DH is unwell, Again. any ideas?

[AngryWildChild]

DH has been unwell on and off for just over a year. Before last Christmas he had severe campylobacter and his bowel movements never seem to have recovered. Last 6 weeks has had a dull ache lower left abdomen radiating to left side of chest and occasionally towards his groin, Saw doctor who ordered bloods chest X Ray, urine and stool sample urine sample clear still awaiting other tests. Over the weekend pain has turned severe in episodes. Causing DH to double over. Has been prescribed buscopan and codeine. Neither of which are helping, atall. Has anyone's DH or themselves had anything similar and could shed some light to what it could be? What could the doctor be testing for?

[iamEarthymama]

I am no medic or expert but when I was 3 months pregnant 40 years ago I had those symptoms and it was my appendix.
Hoping he is soon well x

[AngryWildChild]

He's had his appendix out already so had scratched that off the list. Keep getting more n more worked up that it's going to be something serious.

[IrritableBitchSyndrome]

I would guess the blood test will check for markers of infection, anemia which could indicate internal bleeding, possibly coeliac disease (gluten allergy), etc. The stool sample will be checked for blood which could indicate bowel damage and possibly bacteria? Has your DH tried anything to rebalance his gut after the infection? Probiotics for example? Hope you get this resolved fast op, sounds very painful. I've not suffered quite so severely but have similar but not as extreme symptoms from ibs after contracting a stomach bug abroad. If I avoid coffee, grains except rice, lactose, eggs, gluten, then I'm ok. Best of luck.

[IrritableBitchSyndrome]

The places he has pain are all related to the bowel by the way. I get chest pain on my left side if I eat anything on my list, I think it's either gas buildup in the intestine where it goes around a corner just up under the left ribs, or inflammation.

[AngryWildChild]

Ok so not necessarily life threatening which is a relief, has been the most awful year, and I hate seeing DH is so much discomfort

[iamEarthymama]

Hope he is ok today?

[ThisHorseCalledDonny]

You can get appendicitis in the appendix stub left after surgery

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3183543/

[IrritableBitchSyndrome]

How are things today OP?

[AngryWildChild]

DH still in pain today but seems to have eased for the moment, this happens and then returns later. X-ray camE back clear and all blood tests are normal so back to the drawing board at the moment :(

[AngryWildChild]

Spoke too soon, straight after dinner DH in agony again.

[AngryWildChild]

On the blood tests his ALT levels were slightly raised looking online it says the location of the pain combined with alt level could be symptoms of gallbladder problems? Does anybody have any experience?

[LavenderRain]

My DS had this a few years back when he was 15, it was awful to watch him doubled over in agony.
There was no rhyme or reason for the pain. Just came out of the blue, sometimes every hour, sometimes several times an hour,
The medics thought gallbladder and pancreatitis but never got to the bottom of it, all tests came back clear, except a very slight raise in amylase which can mean a problem with the pancreas,
It all stopped as soon as it started, but was a horrible fortnight,
Hope you get it sorted

[TheoriginalLEM]

ALT is a liver enzyme, and it is often raised when there are issues with the bile duct, however you would also expect there to be a significant raise in ALKP too. ALT is more of a measure of liver function but it is most likely not that significant and probably a result of pain medication.

Saying that, his symptoms sound very much like mine when i had gallstones - i am surprised he hasn't had an ultrasound for this.

[TheoriginalLEM]

If you suspect gallstones, then your DH needs to cut out fat from his diet (i had to go completely fat free, it wasn't even funny!) But fat stimulates the gallbladder to contract and if there are stones, causes the inflammation that gives the pain. horrible horrible horrible. I hope that they get to the bottom of it soon but i would definately be asking about gallstones if it hasn't already been ruled out.

they can give really weird symptoms too - so pain in the groin, arms, back would be no surprise. Also feeling nauseous.

[AngryWildChild]

Thanks everyone, pain medication would definitely explain the rise in alt as he has been in son much pain he has been regularly taking pain killers. The only thing that makes me doubt gallstones is that the pain is on the left and from what I've seen online it says gallstones normally cause pain to the right or middle

[TheOddity]

I would be requesting a proper scan of his body next to rule out gallstones anyway. Only way to know is an X-ray/cat scan.

[AngryWildChild]

He has an appointment on Thursday so will request further tests x rays ultrasound etc and ask there opinion on gall stones.

[IrritableBitchSyndrome]

What did he eat for dinner?

[AngryWildChild]

Shepherds pie. Mince, swede, carrot, onion, mash.

[AngryWildChild]

Seasoned with salt and pepper.

[TheoriginalLEM]

gallstones can give really weird symptoms, shepherds pie will have fat from the meat and any milk or butter in the potato. That would have had me writhing on the floor in agony!

[IrritableBitchSyndrome]

With IBS, the onion, swede and any lactose in dairy products in that meal could trigger symptoms. What did he drink with his meal? Any dairy, alcohol, caffeine, fruit juice or anything fizzy?

[AngryWildChild]

Will try a reduced fat diet tomorrow to see if that makes a difference. Thank you!

[AngryWildChild]

He's only drank water. Stopped alcohol about 2 weeks ago.m

[AngryWildChild]

Scratch that he had lucozade at approx 4:30pm