Hi! Abdominal Issue...

Since March '03, I have been agonized by the following SYMPTOMS. No
abnormality has been discovered by any test (listed below). Its
beginning to bother me to death & even hurt my performance at work.


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SYMPTOMS
================================================

-- Strong upward internal PUSHING (not pain) under the ribs. Feels
very suffocating. Feeling is like something is pushing hard upwards,
trying to rip through my diaphragm. Acute when wearing trousers (even
very loose) and sitting down on a chair or driving. I get instant
RELIEF on unbottoning and unzipping pants.

-- Burning sensation in the throat because of above abdominal
pressure. This goes away too when I stand up or unbutton my pants.
There is *NO BURNING IN THE CHEST* just in the throat.

-- Intermittent dull to moderate RUQ (under rib) + RLQ pain.

-- Increased gurgling sounds from the abdomen.

-- Increased acne (only on the chin). Never had acne all my life

-- Bleeding *ON* the stools (not in the stools). It is fresh *RED*
blood, not mixed but on top of the stools. Some relief on inserting a
suppository through the rectum.


===============================================
TESTS PERFORMED & RESULTS
===============================================

-- Upper GI (Barium Swallow), 
* No reflux detected
* No hiatal hernia detected
* No abnormalities detected
				

-- Upper GI Ultrasound, 
* No gallbladder or kidney stones
* No abnormalities detected 
		

-- Upper Endoscopy,
* No H Pylori infection on biopsy
* 1 tiny 'micro ulcer' not deemed anything of concern. The doc put me
on
aciphex 20 mg x 2 times a day. No relief using medication.
		
		
-- Abdominal CT Scan
* No abnormalities detected		
		

-- Liver Bloodwork, 
* No abnormalities detected		
	

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MY OWN SUSPICIONS / ANALYSIS
================================================

-- Some kind of a hernia causing upward pressure? Can the intestines
or liver or stomach be pushing upwards due to a rupture in some
muscular wall? I see that I have developed a belly bulge and its hard
to suck in my tummy.

-- Some swelling or enlargement of an organ (stomach, intestines,
gallbladder or liver?) due to any infection or some other reason that
the radiologist did not catch or consider abnormal.

-- Aciphex has not helped at all & I've never had any chest burning,
swallowing food problems. I sleep well and am not disturbed by any
reflux. I dont think its GERD.

-- Inflammation or weakening of the diaphragm? Is there any such thing
or any diagnosis for that.

-- Some bacterial infection in the intestines that has caused swelling
(or enlargement)? If there was an infection, it would have shown up as
a high WBC count but I'm not sure.


===============================================
FUTURE TESTS SCHEDULED BY THE DOC
===============================================

-- Colonscopy tomorrow (June 16 2003). Not sure if its going to reveal
anything.


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MY HEALTH AND OTHER PROFILE
================================================

-- 30 year old male; 164 pounds; 5-10 height. No serious health issues
until now.

-- Dont exercise now. Was into tennis, running (sometimes intense
weight lifting) until this started.

-- Ethnically Asian (North Indian) but residing in the United States.

-- Family history of mild constipation, diabetes (but only paternal
grandparents) and heart disease (father had first mild stroke at age
61 and again at 64. He is 68 now but doing fine).

-- Medium to High stress life over the past 5 years -- underwent
financial, career and emotional problems some years back. Things
normal over the past 2 years.

-- Highly educated professional (Bachelors + 2 Master degrees)
	
	
Please help, I'm getting very frustrated and desperate...	
:-( SK


kevinmd