I'm new here, Hard to diagnose?? Please Help!!

[sheav]

Hi, I'm here on behalf of my mom. She's had all of these odd symptoms, recently getting worse, but probably for a couple of years now. She's been to numerous doctors and in and out of the hospital and no one knows what to do or they chalk it up to simply IBS or acid reflux, but I know it's more. Her symptoms are:

-horrible neck and back pain, she may have a bulged disc in her neck

- tremors

-awful gas, bad bloating, stomach pains and spasms

-full after a few bites leading to less eating, weight loss

-terrible back pain after eating, swollen back

-rectal pain, spasms, constant need to "push"

-pain in right pelvic area down to vaginal region

-nerve pain on entire right side of body, from neck to leg

-pounding headaches

-bladder burns at time, occasional bladder infections

-easily constipated

-anxiety

After my own research, I've to two conclusions maybe. SIBO or her Vagus nerve is being pinched and causing problems. Please, anything you can provide would be so much help!!! She pretty much is immobile through the day, needing to lie down and can't do much, which leads to being upset (understandably). I just want to figure this out for her, she's my best friend

Thanks for reading,

Shea

[b1b1b1]

It's very nice of you to be concerned about your Mom. To me this sounds like more than one problem. Unfortunately no one here is qualified to diagnose medical problems. She should probably see the appropriate specialists and specifically ask them what she should do. It would be a good idea if you could go with her.

[sheav in reply to b1b1b1]

I understand no one may be qualified to give a diagnoses but I’m just looking for anyone who’s had similar problems and maybe knows what it is based upon experience. And she has been to specialists who’ve been no help, so it’s quite frustrating. That’s why I reached out to this community. To maybe see if anyone has had similarities, not to be told to go to another doctor because I know and she knows that eventually we will have to get more help.

[Eliana5 in reply to sheav]

I hope mine was of some help..keep us posted..

[Eliana5]

Hi Sheav, that is really nice that you are looking out for your Mom. I'm sorry to hear she is going through so much pain and suffering. I too have many of the symptoms you described..While I can't address all concerns, I will try to address as much as possible.

1. The bad back pain after eating could be a kidney infection. Again, she would need blood tests to rule out a possible infection. A kidney infection can cause back and abdominal pain.

2. I am unsure about what might be the cause if her swollen back. The Best bet perhaps is for her to get x-rays or cat scans done by either a good pain management specialist or Chiropractor. They may be able to fit her with a special form fitting back brace to lessen the pain, or she may need epidural shots or trigger point injections..however, without a professional diagnosis, it is hard to say. It may be nerve inflamation as well..as she has alot going on. Some swelling can also be attributed to allergies, intolerance and trigger foods.

3. The rectal pain and constant need to push could be attributed to inflamed hemmorrhoids in the rectum and anus, which gives you the urge to go all the time, or it may be "Tenesmus" which gives you the feeling that you need to have a bowel movement. I have Crohn's disease and unfortunately have this as well. A good colon and Rectal Surgeon can run tests for this condition.

4. Pelvic pain can be from multiple causes. It may be a symptom or infection/ problem of the reproductive organs in the pelvic area.

5. The tremors could be a reaction to certain drugs or medical conditions such as overactive thyroid or hypoglycemia. This is reversible once the cause is corrected.

6. The gas, bloating, stomach pains and spasms sound like spastic colon perhaps from IBS and a colonoscopy would most likely determine this. I too have this, and was put on Bentyl and Levsin and this has greatly diminished, although I still have cramping after eating at times and severe weight loss.

7. Feeling full after a few bites of food could be attributed to Chronic Gastritis. Again, her best bet is to see a good colon and Rectal Surgeon to have tests done. A lower bowel exam, a sigmoidscopy, colonoscopy, and barium swallow. Chronic Gastritus gradually wears away at your stomach lining and it can cause metaplasia or dysplasia. My sister suffered from this..again..tests would determine this. I hope I was of some help. I hope your Mom feels better soon.

