IBS,Gastritis/Peptic Ulcer who knows??

Hi, I've just joined Health Unlocked.My name is Gary and I live in Northumberland.

I came across HU looking for questions to my stomach issue of gastritis(no official diagnosis)& the possibility I may have an unusual form of IBS...possibly. My GP has suggested the FodMap diet.Peptic Ulcer has also been suggested but after CT scan,stool,breath & blood tests all have come back negative for H.Pylori,cancer etc..GP gave me triple antibiotic therapy in case HP test was false negative,no improvement.No stomach cramps,no diarrhoea,occasional constipation & burning pain around belly button,with bloating,burping,wind.Have given up alcohol, all fizzy drinks,spicy food,tomatoes,milk,citrus,coffee,tea,fatty foods as they all bring on the above symptoms.The only thing left is Endoscopy which I'll try as a last resort.I think stress may have a role to play so have taken up meditation which helps me quite a bit.I have lost 5 stone with cutting out the above foods/alcohol so feel generally fitter and am able to do pretty much what I want except when my stomach burning/pain flares.So my GP has suggested Fodmap,which sounds good judging from feedback here.I've had this for about a year so I thought I'd so some detective work myself to try to understand more.I am very grateful I don't suffer like some people here!!.Best wishes to you all.Gary

[Nothingimpossible]

Hi Gary. I have a burning sensation around my belly button also suffered with pains across my stomach radiating to the back. A CT scan showed I had a very tiny umbilical hernia. The consultant then sent me for a MRI which showed I have a inflammed gallbladder and stones. I am waiting to have my gall bladder removed. I have my stomach under control now unless I over eat. I have also lost a lot of weight. I still have tea and drink red wine and lots of water. No fizzy drinks , I grill or roast food never fry unless its eggs I love my fried eggs. I make sure every morning I have either a bowl of porridge or shredded wheat. I take 2 teaspoons of gaviscon advance after dinner and 1 when I go to bed. This helps me but as we know everyone is different. Hope you get sorted. Sue

[Hidden in reply to Nothingimpossible]

Hi Sue,just had my bowl of porridge and yesterday was Shredded Wheat for me too!!.Pleased you are getting sorted out.I still have a way to go in trying to uncover what is happening.Will be trying fodmap possibly.Meditation is helping but cannot touch alcohol etc. patience is a virtue!!.Thanks for replying x

[Nothingimpossible in reply to Hidden]

Hope you get yourself sorted Gary. So many people are suffering and I feel for everyone. I'm pleased I have at the moment got myself sorted , but who knows what's round the corner. All the best. Sue

[RedTeddy in reply to Nothingimpossible]

Hi Sue, was it a Gastro consultant who requested your scans? I have similar symptoms to you and my Gastro consultant (who I saw privately) sent me for a Sigmoidoscopy via NHS, which was clear. On my second appointment he said he didn't think a CT scan etc. would be beneficial so just recommended starting the FODMAP diet. I've been in constant pain for over 3 months, I saw a Gyno consultant recently and she thought my problem could be more Urology related. I'm desperate for further investigations and I'm willing to pay for it just to get some clear answers as I feel like something is being missed. I'm starting to feel helpless, it's bad enough when it feels like your GP has written you off but when the consultants don't seem to want to investigate either 😧 I never thought I'd be in a position where I have to practically beg for a scan. I don't seem to have had half the tests some people have had, including straight forward blood tests. I think this is turning into my Sunday rant, sorry! Perserverance will win at the end of the day, it's my pain and my body so I won't give up 😬

[Nothingimpossible in reply to RedTeddy]

Sorry RedTeddy meant to say that a sigmoidoscopy only checks the lower part of the bowel not where you say your getting your pain.

[Nothingimpossible in reply to RedTeddy]

I must of deleted my first reply to you by mistake. Sorry to hear about your pain similar to mine. My GP referred me for a ultrasound scan which showed I had a small umbilical hernia and gall stones. My GP referred me to a Gastroenterologist to get this sorted and the Gastroenterologist sent me for a MRCP. This showed I have gallstones and a inflamed gallbladder which he recommended I have a laparoscopic cholecystectomy and repair the hernia at the same time. I have just received a letter with a telephone conversation for 7th July as the NHS referred me to a private hospital to have this surgery. If I can help with any more info please let me know. How are you feeling? That's right you know your own body dont give up. Let me know how you get on please. Regards Sue

[Hidden in reply to Nothingimpossible]

You did reply to me so no worries😀

[Nothingimpossible in reply to Hidden]

Hi Gary. My last message was suppose to reply to RedTeddy who asked me a question. Dont know what went wrong with that message 😂

[Justbreathe55]

Hi I was diagnosed with a hiatus hernia years ago after suffering with the symptoms your describing I have to take daily omeprazole or I'm in agony. I'm having some new issues so I'm having a scope on friday. I would suggest the fodmap diet but if it doesn't work then maybe a scope will give you some answers good luck!

[Hidden in reply to Justbreathe55]

Thanks for your reply Kazzacrazy,I'll discuss with my GP.I've been thinking of doing the fodmap diet and if that failed go for a scope.Hope your scope gives you some answers and good luck to you too!

[GrannyAnne]

Why do you class a gastroscopy as a last resort? It should really be one of the first things you have done after blood tests etc. It's the only way of seeing if there is a problem. I had one 6 years ago which showed a very small lesion in my stomach so we knew that was caused by taking too many anti-inflammatories for another problem. I sorted that out. However, after taking PPIs on & off since then & having periods of time when everything was fine my problems started again in February. More PPIs, at double dose at times, & then another gastroscopy a couple of weeks ago. This time the camera went in through my nostril & I managed it well without sedation. Result - everything clear apart from my oesophageal valve being a bit 'lax' & my pylorus being almost non-functioning! Bile was found in my stomach due to it constantly refluxing back from my duodenum due to this non-functioning valve & then at times refluxing back up to my throat. This explains why the PPIs & gaviscon weren't having any effect on me apart from causing far more bloating & stomach cramps. I'm now waiting for my GP to get authorisation to prescribe some bile meds. I already feel much better knowing what the problemm is & not taking the PPI.

[Hidden in reply to GrannyAnne]

Because I wasn't able to manage a gastroscopy last time due to pain and complications from cancer.A CT scan was the next option following bloods etc.

[bridunsig]

Hi Gary, I’ve had IBS for last 20 years. Had three Colonoscopys and one Endoscopy. Colonoscopy is ok if you just relax and ignore what is happening. No side effects or pain. Plus they never found anything g untoward up there. Endoscopy is not so good. They do spray your throat to numb it and hopefully that stops the gagging reflex. Again, they found nothing wrong with me. I found the FIDMAP diet totally contradictory so just eat what I want and take Tramadol to help ease the pain. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.

[Hidden in reply to bridunsig]

Thanks for your kind message bridunsig,much appreciated!!

[Smeese]

Sounds like you are on exactly the right road and I totally applaud you trying the low fodmap diet to see if you can find your own triggers. When you start reintroducing the higher fodmap foods it's a very clear message when they don't work. Onions, garlic, wheat, coffee and cows milk are usually the culprits and they certainly proved so for me. I am a bit wary of any kind of dairy as it seems to be inflammatory for me and I use goats butter and oat milk which works better than soya or lactose free.

[Hidden in reply to Smeese]

Morning Smeese,Thank you for your reply and much appreciated too!.Ironically I bought goats butter and oat milk yesterday,so I must have picked up your vibes

😀. My feeling is trying to take ownership of this illness is the best way forward and |Fodmap seems to fit the profile.Thanks again.Gary.