Swollen, hard abdomen with strange lightheadedness feeling

blynn07. I hope you are at least maintaining if not much better. You should look up a Dr. Yurkovsky in New York.

Has anyone considered Celiac disease? It's much more common than people realize. It can cause severe bloating, tingling in extremities and can mimic many diseases... Good luck and hope you feel better.

hi!
I most definitely feel for you, expecially since my nightmare has lasted for 1 year two months.
I have the same symptoms love. Looking for diagnosis, but the only difference is I'm having severe weight gain, after losing weight. Been sick for a year. I'm having all of the signs of lupus except for this hard, very disented(swollen abdomin). One adrenal gland test out of whack. If it isn't lupus, dr's I guess will be looking for cancer. Very fustrated and confused and have to deal with all this in a state that has horrible health care (Arizona).

Please let me know if you are diagnosed. I may very well have the same thing. Otherwise, check lupus, or leukemia, hard to diagnose and blood diseases that explain some of your symptoms just in case it is not what they say it is.

Wishing You The Best And Hope You Are Well Soon
Rachel

blynn07 wrote:

Hi, Back in November I suffered with some sort of a virus that kept me bedridden for about a week. After that virus, I was left with a severe case of Prostatitis and a Pericardial Effusion(water on Heart). I was put on Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, and various antibiotics. Two weeks later I became very lightheaded and felt faint, with chest pain and short of breathe and went to the ER. I was admitted for monitoring. That evening I became so dizzy I could not move. They gave me Meclizine. I then began to have severe abdominal pain. The next day I had an Endoscopy which was normal. Xrays that were normal. Ct scan of my belly, which was normal. An MRI-MRA of my brain, which was normal. Bloodtests were normal. I then had a Pharmachological nuclear stress test as I could not stand from the vertigo. Stress test was normal, but I suffered from terrible discomfort from the stress test. My abdomen hurt so bad and my chest-lungs felt like they would explode. Three more days in the hospital with worsening symptoms of chest pain, left side to middle, excrutiating pain in lower,middle and upper abdomen, as well as lightheadedness, dizzyness, and a nerve pain that went up and down my spine, legs,arms and groin. Doctors ordered stool tests which came back normal. After that stress test, I had a drop in blood pressure of about 15 points and my heart rate which ran at about 85-90, dropped to 60. 50 When I sleep. That is where it has remained to this day. I believe that nuclear biohazard almost killed me. I was released on the 5th day sicker than when I went in. No diagnosis. I went home and followed up with an internest. He tested my blood and stool again for various heavy metals, bacterias, and disease specific blood tests. All came back farely normal. I did find out that my bloodtests in the hospital were slightly bad in the liver. Albumin was raised and Gamma GT was extremely raised. Also heard I was dehydrated and my sugar was low, then slightly high then normal upon leaving the hospital. I went to a Urologist for several visits and had many rectals and a CT Urogram which was normal except for a bit of seminal vesicle inflamation and a prostate inflamation. I had a prostate ultrasound and a systoscope(sp?) More and more antibiotics which tore up my belly. Then I was told after having a venous dopplar that I had a clot in my arm from the IV's. Then started an aspirin regimen(650mg) for 3 months added to the ibuprofen(600mg a day) Diclofenac, simvastatin for cholesterol, carbamazepine for mood and nerve disorder, and still more stomach eating antibiotics. I was also put on Bentyl for the stomach pain and Nexium. Both of which did nothing. I went to a cardiologist at least 4 times and he did a Ct scan of my chest to look for clots and to check my heart, a halter monitor, an event monitor, EKG's, 2 echocardiograms and said my heart was ok. Two months after the hospital stay and after 5 CT scans, three of my chest, and two of my belly-genital region and dozens of more blood tests, the doctors all agreed I was on too many medicines that could be causing conflicts. I was taken off all medicines. Two weeks later my belly began to swell. Nerve pain was now all over my body. From head to toe. I had severe trouble breathing with stabbing pains all over my belly, genitals, neck,arms,back, and head. I went to three different Gastroenterologists and had barium swallows, an enteroscopy, more stool tests, more bloodtests for celiac, Iron deficiancy, vitamin deficiency. Thyroid tests and liver function tests. All came back normal, yet my abdomen continued to swell and be hard as a rock 24/7. I then was sent for a gastric emtying test which was normal. Doctor said I may have a bit of a fast metabolism but not Gastroparesis(paralysis of the stomach) I was sent for 24 hour cortisol test which showed a slightly hi cortisol but I was in pain and nervous so It may have been nothing. I was checked for lead poisoning and that was negative. I continued to see my family doctor to no avail and saw another Neurologist for the nerve pain and lightheadedness. He gave me Carbamazepine again for the nerve pain. I was on it for about 10 days when another doctor