chronic stomach pain

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2005
chronic stomach pain
3
Fri, 01-27-2006 - 5:59pm

I am writing this in hopes that someone will recognize the symptoms and help my Mom.

My mom has been suffering from chronic stomach aches/pain. I think it has to do with stress...job related, but at the same time, I worry that it may be something much more serious that the doctors just cannot diagnose.

My mother is 59 years old, married with 5 grown children. She had a hysterectomy at the age of 48 and suffered polio as a child (Confined to a wheel chair until age 13). In addition to being a bit overweight, she has early signs of osteoperosis (due to the polio she suffered as a child), and had a hernia surgically removed 13 years ago. Yea, sounds like she's totally unhealthy, but she's an active woman. She still works full time (absolutely loves what she does), tries to eat healthy, walks one hour everyday and still manages to have fun when meeting up with her friends to have a cup of coffee three times a week.

After much testing, including a colonoscopy (twice), ultrasounds, changing diet habits, monitoring daily nutrition intake, including eliminating certain foods...nothing can be found. She's seen 3 different doctors and no one can pin-point what she suffers from.

She complains of pains resembling, colic/gas. But these pains practically paralyze her. Sometimes they are so painful, she crys for hours. Othertimes, all it takes is a hot tea or nap. We've also grown into the habit of warming up a towel and placing it over her abdomen and stomach. This tends to ease the pain. Other symptoms are extreme bloating, loss of appetite, and fatigue.

I just worry for her and don't want her to suffer anymore. Any help will be IMMENSLY appreciated!

Thanks in advance.
AG

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Sun, 01-29-2006 - 10:45am

Hi AG!


In this day and age, I think it so wonderful that you are so concerned about your mother.

 
Avatar for ariesgirl26
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 01-29-2006 - 12:56pm

I feel for her I really do and she is not alone. I too get stomach pains, that paralyze me as well, and yes it goes on for hours, awakening me from a sleep, but the strange thing is that happens once a year, and has ben going on for three years, I never know when it's going to happen or for how long. I've had a upper endoscopy done, and barium test done with my intetsines, and upper GI tract, and they have found nothing except for the fact that I have GERD, esophagitis, and chronic gastritis. Somtimes it feels like I have knife in my stomach and if I move or walk it becomes soo bad, that I curl up in a little ball, until it goes away. My doctors have no idea what it is, or why I get it.

She's not alone and I really feel bad for her. Also i have no ulcers.

Jess

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2003
Wed, 02-01-2006 - 8:21am

Just pain does not help much. Does she have trouble with her bowels. What a question to ask but I know you are trying to help your Mom and this would be a place to start as well as what kind of meds she may be on and checking the side effects. Many meds have stomach upset as a sied effect and even over the counter items like vitamins can upset the stomach and cause diarrhea.

Linda