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What Causes Severe Abdominal Bloating When Diagnosed With Diverticulosis?
Question: Thank you. I'll make this as short as possible. Due to anxiety and depression, I became an alcoholic. In 2014 I began to drink 24-7. I got weaker and weaker until December of 2016 I woke up and couldn't walk. I ended up with alcoholic neuropathy and was diagnosed by my family doctor with cirrhosis. Turns out I do not have cirrhosis, but I do have a fatty liver. I have also been diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis and hashimotos. I've been sober since Feb. 2016.
My problem is bloating or swelling in my abdomen. My liver was very enlarged but has shrunk a lot since last year. Ct scans in XXXXXXX 2016 and ultrasound in December showed no acites but did show diverticulosis. Colonoscopy showed polyps that were removed. Endoscopy showed inflammation in my stomach and I was tested for celiac disease and it was negative.
But my bloating only gets worse. It feels heavy like a bowling ball. It also feels like something is squishing around when I walk. I can only describe it like my intestines are swollen and moving around. I look 7 weeks pregnant and I can't wear normal clothes!
My gastroenterologist had me take IBgard for a week. It did nothing. Then Phazyme for a week. Nothing. Now I just finished 2 weeks of Xifaxan and there is no change. What could this be? I'm miserable all the time. I have no abdominal pain and I don't have any problems eating. I do however don't have bowel movements as often as I should most of the time. But even when I do, I'm still bloated. I was still bloated after 2 days on clear liquids and after the colonoscopy prep! I'm beginning to think my neuropathy may have affected my intestines. I was numb all over before I started getting better. Still numb in a lot of places. But this bloating started at the same time.
What should I talk about with my gastroenterologist that can help me get a real diagnosis?? Thank you!
Sorry, at the first of my question I said I woke up in December 2016 and couldn't walk. It was actually December of 2015.
My problem is bloating or swelling in my abdomen. My liver was very enlarged but has shrunk a lot since last year. Ct scans in XXXXXXX 2016 and ultrasound in December showed no acites but did show diverticulosis. Colonoscopy showed polyps that were removed. Endoscopy showed inflammation in my stomach and I was tested for celiac disease and it was negative.
But my bloating only gets worse. It feels heavy like a bowling ball. It also feels like something is squishing around when I walk. I can only describe it like my intestines are swollen and moving around. I look 7 weeks pregnant and I can't wear normal clothes!
My gastroenterologist had me take IBgard for a week. It did nothing. Then Phazyme for a week. Nothing. Now I just finished 2 weeks of Xifaxan and there is no change. What could this be? I'm miserable all the time. I have no abdominal pain and I don't have any problems eating. I do however don't have bowel movements as often as I should most of the time. But even when I do, I'm still bloated. I was still bloated after 2 days on clear liquids and after the colonoscopy prep! I'm beginning to think my neuropathy may have affected my intestines. I was numb all over before I started getting better. Still numb in a lot of places. But this bloating started at the same time.
What should I talk about with my gastroenterologist that can help me get a real diagnosis?? Thank you!
Sorry, at the first of my question I said I woke up in December 2016 and couldn't walk. It was actually December of 2015.
Brief Answer:
Antiacidity medicine are recommended for 4-5 days
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am
I have gone through your question very diligently and I will try to help you out in best possible way.
At the outset I would like to tell you that your symptoms are very much treatable so you need not to worry at all.
Since you don't have cirrhosis, coeliac disease and colonic polyps has already been removed, So you shouldn't think about major disease.
Bloating might be related to Aerophagia (swallowing of air), use of carbonated drinks like soft drinks and cola, smoking, ill fitted denture, indigestion or Stomach hyperacidity.
Since you have already taken IBgaurd and phazyme so I would advise you to take antiacidity medicine like pantoprazole or ranitidine group of drugs with antacids for 4-5days.
In addition to medicines you should avoid fatty fried spicy and junk food as well as carbonated beverages.
You must take lots of fresh fruits and vegetables with dietary fiber supplement in your diet
Exercise as much you can comfortably do like walking, swimming.
Try to allay anxiety and stress by relaxation exercises and yoga or meditation.
Multivitamin supplement like Thiamine and vitamin B12 is advisable for neuropathy.
If you can upload me thyroid report so that I will be able to tell you more precisely about Hasimoto's disease.
As far as Fatty Liver is concerned, it might be related to excessive indulgence into alcohol, to an extent it's also a treatable with dietary modifications and medicines so I would advise you for Liver function test and upload me ultrasound report.
Hope this answers your question please feel free to ask for follow up question I will be happy to help you.
Best wishes
Antiacidity medicine are recommended for 4-5 days
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am
I have gone through your question very diligently and I will try to help you out in best possible way.
At the outset I would like to tell you that your symptoms are very much treatable so you need not to worry at all.
Since you don't have cirrhosis, coeliac disease and colonic polyps has already been removed, So you shouldn't think about major disease.
Bloating might be related to Aerophagia (swallowing of air), use of carbonated drinks like soft drinks and cola, smoking, ill fitted denture, indigestion or Stomach hyperacidity.
