Whats Wrong With my Stomach?

OMGeeeHorses
OMGeeeHorses Posts: 732 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Okay, so about 5 years ago I had a bad stomach issues, I had crippling cramps and couldn't keep anything at all down in both areas. My husband came home to find me on the floor unable to get out of the fetal position as the cramps were as if I was in labor :(. I was rushed to the emergency room and they couldn't find anything wrong with me, I was severely dehydrated and even putting that in me I couldn't keep it down. They did cat scans, MRI and everything else they could think of for me and it wouldn't stop the cramps or show what was wrong with me. This went on for 8 hours straight and then just disappeared. They wrote it off as a bad stomach bug. Well ITS NOT!! I get the stomach cramps every now and then out of the blue, I am told to down electrolytes and just keep the water to me, it seems to help some. But I go throughout the day with the issues bothering me for a while then goes away. What is your guess at what it could be? FYI it happened after I ate ice cream a few days ago, so I am starting to lean towards it could be lactose and tolerant...but I didn't eat anything dairy that day I was rushed to the hospital..so what could it be you think? I know you are not doctors but like to see what it could be :)
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Replies

  • charli_G
    charli_G Posts: 5 Member
    Sounds like irritable bowel disease....either crohns or colitis :-(
  • nataliefamily3
    nataliefamily3 Posts: 189 Member
    Not a doctor but my guesses are either food allergy or intolerance like lactose or gluten maybe. Or maybe crohns. Try adding a note on your food diary on days you have symptoms and look for a pattern.
  • 5ftnFun
    5ftnFun Posts: 948 Member
    I had symptoms like that when my gallbladder became dysfunctional. I found that my symptoms appeared after eating anything fatty or greasy. I eventually got to the point where I could only eat a very bland diet of toast, rice, soup, etc. and lost a lot of weight. I was a unhealthy & weak at 100 lbs. I did not have gallstones, but rather, my gallbader just wasn't functioning right. They did some kind of test in nuclear medicine (? it's been awhile) and I ended up having my gallbladder removed.

    If your symptoms keep up, don't let the doctors blow you off. Keep going, or seek different opinons til you find out what is wrong! I suffered for 1 1/2 years b4 I finally got an answer.
  • scookiemonster
    scookiemonster Posts: 175 Member
    Could be ibs, Crohn's, lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, some other food sensitivity, an ulcer... a lot of things can have that effect. For me, I was never that bad, but I had a lot of upset stomachs along with other symptoms like headaches and chronic fatigue and discovered that cutting out gluten made the problems a lot better. Some of us just can't eat things that are totally fine and healthy for other people. Consult a doctor, have then run blood tests for these things, but if you don't see results, sometimes the only way to find out is to try eliminating a possible problem from your diet and see if it makes a difference. That's how I found out about the gluten intolerance - my Celiac test was negative, but when I tried the elimination diet I noticed a difference.
  • lilred806
    lilred806 Posts: 195 Member
    My fater in law has something called diverticulitis that is pretty painful. Maybe?
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    The ER is not the place to get an accurate diagnosis. You need to see your regular doctor, who may or may not refer you for more tests, or to a specialist.

    (Nothing against ER docs. Their job is to save your life, or determine that you are not in immediate danger, not solve longer term problems.)
  • thisismeraw
    thisismeraw Posts: 1,264 Member
    I get terrible stomach pains and issues when I consume too much dairy or wheat products. Have you been tested for either a wheat/gluten issue or a dairy issue?

    While you might of not consumed actual dairy, dairy products are hidden in a lot of things. Might of been a reason.

    Have they checked for any cysts or something like that? Could also be the cause.

    If it is still happening now and again I would seek a second opinion.. or third if you have to.
  • dicoveringwhoIam
    dicoveringwhoIam Posts: 480 Member
    gallbladder disease, stomach cancer, pancreatic disease, celiac disease.
    keep track of foods you eat and when you have an attack.. Call your dr. make an appt.
  • JoRumbles
    JoRumbles Posts: 262 Member
    Did they do a colonsocopy? You need that to check for Crohns or colitis. There would be blood and mucous in your stool with that- usually,
  • DalekBrittany
    DalekBrittany Posts: 1,748 Member
    What do you mean by stomach? Above or below the navel, and on which side?

