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What Causes Severe Vomiting And Abdominal Bloating?
Question: Lance’s Symptoms These symptoms began in 2012 and have continued for the last three years, while becoming progressively worse. It began with two days of vomiting and his stomach started becoming distended for almost three weeks straight. It has continued through the last three years, off and on, with some constant symptoms and some varying symptoms.
Consistent Symptoms
-acid reflux (beginning around early twenties, and became worse with onset of other symptoms about three years ago) 2012
-belly distention (began three years ago, becomes very bad after meals: and sometimes very bad on a empty stomach, especially recently) 2012-2015
-fatigue (began very slowly, and was mild and always a problem after eating and off and on with an empty stomach, but has become progressively worse, and has been very bad the last few months, increasing exponentially in the last fe weeks) 2012-2015
-difficult bowel movements (was very mild in the beginning, and has been very bad in recent weeks) 2012-2015
-anxiety(this began around early twenties, but has become persistently worse/as the stomach problems have progressed, the anxiety has become much worse coupled with bi polar episodes and severe mood swings/the anxiety will also trigger distention)
-blood in stool (has been happening off and on since the beginning, approximately 30-40 times in the last three years)
- Hot flashes and sweats (these began three to four weeks ago and can be triggered by nausea and sometimes brought on for no reason)
-decreased appetite (has been difficult to eat off and on for three years somewhat due to stomach distention, and has become worse in the last year or so, to a point where there is only one meal a day eaten)
-abdominal pain and discomfort (this has been occurring mildly since the beginning, but has become progressively worse over time)
-nausea(three first days from three years ago/two weeks of nausea that caused hot flashes a week or so ago)
These are all the symptoms that we can think of now, if anything else comes to mind, we will add as soon as we remember.
When this began three years ago, we thought we could self-medicate the problem, with over the counter stomach, reflux, and other OTC GI medications. Nothing we have put together has worked. None of these combinations, including some prescription medications (ex. Nexium, Sucralfate, etc.), have seemed to help relieve his symptoms. With extreme stubbornness, I have had a hard time convincing him to go to the doctor. He began seeing a doctor at our local Urgent Care about a year and a half ago. They prescribed him a low dose of Xanax for the anxiety, and one medication for IBS. The IBS medication had no effect on his symptoms. The anxiety medication has worked a little on the anxiety to help him sleep better, but his dosage is so low that he can only take it to sleep at night, so he has no help with the anxiety during the day. All symptoms have progressed faster over the last year, and especially the last few months. With this, the anxiety then let to the mood swings, bi-polar episodes, and quickened anger and irrationality. He had a CAT-Scan performed last week, with nothing found. We then went for a colonoscopy yesterday. They found a polyp, which was removed and biopsied. The GI specialist spoke with him for about 45 seconds, and again for about 60 seconds after the procedure. He explained the 3D photo from the colonoscopy, and would not even answer any of our questions, and left. We are feeling extremely frustrated and helpless. We just want someone to overlook everything, and make some recommendations, and just give us an idea of what may be going on with him. We want to fix this, and get our life’s back to normal. This is real, and there is something wrong, we just need someone who will actually listen, and take the time to consider all the facts. Thank you in advance for any help, honesty, advice, recommendations, or encouragement!!
Consistent Symptoms
-acid reflux (beginning around early twenties, and became worse with onset of other symptoms about three years ago) 2012
-belly distention (began three years ago, becomes very bad after meals: and sometimes very bad on a empty stomach, especially recently) 2012-2015
-fatigue (began very slowly, and was mild and always a problem after eating and off and on with an empty stomach, but has become progressively worse, and has been very bad the last few months, increasing exponentially in the last fe weeks) 2012-2015
-difficult bowel movements (was very mild in the beginning, and has been very bad in recent weeks) 2012-2015
-anxiety(this began around early twenties, but has become persistently worse/as the stomach problems have progressed, the anxiety has become much worse coupled with bi polar episodes and severe mood swings/the anxiety will also trigger distention)
-blood in stool (has been happening off and on since the beginning, approximately 30-40 times in the last three years)
- Hot flashes and sweats (these began three to four weeks ago and can be triggered by nausea and sometimes brought on for no reason)
-decreased appetite (has been difficult to eat off and on for three years somewhat due to stomach distention, and has become worse in the last year or so, to a point where there is only one meal a day eaten)
-abdominal pain and discomfort (this has been occurring mildly since the beginning, but has become progressively worse over time)
-nausea(three first days from three years ago/two weeks of nausea that caused hot flashes a week or so ago)
These are all the symptoms that we can think of now, if anything else comes to mind, we will add as soon as we remember.
When this began three years ago, we thought we could self-medicate the problem, with over the counter stomach, reflux, and other OTC GI medications. Nothing we have put together has worked. None of these combinations, including some prescription medications (ex. Nexium, Sucralfate, etc.), have seemed to help relieve his symptoms. With extreme stubbornness, I have had a hard time convincing him to go to the doctor. He began seeing a doctor at our local Urgent Care about a year and a half ago. They prescribed him a low dose of Xanax for the anxiety, and one medication for IBS. The IBS medication had no effect on his symptoms. The anxiety medication has worked a little on the anxiety to help him sleep better, but his dosage is so low that he can only take it to sleep at night, so he has no help with the anxiety during the day. All symptoms have progressed faster over the last year, and especially the last few months. With this, the anxiety then let to the mood swings, bi-polar episodes, and quickened anger and irrationality. He had a CAT-Scan performed last week, with nothing found. We then went for a colonoscopy yesterday. They found a polyp, which was removed and biopsied. The GI specialist spoke with him for about 45 seconds, and again for about 60 seconds after the procedure. He explained the 3D photo from the colonoscopy, and would not even answer any of our questions, and left. We are feeling extremely frustrated and helpless. We just want someone to overlook everything, and make some recommendations, and just give us an idea of what may be going on with him. We want to fix this, and get our life’s back to normal. This is real, and there is something wrong, we just need someone who will actually listen, and take the time to consider all the facts. Thank you in advance for any help, honesty, advice, recommendations, or encouragement!!
