Unmanageable Abdominal Discomfort
F, 21 Since childhood, I've dealt with digestive issues, initially attributed to anxiety. Starting at age 14, I developed anorexia nervosa, leading to significant fluctuations in my weight. By the time I reached 19, my condition worsened severely; my BMI dropped to 12, and I was in a dire state due to my eating disorder. Fortunately, I have since recuperated and now maintain a healthy BMI, enabling me to eat and drink normally again. The abdominal discomfort I experience is so intense that it limits my ability to walk, stand, or even sit comfortably. I find myself writhing in agony due to a sharp, stabbing sensation accompanied by burning pain in the left side beneath my ribs. This painful experience occurs roughly every week, although there are periods when I am symptom-free for a month. Despite having a high threshold for pain, these episodes leave me pale, trembling, and struggling to breathe. Over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol are ineffective, and indigestion medications also fail to provide relief. I feel nauseous, but I do not vomit. My bowel movements are infrequent, averaging only three times weekly. I make an effort to consume five portions of fruits and vegetables each day, take fiber supplements, and work closely with a dietitian to improve my diet. However, the persistent bloating is extreme, making my abdomen appear as though I am in late pregnancy, which is both uncomfortable and painful, resulting in noticeable swelling. There isn't a particular food that consistently triggers these issues, although I’ve noticed that spicy dishes and alcohol can exacerbate my symptoms at times. For the past couple of years, I have also been grappling with low iron levels. Despite taking supplements and altering my diet, my iron remains stubbornly low. I have undergone an endoscopy that yielded normal results, and stool analyses indicated inflammation, though not severe enough to suggest inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). My blood tests show normal results aside from the ongoing iron deficiency. Additionally, I have been tested for celiac intolerance, which came back negative. I am at a breaking point. The lack of diagnosis is frustrating, and the suffering is intolerable.
Answers (1)
7/18/2025, 3:31:06 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm really sorry to hear about the intense discomfort you're experiencing and the challenges you've faced. It sounds incredibly difficult, and it's understandable that you feel frustrated with the lack of a clear diagnosis. The symptoms you're describing—sharp, stabbing pain, bloating, and dietary sensitivity—can be related to several underlying issues, including functional gastrointestinal disorders, which might not show up on standard tests yet still cause significant discomfort.
Main Points:
- Consider strategies to manage your digestive symptoms more effectively.
- Explore potential dietary triggers and adjustments.
- Investigate other underlying causes for your symptoms, like intestinal motility issues or gut microbiome imbalance.
Explanation:
Your history of digestive issues alongside your past eating disorder can influence how your gut functions today. Conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or functional dyspepsia could contribute to your bloating and abdominal pain. IBS often involves changes in bowel habits and can be triggered by stress, diet, and lifestyle. Your symptoms of pain when eating certain foods could align with this.
Since over-the-counter medications haven't worked, and your symptoms are severe, it may be worthwhile to test some other self-care strategies.
Next Steps:
-
Dietary Journal: Keep a detailed food and symptom diary to better track potential triggers, paying special attention to when you feel the sharp pain and bloating. This may reveal patterns you haven't noticed.
-
Hydration and Fiber: Although you are already taking fiber supplements, ensure you are drinking plenty of water to help alleviate constipation. Aim for at least 8 cups a day unless contraindicated.
-
Probiotics: Consider adding probiotics to your routine, as they may help in improving gut health and motility. Look for a high-quality probiotic supplement suitable for digestive health.
-
Smaller, More Frequent Meals: Instead of three larger meals, try eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. This can sometimes help with bloating and discomfort.
-
Stress Management: Since many digestive issues can be exacerbated by stress, consider practices like deep breathing, yoga, or even mindfulness techniques as part of your daily routine.
-
Consult a Specialist: While your previous endoscopy and tests have come back normal, discussing your ongoing symptoms with a gastroenterologist, particularly one specializing in functional gastrointestinal disorders, might reveal additional treatment options or diagnostic procedures to consider.
-
Iron Levels: For your low iron, continue following your dietitian’s advice and ensure you’re combining iron-rich foods with vitamin C sources (like citrus fruits) to enhance absorption. Your doctor may also consider intravenous iron if oral supplements continue to be ineffective.
This sounds like a complex case, and I genuinely wish for you to find relief and answers. Please keep track of your symptoms closely, and consider these action steps as a possible pathway to improvement.
Related Questions
The Lingering Tune that Triggered a Breakdown
I am a 20-year-old woman, standing at 5’4”, grappling with TMJ, mild depression, and generalized anxiety disorder. While I was at the nail salon for a treatment, something odd happened; out of nowhere, the tune of the ABC song began playing in my mind. I hadn’t heard it earlier in the day, yet it persisted in my thoughts, replaying endlessly. No matter how I tried to shake it off, it continued for five or six iterations, leading to an unforeseen wave of panic. As I stepped out of the salon, it escalated into a full-blown panic attack due to its sheer randomness and lack of control. For the last few months, I’ve been plagued by persistent headaches, predominantly affecting the left side of my head, along with severe dizziness that interrupts my daily life. My TMJ also flares on that same side. I recently visited an ENT specialist who performed a comprehensive analysis, and I am scheduled for a VNG/ENG exam in August. I’ve now secured an appointment with a neurologist to address my ongoing dizziness and chronic headaches. It's frighteningly easy for me to spiral into thoughts of having a brain tumor or brain cancer. Right now, I feel utterly unsettled and on the verge of tears.
