Stomach Problems

by Carlton
(Willis, Texas, USA)

I am a 22 year old male and for three weeks I would wake up with stomach pains, they were cramping and bloating. I went to the E.R. and they ran a CAT scan, Blood work, urine sample and stool test for blood and they all came back fine. I started taking a natural colon cleanser and for a week I had no pain at all and when I woke up this morning it was back could this be IBS? I also have anxiety really bad and its making me scared and it makes the pains worse. What could this be?

Symptoms Of IBS Stomach Problems

Certainly your symptoms sound like IBS or the Irritable Bowel Syndrome, bearing in mind your age and the investigations that you have had. I assume that you have been tested for celiac disease? Small bowel bacterial overgrowth can also sometimes present in this way as can a condition called giardiasis. Your doctor will be able to tell you if these have been excluded.

The fact that the bowel cleanser worked for a bit is also suggestive.

As I am sure you know, having looked at this website, IBS is a chronic, relapsing condition and there is no cure. If you suffer from anxiety it can make your symptoms worse and you may benefit from drugs that might reduce your anxiety and pain such as Amitriptyline and SSRI drugs. You might also benefit from hypnotherapy and relaxation therapy.

Diet is important and you may find the IBS diet section helpful for your symptoms

Use this websites forum to discuss your stomach problems with other sufferers who might be able to give you advice too.

Remember, your symptoms are a problem, but they are not associated with any long term illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease or serious diseases such as cancer.




My name is Dr Peter Thatcher MBBS, MRCPI and I am a consultant physician and gastroenterologist in the UK. I have an interest in internet based medicine and administer this site in my spare time. I hope you find this site useful and informative. If you have any suggestions, please Contact Me or if you would like to comment on my site, please do so by Clicking Here. If you like the site and would like to make a donation to support what I am doing please do so by Clicking Here. Thank you for visiting and please drop by again!