got upset with that decision and took me off it again. The doctors started to say at different appointments about a Neuropathy. I saw a neurosurgeon and he said that I need a good neurologist and a nerve conduction test. Nerve test turned out normal. The little nerves that are in your legs and back and genitals and stomach etc. cannot be tested. I went to a Tertiary hospital to see a better Neurologist, and he was a waste. He did reflex tests and blood pressure tests and said that I should go to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for a possible Autonomic Dysfunction, cause my blood pressure swings with positioning too much. My heart rate swings too much. Mt digestive system tests normal, but I still have pains everyday and still after 5 months, have a distended hardened abdomen which causes bad shortness of breath at times and palpitation( pounding heartbeat) regularly. I also have bad lightheadedness most of the day every day. I get nausea and throw up from time to time. It seems that although my belly never shrinks anymore, that after I eat, it swells even worse and I get terrible SOB and irregular heart beats. I am now seeing an Endocrinologist which is running a bunch of tests. If they are normal, I will have to somehow go a thousand miles to the Mayo Clinic for my last hope. I apologize for such a long post. I appreciate any advice from doctors or people who have the same things going on. Right now, my symptoms are bad back pain from tailbone to my head. Mostly in the lower back. A swollen, distended abdomen with rigitity. Difficulty breathing, lightheadedness,pains in my head, swings of constipation to diahrea and still that never ending chest pain on the left breast area and palpitations. I am no longer on any meds. The doctors don't want to make things worse with the symptoms when they cannot figure out what is causing them. Since November, I have lost 30 plus pounds without dieting. Although my appetite was bad, I forced myself to eat and even drink protein drinks like ensure or boost. I did notice that I get sick after drinking Ensure and soymilk. Diahrea and vomiting. I also was taking Lorazepam for a number of months cause the illness scared the pants off me. I have stopped that medicine almost cold turkey. I am getting some withdrawal from that. No diagnosis as to what is swelling my belly, causing all this pain and lightheadedness. Before November I was fairly healthy. Although, about 2 years ago, I lost almost 25 pounds very quickly without dieting and my gastro doctor could not diagnose anything then either. I had at that time, lower left abdomen pain ongoing for months. Now, most of the pain in my belly is either in my lower right abdomen, or a little discomfort under my breastbone, but that can be from the swollen belly? I have not had any scans of my belly since it has swelled. They just refer back to the CT scans prior to the swelling. I am at wits end. The doctors all agree on a few things. I am sick, my symptoms are real cause they can see my swollen belly, but they have a mystery that they cannot diagnose. Thanks for reading and any help you can give me. I am a 38 year old male. No drugs, no smoking, no drinking. Thank you. Brad

Quote:

im sorry to say that i didnt go through everthing u did but i have some similar symptoms.. i went for and ultasound of my right abdomen under ribcage and was diagnosed with gallstones..hope that helps.

Everyone seems to be missing reading this little gem. Thank so much guest. I too have been suffering with these symptoms starting after what I thought was the flu.



I am going to get in touch with doctor Stoopack immediately.

Your story could be written by me. Mine began with a severe viral infection that went months undiagnosed. Mayo I ally diagnosed me with Mononuleosis and later Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome, aka myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome. My nervous system was severely damaged, which resulted in autonomic dysfunction. I attempted to return to work and acquired other infections because my immune system is now functioning at 25%, since it is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. The more Mayo poked me the worse I became and eventually they said, "Go home and rest, you will reach maximum recovery in 3.5-4 years." Fortunately, I was introduced to a woman who had been through a similar experience and she told me to try and get in with a CFIDS specialist. It turns out one of the bet octors was right in my state. The autonomic dysfunction creates a wide array of symptoms that most octors see as being all over the place. Each specialist seems to only focus on their specific area versus viewing the systems as a collaborative unit. The swollen stomach and dizziness is post orthostatic intolerance or POTS, which is common in many patients suffering from CFIDS, PVFS or ME. CFS Knowledge Center is filled with the latest news pertaining to research nd treatment .The man who runs the site has written about symptoms similar to yours and he is a wealth of information. This site also has a series of expert wittiness videos that are directed towards both patients and physicians seeking further education for this debilitating disease. Most importantly is the fact that you can get better and there are doctors who will completelyunderstand your symptoms! God luck and please let me know if you have any other questions.

