crap and it has always helped before. Questran is mainly used as a cholesterol med but binds to the bile. I hope you feel better soon. I know how awful it can be.
Helpful - 0
1214651 tn?1266763412
That is so good to know.  I will have to ask my doctor about that.  Do you get nauseated very often?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had my gallbladder out almost 6 years ago and still get the gallbladder symptoms. They say alot of people have trouble breaking down bile without it and gave me a med called questran. I am actually getting ready to start it again now per the doctor yesterday because I am having the "gallbladder" pain and refluxing bile. The med has always helped before so I hope it does this time. Maybe something worth checking into.
Helpful - 0
1214651 tn?1266763412
I don't have a gallbladder.  I had it removed 5 years ago.  Thank you for the suggestion though, I appreciate it  :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Have you had your gallbladder checked? I had alot of the same stomach problems and  found out my gallbladder wasn't functioning properly. Just a suggestion. Good luck
Helpful - 0
1214651 tn?1266763412
Thank you so much for your thoughts.  I really appreciate it.  I will definitely make an appt. today to get into see someone.  I'm glad to know there are other tests out there then just blood tests and a CT scan!  Thank you again!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The doctors alone can make you feel crazy! :)  An Endo can do more precise testing.  I suspected I had hypothyroidism and my GP ran 2 blood tests and said my thyroid was fine.  Finally, I think he got tired of my nagging and referred me to an Endo and at this point is when he said the Endo could do a more precise test???  I thought, then why have YOU wasted my time.  I went to the Endo and sure enough, hypothyroidism.  She went on to explain how the endocrine system plays a role in every major organ in the body, and if one thing is "off" it's like a domino effect. You'll get thru this, and feel free to pm me anytime to talk about this.
Take care.......mammo
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