Struggles with Digestive Issues
Greetings, everyone. I'm a 24-year-old female grappling with gastrointestinal troubles that have persisted for quite some time. Over the last decade, I've experienced stomach discomfort following meals; my attempts to identify specific food triggers have yielded little success, as the pain seems rather unpredictable. Although my condition has improved somewhat over the years, my doctor suggested that I may be dealing with gastritis, advising me not to be overly concerned. Recently, I've started experiencing sharp pain in my sternum that can immobilize me for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. While others have suggested that this may simply be acid reflux, it certainly doesn't feel like it to me. On New Year’s Eve 2023, I found myself in the hospital after suffering from severe diarrhea and vomiting that lasted over 12 hours with little relief. The medical staff did not provide a clear diagnosis, but I suspect it might have been a bacterial or viral infection since I was on antibiotics just two weeks before this incident. Since then, my bowel movements have been problematic. I often experience significant abdominal pain prior to using the restroom, and my stool rarely turns out to be firm. More frequently, I deal with diarrhea or a mushy consistency (without any unusual signs like mucus or blood). I reached out to my doctor, who conducted tests that all came back negative, indicating that I'm generally fine. My blood work also confirmed no issues. I am particularly anxious about my family history, as both my grandfather and his sister battled colon cancer, and my mother dealt with adenocarcinoma in her intestines a few years ago. Additionally, I was diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism last year, which is now managed with a 25mg dosage of levothyroxine, and I am feeling considerably better since starting treatment. I'm incredibly frustrated by the ongoing discomfort and frequent episodes of diarrhea. I’ve experimented with various dietary changes, but there hasn’t been a noticeable improvement. My doctor has advised me to maintain a food diary to identify aggravating foods; however, after all this time, I’ve only confirmed that a full glass of raw milk definitely causes issues. Interestingly, I've found some relief with a 16/8 fasting regimen. Aside from thyroid medication, I consistently take Vitamin C and D, and I've recently begun incorporating psyllium husk into my routine to boost my fiber intake, although I only use one tablespoon per day.
Answers (1)
4/2/2025, 9:10:43 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with a complex mix of digestive issues that have been quite distressing. Given your history and current symptoms, it’s crucial to continue seeking patterns and relief strategies while remaining aware of any potentially concerning signs. Here’s a structured response:
Main Points:
- Your symptoms may stem from multiple factors, including gastritis, dietary intolerances, or another underlying issue.
- Given your family history of colon cancer, continued vigilance is important but should be balanced with reassurance that you’ve had negative tests.
- Fasting seems to provide some relief, and dietary adjustments are worth exploring further.
Explanation:
You’ve been experiencing persistent gastrointestinal discomfort for a long time, which can be frustrating, especially when combined with a family history of serious gastrointestinal issues. Your symptoms, particularly the sharp chest pain, may be related to gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux, but they should not be ignored, especially since they incapacitate you temporarily.
It’s positive that your recent blood tests have indicated no immediate health concerns, but your symptoms hint at ongoing digestive challenges, possibly indicating a functional gastrointestinal disorder or specific food intolerances that have not yet been identified.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Symptoms: Continue maintaining a detailed food diary, noting what you eat and any symptoms experienced afterward. This can help you pinpoint specific triggers over time.
-
Diet Modifications: While you've noticed raw milk causes issues, consider experimenting further with your diet. The Low FODMAP diet may be beneficial; it’s designed to identify food intolerances by limiting certain fermentable sugars that can cause digestive distress.
-
Hydration & Fiber: While incorporating psyllium husk is a good start, ensure you’re drinking plenty of water, especially if you're experiencing diarrhea. Hydration is key to recovery and maintaining your bowel health.
-
Fasting regimen: Since you mentioned improved symptoms with a 16/8 fasting regimen, continue this if it suits you. Some individuals find this routine helps manage their digestive symptoms.
-
Emergency Awareness: Be aware of any "red flag" symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, blood in your stool, or significant weight loss, which should prompt immediate medical evaluation.
-
Follow-Up with Healthcare Provider: If your symptoms persist or worsen, particularly the sharp pain in your sternum or abdominal pain before bowel movements, it’s essential to revisit your healthcare provider for further evaluation. You may want to discuss the possibility of gastrointestinal imaging or testing for specific conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) under guidance with a gastroenterologist.
