Wonder if my issues actually stem from my stomach rather than bowel?

[Theredfolder]

I have had IBS type issues for years. Had endless tests but all come back negative so always told it’s IBS.

Have tried literally everything to help conquer this. I have tried various diets, avoiding ‘trigger’ foods/additives/sweetners etc (including dairy and wheat) and all drinks, to the point I am now on a strict low fodmap diet (been on it far too long which is not ideal) and drink only water so all very boring.
I feel that I have tried most of the off the shelf medications and remedies for IBS as well as most of the prescribed ones too.
I exercise, sleep 8 hours a day. I listen to all the gut directed IBS stuff/meditation etc.
Yet none of these things even reduce the symptoms by a little.

I have had so many gastro appointments and so many horrid tests and I feel they now just shrug their shoulders at me because they just don’t know what to do.

Yet I am still having daily symptoms.

But I am starting to wonder if my issues originate from my actual stomach?

I do have all the classic lower gut issues/IBS symptoms like mixed diarrhoea and/or sometimes constipation. Lots of gas, bloating and pain in certain areas and a general uncomfortable and unpredictable bowel but I also have upper issues too and it feels as though this is where it’s all generated from and then works it’s way down to my intestines and bowels?
I will get such a nasty queasy/ nausea feeling and acid like sensation which sometimes radiates to my back and lots of bubbling/popping (I am sitting here in a quiet room and my stomach sounds like a bubbling science experiment!). I can burp quite a bit too. Yet no test has ever picked up gastritis or any other stomach issue.

When I eat I often feel full quite quick, queasy and burpy and as though the food is fermenting in my actual stomach, several hours later it travels down to my intestinal and bowel area and that is when I bloat something crazy (I look 8 months pregnant) and the pain from that bloat can have me rolling on the floor. It can literally take hours to come out the other end as gas.

I had a gastroscope 3 years ago and biopsies for h pylori and coeliac, they were clear. I have also swallowed a pill camera which came back fine apart from a small erosion in my stomach, the gastro said this was nothing of concern and may have been caused by the prep I had to take beforehand. I have had a colonoscopy recently which was clear (still waiting on results from the microscopic colitis biopsies). A few months ago I had a us scan on my upper digestive issues, no gall stones etc. Also had a pelvic scan earlier this year, I do have some gynae issues but that scan was clear.

I am just getting nowhere with my GP I have googled so many things and fallen down lots of rabbit holes but am now wondering if I may have something like low stomach acid and due to that I may not be digesting my food efficiently enough (I do sometimes get a bad smell on my breath and funny taste)?

I know that I am grasping at straws but desperate to feel well again. I feel like I am having to be my own health detective as the gastro has now discharged me even though I still have all these symptoms and I’m on my own trying to find a cause to all of this.

Has anyone else had anything like this?

Gas, bloating, pain especially radiating to the back were the symptoms I had when doctor said it was Dyspepsia. Also lump in throat/sore throat.

I had Lansprazole prescribed which worked.

Have they ever given you omneprazole (sp) or an equivalent PPI?

xpost. That’s another ppi

If they’ve run all the tests and you’ve seen numerous consultants, it seems to point to the issue not being related to your physical body as I’m sure they would’ve picked up on it.

Could you look at the ‘mind’ and ‘soul’ parts of mind, body, soul instead? So go for some trauma therapy, get into a spiritual practice such as yoga or meditation - that kind of thing?

I’m sorry to say that IBS can affect the stomach too. It sounds like yours does.

You should be referred to a dietitian rather than staying on low formal forever, it’s very restrictive.

Have you tried CBT or hypnotherapy?

Sorry, IBS is horrible I know.

Have you had a gastric emptying study? Or looked into gastroparesis?

Thanks everyone.
I listen to gut directed hypnotherapy every day (recording from face to face sessions that I had last year) and meditate too.
I have tried a few PPI’s but they all gave me diarrhoea.
YellowJoggers I haven’t had any tests like this.

My life has been destroyed by IBS for over 20 years now. The only thing that has worked for me is that I recently started on a low dose 10mg of amitriptyline. I only recently found out that this can be prescribed as a second line treatment for IBS as it slows down the process of digestion. I have been plagued by diarrhoea but since I started on amitriptyline it has greatly reduced and I have tried everything. Good luck it is a miserable condition

The bubbling sound is your bowel.

