Persistent Stomach Discomfort Since July 18th
Since July 18th, I've been grappling with abdominal pain that fluctuates between intense sharp sensations, cramps, and sometimes resembles the contractions associated with pregnancy. This discomfort occurs daily, often in waves. Naturally, I can't help but wonder if this could indicate something serious, such as stomach or colon cancer. My gastroenterologist has arranged for me to undergo both an endoscopy and a colonoscopy, in addition to completing a stool sample analysis to test for parasites. The thought of cancer is particularly frightening, especially given my family's history with the disease on my dad's side. In addition to my lingering stomach issues, I have experienced a series of alarming symptoms, including a month-long headache, dizziness, significant lower back pain, and discomfort in my neck and shoulders. I've also felt sharp pains in my chest and around my ribs. Insomnia and anxiety have only exacerbated my distress. My grandmother shared that she had a colonoscopy four years ago, during which a polyp was removed, while my mother has undergone several colonoscopies throughout her life. She has received multiple diagnoses such as IBS, gastritis, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, and a hernia; however, she mentioned that she never dealt with pain lasting as long as mine has. This escalation in symptoms has fueled my anxiety regarding a potential cancer diagnosis. Two weeks ago, I received a CT scan of my abdomen while at the emergency room, and the results were deemed "normal." Yet, I still don't feel right. Blood tests, a chest X-ray, an EKG, and a urinalysis have all returned normal results. Why am I experiencing such discomfort? I feel as though I'm aging prematurely, as if I’ve been through the wringer. My social life has suffered; I now find myself spending most of my time in bed with a heating pad pressed against my abdomen and back for relief. At only 29, it's alarming to face such persistent pains, and I am really worried that something is gravely wrong with my health.
Answers (1)
8/7/2025, 6:20:44 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are experiencing a significant amount of discomfort, anxiety, and frustration due to your persistent abdominal pain and related symptoms. It is understandable to feel concerned, especially with your family history and the range of symptoms you are facing. The steps being taken—like the endoscopy and colonoscopy—are important for understanding what might be going on.
Explanation:
Your abdominal pain, along with the other symptoms like headaches, dizziness, back pain, and chest discomfort, can stem from a variety of causes. It's crucial to consider that while your symptoms might feel alarming, many conditions leading to similar pain are non-cancerous. The CT scan being normal is a positive sign, and your gastroenterologist's plan for further investigation will help clarify the situation.
Family histories of gastrointestinal issues can increase anxiety, but they also provide context for understanding your symptoms. Considering your mother's diagnoses, conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or gastritis can cause similar pain and might run in families. This, coupled with factors like stress or anxiety, can manifest as physical pain or discomfort.
Next Steps:
-
Focus on Symptom Management: To alleviate discomfort, continue using heat therapy (like your heating pad) and consider over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, unless contraindicated. Try to maintain hydration and a balanced diet, avoiding any known triggers.
-
Track Symptoms: Keep a detailed log of your symptoms, noting when they occur, their intensity, and any factors that seem to worsen or improve them. This information can be immensely helpful for your healthcare discussions.
-
Practice Stress Management: Given the role anxiety can play in exacerbating physical symptoms, techniques such as deep breathing exercises, gentle yoga, or mindfulness meditation may provide you with some relief. Consider engaging in activities that relax you or seeking support from friends, family, or a mental health professional.
-
Follow Through on Medical Appointments: Continue to engage with your gastroenterologist and provide them with updates on your symptoms. If anything changes or worsens—like new symptoms or an increase in pain—make sure to communicate that promptly.
-
Maintain Social Interactions: While it’s difficult, try to connect with friends or family even if it’s just through text or phone calls. Social support can be an important part of managing stress and anxiety.
Remember, it’s essential to prioritize taking care of both your physical and mental well-being as you navigate these challenging symptoms. You're not alone in this, and the investigations being done are steps toward clarity and relief.
