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Pain and gastrointestinal issues for nearly a year.

November 23, 2017 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Hello,

my question is related to the question:

Pain and gastrointestinal problems for 7 weeks
Asked on 03.02.2017.

I still have the problems described there, but now in a slightly different form:

- Pulling and stabbing under the ribcage (front, sides and back, alternating), which do not occur constantly
- Especially in the back it feels like it's muscular and comes from a constant, slight cramping of the muscles. I locate this cramping in the intestines, or at least "inside". This slight cramping feeling is sometimes more in the front, sometimes more in the back. Sometimes I feel a real pulsation or wake up with a slight muscle soreness in the upper abdomen.
- Occasionally mucus in stool, although I no longer have real constipation
- Noticeable gurgling in the stomach, occasionally a pulling in other abdominal regions (e.g. near the navel, flanks)
- Currently occasional mild nausea and frequent belching
- Nerve and/or muscle pains like needle pricks in arms/legs
- Recently: Allergic asthma, itchy eyes, runny nose (allergic), even though there are currently no pollen flying and I was previously only allergic to pollen -> Now going to be tested again

I have now undergone the following examinations:

- Gastroscopy and colonoscopy
- Sonography upper abdomen (gallbladder, liver, pancreas, kidneys) - 2 times!
- CT abdomen
- Blood test - 4 times
- Stool test - 3 times
- H2 breath tests

The following things were found:

- I have a gallstone
- Blood tests always normal
- Mild type C gastritis in the meantime
- Stool test okay, except for putrefactive flora, and temporary elevation of calprotectin, alpha-1-antitrypsin, and sIGA
- H2 breath test: Positive for fructose and sorbitol, negative for lactose and SIBO
- Exclusion of celiac disease (biopsy) and food allergy (blood test FX5)
- Elimination diets showed that the problem does not improve with the exclusion of fructose and sorbitol
- In the meantime (July) the symptoms were almost gone, but now they are back in full force.

My doctors now see me more or less as diagnosed, although the mentioned irritable bowel with many symptoms does not really fit together. So my condition is not primarily dependent on food intake, but changes completely independently of it (this was also seen in nutritional counseling).

I really don't know what to do anymore. What else could be clarified? What else makes sense?

I'm starting to feel like a hypochondriac - but the symptoms and the suffering are very real. The nutritionist only sees the possibility of a FODMAP diet, but doesn't believe it would help. She sees the problem more as organic.

I would be very grateful for a tip.

Best regards

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Good day,

I give lectures to colleagues on the topic of irritable bowel syndrome.

When I read the beginning of your story, I immediately thought of a low FODMAP diet! I can only agree with your nutritionist in one aspect. If there are intolerances, as there definitely are with sorbitol and fructose in your case, often FODMAPs (poorly fermentable sugars) are also not tolerated. This is indeed an organic problem! Therefore, I am completely unclear as to why the lady thinks that this diet would not help.

"Irritable bowel syndrome" is a diagnosis of exclusion, and since we know about the FODMAP issue, many people have moved from the psychosomatic irritable bowel track to the simple food intolerance track and have their symptoms under control.

I can only urgently advise you to eat low FODMAP and see if it improves!

Sincerely, Dr. Gehring