This is getting serious

[heidifay]

I have had multiple bowel obstructions and have had 12' of my small bowel removed.  For the past month I have been experiencing extremely bad heartburn and when I belch it is a very foul smell, almost sewage like.  I have never even after surgeries been regular as far as bowel movements.  I am not experiencing any unusual abdominal pain although I do have daily pain that I have come accustom to over the years.  

My bowel obstructions were caused from becoming septic after the removal of my right kidney almost 8 years ago.  I have had the multiple bowel surgeries almost every year since then.  However, I have never experienced the troubles I am having now.  

I do not take any medication other than high blood pressure medicine three times a day.  I am not overweight nor am I smoker or drink.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  I am truly miserable.  Water even gives me heartburn, and nothing helps the foul smell of my burps.  

[heidifay]

Thank you, I am so miserable.  I woke up this morning with heartburn, tried something new and didn't drink any coffee ate a small bland breakfast (oatmeal) I had extreme indigestion all day long.  I was not even able to eat lunch and only had a piece of bread for dinner.  

I went to the dr a couple weeks ago and they said it was GERD.  Gave me prilosec and rifaximin (?).  I feel like that was a complete wasted trip to the doctor because none of that helped.  

I forgot to add that in December I was treated for thyroid storm.  I was put into a medically induced coma for 3 weeks while they tried to get my levels and heart rate under control.  I do not remember exactly what my thyroid levels were but my resting heart rate was 190-220 beats per minute at the time they admitted me.  

As you can see I have a very complicated history.  My diagnosis of VHL in 2007 stumped doctors and then when I suddenly got septic everything went haywire.  Heart disease, kidney cancer, or high blood pressure does  not run in my family at all.  It is all very much a puzzle.

Thank you for your comment on my post.  I am frustrated and quite frankly a bad patient after all that I have been through.  Sometimes I feel like I know more about my condition than the doctors I see however, I am willing to give a new doctor the benefit of the doubt.

[Christopher R Watters, MD]

With your history this needs to be evaluated proactively. The combination would imply stasis and bacterial overgrowth. This may be simple and not due to recurrent obstruction but should be looked at. An x ray test to access the passage of contrast through your intestine would be a good starting point (small bowel series).