So, this is embarrassing. And possibly TMI, but please help.

Loss4TheWin

Anybody reading this that has similar issues as the OP and is embarrassed by it - please don't be, and please go see a Gastroenterologist ASAP. It could save your life.

I had similar issues as OP. I went to the doctor regularly from the age of 13 on complaining of these symptoms and was blown off every time. I was told I was probably lactose intolerant, probably wheat sensitive, maybe under a lot of teenage stress I was suppressing, on and on with the possibilities, but it was always treated as not that big a deal - like I should just grin and bear it. So I did. Until I was 21. Thanksgiving day, I woke up with HORRIFIC pain. But after 8 years of being told to grin and bear it and being made to feel embarrassed and whiny every time I went to the doctor for help, I tried to work through the pain and ignore it. I was in excruciating pain for half a day, but trying my best to be a tough guy about it. Finally, I went on Web MD and came up with "burst appendix" and how serious that could be, so decided I should maybe go to the ER. It was a tough decision. I told the nurse checking me in that it was probably just gas and I felt so ridiculous even being there. Turns out my intestines had perforated, among other things, and I needed emergency surgery - I was told if I'd waited even an hour longer, I may not have survived. After an extended stay at the hospital and tons of missed work, I was left with a pile of bills, a massive ugly scar, and a diagnosis. All those years of suffering - turns out I had Crohn's Disease. If it had been caught earlier, if someone had listened to me, if I'd pushed harder - there are medications that can help you live a more normal life and even keep you in remission. All the pain and financial burden could have been avoided if I'd been more proactive, if I'd pushed back on doctors instead of just accepting their dismissive attitude.

Don't let it go, don't tough it out. Your body is letting you know something is wrong - listen to it. Please.

kelsully

Doctor is a definite. Get whatever testing they recommend but also ask about an appropriately guided elimination diet. Elimination diets can identify a food intolerance that might not show up on a blood test. Not all medical practitioners will examine possibilities that cannot be tested with a blood test or medicated so see if you can find one that will run the tests, keep medications as an option if necessary but will also examine lifestyle changes. I have avoided medications by avoiding gluten and dairy for the last 10 months. My symptoms and blood tests would not have indicated celiacs or a lactose issue BUT by visiting a medical doctor who also subscribes to a holistic view I was able to change my diet and fix my symptoms etc.

SanteMulberry

I have the same problem but I have tried all kinds of diets to make it stop. Nothing has worked and I've been to doctors they have labled it I B S. If you find something that works let me know.

I was plagued with the same problem for a number of years--especially after I upped my vegetables and fruits. Then I discovered kefir. It is fermented milk (sounds awful I know). Taste is similar to yogurt but it is much more effective than is yogurt and it contains a LOT more strains of beneficial bacteria than does yogurt. If you can't handle dairy, you can make your own water kefir using a bit of sugar water (the sugar is for the bacteria to feed on). I believe coconut water kefir is now available too. I have tried the water kefir but I think the milk kefir is more effective. It has eliminated my IBS. A half-cup in the morning and a half-cup at dinner is just fine for me. The nutrient content is in the database--it is similar to yogurt in terms of protein, carbs and fat (depending bf% of the milk. For Paleo folk, it is unfortunately hard to find anything with a higher fat content than 2%). If you can't handle the plain kefir (available now at most grocery stores) there is flavored kefir but I don't think it is as effective either. Good luck.

Charlottesometimes23

I didn't read through all of the replies so sorry if I'm repeating what someone else has said, but cheese has very little lactose and many yogurts are lactose free. Don't discount lactose intolerance because you can handle them ok.

Maybe you could try lactose free milk and see if that makes a difference.

I also think you should visit your doc for tests to rule out other problems.

goldthistime

I have had similar problems in the past but ultimately decided that my problem is food borne bacteria. Even in teeny tiny amounts. So everything goes instantly into the fridge and even then no leftover chicken or any food that has touched the chicken, no fast food chicken, no chili or crock pot food, no chicken added to my salad or wraps, even at expensive restaurants, and no finger food with meat at parties. No undercooked fish (including sushi obviously) etc. etc. I know one person personally like me but haven't read about any similar stories on the internet. Good luck.

There is tiny bacteria everywhere, so not sure how you are totally eliminating it. Has your doctor confirmed this?

And why is chicken the ultimate culprit? Pork has just as much risky bacteria (if not more) if it is undercooked as chicken. Unless you are completely disinfecting every surface in your kitchen after every time you cook chicken, you are still exposed. Raw, refrigerated chicken is safe up to 3 days. Fast food chicken is kept frozen until use and is actually safer than what you buy and use at home. Undercooked fish is much safer than undercooked beef.