    If you mean above the navel, the first thing I thought of was a gallbladder problem. It flares up especially after eating fatty or greasy foods (the gallbladder is responsible for the bile used to break down such foods.)

    If you mean below the navel, the first thing I could think was either Crohn's or diverticulits. Everyone at some point in their lives gets little pockets in their intestines. It just happens. They come and go. But sometimes these can be chronic and/or become inflamed and irritated, which can cause a lot of pain. This happens a lot with things that have seeds, because the seeds can become stuck in the diverticula and irritate it.

    Also, don't go to the ER next time. Their job is to make sure you aren't dying and send you on your way. Some hospitals will admit you if they think it could be something life threatening, but need the bed you're occupying. Go to your doctor. Get a referral to a gastroenterologist. Have you had an endoscopy/colonoscopy?
  • tanashai
    tanashai Posts: 207 Member
    It could be an intolerance; lactose and gluten can both sneak in anything. My sister is severely lactose intolerant and she has to be very careful of what she eats because things like whey powder set her off! I agree with what everyone else is saying too; keep track of what you eat and when you feel worst and cross check them and then go see a nutritionist or a specialist to get it confirmed. Good luck; this sounds utterly awful!
  • DalekBrittany
    DalekBrittany Posts: 1,748 Member
    The ER is not the place to get an accurate diagnosis. You need to see your regular doctor, who may or may not refer you for more tests, or to a specialist.

    (Nothing against ER docs. Their job is to save your life, or determine that you are not in immediate danger, not solve longer term problems.)

    Well, they give accurate diagnoses when it's something obvious, but you're right. They are there to make sure it's not life threatening or something that needs to be taken care of right away.

    That's why they probably told you to follow up with you PCP.
  • chicagospeechie
    chicagospeechie Posts: 33 Member
    I have Crohn's and they were able to pick up multiple signs of the disease on a CT - the confirmation came from tissue biopsy when 1.5 feet of my small intestine was removed. I'd think that if the disease was active enough to cause you to go to the ER, a CAT scan would have found *something* - obviously you should see a GI though.
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    I rencommend you see a specialist. In ADDITION to that, you might try Align brand probiotic. It was like a wonder drug for me.
  • Xhell_on_heelsX
    Xhell_on_heelsX Posts: 299
    My guess would be Crohns, or gullbladder issues. I would definitely start keeping a food log though, if you don't already log on here, that way when the symptoms start you know what you have eaten in the past couple hours. Hope you get it figured out! :flowerforyou:
  • peachfigs
    peachfigs Posts: 831 Member
    Does your food fail to digest when you get the cramps? If so, it's likely to be gastroparesis.
  • misskerouac
    misskerouac Posts: 2,242 Member
    I agree with other posters that you need to see your GP and explain the history of the problem and see what he can do.



    In the meantime on your own, you can do an "elimination diet" by yourself at home. Cut out dairy (or dairy and gluten) for a few months and if you notice a big change, slowly add back one. If the problem comes back then you know to stay away from it. But don't add both things back in at the same time otherwise you won't know which one it is that you are intolerant to.

    There are books online or in the library that better explain the best suggested time frames to do it in.
    I had really really bad stomach issues that had me in TERRIBLE pain on a regular basis, doctor just kept giving me ulcer medication. I did an elimination diet suggested by my naturopath and BOOM guess what? This chicky cannot handle dairy.