[sheav in reply to Eliana5]

Thank you so so much for your reply. I will definitely mention all of this to my mom. All of this information makes a lot of sense and is a great help to give at least some idea of where to go. Thanks for all the detail! Much appreciated.

[Gettingoldnow]

Hi there .what tests have been done .ie colonoscopy ct scan MRI scan .tvus

[Gettingoldnow]

Sorry put in wrong place

[Gettingoldnow]

Hi what tests have been done .ie colonoscopy,TVUS. MRI etc

[sheav in reply to Gettingoldnow]

Hi, she’s had an upper and lower GI test done and MRI, but not the TVUS which is something to consider. Have you had experience with that test at all?

[Gettingoldnow in reply to sheav]

Hi there.the reason I mentioned tests as it took me since last Feb to get someone to listen .i ended up with a stool sample which picked up HPoli. Which was treated for .a colonoscopy showed diverticulosis .an ultrascan which showed only small polyp on gallbladder ,then a ct scan with contrast which showed a 5 cm mass in pelvic region.was sent to gynocologist who did TVUS he could not find it .did a ca125 blood test came back 8 so signed me off.i moved and changed docs.they gave me full blood count which showed various abnormalities especially thyroid (am on meds) so she ordered another TVUS ,which showed the mass.see gynocologist and had another ca125 test ,still waiting for this to come back but have just opened letter from hospital and good news I think!! It's a 5.7 haemorrhagic cyst and gynocologist is taking a conservative approach and I go back in 4 months for another scan and blood test.the point of explanation is .it can take many tests to get to the bottom of the problem.but glad I have for the time being.my original problem was pain in groin sometimes leg giving way .bad constipation and back pain,shoulder pain ..hope this helps someone out there .

[sheav in reply to Gettingoldnow]

Well it sounds like you've been through a lot but I'm glad it is okay for you! I appreciate your response and find it very helpful. Thank you!

[Smarrco14]

I have had neck pain back pain bloating flatulence lost lot of weights. Tests showed nothing. Gp said neck pain could be due to inflammation of vagus nerve.went on mebeverine for back pain due to gas and bowel spasms. Much better since taking the antispasmodic mebeverine.low fructose diet helped me. Feeling you want to go to toilet is an awful feeling. Hope this is of some help to your mum. Exercise is good too get bowels moving but when you are sick not easy.

[sheav in reply to Smarrco14]

That’s very interesting!! Thank you for the response, it’s definitely something worth mentioning to a doctor!

[Hidden]

Hi there,

It sounds like your Mom is experiencing a lot of spasming and inflammation.

This article may be of relevance: sickofibs.com/ibs-triggers/...

Alison

[sheav in reply to Hidden]

Very interesting article! Thanks for posting!

[Kelpygirl]

Hi Sheav,

Are you or your mum keeping a diary of what she eats and drinks and how she feels, as this would be very helpful in getting a diagnosis for her?

I was misdiagnosed for many years and eventually had to have my gallbladder removed in an emergency operation. IBS was one of the multitude of illnesses I was wrongly given medication for. The problem is that many doctors unfortunately are limited on time and resources and as such pigeon hole people. If you can note down everything then you may see a pattern forming. Gallstones could be part of your mums problems as they can cause back pain, acid reflux, nausea, weight loss and as you can see can be mistaken as IBS.

But I’m no expert, I just hope my word might help a little bit in aiding you on the way to finding a conclusive medical diagnosis for your mum.

Best wishes

K

[sheav in reply to Kelpygirl]

She has had a test done to see food intolerances and she doesn’t have many intolerances except a little gluten, but we luckily don’t eat that much anyway. She’s also had her gall bladder removed as well as her appendix, but it is interesting that the symptoms are similar to a gall bladder issue. And I agree that it’s more than IBS, I also wish doctors would take their time more! I really appreciate your response!!