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Original poster

Anyone care to diagnose

73 replies

Bowwowjangles · 11/04/2018 17:59

Just for fun really as back at Drs again on Friday.

We are trying to work out why I keep getting a sharp, gnawing pain in my left side, plus almost like attacks of gas. Belching and smelly wind.
I've had an ultrasound which came back all clear and bloods.
Bloods showed low ferritin - 6 and vitamin d (We now have raised them a little with meds) but what also comes up is high mch and mcv and low rbs.

I admit I am quite worried about my bloods as mum has leukaemia and Google says it's not good to have raised mch and mcv.

I've had a stool test for hypolori which was negative and been tested negative for Crohn's. I am currently trying a low fodmap diet but it's early days and I don't know if it will work.
The pain can be intense, an 8/9 on pain scale. Sometimes I can pinpoint the exact location other times it can radiate to the kidney area/back. I am currently taking alverine citrine, magravol for constipation and have also tried Colfac.
Thanks for any advice Flowers

OP posts:
Original poster
Bowwowjangles · 11/04/2018 19:19

Forgot to say I was diagnosed with ME about 4 years ago. I don't think that has anything to do with it.

Oh and I've noticed my poop floats. Unsure if that's good or bad. Google gives conflicting advice

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Skiiltan · 11/04/2018 20:46

Sounds like some kind of pancreatitis and/or blockage of an aperture through which pancreatic secretions pass into the duodenum. Floating & foul-smelling poo suggests lack of breakdown of fat, which in turn suggests that lipase enzymes from the pancreas aren't reaching the small intestine. Left-sided abdominal pain is also characteristic of pancreatitis. Does the pain get worse shortly after eating, and/or less severe if you lean forwards?

Original poster
Bowwowjangles · 11/04/2018 22:15

Thanks *Skilton that sounds scary. Is it as bad as it sounds? I've had an ultrasound though and they checked pancreas etc. That all being said it does start after I've eaten something. I haven't tried the leaning forward yet.

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Original poster
Bowwowjangles · 11/04/2018 22:32

Sorry, Skiilton. Daft thumbs tonight

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swingofthings · 12/04/2018 06:53

Forgot to say I was diagnosed with ME about 4 years ago. I don't think that has anything to do with it.
It could. High mch and mcv will make you anaemic. Added to low iron, you would be extremely tired. ME can be misdiagnosed fatigue. I assume you had tests done then though, did you have similar results?

Also, how high was your mch/mcv? When you say sharp pain on the left, how low/high? Is it just under your ribs? If that's the case, this could be your spleen. These results and an enlarged spleen could be related.

Low rbc would be expected with low ferritin and high mch/mcv. How did the results for your kidney/liver function come back, and white blood cells? What was your ultrasound looking at?

Can't diagnose here of course, but a condition that can cause high mch/mcv and stomach pains is celiac disease. Celiac disease can disturb the absorption of Vit B12 and this will impact on your ability to form normal rbc. Were you tested for B12 deficiency? To be noted though that the normal NHS test does not always show a deficiency and more tests might be required.
Good luck tomorrow

Original poster
Bowwowjangles · 12/04/2018 19:14

Hi Swingofthings
Thanks for your reply. I will do my best not to drip feed.
I had a lot of tests for ME and was referred to a rheumatologist for fibro but eventually diagnosed by a CFS clinic and was under them for pain management for a while. I have always questioned the diagnosis and it's not sat properly with me.

My mch is 33.8pg (has reached 34.8 on some bloods)
mcv is 99.5 (but has reached 102 on some bloods)
rbs is 3.84 - this is quite new though and when ferritin was 7 my rbs was still 4.07 (so looked like one was robbing the other)
white cell is 4.7 10*9/L

eGFRcreat 69 ml/min/1.73m*2 - they said normal
vitamin d was 24.6 nmol but with meds, it's now 96 nmol - but I would think it's dropped again as they took me off meds.

Ultrasound was looking at all organs - also had pelvic one too. I have online access to tests so can tell you what they looked at.
They said they found what they think is a small fibroid or scar tissue (had 3 sections) and small simple cyst on ovary but everything else okay. Checked Liver (normal in size and echo texture) no intrahepatic duct, dilation seen Gallbladder, CBD, Both Kidneys, spleen, aorta and pancreas, ovaries, uterus and endometrium measures 8mm with regular echo.

