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What Causes Chronic Pain And Diarrhea?

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Posted on Fri, 6 Feb 2015
Question: This will be kinda long but I need to know. Why I can't seem to find a doctor that will take the time to figure out what is wrong with me and explain what to do about it. I have been battling chronic pain and diarrhoea for the past 2-3 years now and am at my wits end. They go by a 30 year old diagnosis of one. Which that particular doctor came up with after a 2 second listen to my stomach. I've tried all the diets, including the ibs one, elimination, and others to no avail. I went to the e.r. yesterday at the advice of a nurse and got nothing. They said I had a uti and sent me home. The chonic pain is in my upper mid abdomen and slightly to the right, the diarrhoea is explosive and happens about 15 min, after I eat. It doesn't matter what I eat. I feel like they don't even want to talk to me or try to explain why they can't. How do I get one to listen and at least try to figure out what's happening to me? Or at least explain why they can't.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I need you to asnwer few questions first, if its possible.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

I wish I could give you simple solution and diagnosis. But this will be very hard from the point of this service. I need you to answer few questions first, if its possible:
1.Can you please mention what kind of tests have you had to determine the source of pain? Any colonoscopy, gastroscopy, abdominal ultrasound, CT, blood work, stool tests, stool culture tests?
2.Have you had any surgeries in the abdominal area?
3.Is the pain related to foods intake?
4.Is your pain dull or cramping?
5.Is there any mucus or blood in the stool?
6.If there is a blood, is it on the surface of the stool or mixed with it?
7.Have you lost any weight recently?
8.Do you have any joints pains, skin lesions (like eczema?)?

I`m looking forward to hearing from you.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (46 minutes later)
Thank you for the quick reply. To answer your questions I have had colonoscopy about 3 yrs ago found 3 small polyps and an internal generous. Endoscopy about a year ago found Barretts esophagus and small hiatal hernia. C.t. scan showed 2 cm hemangioma on the back of my liver and a backwards left renal vain, no stool tests or cultures. Had robotic hysterectomy for prolapse in October. Pain is dull and constant not food related, diarrhoea is explosive and happens about 15-20 min, after I eat so. I think it is, but it doesn't matter what I eat. It has a lot of mucus and the episodes end with only mucus with streaks of blood. I do also have joint pain and point tendernes at lower ribs and on the sides of my ribcage. Though I had the surgery in October, I've been having these symptoms for about 2-3 years. It's time to put it at an end. Any thoughts I can take to my doctor will be appreciated.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (59 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Infection, inflammatory bowels disease, coeliac disease should be checked.

Detailed Answer:
There is few issues which needs to be checked.
1. Chronic bacterial infection of the digestive tract. It happens when bad bacteria are present in the intestines instead of good bacteria (good bacteria protect us against bad). To do that, stool test and stool culture test is necessary. Rifaximine treatment (very special antibiotic for such infections) should be considered
2. Partial bowels obstruction due to inflammatory bowels disease. In some cases host immune system attacks healthy body cells (we call such diseases autoimmune). When intestinal cells are attacked, it leads to chronic inflammation. Inflammation leaves scars and narrowed intestines. This can give explosive diarrhea along with abdominal pain. Also joint pains can be present with inflammatory bowels disease. Mucus and blood is quite frequent symptoms as well. To rule it out colonoscopy (once again) and abdominal CT with oral contrast (enteroclysis) should be done.
3. Partial bowels obstruction for any other reason including adhesion, intestine invagination. Enteroclysis will tell.
4. Coeliac disease. Also autoimmune disorder. Also gives diarrhea and abdominal pain. The main cause of this issue is gliadine (gluten protein) allergic reaction. Gliadin is mostly present in wheat. Serological blood tests to detect specific antibodies should be considered.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 Questions

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What Causes Chronic Pain And Diarrhea?

Brief Answer: I need you to asnwer few questions first, if its possible. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. I wish I could give you simple solution and diagnosis. But this will be very hard from the point of this service. I need you to answer few questions first, if its possible: 1.Can you please mention what kind of tests have you had to determine the source of pain? Any colonoscopy, gastroscopy, abdominal ultrasound, CT, blood work, stool tests, stool culture tests? 2.Have you had any surgeries in the abdominal area? 3.Is the pain related to foods intake? 4.Is your pain dull or cramping? 5.Is there any mucus or blood in the stool? 6.If there is a blood, is it on the surface of the stool or mixed with it? 7.Have you lost any weight recently? 8.Do you have any joints pains, skin lesions (like eczema?)? I`m looking forward to hearing from you. Regards