Related Questions
Struggling for Six Months: In Search of Answers
I’m a 20-year-old male, and I apologize for the lengthy message, but I truly need support. Approximately six months ago, I received a substantial 50,000 IU Vitamin D dose to rectify a significant deficiency, which may stem from my hypothyroidism, for which I'm currently prescribed levothyroxine. Prior to this incident, I had been taking this dosage monthly for nearly a year without any complications. However, shortly after my latest intake, I began experiencing alarming symptoms: profound dissociation, memory lapses, overwhelming fatigue, sleeping disturbances, and involuntary muscle spasms. A trip to the emergency room revealed normal blood test results for calcium and Vitamin D levels, and a CT scan of my brain returned with no significant findings. In the subsequent weeks, my condition took a turn for the worse. I experienced a drastic reduction in my ability to taste and smell (about 50% loss), developed weakness on my right side, and encountered a complete sensory loss throughout my body—culminating in a state where I no longer felt cold, tingling, or any heart flutters. Emotionally and physically, I felt utterly numb; my libido vanished, and I became increasingly disconnected from reality. This weakness progressed to the point where simple acts like urinating or passing gas became an enormous challenge. My right foot has become limp, and I now find myself in a constant fog of dissociation and an exhaustion so severe it feels akin to suffocation. As a consequence, I have withdrawn from both school and work. Seeking answers, I consulted a neurologist who prescribed an MRI (both with and without contrast) as well as a 20-minute EEG; all tests were deemed "normal." The neurologist suggested I could be experiencing migraines or depression and prescribed amitriptyline, which only aided my sleep issues. I began to feel increasingly hopeless, leading me to review my own MRI and CT scan images. To my alarm, I noticed what I believed to be brain calcifications, a detail that wasn’t highlighted in any of the official reports. When I raised this concern with my neurologist, he dismissed my findings as “normal,” even at my age, and ridiculed my inquiry. Next, I visited a psychiatrist who diagnosed me with ADHD and prescribed Adderall. Unfortunately, this worsened my dissociation significantly, prompting an immediate discontinuation of the medication. I also ceased taking amitriptyline because it left me feeling excessively lethargic and zombie-like. My symptoms have become unpredictable and vary significantly in intensity, although my baseline condition has deteriorated. I experience brief episodes of improvement, followed by sudden crashes where my symptoms return to peak severity. Upon waking, I often find my symptoms at maximum intensity, or I experience a painful pressure in the rear of my head that lingers for hours before it relieves. After this pressure subsides, I immediately encounter muscle spasms, a resurgence of extreme dissociation, memory issues akin to dementia, noticeable weakness on my right side, stiffness in my right pinky, and nearly complete loss of taste and smell. These cycles of slight improvement followed by severe relapses have become distressingly routine. I've identified sleep deprivation and late-night eating as major triggers for my episodes. At this point, I feel utterly lost, and I’m reaching out in desperation for any guidance or advice you might offer. Thank you for reading my story.
Request for Antibiotics Due to Severe Food Poisoning
Age: 37, Gender: Male, Location: Tennessee. I'm currently experiencing extreme food poisoning. I visited a local emergency room, but they incorrectly accused me of being under the influence of narcotics without any proof and then refused to provide treatment when I asked for help with my food poisoning. Additionally, I've been dealing with a long-standing dental cavity. The staff there were quite unsympathetic. Despite having insurance, it feels useless as they won’t accept me for care. The atmosphere at this ER resembles more of a police precinct than a healthcare facility. They enforce a policy allowing them to deny treatment for almost any reason, and they even have law enforcement present to remove patients from the premises, regardless of the severity of their condition—such as dizziness or vomiting, which I experienced at the time. I urgently need someone to prescribe antibiotics to help combat the bacteria that I ingested. I have no alternative means of reaching another ER, and this one was the closest to me. Furthermore, I really don't feel well; however, there is a 24-hour Walgreens nearby. At 3 AM, my options are limited to either this ER or waiting weeks for an appointment with a general physician. If you need more information, feel free to message me. I contacted poison control, and they advised me to go to the ER, but it’s clear that they aren’t equipped to assist me properly. I came across an article that discusses this situation. I would be willing to accept amoxicillin if it’s possible, as I understand it's effective for general bacterial infections. I've been suffering from frequent vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps in my stomach.
Persistent Discomfort in Chest and Back: Could It Be a Nerve Compression Issue?
