Stomach Pain / Vomitting/Nausea/Constipation

[debbied30]

I hope someone can help out , not sure where to turn.
My daughter is 16 and has been suffering from nausea and vomitting for several months now.  We thought it was something she was eating , but that doesn't seem to matter.
She also has always had severe bowel issues , she only uses the restroom maybe twice a week , which makes her bowels difficult to pass due to size.
She has high stress in her life, and a family history of colon cancer and stomach cancer.
Her father passed away Oct 2006 from colon cancer at the age of 35.
Her great uncle died of stomach cancer when he was 7 yrs old.

Any ideas what this could be ?
Or our next step?

Thanks
Deb

[hazelwood06]

A related discussion, I don't know how to help my son was started.

[snickers7]

Don't know where to start.
When I was young (like 19) I was diagnosed with IBS....stopped having problems in my early 20's.  Also, diagnosed with endometriosis.  7 children later, age 40 began again having issues.  Pain in my left lower abdomen.  Had CT scan showed diverticulitis as well as ring enhancing component to the left ovary with cyst.  Surgeon did colonscopy last February said I had diverticulitis and would do anastomosis next day.  He failed to see perforation and abscess until surgery.  Following surgery, I continued to feel as if I had to go to the BR to empty all day.  I could have a BM and go ten minutes later.  Continued with pain, suggested I see OB/Gyn.  In July, had total hysterectomy.  Pain much reduced.  However, I have more trouble with emptying.  I cannot usually have a bowel movement without senokot and even then I have a hard time pushing it out.  It is soft at times, but mostly hard.  And at times, I have pain on the left side and at times up under my ribs.  Still need to go at least 9 times a day, but sometimes as much as 20 times and have been in ER throwing up.  Did xray and they say I am not emptying.  Had a colonscopy and the physician said colon looks fine.  He also had a CT scan done which should a cystic structure on the lower right pelvic bowel loops and adjacent there is a suture ring on the sigmoid colon.  Any ideas what I can do to make my life more liveable?  What can I do next?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The next step would be further evaluation of the upper digestive tract.

An ulcer, inflammation or GERD are all possibilities and should be excluded.

An upper endoscopy or upper GI series would be appropriate.

The constipation should also be evaluated.  A colonoscopy can rule out anatomical causes, and you can also consider colonic motility disorders as well as metabolic diseases like diabetes or thyroid problems.

These options can be discussed with her personal 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 patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com