karen
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Posts: 2
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Post by karen on Nov 18, 2014 23:01:16 GMT -5
I'm 19 years old, and I've had abdominal pain for the past year. My doctor says that it is IBS-C, but my symptoms seem to be getting worse. I used to be able to eat many different types of food. When I was 14, I started exercising regularly. Once I turned 17, I committed to a healthy diet. Once I turned 18, I started noticing weird symptoms. A year later, all I eat is eggs, potatoes, small amounts of Almondmilk, bananas, and peanut butter. Everything else seems to upset my stomach. I've tried the FODMAP diet and it doesn't seem to help. I don't really have stress or anxiety in my life that would trigger symptoms. Also, my headaches have gotten worse the past couple of weeks. More intense and last longer. I also am getting full a lot quicker, and as a result I have lost about six pounds so far. I was already at a healthy weight before, so this concerns me. And then two days ago, I got a bad stomach cramp and chest pain together that hasn't really gone away. I am EXTREMELY fatigued and my limbs feel heavy. Very lightheaded. Upper back pain. It's hard to concentrate also because of the lightheaded feeling. I feel such a strange feeling. I often feel I'm giving a blank stare. I have low Ferritin levels, and slightly low MCH/MCV levels. My doctor told me to take antacids to help with my chest, and it did not help. The chest x-Ray showed nothing. I would appreciate ANY type of response as to what this could possibly be. Please (: my stomach problems prevent me from doing things I love in life. I don't work out anymore because of the fatigue and stomach ache. Nausea is also more persistent.
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TMM03
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Post by TMM03 on Nov 20, 2014 0:57:35 GMT -5
Karen, that sounds rough, and you're so young! Are you able to talk to a doctor? Seems like it the way you mentioned your levels. Anyway, if is endo, I'm guessing the doc would probably want to recommend birth control pills. I believe the regulation of hormones helps if there is endo. I had a blood test a few yrs back that revealed my vitamin D levels were *severely* below normal. Previous scans had suggested IBD, but that didn't seem right. In the end I came to learn I have adenomyosis, which is a cousin of endo and contained in the uterus (though there's a high probability I do have endo as well). Long story short, I was put on 50000 iu per week of vitamin d2 for 4 months and that fixed a lot of my symptoms, many of which were like yours. Supplement stores don't sell them at that dose but they do have vitamin d3, 10000 iu pills. They are very small and easy to take. Supposedly d3 is absorbed faster.
There are lots of clinical studies and reports on the many benefits of vitamin D (also known as the sunshine vitamin since our skin manufactures it from sun exposure). I only say all this because they actually helped me. I'm no doctor, but they really helped with my mood, bowels, nausea, and a bunch of stuff I can't think of right this moment. Maybe worth reading up on it to see if it might help.
Big hugs, Tab
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TMM03
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Posts: 32
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Post by TMM03 on Nov 20, 2014 0:59:41 GMT -5
OK my second sentence was stupid, but in my defense, my 45yr old brain overlooked the chest xray part of your message when I started replying!
{edited due to a moody chellspecker}
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karen
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Post by karen on Nov 21, 2014 16:43:21 GMT -5
I really appreciate your reply TMM03! My Vitamin D levels are normal though. Thank you (:
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TMM03
New Member
Posts: 32
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Post by TMM03 on Nov 28, 2014 23:31:48 GMT -5
You very well could have endo. Have you tried talking to the doc about that since you last posted? Do you see a GP or a gyno? I knew0 things would go slow with my GP so I hunted down a gyno for my issues, which did speed up my diagnosis.
Just wondering how you've been!
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Post by chibineko717 on Nov 29, 2014 1:14:59 GMT -5
Start keeping a pain journal so that the doctor can believe you. I also suggest trying to find a gynocologist who is a uro gyn. Don't bother with a gyn who practices as an OB. Also bring someone with you to the doctor so they cannot blow you off as easily.
Once you start tracking your pain, you can see if it correlates with your period (or right before) and when you ovulate. Pain in the chest can be from gas pressing on your diaphragm or endo. I have endo on my diaphragm so the pain you describe feels similar to the pains that I get. Is the chest pain mostly on the right side?
The nausea is really bad, but peppermints help me a little bit. I don't know what to do about the weight loss, since I'm dealing with the eating problems too. I've lost about 10 pounds in a month. I'm starting to take some protein powder in hopes I can gain some weight back.
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