Feel free to reach out with any concerns as you implement these steps or if you notice new symptoms develop. Your comfort and well-being are important, and you're being proactive in addressing your health concerns.
Related Questions
Can Eating More Fiber Alleviate Menstrual Cycle-Related Constipation?
Every month, during the week and a half leading up to my menstrual period, I experience constipation. I'm curious if boosting my fiber consumption might ease this issue. I already ensure that I drink plenty of water throughout the day. I am a woman in my mid-20s.
Seeking Relief from Mild Fecal Impaction: Should I Go to the ER?
At 20 years old, I find myself dealing with a frustrating issue: fecal impaction. It's not something I've faced before, or at least I can’t recall, but I’ve had chronic stomach difficulties throughout my childhood, including constipation from ages four to twelve. Recently, I've been experiencing more digestive challenges after a few years of feeling normal. Currently, I’m under the care of a gastroenterologist, and we’re working on diagnosing the underlying problems. For about five days now, I haven't been able to relieve myself. While I’ve had considerable gas, that’s been the only symptom. Today has been particularly difficult; I’ve spent the last 11 hours in the bathroom grappling with severe discomfort and impaction. Each attempt to relieve the situation is excruciating, to the point where my body is resisting the effort—it’s so painful that I find myself in tears. I imagine this is what birth must feel like. I suspect this intense fear and pain are remnants of my past struggles, as for many years I’ve feared using the bathroom due to the agony it causes. Despite trying various remedies like Miralax mixed with coffee, a bullet suppository, and even a manual approach with gloves, nothing is yielding results. I’m genuinely tempted to head to the emergency room and ask them to put me under so they can help me without the pain. My mother suggests they would likely opt for a liquid suppository treatment like they did during my childhood, which was quite traumatic. I’m torn—it feels like the ER might be my last resort, but I'm concerned they won’t take me seriously since my situation doesn’t seem dire. How foolish would it be to bring up wanting sedation? I desperately want to avoid this pain; it’s becoming increasingly difficult, and I’m fighting back tears from the frustration. Can they truly provide sedation for this type of issue even when it isn’t severe? I worry that my parents might react negatively to my quest for relief and think I’m being dramatic. I’m utterly drained and don’t know where to turn. When there’s no painful push against my body, I can’t even sense the severity of the issue, yet, I am experiencing leakage, leaving me unsure. Would it be unreasonable to pose this question to the doctors in the ER? I apologize if this message is jumbled; I’m also dealing with a migraine, making it hard to focus. For context, my daily medications include phentermine, iron supplements, and vitamin D. I stand at 5’4” and currently weigh 204 pounds as part of my ongoing weight loss journey.
Did My Appendectomy Resolve My Digestive Issues?
I’m a 27-year-old non-binary person who had their appendix surgically removed due to appendicitis early last October. Since that procedure, I’m experiencing something I never thought possible: regular bowel movements. Remarkably, this newfound routine hasn’t faded away, contrary to what my doctors predicted. Historically, I have struggled with constipation throughout my life. As a child, I often felt compelled to mislead healthcare professionals about my bowel habits, claiming I had daily movements out of fear that something was amiss. In reality, I would only have a bowel movement every three to five days. I also live with autism, ADHD, dysthymia, and PTSD. Given my history of burnout, it would be logical to attribute my digestive struggles to stress. However, these issues persisted even during holidays and rarely intensified during particularly stressful times. Most of the medications I tried, including SSRIs and various birth control options, had no impact, except for Ritalin, which occasionally provided some relief when not taken consistently. Prior to the appendectomy, I underwent two surgeries: one for a fractured arm and the other a double procedure to remove my uterus and breasts. Unfortunately, neither operation had any effect on my bowel function. Since my surgery, my dietary, hydration, exercise, and substance use habits have remained unchanged. A bit of additional context: My thyroid hormone levels are normal, although I occasionally have low Vitamin D, for which I take supplements. I receive B12 injections to address low levels since dietary sources aren’t effective for me. Additionally, I deal with a persistent mystery of chronic fatigue that shows no signs of improvement post-surgery. This leads to my question: Could my appendix have been the source of my gastrointestinal issues? Alternatively, did the surgery trigger some other change that resolved my long-standing problem? I’m curious if anyone else has encountered similar experiences. What are the chances that I’ll revert back to my past issues with constipation? Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated, mostly out of interest.