I have spoken to my doctor about it and she simply said to keep doing what I'm doing. It's been twenty-two years for me, and there is no doubt in my mind about the connection. If I'm running to the bathroom today at lunch time, I know that something at lunch yesterday is the culprit, most often chicken, but not exclusively. As to pork, very rarely eat it so I can't comment. Chicken is associated strongly with Campylobacteriosis. It's not impossible that campylobacter is a problem for me. The concept of bacteria being part of the problem is not that out there. Products like Align attempt to overcome bad bacteria in your system by inundating you with good bacteria. I've read on an IBS forum that some short term success can be had with Align, but if the problem returns they try a different probiotic treatment, rotating through a group of them. Stool transplants have been on the news lately too, once again trying to reset your intestinal flora. Everyone else in my family can eat the same food and not have a problem so bacteria levels that are safe for others are not okay for me. I will say that I have had no problems with McDonald's chicken in recent years so they must be doing something right.

aprilannhughes

My daughter was having the same issue and it turned out to be a parasite.

SanteMulberry

I have had similar problems in the past but ultimately decided that my problem is food borne bacteria. Even in teeny tiny amounts. So everything goes instantly into the fridge and even then no leftover chicken or any food that has touched the chicken, no fast food chicken, no chili or crock pot food, no chicken added to my salad or wraps, even at expensive restaurants, and no finger food with meat at parties. No undercooked fish (including sushi obviously) etc. etc. I know one person personally like me but haven't read about any similar stories on the internet. Good luck.

There is tiny bacteria everywhere, so not sure how you are totally eliminating it. Has your doctor confirmed this?

And why is chicken the ultimate culprit? Pork has just as much risky bacteria (if not more) if it is undercooked as chicken. Unless you are completely disinfecting every surface in your kitchen after every time you cook chicken, you are still exposed. Raw, refrigerated chicken is safe up to 3 days. Fast food chicken is kept frozen until use and is actually safer than what you buy and use at home. Undercooked fish is much safer than undercooked beef.

I have spoken to my doctor about it and she simply said to keep doing what I'm doing. It's been twenty-two years for me, and there is no doubt in my mind about the connection. If I'm running to the bathroom today at lunch time, I know that something at lunch yesterday is the culprit, most often chicken, but not exclusively. As to pork, very rarely eat it so I can't comment. Chicken is associated strongly with Campylobacteriosis. It's not impossible that campylobacter is a problem for me. The concept of bacteria being part of the problem is not that out there. Products like Align attempt to overcome bad bacteria in your system by inundating you with good bacteria. I've read on an IBS forum that some short term success can be had with Align, but if the problem returns they try a different probiotic treatment, rotating through a group of them. Stool transplants have been on the news lately too, once again trying to reset your intestinal flora. Everyone else in my family can eat the same food and not have a problem so bacteria levels that are safe for others are not okay for me. I will say that I have had no problems with McDonald's chicken in recent years so they must be doing something right.

A naturopath would likely put you on digestive enzymes and a hydrochloric acid supplement. When there is inadequate acid being produced in the stomach, food isn't digested properly and it upsets the microflora in the bowel. The other even worse problem is that normally, the strong acid produced in a healthy stomach kills off a lot of the bacterial content of the food. When there is not enough acid, nasty bugs (like C. Difficile) can take over. That is why proton-pump-inhibitor drugs like Nexium, Prevacid, etc. are so dangerous. Their main purpose is to inhibit stomach acid production. Even the FDA has issued warnings on PPI's--because of the problem of bowel infection. About 10% of the people who get a C. Difficile infection die.

Solar07

You need to see a doctor. This happened to me and it turned out I had c-diff. I ended up being hospitalized. I'm not saying that is what you have but why take a chance. Plus I had it for 6 months and never said anything. I just thought it was anxiety or IBS - irritable bowel syndrome. Feel better and please see a doctor.

goldthistime

I have spoken to my doctor about it and she simply said to keep doing what I'm doing. It's been twenty-two years for me, and there is no doubt in my mind about the connection. If I'm running to the bathroom today at lunch time, I know that something at lunch yesterday is the culprit, most often chicken, but not exclusively. As to pork, very rarely eat it so I can't comment. Chicken is associated strongly with Campylobacteriosis. It's not impossible that campylobacter is a problem for me. The concept of bacteria being part of the problem is not that out there. Products like Align attempt to overcome bad bacteria in your system by inundating you with good bacteria. I've read on an IBS forum that some short term success can be had with Align, but if the problem returns they try a different probiotic treatment, rotating through a group of them. Stool transplants have been on the news lately too, once again trying to reset your intestinal flora. Everyone else in my family can eat the same food and not have a problem so bacteria levels that are safe for others are not okay for me. I will say that I have had no problems with McDonald's chicken in recent years so they must be doing something right.

A naturopath would likely put you on digestive enzymes and a hydrochloric acid supplement. When there is inadequate acid being produced in the stomach, food isn't digested properly and it upsets the microflora in the bowel. The other even worse problem is that normally, the strong acid produced in a healthy stomach kills off a lot of the bacterial content of the food. When there is not enough acid, nasty bugs (like C. Difficile) can take over. That is why proton-pump-inhibitor drugs like Nexium, Prevacid, etc. are so dangerous. Their main purpose is to inhibit stomach acid production. Even the FDA has issued warnings on PPI's--because of the problem of bowel infection. About 10% of the people who get a C. Difficile infection die.

That makes sense. Thank you for taking the time to post. I would actually try that except I also get the odd bout of too much stomach acid (stress I guess, plus perhaps bad genes) leaving my stomach riddled with polyps (aka scar tissue). I HAVE taken Zantac for extended periods of time but never made a connection that it might make me more susceptible to bacterial infection. Good stuff, thanks.

wrcunningham

FYI...

"Many people use probiotics to prevent diarrhea, gas, and cramping caused by antibiotics. Antibiotics kill "good" (beneficial) bacteria along with the bacteria that cause illness. A decrease in beneficial bacteria may lead to digestive problems. Taking probiotics may help replace the lost beneficial bacteria. This can help prevent diarrhea." - WebMD

dietary supplement, not medication.

sydkel29

Stop what you are doing and make an appointment with a GI doctor. There are so many different things this could be. For me, I ignored it for so long. It ended up being a severe case of Ulcerative Colitis. You can get so many suggestions from people on here including me but the thing is until they run some blood work and certain tests, you will not know. You will spend more money trying to self diagnose than going straight to the doctor.

Best of luck!

SoDamnHungry

Doctor.

madaleingericke

Try substituting all milk with almond milk - available in different "strengths."
Yogurt is fermented, so probably will not have same reaction as the lactose in milk. It is worth the try, not so?

brewji

It's not TMI, trust me.

I used to have a similar problem. See a GI Specialist ASAP.

I was diagnosed with Crohn's, but as I was diagnosed early and quickly, I have been able to get off all medications and am living a more stable life! I lost 100lbs (from exercise, not sickness!) before I decided to start building muscle not too long ago.

If I hadn't seen the GI Specialist, things would have gotten worse. I have friends who waited too long and their quality of life has dropped significantly.

Good luck!

ILoveGingerNut

No point in trying to guess. Don't pick the "diagnosis" that inspires you the most. Go and see a doctor. Now.

LifeNewandImproved

I'd see a doctor and while you are there I would ask about doing an elimination diet. It's like where you basically eat just one safe thing and then slowly add back one food at a time to see if there is a particular food or group of foods that triggers you. Like, 3 days you eat nothing but rice (or whatever) and then every 3 days you add in a new food. Good luck I hope you can get a handle on it this is definitely not normal. Obv we all here are pulling for you.

Jenni129

I'm dealing with same issues with GI problems... I ignored it for months and figured why bother seeing a doctor if I'm not in pain, etc.? It was a good thing I went (yesterday as a matter of fact) because now I found out it could be a huge variety of things and LOTS of tests being done right now - all through my general practitioner. She said if she can't find a solution, then I will be referred to the GI specialist. Please go to the doctor and stop trying to diagnose yourself. You will save yourself a lot of wasted time and effort. They deal with this sort of stuff all the time so no reason to be embarrassed either.

eating4me

Not anything to be embarrassed about. I'm an RN. Please see a Dr. as soon as possible, preferably a GI specialist. In the meantime, get some probiotic supplements, and start those; they won't hurt, and they may help somewhat. You need to get an accurate diagnosis; please don't wait.

lynleeg88

Anybody reading this that has similar issues as the OP and is embarrassed by it - please don't be, and please go see a Gastroenterologist ASAP. It could save your life.

I had similar issues as OP. I went to the doctor regularly from the age of 13 on complaining of these symptoms and was blown off every time. I was told I was probably lactose intolerant, probably wheat sensitive, maybe under a lot of teenage stress I was suppressing, on and on with the possibilities, but it was always treated as not that big a deal - like I should just grin and bear it. So I did. Until I was 21. Thanksgiving day, I woke up with HORRIFIC pain. But after 8 years of being told to grin and bear it and being made to feel embarrassed and whiny every time I went to the doctor for help, I tried to work through the pain and ignore it. I was in excruciating pain for half a day, but trying my best to be a tough guy about it. Finally, I went on Web MD and came up with "burst appendix" and how serious that could be, so decided I should maybe go to the ER. It was a tough decision. I told the nurse checking me in that it was probably just gas and I felt so ridiculous even being there. Turns out my intestines had perforated, among other things, and I needed emergency surgery - I was told if I'd waited even an hour longer, I may not have survived. After an extended stay at the hospital and tons of missed work, I was left with a pile of bills, a massive ugly scar, and a diagnosis. All those years of suffering - turns out I had Crohn's Disease. If it had been caught earlier, if someone had listened to me, if I'd pushed harder - there are medications that can help you live a more normal life and even keep you in remission. All the pain and financial burden could have been avoided if I'd been more proactive, if I'd pushed back on doctors instead of just accepting their dismissive attitude.

Don't let it go, don't tough it out. Your body is letting you know something is wrong - listen to it. Please.

I did not know that Crohns Disease could do that! That is scary. I've told my husband alot of what everyone here said about this and that I want to go see a doctor soon, in the next two months max. We have little money, is why, and there is still co-pay. He is supportive of me in all, but I don't think he realizes as I do now how serious this can be. I figured the worse was IBS or a food allergy I'd have to figure out a away around. Like gluten, I would have noooo idea how to do a gluten free diet.

lynleeg88

My daughter was having the same issue and it turned out to be a parasite.

That is not pleasant sounding, I hope she made a full recovery.