Please help; undiagnosed for 2 years!!!

[KathyLou19]

Hi, I am a 21 year old female. For the past 2 years I have been dealing with an unsolveable medical problem. My symptoms are vary weird and seem to have no explaination. I have had serious, chronic abdominal pain, problems eating, nausea, some vomitting, bouts of constipation and diarrhea, severe migraines that have lasted for weeks on end (literally constant head pain that never goes away or lets up), on and off joint pains, sleeplessness, and chronic fatigue.

I have literally gotten to the point where I am in so much pain, I cannot get out of bed. This problem has landed me in the hospital a number of times.

I have had tons of work up, bloods tests, CTs, MRI's, barium xrays, colonoscopy and endoscopy. I have seen an internalist, gastroenterologist, immunologist, hematologist, and rheumotologist. They found my thyroid to be under-active and that I had some sludge in my gallbladder. I had my gallbladder removed in April 2009, which didnt seem to help, then a sphincterotomy for my bile duct in July of 2009. I still suffer from pain, inability to eat, and many other symptoms that bother me on a day to day basis.

Currently I am taking a number of medicines to try to ease the pain and other symptoms, but there is still no diagnosis. I am really getting to a point where I am at a loss for what to do. I am wondering if anyone has any thoughts or ideas about this.

Overall, before this started I was a very healthy person. I am still healthy to the point that I eat well, exercise each week, and try to maintain other good habits.

If you are reading this, I thank you for your time, I know this is a very long extensive question. Hope someone can help!

[KathyLou19]

Wow, I am so sorry you're experiencing the same thing. I know it is absolutely the worst ever. I have also seen a lot of doctors who basically told me I was crazy, and told my family I was making up the pain for attention. That was the worst, I already get plenty of attention for the things I've accomplished in my life, and didn't need some doctor telling me or my family that.

I too had the Sphincter of oddi diagnosis, and the ERCP. Now, they're talking about doing another MRI and possibly another ERCP. I have a serious problem with the MRIs, I've always been a little closterphobic. But I am hoping something comes of this.

I truely appreciate you responding, I am sorry to hear you are enduring such pain and problems as well. But it gives me hope that there is help! As I hear anything from my doctor I will continue to update. Best wishes!

[Drcarb11]

I went through the same symptoms you have for 3 years now. I lost the last year 70 pounds.
I was after 2 years finally diagnosed with Sphincter of oddi dysfunction and during my 1st ERCP they also found a pancreatic divisum ( birthdefect usually not symptomatic )
I went through 8 ERCP's with Sphincterotomy, balloons, Stents etc.....nothing helped.
4 weeks ago I had a surgery called transduodenal sphincterotomy with pancreatic minor duct sphincteroplasty....8 days hospital with lots of pain.
My constant pain is gone but now I have daily pain attacks lasting up to 30 minutes.I still cannot eat any solid food.
Now my surgeon told me that if this surgery did not work I might have to have a Roux en Y surgery. Im not sure how bad of a surgery that is because the surgeon not easily recommending this.
I had enough. The last surgery was aweful enough with a large incision through my belly.
I feel with you. Dont let anyone tell you about anxiety. Listen to your body. 5 docs thought I was crazy before I was diagnosed. If you think there is something than there is something wrong.

[KathyLou19]

They went over the whole depression, or stress, or anxiety possibilites. Nothing about mylife had been changing at the point that this all started. And nothing has really changed since.

It basically started with a severe migraine and pain in every part of my body. I have had occasional bloods work ups done where things don't look right. My CBC has been low, I have been told I am anemic, and I have also gone through periods of time where my blood tests showed lack of things like potassium, magnesium, and other stuff. I have had CTs of my abdomin where they have found swollen lymphnodes, but not much came of that.

I know that stress, anxiety, pressure, and what not can cause these problems, but treatments for that have never really helped. So, sadly I am still looking for answers. But thanks for taking time to answer!

[mammo]

Have they mentioned anxiety?  Anxiety can manifest itself in a lot of the symptoms you describe, in varying degrees.  Check out the Anxiety Forum and you will find many with chronic anxiety and symptons like yours.  It may be best to post this in that forum, I think you'll be surprised at how many are suffering like you due to anxiety.  There are medications for this and therapy.  Take care...