I think if you’ve had camera down and up plus antacids then there’s not much they can do. The low dose antidepressant may help as it does have an effect as described above. Sorry you’re so poorly.
Could they give you an antibiotic just in case it’s an infection?

I had similar issues for years and had lots of tests. A stomach ulcer burst one day (it had been missed on endoscopies). I've been on lanzoprazole since and it works. Day by day though almond milk really makes me feel better and helps with the symptoms.

I had the exact same symptoms and despite coeliac test being negative, I went gluten free. Fixed the issue (mostly) within days. I still get reflux and bloating but not all day every day and no longer in regular pain.

you say you’ve only cut wheat not gluten and intolerance is a real thing so I would definitely try it.

otherwise dairy intolerance is common

I've had similar issues, things that have helped (but not cured me):
Pre biotic tablet every night,
16:8 fasting (not for weight loss but to rest my bowl) -this made the biggest difference,
Lansoprazole and ondansatron,
Reduced bread and sugar consumption.
I have a slow emptying stomach so am careful not to eat too much at anyone sitting.
I think a lots trial and error unfortunately.

coopy10 I have tried Nortriptyline but that made me worse but I maybe need to try amitriptyline? I totally and utterly understand when you say it destroyed your life, that’s exactly where I am right now.
swanling it starts higher up, between my breastbone area.
BHRK in my desperation, I paid privately for a very expensive comprehensive stool test, it didn’t flare up any infections or bacteria.
Bowlplatesoupandroll do you take a probiotic as well as the prebiotic?

swanling it starts higher up, between my breastbone area.

That and burping was definitely caused by stress for me. There was a root cause in the fact I also have digestive issues, but my anxiety about it made it much worse. Between my breastbone and radiating out through my back.

When you exercise, does the pain between your breastbone disappear? Mine did.

Batalax I am definitely really stressed and anxious. It’s a real vicious cycle though because the symptoms are stressing me so much, not only the constant worrying what it is but the constant stress that I may vomit or need the loo urgently when out and about (or worst still, poop myself 😳), it’s making me feel on the verge of agoraphobia tbh.
Did you find anything to help ease the anxiety side of things without exacerbating the gut issues?

Edmr therapy has helped my health anxiety in general.

Low stomach acid is very rare and not a ‘thing’ - look up Drs Jamie Koufman and Jonathan Aviv - they are the leading doctors regarding reflux and stomach acidity. You could try one of their diets, they are more about reflux than ibs but they’re all v healthy and anti inflammatory. They’ve helped me but I’m prob not strict enough to get 100% symptom free.

PPIs shouldn’t be taken long term and can mess further with your gut. They give me bad wind, but help with the reflux so I’m not surprised you struggle with them.
The gut is so complicated- I’ve had so many symptoms and tests this past year - only slight duodenitis found and h pylori, but that may have been coincidental. My stomach also empties slowly so small meals, lower fat etc is the way to go.

Have you had an upper abdominal scan, gallbladder and pancreas ok?

Have you been tested for SIBO?
small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

Go Gluten free also drink KEFIR daily

If you don't mind me asking, how is low stomach acid diagnosed, is it picked up via endoscopy, pH monitoring or something else? What medication fixes it? Thanks.

“am now wondering if I may have something like low stomach acid and due to that I may not be digesting my food efficiently enough ”

Oooh, @Theredfolder. Can I offer an alternative thought on this?

It’s not LOW stomach acid that’s causing the gas. It’s HIGH acid – which is (over-enthusiastically) fermenting your food in your stomach causing the burps and then carrying gas through your intestines causing bloating and wind.

Have you ever tried half a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in a small cup of warm water. It tastes rank so have a mint to suck afterwards! Just neck it like you would a shot! It works bloody quickly though (within about 5 – 20 mins) and won’t do you any harm if it doesn’t help. It will make you burp initially but you’ll feel your digestive system settle as it works it’s way through your tubes. It is available down the baking isles of supermarkets or even your corner shop as it’s used in food/cooking.

Sorry, I can’t help raving about Bicarb – it’s settled my IBS flareups so many times now. Same symptoms as yours and, similarly, tests (thankfully) have come back as nothing more onerous.