Can stress and IBS mixed together cause these things?Hi, I'm hoping you all can help me. I'm 19 years old, and for awhile now, I've been dealing with really bad acid reflux. everytime after I eat, sometimes it just happens even when I don't eat, I get this horrible gurgling in my throat. It feels like all this air and like I just need to have a really nice big burp. But I can't always burp for some reason, like it won't come all the way out. Does anybody know how I could treat this? I take antacids and medicines like protonix, but it still doesn't help. It's really embarrassing when I'm out in public and it happens.
I also, get this gurgling feeling in my rectum, and sometimes when I go to the bathroom, it's not stool, it's just mucus. Sometimes, the stool will float. It's only the second time that that's happened though. Other times I'll get constipated, I also have muscle cramps/spasms, The scale says I haven't lost any weight but my clothes are looser then they used to be. But when my clothes are off, I look healthy (I look the same size I always have). I also get floaters in my eyes sometimes, slight weakness, fatigue, etc...
I've had about 3 CBC's done, the last one showed that my WBC count was slightly elevated. Only by 5 points though. The doctor wasn't even alarmed. Then I had my thyroid levels and celiac levels checked. The thyroid levels were fine, But my celiac levels were SLIGHTLY elevated. The gastroenterologist wasn't ever worried about that either. I was supposed to have an endoscopy and a colonoscopy done, But I have really bad ocd and was worried that I might catch some horrible disease if the tools weren't properly sterilized. I have been under A LOT of stress lately. Probably since march 19th, 2007 (day before my birthday). I think that may contribute a lot ot my problems. My mom and grandma also have IBS. It's definitely handed down in our family, lol. As is GERD. There has never been anyone in our family who had celiac or ulcerative colitis or anything. At least, not that I know of. Also, I had a stool sample done, and I just got my results today. I thought I had a tapeworm, but my stool results showed nothing. They didn't find any worms or blood or anything. I heard that sometimes they can diagnose ulcerative colitis and crohn's disease through stool samples. I have very bad hypochondria and anxiety disorders and stuff. Do you think maybe all these things could be related to stress? I've never been this stressed out before and I really think it's taking a toll on me. I've always been pretty healthy besides that spontaneous eggy burps, nausea/vomiting, and dizzy spells I get once in awhile. But I've had those since I was in elementary school. I was thinking gastroparesis? But I don't know, I'm too tired to think anymore.
Thanks for any help you can give me! Peace!
-jebster
So Sofa...That is some long question. The stress literally leaps off the page..and you are just 19. We have colitis and IBS and reflux in my family too, and I know that it's a bummer. I had a Dad with really bad colitis. But you are so right. It can be strongly influenced by stress and anxiety. Here is some layman's advice to you. First of all...you have a lot of insight into yourself. That is good. You recognize your emotional issues which probably are a large part of your problem.
You need to overcome your OCD and get yourself checked out with the endoscopy and colonoscopy. Tell your fears to the specialist and ask him to reassure you about the sterilization of the instruments if that's what it takes. He probably will understand. Some of that hypochondriacal fear will lessen when you have the tests done and they find nothing is there. Once you know it is not physical (hopefully) and I suspect they will give you some meds to lessen your anxiety symptoms which will help the IBS and reflux and cramps; then you should try and work on the underlying issues of your fears and anxiety...your OCD, your hypochondria and stress. You should get a good therapist or counsellor to talk through your issues. This will help a lot I would expect. At 19 you should be enjoying your life and not worrying about what fatal illness you might have or how terrible you feel. You can do that when you are 55.
I bet everything is ok with you and that once you take positive steps to address these issues you will make some real positive gains in reducing what seem to you to be overwhelming problems.
Good luck
-Kristie The Crohnie
Well welcome back and long question :P Umm, if you do in fact have IBS or CD or UC...than yes, trust me stress plays a key factor in what you're having...me, since I have CD...when I get stressed I get bad heart burn and I live in the bathroom. In other words, my CD takes a massive shit...as far as Gastroparesis goes are you having normal bowel movement? Or "backed up"? I would say you fit more in the IBS range since you're having mousy stool and that is a common thing with IBS...Best of luck dear!
P.S. I know you have OCD, but trust me I have lost counts of how many colonoscopies and endoscopies I've had and I still just have Crohn's...:)
-sunrise
It sounds very likely that you have Celiac Disease. Alot of times it is misdiagnosed in people as IBS or GERD and it is quite possible your mother and grandmother have it was well. To answer your question, acid reflux can be caused by stress. I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease by going to a doctor for sudden horrible acid problems that NOTHING would help. The first thing he did was an endoscopy for the stomach acid and happened to find Celiac Disease as the cause. I was negative when he did a blood test but had a positive biopsy, which can happen quite often. With the floating stools, constipation, stomach cramping, etc I would def get checked to make sure it isn't Celiac or Crohn's, etc. I had a lot of the same issues you are describing, even gastroparesis when I first got diagnosed along with other things and eventually I had to get a colonoscopy to rule out colitis and crohn's, etc. when i was still having problems because they are related to Celiac Disease but everything ended up being fine with those. Now that everything is under control with the Celiac Disease I am living a healthy life. All my problems are gone but I do still have bad acid problems when I am extremely stressed. The protonix I take can't help that. The doctor makes sure every time that there is nothing going on inside, but then sure enough when things calm down so does the acid. Sweetie, please don't worry about the tests. Both are over in just a few minutes and I wasn't awake for either. I have had three endoscopies and one colonoscopy and I never once got sick or had any problems from either one of them. You really need to get checked. Two simple tests and all this worrying and suffering can be over for you. I am sure it is not some horrible disease like you are worried about. None of the diseases I mentioned above are "horrible" they are all manageable and once they are controlled you are able to live a happy, healthy life. Please contact me if you need any help!!
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