I am a 32-year-old female, weighing approximately 68 kilograms, and of average height. I am of Australian/Caucasian descent and have no notable health conditions or medications. I abstain from alcohol, tobacco, and illicit substances. In January, I traveled to Japan and fell ill during my second week there. Initially, I believed I had caught a cold, but now I suspect it may have been COVID-19. I recovered in a few days, although I didn't allow for much rest. By the third week, while I was ascending a set of stairs, I suddenly felt an overwhelming wave of fatigue wash over me. It was as if my heart was strained, draining all my energy. For the remainder of my stay in Tokyo, I found myself needing to rest in my hotel room. Upon returning home, the symptoms seemed to subside after about a week. I underwent an EKG, which indicated that my heart was functioning normally. However, the discomfort keeps resurfacing. Occasionally, stretching and using pain relievers provide some relief, but the issues have not fully resolved. I continue to experience a significant loss of stamina, making it difficult for me to navigate stairs or walk for extended periods. Additionally, I have noticed that when I lie on my back in a particular position for too long, my right arm tends to go numb. While I cannot trigger this sensation at will, I am aware of it during sleep. I don’t feel actual pain in my back or chest, but rather a persistent discomfort that resembles a muscle strain. This leads me to suspect that I might be dealing with a nerve compression issue in my upper back that radiates into my chest, or perhaps I might be experiencing lingering effects from COVID. This situation has been persistent for several months, and it’s becoming quite frustrating.
Urgent Assistance Needed for Persistent Cough and Breathlessness
Age: 20 Gender: Male Height: 5'10" Medical History: No prior diagnosis Currently using allergy medication Lifestyle: Non-smoker I don’t have any asthma history nor does anyone in my family. Greetings, I’m reaching out as I am in desperate need of guidance. It seems my healthcare providers aren’t able to assist me effectively. After the Fourth of July, I noticed the onset of a mild cough that initially appeared to be a typical cold. The first week I managed fine, but soon the situation began to deteriorate. Before long, my coughing grew so severe that it felt uncontrollable, interfering greatly with my sleep as I struggled to suppress it. I consulted my doctor, who prescribed prednisone and an antibiotic, and took X-rays to check for pneumonia, all of which returned negative results. Unfortunately, the prescribed medications did not help. During that week, I also started experiencing shortness of breath, hindering my ability to engage in normal activities like playing basketball or weightlifting. I visited the doctor again, received a new cough prescription, and underwent blood tests and X-rays once more, all of which yielded no conclusive findings. At this point, I have managed to reduce the frequency of my coughs, yet I continue to experience intense coughing fits roughly 10 to 20 times a day. These violent episodes leave me gasping for air and often accompany a significant build-up of mucus in my nose. The coughing becomes so forceful that it leads to vomiting my dinner every night. My breathlessness is quite severe, to the extent that I can no longer take leisurely walks or even laugh without triggering these "cough attacks." I recently started taking allergy medication in hopes of finding some relief, but after a week, I haven’t noticed any improvement. I'm apprehensive about returning to the doctor, fearing they might not provide any solutions. Additionally, I'm anxious about an upcoming volleyball tournament this weekend, as I am unsure if I will be able to participate given my current condition. I would appreciate any advice or assistance; I’m grateful for any help offered.
Experiencing Sudden Breathlessness
I am a 38-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 165 pounds. Despite my background as a physician, I find myself perplexed by a recurring issue I encounter. Occasionally, I suffer from sudden episodes of breathlessness where I feel compelled to take deep breaths or yawn to alleviate this sensation. These episodes generally occur without warning, mostly during the night, although they can occasionally happen in the daytime as well. During these instances, I do not experience any accompanying symptoms such as chest pain, headaches, dizziness, palpitations, or feelings of anxiety, nor have I noted any neurological changes. Instead, it’s simply a powerful urge for more oxygen and a need to take a deep breath. Another symptom that may or may not be connected is a sensation of discomfort in my abdomen when I try to fall asleep. It resembles restless leg syndrome, but this sensation is localized to my abdomen. I am not currently on any medication and have self-identified with ADHD. I also have a history of anxiety and my recent tests indicate I am pre-diabetic, with an A1C level of 5.7. Additionally, I have issues with both rotator cuffs. My mood has remained stable for several years now. When I analyze the potential causes of my breathlessness, I consider various possibilities, including hematologic, respiratory, cardiac, or central nervous system (CNS) origins. Blood analysis reveals normal hemoglobin levels, and recent lab results show stable BMP, CRP, and LFTs. I have a history of freediving, where I could hold my breath for 2-3 minutes (although I haven’t practiced in a while). I engage in regular cardiovascular exercise without experiencing these symptoms during physical activity, which leads me to suspect a CNS-related issue. My hypothesis is that there may be a dysfunction in my respiratory control center, although I am unclear on the specifics of what this entails. Given my medical training, I am somewhat concerned that my primary care physician may downplay the significance of this issue instead of investigating it thoroughly.