Since you have already taken IBgaurd and phazyme so I would advise you to take antiacidity medicine like pantoprazole or ranitidine group of drugs with antacids for 4-5days.
In addition to medicines you should avoid fatty fried spicy and junk food as well as carbonated beverages.
You must take lots of fresh fruits and vegetables with dietary fiber supplement in your diet
Exercise as much you can comfortably do like walking, swimming.
Try to allay anxiety and stress by relaxation exercises and yoga or meditation.
Multivitamin supplement like Thiamine and vitamin B12 is advisable for neuropathy.
If you can upload me thyroid report so that I will be able to tell you more precisely about Hasimoto's disease.
As far as Fatty Liver is concerned, it might be related to excessive indulgence into alcohol, to an extent it's also a treatable with dietary modifications and medicines so I would advise you for Liver function test and upload me ultrasound report.
Hope this answers your question please feel free to ask for follow up question I will be happy to help you.
Best wishes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thank you for answering my questions. I am taking omeprazole for acid reflux. I've been on that for years. I've also taken gas-x for a week, but the bloating was not reduced. I eat healthy home cooked meals with lots of vegetables. I rarely eat junk food and I never drink carbonated soft drinks. I only drink water, coffee, green tea and 100% juices.
I try to exercise the best I can, but my stomach feels so heavy I can't do much.
I take vitamin B complex and 5000 units of vitamin D daily. I have an upcoming appointment for another thyroid test and liver function tests, but I will send you the most recent. I will also send the liver ultrasound results.
My other medications are Levothyroxine 0.137 MG, Prednisone 10 MG per day (some days I take half), and Alprazolam 0.5 MG as needed. I only take a half of pill when needed. No more than twice a day.
Thank you.
I try to exercise the best I can, but my stomach feels so heavy I can't do much.
I take vitamin B complex and 5000 units of vitamin D daily. I have an upcoming appointment for another thyroid test and liver function tests, but I will send you the most recent. I will also send the liver ultrasound results.
My other medications are Levothyroxine 0.137 MG, Prednisone 10 MG per day (some days I take half), and Alprazolam 0.5 MG as needed. I only take a half of pill when needed. No more than twice a day.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Cholecystectomy is advisable after consulting your doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Welcome again and thanks for all the details.
I have gone through all your reports very diligently, first of all, blood sugar is marginally high so I would advise you for either Glucose tolerance test or HBA1C test to rule out Impaired glucose tolerance.
Ultrasound is suggestive of fatty steatosis which is a reversible condition and dietary and lifestyle modifications as I advised you in my previous reply.
Thyroid function test is within normal range except antibodies against thyroid peroxidase which doesn't require any active intervention as of now.
In my opinion you should consult a general surgeon for cholecystectomy as the ultrasound is suggestive of thickened wall of gall bladder.
Meanwhile take Pantoprazole instead of Omperazole with other antacids.
Hope this answers your question, please feel free to ask if any follow up question, I'll glad to answer.
Best wishes
Cholecystectomy is advisable after consulting your doctor
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Welcome again and thanks for all the details.
I have gone through all your reports very diligently, first of all, blood sugar is marginally high so I would advise you for either Glucose tolerance test or HBA1C test to rule out Impaired glucose tolerance.
Ultrasound is suggestive of fatty steatosis which is a reversible condition and dietary and lifestyle modifications as I advised you in my previous reply.
Thyroid function test is within normal range except antibodies against thyroid peroxidase which doesn't require any active intervention as of now.
In my opinion you should consult a general surgeon for cholecystectomy as the ultrasound is suggestive of thickened wall of gall bladder.
Meanwhile take Pantoprazole instead of Omperazole with other antacids.
Hope this answers your question, please feel free to ask if any follow up question, I'll glad to answer.
Best wishes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you for your answers, but I'm still confused as to what is causing the swelling in my stomach. Are you implying it's my gallbladder? Even though I have no pain, fever or nausea?
Brief Answer:
It might be related to gall bladder or IBS
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome again.
Acute cholecystitis may manifest as pain and fever.
Since your ultrasound is suggestive of gall bladder polyp and irregular wall thickness, so gall bladder disease leading to indigestion and Dyspepsia which are causing you bloating sensation.
Another possibility is IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). So in my opinion you should try Chlordiazepoxide group of drugs for IBS for at least 2-3 weeks if it doesn't help than you might have to go for cholecystectomy.
Hope I could answer your question, wishing you a good health and speedy recovery.
Regards
It might be related to gall bladder or IBS
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome again.
Acute cholecystitis may manifest as pain and fever.
Since your ultrasound is suggestive of gall bladder polyp and irregular wall thickness, so gall bladder disease leading to indigestion and Dyspepsia which are causing you bloating sensation.
Another possibility is IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). So in my opinion you should try Chlordiazepoxide group of drugs for IBS for at least 2-3 weeks if it doesn't help than you might have to go for cholecystectomy.
Hope I could answer your question, wishing you a good health and speedy recovery.
Regards
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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