    But DEFINITELY see your GP right away and let them know what you are going through in case it is something serious.
  • survivor1952
    survivor1952 Posts: 250 Member
    Get checked for diverticulitis, diverticulosis and Irritable Bowel Syndrom. I have IBS and Diverticulosis and I get major abdominal pain just like you are describing. I have started a list of things that flare my diverticulosis up. Bananas is the latest addition to the list. Nuts do it, so does pepperoni. Keep that food diary so you can track which foods it could be.
  • ShifuYaku
    ShifuYaku Posts: 504 Member
    Kidney stone, maybe?
  • angelahammon
    angelahammon Posts: 114 Member
    I have IBS and i passed out with the severe stomach cramps, my husband found me on the floor,. i would suggest you go back to the doctors and ask for more tests to be done, i have IBS pills to take when i get the cramps but would not like to advise you to do this incase its not IBS, peppermint tea is very good for the digestion and helps with bloating and keeping my IBS in check, . i have noticed that eggs, spicy foods and wine (unfortunately wine) triggers my IBS. maybe also when you have the cramps write down what you have eaten that day or the day before and you may find a pattern,
  • AprilBurns86
    AprilBurns86 Posts: 60
    This same thing happened to me a few years ago, and it turned out to be adult-onset peanut allergy! See if you can find any patterns in your diet!!
  • Storm2685
    Storm2685 Posts: 16
    Two of my friends had very similar stories to you, both were due to problems with their gallbladders
  • SweetLove1988
    SweetLove1988 Posts: 353 Member
    Sounds like Crohn's disease or IBS. I have Crohn's the only way to get diagnosed is to have a colonoscopy. It took me years to be diagnosed.
  • kimad
    kimad Posts: 3,010 Member
    edit - nevermind :) I was going away from IBS or Crohn's but didn't make sense.
  • bumchicken
    bumchicken Posts: 11
    There is absolutely no point consulting here for what it could be. Most of the suggestions in this thread range from unlikely to plain ridiculous. And we also don't know what you've already had bloods etc. for. If you are concerned go see your GP.

    To comment on some of the suggestions:
    1. Inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. Crohn's) is pretty unlikely if your bowel habit is unaffected
    2. Diverticular disease (diverticulitis) affects mostly elderly people
    3. Gastroparesis is not possible, otherwise you would be completely constipated

    EDIT: I don't mean this post to sound snippy, but I think reading some of these ideas is just going to make you needlessly worried.
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    My friends daughter gets horrible stomach cramps, her doctor says it.. "Stomach migraines"... Or something like that. Which I guess means they "just happen randomly for no reason" maybe.
    I hope you find an answer soon!
  • rae_32
    rae_32 Posts: 11 Member
    Some good ideas already here... I always tend to question gluten/ wheat first whenever issues with gastro-intestinal irritation comes up... Now that I've cut it out of my diet about 90% of the time, whenever I do have anything with gluten I get a bad stomachache and often acid reflux afterwards-- just not worth it for me anymore.. If our bodies are used to eating wheat everyday, normally we might not see symptoms as badly but they still do a number on our system. Plus we can sometimes see symptoms start to flare up very acutely- I wonder if that's what's been happening for you recently?

    I would recommend the book Wheat Belly by William Davis if you're curious to learn about the effect of gluten on our digestive tract...

    Definitely get it checked out though so you can first rule things out medically...
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    I had a similar problem about six months ago. It turns out my stomach and intestines were spasming due to my IBS. The doctor gave me a medication to help stop it that I would eat before meals. Not sure if it helps, but it might be something to consider.
  • OMGeeeHorses
    OMGeeeHorses Posts: 732 Member
    I have been to my GP they have done blood tests and have had all sorts of other things done to me without being able to find the issue. They have had me before also watch what I am eating and seeing what triggers it, but its not always consistent. Its been about 2 years and then last week out of the blue it soccer punches me and I am down, unable to move or it makes it worse. Laying on my tummy seems to relieve it some. Its all over my stomach, its like someone is taking a small poker and stabbing me and cramping everything together. My doctor told me not to worry too much because its not making me have issues with my bowels or I am not bleeding anywhere inside my stomach or colon and or being sick. Its just a very frustrating thing as it takes away from my day and just plain sucks. They have sent me to specialists too and I have done gluten free and dairy free as well. So I guess its just take electrolytes as that seems to make it longer between each cramp and such. Just wish someone could figure it out for me. Thanks all !! I just wanted to see what others thought it was and or if someone else had the issues as well :)
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member


    EDIT: I don't mean this post to sound snippy, but I think reading some of these ideas is just going to make you needlessly worried.

    This ^^. For Heaven's sake, it could just be a bad case of gas that happens occasionally for no apparent reason. Your doctor can rule out the scary, but highly unlikely, possibilities, whether or not you find an exact cause.

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