Undiagnosed GI symptoms

[acarith1]

My fiancée has had severe GI issues for many years and I was hoping if I list some of his symptoms someone with some knowledge and experience can weigh in on what they think. He has been to the Dr. who did bloodwork which came back negative for Chrons and Celiacs diseases. The Dr's physical exam was normal, he scheduled him for a colonoscopy, but while my fiancée was doing the Moviprep solution he had what appeared to be an allergic reaction; rash, heart palpitations, swollen right arm, and super high blood pressure. So long story short he did not get the colonoscopy. He is 26, 5'10" 210 lbs, active and otherwise healthy.

List of symptoms:

1. Stomach Pain EVERY morning for about 12 years, which will last about 1-2 hours then instantly pass
2. Nausea/vomiting 3-4 times per month
3. No solid stools for years now
4. Undigested foods..(foods come out looking like they did when they went in..ex. lettuce, carrots, rice)
5. Gets extreme hot flashes where he becomes disoriented and dizzy then will break out into a rash across face and chest
6. Recently, all toenails on right foot have stopped growing
7. Occasional swelling of fingers and hands for no apparent reason

These are chronic and have definitely affected his life, any input is greatly appreciated!

[livnlrn]

I would recommend asking for a Gastric Emptying Study.
Surgery can cause your stomach muscles not to contract properly.
I finally got my diagnosis today: Gastroparesis,
and I am going to help others in the same situation so no one has to suffer as long as I did.

[CHRISTYDRAKE]

I, too, didn't think it would be anything other than GI.  But after being dismissed by the GI doctor as anxiety, he was sent to a psychologist.  The psychologist listened to everything, ruled out anxiety, and researched his symptoms.  She sent us to a cardiologist for the diagnosis.  The problem is--it is still fairly new and not many doctors know what to do for it.  We live in St Louis and have to travel to Cleveland to get him the help he needs.

Good luck!

[acarith1]

thank you! i will research that, what you described with your son sure sounds alot like my fiancee. I guess we never considered that it could be anything other than GI related. thanks for your input! Best wishes to you and your son.

[CHRISTYDRAKE]

My son has some of these symptoms.  My son is 14 and a few years ago started having stomach issues.  He missed 20 days of school 2 years in a row.  Now his stomach issues are daily and he has not gone to school since last Febuary.  His symptoms are:
1.  Wakes up every day nauseated.  Does not become functional until approx 2 pm(some days not at all).
2.  Some days he also has abdominal pain(on his right side). He no longer has reflex actions on his right side.
3.  He also has body temperature problems.  He will get real hot(even if it is cold) and start taking off his shirt, go outside in the winter in shorts only to cool down.
4.  Dizzy spells
5.  Occassional weakness in his legs.

All of his GI tests (endoscopy,colonoscopy, ultra sound, etc) were fine.  He was finally diagnosed with dysautonomia.  His autonomic nervous system, which runs all involuntary body actions(digestion,body temp, heart rate, blood pressure,etc), is out of wack.  We have been able to get all of his symptoms under control with medication, except for the nausea.  It is a process of trial and error.  My son was also diagnosed last month with gastroparesis.

Try taking his blood pressure, heart rate, while he is lying down.  Then again when he is sitting and again standing.  If the heart rate goes up over 30 beats from lying to standing this is a sign.  (Although some days my sons only goes up 17 beats, other days it goes up 60 to 70 beats.)