Epigastric pain - freaking out

[Tokai335]

Hi all, I had a really bad flare up on holiday last week - I suffer from IBS-D.

It stressed me out and I went off my food, and started to feel nauseaous as well as burping a lot.

Then Saturday I started to get waves of burning / cramp like pains in my epigastric area - in the middle below my ribs. The pain sometimes spread across the whole top of my upper abdomen. It was worse immediately after eating, but came and went throughout the day anyway. I still had some diarrhea but passing normal-ish stools as well at times. I only went once yesterday which was a normal stool, but I've been taking mebeverine for the last 2 days.

Even though the pain and waves have subsided a lot since Saturday, it's now Thursday I'm still getting some intermittent pains, burping a lot and feeling full after eating small meals. The pains in the area also occur when lying on my right hand side which is odd, but that's more of a burning, stinging pain. I also have like a lump feeling in my throat and I'm constantly clearing it.

The doc prescribed me some lanzoprazoles saying it sounds like a stomach acid issue, but I'm consumed with worry at the moment. My uncle died of pancreatic cancer last year, so that's on my mind and I'm also worried about Crohns in the stomach. Don't ask me why but I have a deep fear of Crohns disease, but had clear bloods and calprotectin 6 weeks ago following another flare up and anxiety. I've also read Crohns in the stomach is very rare so I'm hoping it's not that.

Should I go back to the docs and ask for scans or something? I'm just really struggling with the anxiety around this.

I just cannot accept IBS as a diagnosis at all, despite having repeated tests over the years which rule out other stuff - sigmoidoscpy, stool tests, bloods etc. I'm an anxious mess every single day. So fed up with life. My father died of liver cancer last year too, so I've even been thinking that maybe I have a liver tumour or another cancer in that area.

[Kazzacrazy]

All that stress might be making things a hundred times worse. It's understandable though sounds like you've been through a rough time. If the symptoms are not easing after taking the ppi then I would go back to the gp if only to get some reassurance. Gastritis can cause the symptoms you're describing it's a horrible pain . If it is that then watching your diet for a while as well as continuing with the ppi should help it! Good luck.

[Tokai335 in reply to Kazzacrazy]

Hi, many thanks for the reply. The pain has started to subside a bit today, although last night I had a very watery bowel movement which is frustrating because I passed a normal stool in the afternoon. My diet has been bland and plain for a week so I don't know why I would get a watery stool again. It;s so stressful. My family are so fed up of my constant worrying and symptom talk, but I don't know what to do anymore. I started kefir a few days ago, and have had 3 sessions of IBS hypnotherapy. But I cannot stop worrying about serious bowel issues, it's ruining my life, and has done for almost two years.

[meadfoot]

I am in the midst of a similar flare up. The pain and anxiety is awful so I understand completely. The throat pressure is newer to me this time but the other epigastric pains etc seem to flare every couple of months. I also have severe constipation alongside dreadful acid reflux.

I had diarrhoea for three years after gall bladder removal which has now morphed into chronic constipation. I am under the care of a gastroenterologist but not seeing him again until January. I am on minimal medication. Cant take PPIs and manage on gaviscon advance. Been prescribed famotidine.

I was due to go on holiday last Wednesday but have postponed it as I feel so poorly with pain, throat pressure, constipation, reflux and gas.

So sorry you are having the same, anxiety will exacerbate it without a doubt. Its a vicious cycle. You arent alone, I feel for you.

[Lamly in reply to meadfoot]

No you really aren’t alone, I have had gastric issues for over two years now, I have been diagnosed with IBS like most people where they don’t know what’s wrong with you, I was put in the hands of a Gastroenterolists two years ago whom I have never even seen, I had a telephone appointment twice and before I could get a word in she blurted out in my opinion you have been diagnosed with Ibs symptoms, no medication nothing, I was so upset I sat and cried, as I like yourself have suffered horrendous, it has over the months improved tho, it is a matter of finding out what helps, the best place to find help is on this forum, who understand what you are going through daily, I wish you all the luck in the world, it is hard I know but try not to worry as this will make it twice as bad.

[meadfoot in reply to Lamly]

Bless you. I hope things resolve eventually for us both.

[Tokai335 in reply to meadfoot]

Hi meadfoot, thanks for replying to me. The epigastric pain has subsided today, which I'm thankful for. But I'm still eating plainly incase, and being careful. However despite eating plainly for nearly a week now I still had a bought of watery diarrhea which was quite yellow last night. It was normal in the afternoon! I'm so depressed with worrying about my bowels all the time. Despite normal results 6 weeks ago I don't know if I just pluck up the courage and ask for a colonoscopy and endoscopy. I had a sigmoidoscopy 3 years ago which I found incredibly painful, so the thought of going through another bowel examination terrifies me. My family are all fed up of my constant symptom talk and anxiety, especially my partner.

[meadfoot in reply to Tokai335]

Pleased the pain is easier today for you.My bowel has been horrendous since i had my gall bladder removed four years ago. First crazily loose then constipated. My diet is beyond bland but even then flare ups happen far too regularly. Its frightening I know and difficult to comprehend whether something awful is afoot. I am calling my medic on Monday and suspect a further endoscopy and colonoscopy will be arranged. Horrible condition to have to cope with. Anxiety makes it far worse too. Best wishes. Keep posting here you are among friends who understand,

[Tokai335 in reply to meadfoot]

Are your flareups the same? Or do they change sometimes? I had a very weird flare up 2 months ago which prompted my recent tests - green stools, very constipated hard balls with some mushy stools. However now I have something similar, except the stools are much lighter coloured, and instead of mushy, it's very watery and yellow. I don't know if the pain I've had could have been gallbladder or something to do with bile, due to the yellowing. When did you last have tests?

[meadfoot in reply to Tokai335]

The consistency and colour varies widely in my case. I was tested for bile acid via a SeCat scan about three years ago and it came back clear. My symptoms vary wildly from flare-up to flare up.

I had my last endoscopy three years ago exactly and colonoscopy four years ago this coming September. I think another round is on the cards. I am under the care of a gastroenterologist but not having much luck. I fear something awful is going on and that doesnt help having this anxiety in the mix.

[Sleepy_Leopard]

Hey, firstly if it would give you peace of mine then maybe speak to the GP about your family history and request testing to check due to your symptoms.I used to get the swallowing thing with anxiety, and although it is horrible if you reduce stress and ignore it then it should go!

The pain sounds like what I get which is severe indigestion/acid reflux pain, Have you tried gaviscon?

Hope it eases soon!

[Tokai335 in reply to Sleepy_Leopard]

Hiya Sleepy, yes I have been taking Gaviscon daily for 5 days. The pains have subsided a bit today, so touch wood I'm over the worst. But I had another bought of yellow watery diarrhea last night - mixed with firm stools, so I'm back panicking about Crohn's or Colitis now. I had a normal stool the day before, and my diet has been plain so I don't know what to do! My family are begging me to just accept that i have IBS and severe anxiety / stress, but I just can't let go of the thought that I have a serious bowel condition or a cancer. Life is so stressful right now.

[Debza55]

Hi, have you been tested for H Pylori bacter. I had similar issues two years ago. Could barely eat, few diarrhoea episodes, reflux too I did stool sample for H Pylori which was positive and had to have triple therapy (two antibiotics and ppi to reduce stomach acid lansoprazole. It may be worth asking GP to sort test out for this. I suffer IBS though not diagnosed, usually ibs-c. Menopause hasn't helped either. I hope you get it sorted.