Brief Answer:
You may be benefited with psychotropic medications.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for asking your query here.
I have carefully read your detailed description about your symptoms. I am concerned for your suffering.
With variety and chronicity of these symptoms I can understand how much you have suffered. I want to tell you that these symptoms are very much suggestive of somatoform disorder (somatization type). The main cause of these symptoms is underlying anxiety. Due to psychogenic origin it can be treated with psychotropic medicines and psychotherapy. In this type of illness I usually start a SSRI group of medicine (like Sertraline) in my patients. The usual starting dose is low, which may be increased later on as per response.
I advise you to consult a psychiatrist nearby for assessment and to rule out any co-morbid illness and prescription of medicines accordingly. Psychotropic medicines can bring you back in life. Hope you understand.
I wish you a better health.
You may be benefited with psychotropic medications.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for asking your query here.
I have carefully read your detailed description about your symptoms. I am concerned for your suffering.
With variety and chronicity of these symptoms I can understand how much you have suffered. I want to tell you that these symptoms are very much suggestive of somatoform disorder (somatization type). The main cause of these symptoms is underlying anxiety. Due to psychogenic origin it can be treated with psychotropic medicines and psychotherapy. In this type of illness I usually start a SSRI group of medicine (like Sertraline) in my patients. The usual starting dose is low, which may be increased later on as per response.
I advise you to consult a psychiatrist nearby for assessment and to rule out any co-morbid illness and prescription of medicines accordingly. Psychotropic medicines can bring you back in life. Hope you understand.
I wish you a better health.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Thank you so much for your time and help! I just want to make sure this is the absolute correct next step, since we have already spent a good amount of money on procedures and visits. So, somatoform disorder can cause all of the symptoms prevented? I am just wondering how it cause blood in the stool and the vomit? And, is it also normal for the belly distention to cause the belly to swell to about 6-10 times larger than normal? It is rock hard when this happens, and sounds hollow. There is also acid re flux, that will wake him up at night sometimes running out of his nose and mouth. I appreciate you taking the time to look at my husbands case. I would like to call and make an appointment as soon as I can, and I just wanted to address these last few concerns before doing so. Thanks in advance for your help!!
Brief Answer:
You should consult a psychiatrist.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for follow up query.
All his physical symptoms can be explained by somatoform disorder like nausea, bloating of abdomen, fatigue, hot fushes, poor appetite, abdominal discomfort & pain except blood in stool (that may be due to some other reason like piles/anal fissure).
In somatoform disorder the person goes for extensive investigations and multiple medical consultation but no physical basis is found for his/her symptoms. Even if some physical illness is found it does not fully explain the nature and extent of symptoms. This is exactly happening with your husband. Presence of psychiatric symptoms like anxiety & mood swings shows increased possibility of having another psychiatric illness like somatoform disorder. Worsening of physical symptoms on worsening of psychiatric symptoms strongly points towards psychological origin of illness. Normal CT scan of abdomen means no serious physical illness found. Possibly the GI specialist did not give his time to explain anything because apparently he did not have much to explain in view of normal colonoscopic findings. But he should have given little time to explain that nothing serious could be found.
So I strongly see a good posdibility of psychological nature of his illness. I advise you to take an appointment of a psychiatrist. Psychotropic medicines not only provide him relief from his physical symptoms but also take care of his anxiety and mood swings (that have been neglected for decades).
I wish your husband a better health. I am here to help and guide you both in future. You may also ask me a direct query on clicking following link in future http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=69803.
You should consult a psychiatrist.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for follow up query.
All his physical symptoms can be explained by somatoform disorder like nausea, bloating of abdomen, fatigue, hot fushes, poor appetite, abdominal discomfort & pain except blood in stool (that may be due to some other reason like piles/anal fissure).
In somatoform disorder the person goes for extensive investigations and multiple medical consultation but no physical basis is found for his/her symptoms. Even if some physical illness is found it does not fully explain the nature and extent of symptoms. This is exactly happening with your husband. Presence of psychiatric symptoms like anxiety & mood swings shows increased possibility of having another psychiatric illness like somatoform disorder. Worsening of physical symptoms on worsening of psychiatric symptoms strongly points towards psychological origin of illness. Normal CT scan of abdomen means no serious physical illness found. Possibly the GI specialist did not give his time to explain anything because apparently he did not have much to explain in view of normal colonoscopic findings. But he should have given little time to explain that nothing serious could be found.
So I strongly see a good posdibility of psychological nature of his illness. I advise you to take an appointment of a psychiatrist. Psychotropic medicines not only provide him relief from his physical symptoms but also take care of his anxiety and mood swings (that have been neglected for decades).
I wish your husband a better health. I am here to help and guide you both in future. You may also ask me a direct query on clicking following link in future http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=69803.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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