Exploring Probiotic Effects and Antibiotic Strategies in Gut Health
Greetings, M30. Is it possible that consuming an excess of probiotics could lead to SIBO or a similar condition? Earlier this summer, I suffered from a campylobacter infection, and in an attempt to remedy that without realizing its full extent, I resorted to high doses of probiotics. This approach, however, only aggravated my situation. I experienced severe bloating, intensified brain fog—especially after consuming carbohydrates—and following a comprehensive examination of possible causes, including an initially misleading negative test for c. jejuni that later revealed IgG antibodies in my blood, I was prescribed rifaximin (200mg four times a day). Unfortunately, after five days of rifaximin treatment, my symptoms escalated dramatically, resulting in excruciating lower abdominal pain and a marked intolerance to carbohydrates. Through my research, I discovered that the probiotic strains I had been using were sensitive to antibiotics, so I requested that my physician switch my medication to amoxicillin, which promptly resolved the issues I was facing. Complicating matters, I later learned that I had been contending with an acute bartonella infection, which likely contributed to my motility problems. As the year progressed, I indulged in kimchi after having been on antibiotics for bartonella treatment for about a month. However, I had to stop the antibiotics over the Christmas holidays when I developed rashes from herpes on my face and required alternative treatment. Following my kimchi overindulgence, I began to experience bloating again, cognitive fog intensified, and I felt a toxin-like sensation after consuming larger amounts of carbohydrates, alongside a newfound intolerance to wheat products. My doctor once again prescribed rifaximin as the primary treatment, but I am starting to notice that familiar acidic sensation in my abdomen returning. Is this reaction indicative of die-off symptoms, or could it mean that rifaximin is targeting competitors of the kimchi bacteria in my gut, resulting in their proliferation and creating a cycle where lactic acid bacteria alter the colon's pH, promoting further growth of lactic acid producers? I suspect this situation mirrors what transpired during the summer months. Would switching back to amoxicillin be advisable, or might I need to consider amoxiclav instead, given that the kimchi contained fish sauce which might be a source of beta-lactamase? Best wishes,
Understanding My Lack of Appetite
I’m a 14-year-old girl about to turn 15, standing at 155 cm (5' 1'') and weighing around 53-54 kg. My exact weight remains unclear since I am battling anorexia and have been advised against using the scale. I am currently on a regimen of antidepressants (150mg of semonic daily) and antipsychotics (15mg of olanzapine). Along with my eating disorder, I've struggled with self-harm and have been diagnosed with a conduct disorder (though I'm unsure if that is the correct term in English as I'm receiving treatment in Spain). In September, coinciding with the start of the school year, I experienced a relapse regarding my eating disorder. This phase lasted a few weeks until I transitioned to homeschooling. Initially, recovery felt manageable; I experienced satiety quickly, and I was relieved to allow myself to eat once more. However, I’ve noticed a significant decrease in my appetite. I rarely feel hungry, and even when I do, it doesn't seem to bother me. I’ve lost the desire for typical meals, though I still find myself yearning for snacks, particularly sweets or salty options, which are much more appealing and easier to consume. Foods like rice are particularly challenging; I have to push myself to continue eating them because they don't excite me at all. I’m uncertain if this change is due to some underlying issue or merely stress, although I don't currently feel stressed. Perhaps my lack of physical activity contributes to my diminished appetite, as I haven't been particularly active and might not need as much food as others. It’s also worth noting that I haven’t grown taller for about a year or two, remaining at 5' 1''. This situation wouldn’t be as concerning if I weren’t dealing with anorexia, allowing me to simply eat less. Yet, given my background, I require supervision at mealtimes, which complicates my relationship with food. Whenever I lack the desire to eat, those around me jump to the conclusion that I am relapsing, which I am not. I enjoy food tremendously, especially sweets, and I snack throughout the day. It’s just the full meals that elude my cravings completely.