
Abdominal Pain, Blood In Stool, Fatigue, Lump Below Rib Cage, Elevated Liver Enzymes. Digestive Issues And Lump Related?

Thanks for writing in.
There are two issues here :
1. A lump in the back
2. Symptoms of pain , diarrhea and blood in stools
Lets tackle issue 2 first . The symptoms you have described are symptoms of colitis. Could be infective or non infective colitis. Since you husband caught something while abroad, it is could be infective. However infections tend to subside with time and chronic infections causing such symptoms since 2003 is less likely. Sometimes a minor infection can trigger an underlying inflammatory bowel disease.
Either ways there are some test I would advise for the same:
1. A Sigmoidoscopy / Colonoscopy- the symptoms you have described are suggestive of a lower large intestine pathology and sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy would give us the answer
2. A stool examination for parasites and atypical organisms.
3. fecal calprotectin- would help us establish colitis.
As far as H. pylori goes , H.pylori commonly infects the stomach or duodenum- commonly causes an ulcer or gastritis and rarely a MALToma . Either ways symptoms you have describe fit into more of large intestinal symptoms rather than stomach of duodenum symptoms.
The second issue is the lump. It may or may not be associated with above, however since the lump is in the back it is less likely to be associated with above. Before you see a surgeon for the lump, get him examined by a general physician. In most cases your doctor can make a clinical diagnosis or atleast an impression on physical examination. The fact that he has referred you to a surgeon means he/she has made some clinical impression. Talk to your doctor about what is the clinical impression. Based on that, we can discuss what is the possible diagnosis
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help
Regards
Dr. Om Lakhani

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