Abdominal troubles

Hey guys,

I'm posting this up on behalf on of my dad whose having some problems in his abdominal area and i'm hoping you guys can be of some assistance (doctors are useless).

Some stats:

- Weighs around 68kg
- Short guy, around 166cm

Symptoms as he describes them:

- Bloating nearly everyday
- Pressure in the abdominal region, as though his stomach is stretching out
- Going to the toilet often (2-3 times in the day)
- Constipation half the time, mild diarrhea the other half

He's always had these issues but its recently gotten worse. He's had ultrasounds + x-rays which have all come up negative.

If its of any relevance, he was diagnosed with a fatty liver 4 months ago, but a recent blood test says that his liver is completely healthy.

He's abit of a hypochondriac (he's convinced it's bowel cancer...), so any input is much appreciated.

To be honest, I think it's just an issue with his diet. Maybe his stomach plays up with certain food(s)? His diet is pretty ordinary, today he ate:

- Sultana bran
- Fish + broccili
- Some apple pie
- Oats
- White rice + beans + lamb

Anyone had any similar experiences/has any idea what the problem is?

Thanks

n00bs could give more of an answer but maybe he's allergic to gluten or something like that.

Mm maybe.

Also to note, the doctor told him to take up pilates?

AS I ALSO SUFFER FROM BLOATING , I HAVE HAD TO CUT OUT MILK & MILK PRODUCTS AS THAT WAS GIVING ME A PROBLEM AND BREAKFAST CEREAL ALSO OUT WHITE RICE AND WHITE FLOUR FOODS SUGAR ,AND EAT REALLY SMALL MEALS MORE OFTEN , NO JUCK FOOD LIKE TAKE AWAY ,
ONLY THE PAST FEW YEARS I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SOME TIMES AS WE AGE THESE THINGS ARE SENT TO CHALLENGE US ,

Alec

I suffer from a reasonably severe bowel disease. It might be hard for to talk about but ask him about blood in his stool. There are several problems that could cause his symptoms. In my case they used a process of elimination. After going through my personal hell, which is ongoing, I can only highly recommend seeing doctors until its diagnosed. Its highly unlikely its bowel cancer. Its also unlikely to be the same problem as I have as there are usually more symptoms and often more severity. I don't really like talking about it, but if I can stop one person feeling how I do then it'll make my day. So far I'd recommend he gets a 2nd opinion without being concerned.

ok, do this.

No gluten for a week, see how he feels.

Research coeliac disease, my wife has it, and if she eats gluten she gets all those symptoms.

Sounds like Crohns disease, also check if he has skin/scalp condition that can be an indicator. Crohns is not normally diagnosed by a GP, they really would not know.

Unfortunately i think a lot of people suffer certain stomach problems and it truely is not easy to get by day to day without pain

ALECLYNNE said:

AS I ALSO SUFFER FROM BLOATING , I HAVE HAD TO CUT OUT MILK & MILK PRODUCTS AS THAT WAS GIVING ME A PROBLEM AND BREAKFAST CEREAL ALSO OUT WHITE RICE AND WHITE FLOUR FOODS SUGAR ,AND EAT REALLY SMALL MEALS MORE OFTEN , NO JUCK FOOD LIKE TAKE AWAY ,
ONLY THE PAST FEW YEARS I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SOME TIMES AS WE AGE THESE THINGS ARE SENT TO CHALLENGE US ,

Alec

Click to expand...

I was thinking the exact same thing. Thank you for the input, all the best with everything.

ChewOnALiveAnimal said:

I suffer from a reasonably severe bowel disease. It might be hard for to talk about but ask him about blood in his stool. There are several problems that could cause his symptoms. In my case they used a process of elimination. After going through my personal hell, which is ongoing, I can only highly recommend seeing doctors until its diagnosed. Its highly unlikely its bowel cancer. Its also unlikely to be the same problem as I have as there are usually more symptoms and often more severity. I don't really like talking about it, but if I can stop one person feeling how I do then it'll make my day. So far I'd recommend he gets a 2nd opinion without being concerned.

Click to expand...

He mentioned when we were talking earlier about it, that he's "lucky there's no blood in his stool". Thank you for your concern and I wish you all the best.

Paullie said:

ok, do this.

No gluten for a week, see how he feels.

Research coeliac disease, my wife has it, and if she eats gluten she gets all those symptoms.

Click to expand...

I'll have him start on the gluten-free diet on friday. Thanks mate.

craze said:

Sounds like Crohns disease, also check if he has skin/scalp condition that can be an indicator. Crohns is not normally diagnosed by a GP, they really would not know.

Unfortunately i think a lot of people suffer certain stomach problems and it truely is not easy to get by day to day without pain

Click to expand...

Thanks mate. I'll read up.

From wikipedia on Chrohn's disease:

It primarily causes abdominal pain, diarrhea (which may be bloody if inflammation is at its worst), vomiting, or weight loss,[1][2][3] but may also cause complications outside of the gastrointestinal tract such as skin rashes, arthritis, inflammation of the eye, tiredness, and lack of concentration.[1]

I may be just pulling these out of thin air, but he is generally tired, lacks concentration and has a optic nerve which is at much less than 100%.

I'll have a look at his scalp when he gets home (lol).

Chrohn's disease is only one of several types of similiar diseases. Its really only diagnosed after a colonoscopy (if the disease limits itself to that area, which it does not have to), and a biopsy of the affected area. That is not the disease I have but very similiar and you do not have to get all the symptoms and you can get other symptoms. Chrohn's disease usually presents between 15 and 30 years of age. It has presented in babies and the elderly.

I also tried many diet experiments etc as a self diagnosis experiment and failed miserably and only caused the disease to be left untreated longer.

If he has had the blood, urine and stool tests, his GP should be referring him to a specialist.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Vicious-Cycle-Intestinal-Through/dp/0969276818/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1287467062&sr=1-1]Amazon.com: Breaking the Vicious Cycle: Intestinal Health Through Diet (9780969276814): Elaine Gloria Gottschall: Books: Reviews, Prices & more[/ame]




Good book its under $20.

I reccomend you read it...

I really do hope its as simple as a gluten intolerance or coeliac disease.

I would start him on this diet right away, it can only do good. Like I said my wife is a coeliac, and I ate pretty much gluten free now, its a good thing.

Having a look at that list of foods he ate that day.

- Sultana bran - cant eat contains gluten
- Fish + broccili - good, as long as theres no sause for the fish
- Some apple pie - cant eat contains gluten
- Oats - cant eat contains gluten
- White rice + beans + lamb - good, no gravy for the lamb though unless its gluten free gravox.

If you have any doubts, pm me, Ill ask my wife if its ok to take. If in doubt, dont eat it. There are some foods that are tricky...

He cut out all processed carbs/gluten containing products and he's feeling better. We'll see how he is in a weeks time.

Thanks for all the help guys.

Brilliant, listen I dont bulk bill, so your gonna have to send through cash for this consultation.

Seriously, awesome, I hope he improves even more.

Paullie said:

Brilliant, listen I dont bulk bill, so your gonna have to send through cash for this consultation.

Seriously, awesome, I hope he improves even more.

Click to expand...

Which account do I wire into Dr Paul?

hehee, first consult is free.

Is he better today?