For not wanting to live with a numb stomach

[Preparedforjobnottolast]

Hi,

I know I should hate hospitals by now.

Since 28th December I have suffered a numb stomach with hands (wrongly treated at first for an infection with antibiotic Co - amoxiclav) hands later turned out to be connected with a diagnosis of Myelopathy but apparently not the tummy. It’s like there is a tight bar all over my tummy or it’s being cut off, Decembers period was missed, January’s less then 48 hours to be over with and blood output was weird sorry tmi.

One of the spinal ward doctors here did feel my tummy today and it seems upper right side was giving me gipp. I’m not rolling around in pain and sometimes feel slightly relived straight after bowels are opened, but it’s got to a point I don’t know.

Can you get anxiety and that do something like this to the stomach?

Can losing to much weight quickly bring something like this on (2.5 stone in 2 months) eg loose skin.

I have had blood testing for possible over feeding of pain killers but that didn’t produce anything to go by.

I just can’t bare to live like this.

Hi again,

Does anyone think I can ask now for something like anti depressants?

I’ve been really vocal now about the weight loss jabs whilst here in hospital but they just reckon because I’m eating, pooing ok, not being sick or in obvious roll about floor pain (I’ve asked if I might not get pains due to back/spine complaint as I just didn’t get pain on last period even) that I should be ok.

I really don’t know what to do to help myself other then insist no more catheter and be on anti-d’s -I booked to have smear in a month’s time and I know I won’t like it but got to be done so putting big girl pants on.

Anyone have any idea on weird pain management not involving medication? Thank you.

This sounds awful. I don’t know about AntiD’s for pain management but have they ruled out Pernicious Anemia? Only saying bcos if untreated it can cause nerve damage & be really serious if left - not to alarm you. It needs proper testing but GP’s are poor at spotting & rely on just testing for B12 in your blood where the tests are notoriously unreliable. This often stops them from the further testing needed & can go undiagnosed.
The Pernicious Anemia Society are a good resource for info / symptoms etc.

If they’ve already ruled out with proper tests then ignore this. In the meantime wishing you some relief from your pain 💐

Btw PA is a digestive issue where you don’t produce enough Intrinsic Factor in your gut & can’t absorb B12 properly which can leave to nerve damage etc so tingling, loss of sensation & numbness.
Could it be linked to the digestive issues too.
Clearly not a doctor btw! Good luck

Thank you so much for the info, I just been to physio in here and the specialist nurse has said now it’s believed to be related to the Myelopathy and the neck pressure. I know I should be grateful I got my legs and hands back.

They said I can speak to a counselling lady on Thursday.

Didn’t mean to minimise your myelopathy diagnosis in any way OP. Glad you’re getting the support & hopefully pain relief that you need 💐

No, no please it’s fine, I thought I was going mad, it really wasn’t until the 10th day after surgery before someone here in the hospital finally said it’s to do with the myelopathy. I wish they’d put me right sooner.

Where others might well have expected neck or arm symptoms, mine is in a different place.

Blow me, even after searching the support group, a brand new post on the support group from someone coming round from surgery says they’ve had a numb tummy.

I have no experience OP but just wanted to wish you well, this sounds horrendous.

This is all far too complicated for me- I can't help with anything about your medical experiences.

I would say that you can tell them, if you still wish, that you are struggling emotionally and would like help with managing your mood- it could be about anxiety or depression.

I have been to the GP and asked for medication because I knew a tough time was on the horizon and that I'd need help for it. Twice in fact, once being when my dad was diagnosed with a terminal illness. I was fine when I asked, but knew things were going to get tough.

Asking for help is always a good thing.

I have 2 areas of this, one is in a band around an abdominal scar from an operation and the other is a tight band around by chest under my boobs. This is from pregnancy when baby got stuck under my ribs and must have trapped an area of nerves for several months. I know this is unlikely to be the same reason as yours but I know how horrible it feels. When it was at its worst, it was treated with low dose Nortryptaline which is an antidepressant but in low doses helps nerve pains (Amitryptaline is also prescribed in a low dose for this).

Absolutely you should talk to your Dr about anti d’s, it sounds to me as though you would benefit from seeing a Dr who is going to listen to you about all your concerns.

Hey,

I do thank you all the info, I had forgotten I'm on Amitryptaline but on discharge from hospital it became clear on the discharge summary I'm on Amitryptaline long term so I suppose I cannot have another anti-d if I want to continue with Saxenda.

Guess being in two different hospitals didnt 'help as first day in the former, one of the group of doctors on round, popped back telling me to keep following through on the numb tummy as if to get a 2nd opinion/not let it rest if persisted. I was told the MRI just looked at my neck and back thats it. I just feel after spinal surgery my lower back is really tight but I have an out patients appointment in around 6 weeks time.

I've had a period since discharge but it lasted little more than 24 hours and when I've followed up first hospital who queried in front of my father whether I was diabetic as they wished to query GP's recorded 2021 result; they say they now did 'full bloods' whilst I was with them which when I've chased they cant possible say any more other then only my GP can explain. I kept asking for blood test results in hospital but wasn't getting any answers. Just feels like I'm going round in circles.

Only at my GP practice I just see any old body going, I know not good. I only really am familiar most with the nurse who diagnosed me with diabetes in 2019 who is calling me this Wednesday.