Sorry for all of the typos!

Have you tried to see a gastroenterologist some one who specializes in this area.

Blynn07,

I am curious to find out if you ever had the MRI of your spine? Perhaps you did and I glanced over that accidentally. I have been searching for answers for my mother who has been sick for 5 years now as of March.

Her symptoms began on one specific day that she remembers clearly. She felt a pain directly below her ribcage on her left side. At first it seemed like reflux-like symptoms because it was exacerbated after eating. Thus began an ongoing barrage of doctor visits which have still resulted in no diagnosis or help. She has tried a gluten-free diet, lactose-free lifestyle and a juicing diet where she had no solid foods for a month. No relief with any of those things.

Next came the almost constant nausea. She has learned to just ignore that since she very rarely actually vomits. She just feels like it all the time. We all began to notice other changes in her memory and her handwriting. She began forgetting things, and her handwriting changed in appearance. I notice a slight shaking in her hands.

She had trouble sleeping and took Ambien almost every day to knock herself out so she wouldn't feel the pain. She has been to gastroenterologists, neurologists, pain specialists and the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. I think the only test she has NOT had is perhaps the MRI of her spine.

In the last 6 months other clues have developed. She had a GYN doctor perform a test on her, and the tech noticed her bladder was full. Yet my mom wasn't aware of that feeling of needing to empty her bladder. In the last 3 months her stomach has started to swell and is rock hard to the touch. She looks pregnant yet is in her late 60's. An MRI of her abdomen showed nothing. She has had two colonoscopies and endocsopies in the last 5 years also to no avail. Now the difficulty sleeping has completely changed and she is difficult to keep awake. She sleeps all the time even though she tries to stay awake. Her vitamin D and B-12 tests are normal. In fact, every test has always been "normal."

I wondered about your spinal MRI because the only time in the last 5 years that she has felt relief from her pain was when she had gone to the pain doc and he implanted some sort of device in her back. I never saw it so pardon my crude description. She had a "clicker" that she was to use when she felt her pain coming on. Over the weekend she had it in, she felt the clicker didn't really help at all so she went back that Monday to get it taken out. When the doctor REMOVED it, she had almost 3 weeks of being completely pain free. We were elated until the symptoms crept back in. While I don't completely understand how the nervous system works, I am thinking that a nerve was nicked on the way out perhaps. So that has made me wonder if it could be nerve related after all and not a gastro problem. She has no brain tumor (scan of her brain was done last fall). I guess where I think my idea could be flawed is with the swollen, hard belly and the constant sleepiness.

This morning she woke up and called me to say she felt like a drunk person. She was extremely dizzy and very nauseous.

I have combed the internet trying to help her so perhaps someone here can add something. I hope you have found someone to help with your treatment.

Have you learned anything more regarding your mom? My bf has the same symptoms and he was born with an extra vertebrate. Any further info could help...thank you!

I notice these posts were one year ago, and hope everyone has found the cause of their ills now.  However, I confounded medics a few years ago with abdominal swelling, and many of the symptoms mentioned here, Allergy testing found nothing, but I started to try eliminating things from my diet, and eventually found the answer, I was allergic to fruit, or intolerant, anyway from that day to this I have avoided all fruit and have been fine, all symptoms have gone away.  Tried a couple of strawberries last year, and it triggered it again.  Goes to show that all the tests in the world can still miss things, or not pick them up.

To blynn07
I am suffering from similar symptoms but not. all as you...however i got diagnosed with Helicobacter Pylori bacteria.

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. This sounds either bacterial or parasitic or even Candida.

my husband have a swollen belly button, some symptoms same as yours but dr don't know what it is?