Miserable and scared, waiting for gastro appt

[georgiehopper]

i have had stomach issues since i was a kid; i am now 60.  I have had symptoms of non stop gurgling, sometimes burning, sometimes gassy stomach pain.  My dr had said its probablt IBS but im really starting to wonder if its gluten.  

I noticed this particular flare started while I had influenza.  On day7 of the flu i lost my appetite, so i started eating more bread and wheat saltines because it was easy to eat.

Then after about 17 days i started developing a vague burning in my stomach after drinking tea and diet soda..so i cut those out figuring that my ibs was going to flare.

Here I am 7 weeks later and my stomach is a mess.  Almost constant gurgling, sometimes the mild burn, and sometimes dull stomach pain , and sometimes soft stool.  Ive been taking bismuth for the soft stool and that helps a little. 

I am also taking anxiety meds and have been on an antidepressant for 14 years. The antidepressant had helped my stomach for years, but for the last 2 years, not so much.

Ive been tested for parasites, hpylorie, and had a barium swallow. All was clear for that.  

im now scared that i have stomach cancer eventhough dr says its highly doubtful.

I have another appointment in a few weeks, but im so scared and miserable right now..its hard to wait that long.

Incidentally, i tested positive for wheat allergy many years ago, have lots of other allergies along with eczema. 

I have tried to cut out bread to see if that helps and yesterday my stomach was more normal.  Then i ate 5 pieces of pizza crust and about 6 hours later, the gurgling started and it kept waking me up.  Then in the morning i had to run to the bathroom.  I am usually leaning towards constipation, but when these flare ups occur, i go the other way. 

Sorry so long on this post, im just scared

 

[ch88]

What type of wheat allergy testing did you have done? Was it a blood test? 

[ch88]

Here is a link on getting tested for Celiac disease. 

Open Original Shared Link

[georgiehopper]

20 hours ago, ch88 said:

What type of wheat allergy testing did you have done? Was it a blood test? 

it was skin test.  Incidentally, i took it upon myself to cut out all gluten.  Last night was the first night i slept without waking up multiple times.

[Ennis-TX]

You going to to want to keep eating gluten. You have to get tested for celiac, the constipation and D is a sign along with the anxiety etc. the C and anxiety are often compounded by nutrient absorption issues from damaged and inflamed intestines causing issues with magnesium and the whole B-vitamin spectrum. I can give you some suggestion to managed the symptoms but you need to keep eating gluten, and go test the proper testing down. Here is a link on the testing for the disease
Open Original Shared Link

[georgiehopper]

6 minutes ago, Ennis_TX said:

You going to to want to keep eating gluten. You have to get tested for celiac, the constipation and D is a sign along with the anxiety etc. the C and anxiety are often compounded by nutrient absorption issues from damaged and inflamed intestines causing issues with magnesium and the whole B-vitamin spectrum. I can give you some suggestion to managed the symptoms but you need to keep eating gluten, and go test the proper testing down. Here is a link on the testing for the disease
Open Original Shared Link

Thank you for responding.

How does one manage the symptoms? I cant function when they are at their worst. 

Thank you

[Ennis-TX]

If your dealing with constipation, Natural Vitality Calm is a magnesium citrate that can help start off with 1/4tsp (1-2g) and slow up the dose to the full dose 1/4tsp or (1g) at a time til you get the full dose OR dose to tolerance when you get loose stools then back down 1/4tsp or (1-2g)
Other wise use Doctors Best Magnesium as recommended if you do not have constipation
For anxiety I take Stress & Energy Formula and Neurological Support 1tbsp each from Liquid Health 3 times a day, just add it in with a beverage of choice.
If D, I suggest higher potassium and fiber like baked goods made with coconut flour, it ads bulk to stools and a great source of potassium. Supplemental potassium in 3000mg a day is known to help with D. Others use Imodium and petopbismal to deal with it.
There are some other things you might need like Vitamin D, Iron, etc. Try eating a whole foods and varied diet, remove dairy. Get testing done and see about getting a vitamin panel done at some point to see what else you might be having issues with.
 

[georgiehopper]

16 minutes ago, Ennis_TX said:

If your dealing with constipation, Natural Vitality Calm is a magnesium citrate that can help start off with 1/4tsp (1-2g) and slow up the dose to the full dose 1/4tsp or (1g) at a time til you get the full dose OR dose to tolerance when you get loose stools then back down 1/4tsp or (1-2g)
Other wise use Doctors Best Magnesium as recommended if you do not have constipation
For anxiety I take Stress & Energy Formula and Neurological Support 1tbsp each from Liquid Health 3 times a day, just add it in with a beverage of choice.
If D, I suggest higher potassium and fiber like baked goods made with coconut flour, it ads bulk to stools and a great source of potassium. Supplemental potassium in 3000mg a day is known to help with D. Others use Imodium and petopbismal to deal with it.
There are some other things you might need like Vitamin D, Iron, etc. Try eating a whole foods and varied diet, remove dairy. Get testing done and see about getting a vitamin panel done at some point to see what else you might be having issues with.
 

thank you.

I did have Vit D tested and it was good.

Anything coconut makes me really sick..thats another sensitivity i guess.

Im going to call and try to get blood test today

Thanks very much

[Ennis-TX]

33 minutes ago, georgiehopper said:

thank you.

I did have Vit D tested and it was good.

Anything coconut makes me really sick..thats another sensitivity i guess.

Im going to call and try to get blood test today

Thanks very much

Ok this brings up a interesting topic, in people with SIBO or candida they get the bloat, gurgling, gas, issues, made worse by carbs, breads, etc. And coconut oil or products with coconut, walnut, garlic, can start killing off the SIBO/Candida causing discomfort and gas to spike. Have you been tested for these issues? Or as you mentioned it could be a intolerance.

For now start keeping a food diary, and vary your diet and rotating it every few days, eating the same few foods for a couple of days at a time. Removing them for a few days. Record what you eat, when, and any symptoms with gastro, nervous, bowel, etc. See if you can find a pattern. Look up keeping a food diary for some tips. This will track down any new food intolerance issues that might have crept up.

[Chelsey]

The Natural Vitality Calm magnesium supplement someone mentioned above really helps a lot with anxiety too! Just like they said, only take half of a tea spoon to start with. You will feel calmer within the first 10 mins. Taking anything new always puts me in panic mode but after i took it i felt super calm! And since you are super worried about all your symptoms you should tell your doctor you want an endoscopy or colonoscopy. Even if they tell you you don't need it, tell them you would feel much better getting it done to ensure there is nothing seriously wrong. And I know its so easy to think the worst possible outcome, but please try not to! Remind yourself that you are on the right track to finding out whats bothering you. Like your doctor said its very unlikely you have cancer. Chances are its probably gluten since you feel better when you dont eat any.