The pain is mainly about 2cm up from belly button on the left side - Dr said I was pointing to my stomach so thinks gastro related. But it now also radiates to the back. It is definitely worse after eating and can start almost immediately - which is odd as I thought it would take so long to reach these areas. I have also now started getting heartburn but this is new. And as explained above - burping episodes which sometimes sound wet Confused and smelly wind (to the point it's getting embarrassing in public Blush
I've had Dr's tell me it's an ulcer and give me omarazepole, even though at the time no heartburn. Air pockets in the intestines and now IBS. We thought Crohn's because my dad and brother have it - well Dad has fistulas which I believe is a type of Crohns

b12 was last checked May 2016 and was 233ng/L

I have often thought could it be coeliac and have asked to be tested a while ago - but when I look back at all the bloods I can't see that is has been done and will ask again tomorrow.

Sorry for such a long reply. I'm completely fed up really - I have 3 kids with needs and really haven't time to be ill and worry about all the what if's. Mum is going to come with me tomorrow and ask for an MRI for me.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bowwowjangles · 12/04/2018 19:17

I really shouldn't google as got myself into a state now. On the plus I struggle to lose weight, have no yellowing of the eyes, ibs c rather than d and still have an appetite.

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Original poster
Bowwowjangles · 12/04/2018 19:19

Oh and not a hardened drinker. Only drink red wine - maximum 1 bottle over a weekend.

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applesandpears56 · 12/04/2018 21:55

www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/diverticulitis-symptoms

Diverticulitis?

jalopy · 12/04/2018 22:27

Gall stones? Sometimes stones or sludge can occur further along bilary tract and blockages can affect the pancreas, etc.

timeistight · 12/04/2018 22:45

B12 was way too low last time it was checked. I'd want to rule out Pernicious Anaemia with B12 at that level.

Havetohaveanewchufffingaccount · 12/04/2018 22:49

I felt my gall stones in the side as u described. Pain came on instantly with no warning-often after eating.

Strax · 12/04/2018 22:54

B12 leaps out at me too (I have pernicious anaemia). Deficiency is often misdiagnosed as ME. Lack of B12 makes your red blood cells enlarged and malformed so you would get high mcv with a more normal rbc. Macrocytic anaemia is a telltale sign.
When I was diagnosed (by the gp spotting the macrocytic anaemia) the first thing they did was send me off to have checks for coeliac disease as it's a big cause of problems absorbing B12. I didn't have any gastric problems but it sounds like this should definitely be looked into for you. Ask to have your B12 level checked again, it was low in 2016 (we have a very low range set in the uk).

Original poster
Bowwowjangles · 12/04/2018 23:05

@applesandpears56 thank you, I'm unsure. I think the pain could he classed as being higher up. But will show Gp though

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bijoubijou · 12/04/2018 23:07

Stone blocking bile duct

Original poster
Bowwowjangles · 12/04/2018 23:12

@jalopy thank you, they said my gallbladder was good and no stones

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Original poster
Bowwowjangles · 12/04/2018 23:13

@timeistight thank you, I've mentioned pernicious anemia before as my uncle has it. Will defo mention again

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Original poster
Bowwowjangles · 12/04/2018 23:14

@havetohavenewaccount on the left side?

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MinaPaws · 12/04/2018 23:14

Small gallstones can move around and cause agonising pain.

Have they ruled out stomach ulcers? I get those and they can be so painful I can't move.

Original poster
Bowwowjangles · 12/04/2018 23:16

Thank you @strax is pernicous anemia part of coeliacs?

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Ragusa · 12/04/2018 23:16

Coeliac sounds a distinct possibility.

Original poster
Bowwowjangles · 12/04/2018 23:18

Thanks @bijouxbijoux would they not see those on an ultrasound?

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Original poster
Bowwowjangles · 12/04/2018 23:19

@MinaPaws thank you, the first gp said ulcer and gave me omarazepole

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Original poster
Bowwowjangles · 12/04/2018 23:21

Thanks @Ragusa don't you have diarrhoea with coeliac? I'm the opposite

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Strax · 12/04/2018 23:25

Long term use of omeprazole also can cause B12 absorption problems.
Pernicious anaemia and coeliac disease are both causes of B12 deficiency, they're not themselves linked but as they both cause B12 def, the symptoms of that are the same. Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune disease where your body destroys the cells needed to absorb B12 so it always needs lifetime injections of B12. I think if you have coeliac disease and that gets controlled, you can then start absorbing B12 again so don't necessarily need lifelong B12 treatment.