working thru gastro upset and (self) diagnosing it's cause

micknsnicks2mom

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i've had occasional serious gastro upset/distress for at least two years now. i'm able to feel when it's coming on, because i have always experienced much discomfort as matter moves through my intestines during these flare-ups. it had been two full months and a handful of days since my last flare-up. the day before yesterday started off with a very bad headache, and ended with the usual discomfort/cramping in my intestines followed by several trips to the bathroom. yesterday was just about the same, though the headache wasn't quite as bad. this is the first time that i've had a flare-up last for longer than one day, and the first time i experienced a very bad headache as a symptom.

i've considered going to a doctor to diagnose the problem, but have decided that i'm not going to do that. my reasons are that the doctor won't work to get to the cause of the problem and will more than likely simply prescribe a pill. bear in mind that i have very little confidence in doctors (though i feel very differently about vet's).

i have been eating at minimum 8oz of yogurt every day, with the thought that the "good" bacteria in it might help my gastrointestinal system. i believe that the yogurt has been keeping my gastro system happy for the last 2+ months, until a couple days ago. the only thing that i can think of that might have caused the gastro distress this time was the 3 cans of chef boy-ar-dee that i've eaten over the last three weeks. i rarely eat highly processed foods, but i had those cans of chef boy-ar-dee and didn't want to see them go to waste. i still have one can left, but will not be eating that.

i had discounted the possibility of IBD as the (self) diagnosis, because it would just be so much of a coincidence -- that my two cats have/had IBD, and so do i. but i've reconsidered the possibility of IBD in the last couple of days. at this point, im leaning towards either pancreatitis or IBD -- but believe it's most probably some form of IBD.

yesterday i actually thought about seeing a doctor again. however, there's no test that will diagnose IBD. it's more like a series of tests that rule out other medical conditions, and after those are ruled out you're plopped into the diagnosis of (some form of) IBD.  my (adopted) brother more than likely has crohn's (a form of IBD), but after a ton of tests being run his doctor couldn't give a definite diagnosis. so he treats his symptoms, mostly by staying away from highly processed foods. and the thought of going through a bunch of (pretty invasive) tests while racking up a hefty bill (comprised of co-pays) , is even more of a deciding factor for me -- especially knowing there is the very real possibility that there will be no definite diagnosis in the end.

my thought at this point is that these symptoms and possible IBD could very well be the cumulative effect of eating a diet which included a lot of highly processed foods for the better part of my life.

so...my plan moving forward is to stick with my preferred diet of homemade, home cooked meals and avoid all highly processed foods. i'll also continue with the yogurt, because i believe it helps my gastro system stay happy and i really like yogurt.
 

ritz

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Around February 25, 2014, seemingly overnight, I turned: lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, fructose intolerant: every food I ate made my stomach bloated or hurt. The blood work I had done initially was negative for h. pylori as well as celaic disease.
My doctor thought/thinks I have/had IBS, until my symptoms persisted, I lost weight, and I had an endoscopy--I tested postive for h. pylori. My health care providers, including nutritionist, were relieved: my symptoms weren't my imagination. (I've had anorexia nervorsa for years, so I understood their concerns.)
Antibiotics helped but I still have symptoms about three to four days a week. Some foods make the symptoms worse.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth hasn't been completely ruled out. There is a FOD MAP food plan you might try following if SIBO is suspected. Didn't do me much good. Have you been tested for Diverticulitis? Do you take probiotics (versus yogurt, which doesn't have a lot in it).
Good luck!
 
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micknsnicks2mom

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Around February 25, 2014, seemingly overnight, I turned: lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, fructose intolerant: every food I ate made my stomach bloated or hurt. The blood work I had done initially was negative for h. pylori as well as celaic disease.
My doctor thought/thinks I have/had IBS, until my symptoms persisted, I lost weight, and I had an endoscopy--I tested postive for h. pylori. My health care providers, including nutritionist, were relieved: my symptoms weren't my imagination. (I've had anorexia nervorsa for years, so I understood their concerns.)
Antibiotics helped but I still have symptoms about three to four days a week. Some foods make the symptoms worse.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth hasn't been completely ruled out. There is a FOD MAP food plan you might try following if SIBO is suspected. Didn't do me much good. Have you been tested for Diverticulitis? Do you take probiotics (versus yogurt, which doesn't have a lot in it).
Good luck!
no, i haven't seen the doctor or been tested for diverticulitis. and no, i don't take probiotics.

probiotics sounds like would be a good idea for me though. i'm preferring to try treating my symptoms through diet -- avoiding highly processed foods. my flare-ups have only happened about one every 5-6 weeks or so, and until this recent flare-up only lasted for one day.
 

natalie_ca

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 i've considered going to a doctor to diagnose the problem, but have decided that i'm not going to do that. my reasons are that the doctor won't work to get to the cause of the problem and will more than likely simply prescribe a pill. bear in mind that i have very little confidence in doctors (though i feel very differently about vet's).
I strongly urge you to go to a doctor.  No one here is a medical doctor, and even if they were, they can't diagnose you on a forum.

If you are concerned about your health, go see a doctor and have specialized testing done.  What you have could be something minor, or it could be more serous.  Don't play Russian Roulette with your health.
 
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micknsnicks2mom

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I strongly urge you to go to a doctor.  No one here is a medical doctor, and even if they were, they can't diagnose you on a forum.

If you are concerned about your health, go see a doctor and have specialized testing done.  What you have could be something minor, or it could be more serous.  Don't play Russian Roulette with your health.
thank you for your suggestion.

i'm not seeking a diagnosis here on the forum. just doing a bit of sharing.

i'm not overly concerned about my health. i'm generally in very good health, just have these occasional flare-ups.
 
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