Struggling with Constipation for Over a Week
Hello everyone. I've been dealing with constipation since childhood (I'm 18, female), which often led to embarrassing situations while I was stuck in bed for days at a time, unable to move until it subsided. My parents were not very involved, so my complaints of "my stomach hurts" often went unnoticed. Recently, after consulting a gastroenterologist for unrelated issues, I was prescribed stimulant laxatives but was also referred to a gynecologist due to concerns about possible endometriosis affecting my digestive problems. Last month, I purchased a package of 30 bisacodyl tablets. I started with one a day, gradually increasing to three daily towards the end of the supply. Although they were quite painful, they initially worked—until they didn’t. On June 9, I found myself sitting in the bathroom, and all that happened was a small leak of watery yellow stool into my pants. Since then, I've been waiting to have a proper bowel movement. On the 15th, I managed to pass a small, hard stool with significant discomfort after taking milk of magnesia, but it didn't provide much relief. Yesterday was particularly challenging; I experienced sharp stomach pains and bloating, and my thighs and lower abdominal area felt unnaturally warm, as if I had spilled hot tea on them. I even considered heading to the emergency room. Today, however, I feel a bit better, though I still have cramping and a noisy, gurgling stomach. Whenever I eat, I also get a strange sensation in my upper abdomen. I've just downed some coffee and eaten a few apples in hopes of stimulating my bowels. If anyone has suggestions or thoughts on whether I should seek further medical attention, I would greatly appreciate it!
Can Strep Throat Lead to Canker Sores?
Hello! I’m a 22-year-old Black African woman, 5'2" tall. About six days ago, I received a diagnosis of tonsillitis and strep throat. Although no rapid test was conducted, my doctor decided to go ahead with a prescription for antibiotics. I am currently taking 500mg of Amoxicillin three times daily, though I did accidentally skip one dose a couple of days back. For the most part, I’ve been diligent about the medication. I suspect it’s definitely strep throat since a previous bout with tonsillitis about a year and a half ago felt less severe. Unfortunately, my symptoms haven’t shown much improvement—likely due to my insufficient rest and some drinking. A couple of days ago, I found what looked like a canker sore on the inner side of my upper lip. This sore has since become swollen. Just this morning, I discovered two more minor sores in the same area, along with a dark brown spot on the outside of my upper lip that resembles a blackhead but doesn’t appear to be indicative of dryness. Could this be a complication related to my strep infection? Alongside these issues, I’ve been experiencing a persistent sore throat, headaches, extreme tiredness, episodes of dizziness, night sweats, noticeable pus on my tonsils, a surplus of white spots beneath them, a greyish tongue, and a swollen lymph node on the right side of my neck (which is starting to reduce in size). I was worried I might be dealing with mono or another condition, but the symptoms don’t quite match up. I would greatly appreciate any advice or insight you might have. Thank you!
26-Year-Old Woman Experiences Mysterious Clicking Sound
Hello everyone, I'm a 26-year-old woman, and overall, my health is good. I find myself faced with an intriguing enigma; there’s an unpredictable, audible clicking noise originating from somewhere within me, and I cannot pinpoint its source! I certainly know I’m not imagining things since I can capture recordings of it that sound consistent with what I perceive, albeit in a more muted form. Interestingly, when I open my mouth, the sound intensifies. Sometimes, it seems to sync with my heartbeat, while at other moments, it does not. Within the past year, I underwent an echocardiogram and numerous EKG tests due to experiencing palpitations (which, fortunately, have diminished since beginning magnesium supplements). All these tests have confirmed that my heart's structure is normal. Moreover, I had an endoscopy conducted in March—partly because I’m a recovered bulimic, I undergo this procedure every three years to monitor my health. The only finding there was a minor hernia. At this stage, I’m not overly concerned; I’m simply curious about this peculiar sound. My best guess is that it might be linked to my digestive system.
Concerns About Persistent Diarrhea in My 1-Year-Old Son
My son, who is now 1 year and 2 months old and weighs 11.9 kg (up from 11.5 kg two weeks ago), has been experiencing very watery stools for the past year. His level of activity remains high, as he is energetic and playful. However, his bowel movements are quite alarming; each time we change his diaper, we find mostly yellow liquid with just a few small bits of stool. After visiting three different doctors, all of them have corroborated the assessment made by an emergency room physician we consulted two days ago. The ER doctor informed us that this condition is likely due to a local gastrointestinal virus, predicting that it might continue for three days before showing signs of improvement on the fourth day. While I'm attempting to adhere to this timeline, my wife has urged us to consult two additional physicians and consider switching his formula. Our son had a milk allergy when he was 5 months old, which resolved by 7 months. At that time, we followed medical advice and switched to Meiji formula but later found that he improved after we switched to Lactogen, despite it not being the recommended choice. My wife now suspects that he might be allergic to Lactogen as well and expresses significant concern after every bowel movement, which occurs nearly every hour. I find myself trying to reassure her that we should allow the viral infection to resolve on its own, but I share her worries. Despite his digestive issues, he is very lively; just last week he took his first steps and shows no signs of discomfort from his condition. The recommendations from the emergency room included the following: - Calpol 250mg/5ml in case of fever (he currently has no fever) - ORS 50-100ml following each loose stool, though he strongly dislikes the taste and often vomits when given ORS; however, he enjoys drinking plenty of plain water, which is an interesting quirk of his - Enterogermina ampules (one in the morning and one in the evening for five days) - Zinc oxide paste to be applied every eight hours for diaper rash (he does not have any rash at the moment) - Syp Zincatod (5ml orally for ten days) I am seeking advice regarding my son's health condition. My wife feels we should proceed with a complete blood count (CBC) and an IgE test, and I lean towards agreeing as it’s merely a precautionary measure; she has been correct in the past when I underestimated her concerns, particularly concerning a throat issue that escalated. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, he has a distaste for sweet flavors, which explains his aversion to ORS, so I’m on the lookout for a flavor-free version. If none are available, I’m considering trying coconut water as an alternative.