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What Causes Waist Pain, Weight Loss, Bulky Stools, Bloating And Fatigue?

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Posted on Tue, 27 Jun 2017
Question: Hello Dr. Rynne. My wife of 55 years started having several symptoms and I am worried. This all began about 7 months ago. A major background item is that she survived pancreatic cancer 15 years ago with a Whipple procedure. We were told that this success was due to an early diagnosis plus aggressive action. I am wondering why her present problems are not able to be solved by her current gastroentrologists? We switched doctors about a month ago when I lost faith in her first physician who generally kept us in the dark after doing a colonoscopy. He used a PA in dealing with us and did prescribe a few medications to include "pig pancreous". Her new doctor did a recent endoscopy and did provide a detailed debriefing. Her main finding was a partially healed ulcer. She switched my wife from the Protonix she was on to a liquid Carafate (sucralfate) suspension to heal the ulcer. Her next appoint- ment is the 16th of XXXXXXX which seems too long to me. I will now list my wifes symptoms. She continues to have back aches which move around, generally in the waist area. She has had her third visit with a Chiropractor who found a compressive misalignment in her lower spine vertebra. She experiences some relief following the treatment, however, the next day the pain returns. Sitting or prone also alleviates the pain somewhat. She also has lost 5-10 lbs of weight yet seems to have a very good appetite. Being 5'5" she has always been actively diet and exercise conscious. Since experiencing her weight loss she has even begun to eat more desserts/candy/etc. to no avail. She is down to 105 lbs. and stable. She has experienced semi-diareha with "chunky stool". Is bloated and very gaseous from the rectum. No bleeding. She is still quite active but experiences fatigue quite often. To be fair I hope that her new doctor determines the problem and comes up with a plan of attack. Oh yes, I forgot to mention, that she also had an MRI and CATscan about 5 months ago which were negative. Now for my question; am I being unfair to expect a diagnosis from the "experts" before it is too late? Insurance is not a factor. Can,t these symptoms direct us to the cause sooner. After all these experts have been around the block a time or two. From what I know there are tests to pinpoint problems with the various organs such as the liver, kidneys, whats left of the pancreaous and even the endocrine system. Seems to me she is getting too much or to little of some enzyme or other. It is tough for me to stand by a watch the mother of my two healthy children (in their 50's), who was healthy and active for 55 years in the situation she is in. What do you think? What else can I do?
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
As detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query, elucidate and studyful.
Noted all the history about your wife well and understood the concerns:
Please give me additional information so that I can assist you better:
Which area the CT scan and MRI covered?
Stool: frequency? Since when is the bloating, gases change in stool?
Backache going to waist can be due to spinal problems as you have correctly mentioned.
I would advise you the following:
Continue Sucralfate.
Stool tests for three consecutive days is the best way to find out the probable cause.
If there is an infection of the intestines that is causing gases, bloating, semi-diarrhea and chunky stool, a course of an antibiotic active against intestinal infection, may be Metronidazole be useful.
Addition of probiotics and multivitamins do help.
Pancreatic enzymes supplements with food.
Banana, yogurt/curds and activated charcoal too helps.
Ranitidine to assist in ulcer healing may help along with sucralfate.
Notifying the foods and beverages that instigate or enhance the problems may be stopped to see the positive effects.
MRI of the spine to see the exact cause of backache and to get treated accordingly.
Painkillers like Ibuprofen taken for backache can cause or increase or delay the healing of the ulcer and hence best avoided.
Diazepam in low dosages is to be the best muscle and psychological relaxer - needs a prescription and may help in relieving hte ulcer and backache.
All these things when helpful are diagnostic as well as therapeutic.

I hope this answer helps you.
Please feel free to give feedback and feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19777 Questions

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What Causes Waist Pain, Weight Loss, Bulky Stools, Bloating And Fatigue?

Brief Answer: As detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query, elucidate and studyful. Noted all the history about your wife well and understood the concerns: Please give me additional information so that I can assist you better: Which area the CT scan and MRI covered? Stool: frequency? Since when is the bloating, gases change in stool? Backache going to waist can be due to spinal problems as you have correctly mentioned. I would advise you the following: Continue Sucralfate. Stool tests for three consecutive days is the best way to find out the probable cause. If there is an infection of the intestines that is causing gases, bloating, semi-diarrhea and chunky stool, a course of an antibiotic active against intestinal infection, may be Metronidazole be useful. Addition of probiotics and multivitamins do help. Pancreatic enzymes supplements with food. Banana, yogurt/curds and activated charcoal too helps. Ranitidine to assist in ulcer healing may help along with sucralfate. Notifying the foods and beverages that instigate or enhance the problems may be stopped to see the positive effects. MRI of the spine to see the exact cause of backache and to get treated accordingly. Painkillers like Ibuprofen taken for backache can cause or increase or delay the healing of the ulcer and hence best avoided. Diazepam in low dosages is to be the best muscle and psychological relaxer - needs a prescription and may help in relieving hte ulcer and backache. All these things when helpful are diagnostic as well as therapeutic. I hope this answer helps you. Please feel free to give feedback and feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.