Suffering From Stomach Pain And Diarrhea. What Am I Suffering?

Posted on Wed, 19 Dec 2012

Question: I have severe stomach pain, direhea that makes me sit in the bathroom for 30-45 mim hunched over gripping in severe pain while going, it comes and goes while in there..it's so bad that I want to scream. I don't know what is triggerig it or what I should do. I don't want to get tested because the fear of drinking the yuk drink makes me sick. I thought Im lactose intolerant, then maybe ibs.. I don't know. But when it hurts like this, my testicles tighten up and hurt. I'm loosing weight and dont eat as much ad I used to. I wad just told when I was a kid that it could be colitis but I don't know. It's sent me to the ER years ago, but I don't remember the results. I don't know what to do

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (1 hour later)

Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Your symptoms are suggestive of irritable bowel syndrome. However, we need to look for other causes like inflammatory bowel disease since you are losing weight. But since you havent been eating as much, the weight loss could be due to that as well.
The next steps here would be to see a physician and get a stool routine and occult blood tested on two occasions. Also, we would need a complete blood count, ESR, thyroid function test as a part of basic work up if these tests have not done earlier. A colonoscopy would also be needed.
We should also be starting you on a mild antispasmodic and fiber supplement. You should preferably avoid straining for stool. You should also try and maintain a normal diet as much as possible.
Hope this answers your query.
Please do let me know if you have any further questions.
Wish you a speedy recovery.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli

Follow up: Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (1 hour later)

What kind of diet to you suggest? I'm an avid gym rat and eat or try to eat a lot of protein, of course I use the dairy free one. The weight loss isn't as bad as I think, but I'm around 205-208lbs and awhile ago I was 225..I'm afraid to eat because I don't know what will bother me, and sometimes I don't eat because my stomach hurts or feels like I have to go..when I was a kid it didn't bother me nearly as much, and I used to eat fried/fattening food all the time. I don't eat any of that now, mainly chicken, rice, and healthy stuff and it still acts up. I work as a police officer and can't afford to get these flare ups on a call.

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (8 hours later)

Hello,

Thanks for writing back.

You can take normal diet with spice and oil in moderation. Avoid foods which you feel are causing trouble; but it is unlikely that avoiding any of the food products avoid may really help you.

You need to avoid stress and have a disciplined eating and sleeping habits; if still you are not better then you should see a gastroenterologist.

Do not take any health supplements especially for the gym.

Hope this answers your query. Please do let me know if you have any further questions.

Wish you a speedy recovery...

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (13 hours later)

I do take protein drinks and creatine, but I hope that isn't a factor. I will see a dr if it continues but I just don't know what I'm eating that bothers me. Sometimes it hits me the next day or 2 so it's hard to gauge what it could be unless I eat the same thing 2 days in a row to c, downside is if it bothers me ill feel it for a week. Your advice is great but I don't know much about this stuff and have been dealing with it for years, so it's time to address the issue

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (23 hours later)

Hi,

Thanks again,

I think you should avoid protein drinks and creatine for few days and see. However unlikely any food is causing the symptoms, so don't search it as a cause.

Please don't suffer unnecessarily; see a gastroenterologist and get basic investigations as mentioned. You may need help of a psychologist and mild antibiotics if deemed necessary don't hesitate to take these medications and you yourself will feel the difference

Wish you a speedy recovery...

Hope my answers were helpful to you. Please close this discussion if you do not have any followups.

Regards

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad