Anyone Else With Similar Symptoms? Appreciate the Insight!

[bud11]

A summary of what I have experienced for the last two months:

1.  Bloating/pressure in the upper abdomen-particularly after eating a large meal (fatty/spicy foods) or consuming even a small amount of alcohol.
2.  Loose stools-green in color.
3.  When nervous, excited, or stressed, an intense feeling that I have to go to the bathroom immediately (not quite diarrhea, but loose).  I am in a high stress job (trial attorney).    
4.  BMs usually in the morning, as I get ready for work-not much in quantity, but loose.  The more stressed, the more I have BMs.
5.  Lately, a dull ache, similar to a muscle strain, in my upper left abdomen, just beneath the rib cage, two inches left of my belly button.  While I cannot manipulate the sensation by pressing on the area with my hands, I can trigger it by stretching, or leaning over.
6.  I have had no fever, no weight loss, no vomiting, no spreading of the pain, and no high GI bleeding (dark stools).
7.  Occasional GERD, but not severe.  When I refrain (and this is tough!) from having a BM, and go 2-3 days without, the BMs are more normal, with brown, formed, harder stool sections.  
8.  I am a social drinker, but by no means excessive.  I do tend to eat fried/spicy foods.  I am now taking fiber supplements, and increasing daily water intake. I am also 28, a non-smoker, and otherwise in excellent health.

Questions:

1.  Is this IBS? A hernia?  An ulcer?

2.  What about an abdominal strain?

3.  Am I too young to worry about pancreatic, colon, or liver problems given the summary above?

THANKS TO ALL WHO RESPOND!!!

[Rosalita]

Hi

I just went through 6 months of the exact same symptoms.
On May 30, 2002 I had my gallbladder out, what a difference it made.  I didn't have stones.  Just a disease gallbladder.   Go
see your doctor and let him do some studies on you and then refer you to gastroenterologist, who will do more tests, than refer you to a surgeon.   My surgery was done with a laproscope and I was back to work in 7 days.

Rosalita

[nanci]

Stop the coffee!  I know it's hard.  I was a faithful two-three large cup a day drinker.  I found that I could drink a glass of wine with little discomfort and drink half a cup of coffee with hugh discomfort.  I drink water now and an occassional cup of
tea.  I'll tell you Bud, I started the same way, vague symtoms, some discomfort, etc.  When it kicked in, it was horrible.  I was in pain constantly and lost ten pounds.  I felt sick all the time and couldn't even sleep at night.

I too experienced sort of a dull ache on my right side, under
my ribs along with everything else.  This went on for over a month.  It finally went away a few days ago which I contribute to the Nexium and paying attention to my diet.

And by the way, stress is a given in maginfying gastro symptoms.  Had some stressful times at the office and that was when I was at my worse.

[bud11]

Thanks for the swift response and insight.  My appetite is fine.  I do drink vast amounts of coffee in the morning, and never enough water.  My stomach also has the occasional loud gurgle sounds and sensations.  The ache/pain almost has a pulling feel to it.  It is not sharp or crippling, but like a sore muscle.  It is more noticeable when I sit.  I do play a lot of golf, and wonder if I have indeed pulled something, but also have IBS to explain the other symptoms.

[virgo57]

I also had the pain under my left ribcage the same as you describe. I cut my coffee down to one cup in the morning ,(i can't go without coffee completely as my poor husband would pay the price) no soda pop or acidy juices as I do suffer from heart burn too.
I take metamucil (it's not a laxative) a good source of soluble fiber, once a day and I also take a probiotic which puts the good bacteria back into your GI tract and I feel alot better.
If you do have to drink alcohol make sure it is not on an empty stomach, eat first, that's what I do when I just want a sip of soda pop..instead of the water i drink all of the time and it doesn't bother me. I take Zantac 75 which you can get in the drug store but I do not take it every day...just the odd days when I get nervous or stressed which makes my stomach burn.
And that is how I am functioning and so far no complaints and no pain on the left side anymore either, and relatively heart burn free.
As for the green stool I posted a cut and paste on one of the other post..you should read it.It tells you what cause it...hope you get well and in order to do that you might have to start watching what you eat and drink by trial and error.
take care :)

[nanci]

You may have a combination of gastritis and IBS.  How's your appetite?

Why don't you try eliminating spicy foods, high fat, excessive protein for a week or so.  I doubt if it's a form of cancer, especially if you are not experencing weight loss or are vomiting.

Your symptoms sound like mine.  What has helped me is watching my diet, elimating both alcohol and caffine.  None, not even a sip.  I chew DGL tablets before I eat (two), drink aloe juice in the AM (about an ounce).  Take alfalfa tablets (two a day).  Eat smaller meals more often.  Avoid heavy foods like white pasta, white breads, etc.

And, more importantly, if you feel no different after trying some self help, make an app't with your doctor.  I waited much too long and paid the price.  I could have felt better months ago but waited until I was so bad I thought I did have cancer.  I've been taking Nexium along with the above but hope to wean off soon.  Hope this helps.