Endless gastric symptoms, all tests negative

[tobyj]

This is not about me but about DM (age 77). She's been having some form of stomach problems for about three or four years. Initially had blood in stool - had colonoscopy, nothing found. Then, over the last two to three years, she's had a variety of symptoms - permanent bloating for months on end (but other times absent), frequent nausea, bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea at least every few weeks, reduced appetite. Tried dietary changes in case of IBS, to no avail. Has had blood and thyroid tests, and back in September the GP ordered ultrasound, endoscopy and virtual colonoscopy. All clear.

Symptoms have still persisted, and she's recently had dizziness and faintness as well (connected or not, who knows?). She's had more blood in her stool recently, so the hospital have now ordered an internal colonoscopy, as the most recent one was virtual.

I just don't know what to think. The new colonoscopy might find something of course - but all the previous tests have come back clear. I've wondered about things like Crohn's, but apparently a new diagnosis would be rare in mid 70s. What else could be causing these symptoms, that wouldn't have shown up on all the scans she's already had? It doesn't help that she also has mild cognitive impairment and anxiety, so conversations can be tricky. It feels like there's something really wrong, as she feels so rubbish so much of the time - but nobody seems to know what the something might be.

Has she been tested for H Pylori?

My H.pylori symptoms were only in the upper stomach area though and more akin to chronic and permanent acid indigestion.

Has her gallbladder been checked? Gallbladders are pesky things which cause all kinds of symptoms in places you'd never imagine.

Bile acid malabsorption?

When all test are clear look at Sibo private test or referral. Causes a lot of these symptoms. Antibiotic treatment and adding probiotics . However in my experience when all tests are clear gastronologists will look at a disregulation in the gut brain axis. Can cause all physical problems but due to sensitivity in the stomach nerves/gut rather than a physical cause. So an over sensitive nervous system . Problems with Sibo and dysbiosis can also cause digestive problems because of the gut microbiome not being healthy and sending negative signals to brain effecting mood and anxiety which then can add to the problem.

Thanks, once the latest colonoscopy has been done I'll get her to ask about these other possibilities. Not gallbladder - she had that out decades ago. Never heard of SIBO before, so thanks. Will also try to check if she's had an H Pylori test.

I sympathise as I am going through endless tests for gastric symptoms. They would normally check for H Pylori when doing an endoscopy (they did with mine) but worth checking as I think they can do it via breath test if they did not take a sample during the endoscopy.

Microbotic Colitis, it doesn't show with a colonoscopy, she'll need a biopsy to diagnose.

The symptoms are similar to my DF's. He has just been diagnosed with Lymphoma.
Has your mother been tested for that?

I thought I'd come back to update. DM had her colonoscopy and they removed five polyps. There's also one low down near the rectum that was too large to remove (15mm) so she's got an appointment for a surgical consult. Waiting for the histology report on the ones they removed, but hoping they're benign and that these might prove to have been the cause of her problems.

Keeping everything crossed for her/you 🤞