gastroenterology guys (1 Viewer)

[Steeler]

Can anyone recommend a gastroenterologist in Tampa/St. Pete area? Or can anyone provide feedback.

Long story short, I have stomach pain in one specific spot in my upper left side of my abdomen, they performed a bunch of tests (upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, CT scan, blood work) which all looked good. But the specific point (if I had ripped abs it would be the top most muscle on the left side) and the mid line of my abdomen between sternum and belly button are sensitive if I push on those areas with some pressure. They are suggesting a cortisone shot because it must be some sort of old injury, arthritis, or whatever. I don't mind the shot necessarily, but they didn't positively identify the specific injury or whatever and instead seem to be suggesting this since all the really bad stuff was ruled out. I have some other symptoms at times (indigestion after eating, general cramping, bloating, gas) but those were largely ignored during this whole process. I changed my diet about 2.5 weeks ago (more fruits/veggies, fewer processed foods, no sugar, no drinking (except for Halloween night) which haven't changed any of the symptoms.

So just looking for a second opinion before committing to the shot.

 

[Buckfast 1]

No place better to get a second opinion than the FFA. This place is loaded with gastroenterologists. I think you should go back to drinking. And see another doctor.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

I think he is looking for others that have experienced similar problems and what they did about. Really good slam though fella.

 

[IC FBGCav]

https://www.zocdoc.com/doctor/mirela-onea-md-44917

I just googled, had good reviews.

 

[joffer]

oh those guys

 

[Willie Neslon]

You're constipated. Take some milk of magnesia. Two tablespoons before bed and two in the morning. Make sure your morning is free so you can poop for hours. I had the exact same pains you talked about, had all the tests. Just took a great doctor to finally see the obvious. Suffered for years. Not one pain since. Eat more fiber, drink more water. Your transverse colon is compacted. The pain you're feeling is food squeezing past the compaction.

 

[gianmarco]

Stop pushing in those areas.

 

[SWC]

yeah do not mess with it go get a referral for a second opinion and have another doc take a look all seriousness on this

 

[Buckfast 1]

I think he is looking for others that have experienced similar problems and what they did about. Really good slam though fella.

I gave him the best advice that he could possibly get from a bunch of armchair gastroenterologists.

 

[AAABatteries]

You're constipated. Take some milk of magnesia. Two tablespoons before bed and two in the morning. Make sure your morning is free so you can poop for hours. I had the exact same pains you talked about, had all the tests. Just took a great doctor to finally see the obvious. Suffered for years. Not one pain since. Eat more fiber, drink more water. Your transverse colon is compacted. The pain you're feeling is food squeezing past the compaction.

Was your pain lower or upper abdomen? I'm experiencing some similar symptoms but mine is almost even with my belly button. They tested me for diverticulitis but thankfully that came back negative. Tell me Willie, am I full of #### or what?

 

[ROCKET]

I've had a couple similar bouts of stomach issues, went thru all the tests and found nothing. I too started to eat better, quit drinking etc. and slowly got better. One word I will say to you, probiotics. I use the Garden of Life Perfect Food stuff (Super Green Formula). You have to get that good bacteria back into your septic system of innards. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[TheIronSheik]

No place better to get a second opinion than the FFA. This place is loaded with gastroenterologists. I think you should go back to drinking. And see another doctor.

Don't listen to this quack. Have you done any unusual activity, like this guy? This could cause those symptoms.

 

[Dismattle]

First off, Id suggest going caffiene free for two weeks.. (Chk ingredients, youll be shocked)

Second, Id siggest vsiting a chiropractor.

Allergist (could be food allergies)

It wouldnt hurt to start using some "real" pro-biotics (too conincide w/ healthier eating)

I think ya should explain the pain (what/when it occurs).. (imho) A shot to cover up pain from your body telling ya something is wrong is kinda interesting.

Bear in mind, I have no idea of your pain threshold, or if were actually talking deabilitating (cant move Or lose ability to move kinda deal)

p.s. I think we may both be shocked at what the Chiropractor is able to diagnose..

 

[Ditka Butkus]

First off, Id suggest going caffiene free for two weeks.. (Chk ingredients, youll be shocked)

Second, Id siggest vsiting a chiropractor.

Allergist (could be food allergies)

It wouldnt hurt to start using some "real" pro-biotics (too conincide w/ healthier eating)

I think ya should explain the pain (what/when it occurs).. (imho) A shot to cover up pain from your body telling ya something is wrong is kinda interesting.

Bear in mind, I have no idea of your pain threshold, or if were actually talking deabilitating (cant move Or lose ability to move kinda deal)

p.s. I think we may both be shocked at what the Chiropractor is able to diagnose..

Yes.. they should know about being full of ####.

 

[Willie Neslon]

You're constipated. Take some milk of magnesia. Two tablespoons before bed and two in the morning. Make sure your morning is free so you can poop for hours. I had the exact same pains you talked about, had all the tests. Just took a great doctor to finally see the obvious. Suffered for years. Not one pain since. Eat more fiber, drink more water. Your transverse colon is compacted. The pain you're feeling is food squeezing past the compaction.

Was your pain lower or upper abdomen? I'm experiencing some similar symptoms but mine is almost even with my belly button. They tested me for diverticulitis but thankfully that came back negative. Tell me Willie, am I full of #### or what?

Mine was all over the place but the last year or so of my pain was upper left abdomen. I did every test including the drinking of the chalky stuff and the mri or ctscan or whatever it was. Went to a specialist, nobody could tell me anything. Was told maybe it was stress. Finally just dealt with it for a while and eventually my doctor retired, got with a new doctor. First thing he asks is if I'm constipated. I say no because I'm pooping every day. Quick x-ray shows my transverse colon to be almost completely compacted. He tells me to go to the drug store and do the Milk of Magnesia. Problem solved.

Then about 2 years later I'm having kind of similar issues. Pain, bloating, just don't feel right. Having trouble exercising. The neighbor planted a bunch of flowers and I'm thinking that maybe I'm dealing with some type of allergy because my issues start and soon as the flowers are planted. I'm taking liquid antacid which is making me poop liquid so i know I'm not constipated. Back to the doctor. He examines me, says he feels like "something is going on". He's thinking about what tests he wants to do, starts writing stuff down in my chart then pauses, thinks some more and says, "you know what? I want to get an x-ray just to be sure." X-ray shows almost complete compaction of my transverse colon. He laughs and tells me how lucky I was that he decided to do the xray. This time he tells me to go to the drug store and buy magnesium citrate and drink it all before bed. The next morning I poop like I never thought possible. Like a geyser. It was quite amazing. Anyway, I feel back to normal. I go back to the doctor for a follow up, he tells me dehydration causes constipation, he gets people one after another every summer coming in with stomach issues. I'm a runner so I'm out in the heat, not drinking enough water, not eating enough fiber and next thing you know I'm having stomach pain. The light finally came on with diet and I bought one of those Blendtec blenders. Now eating at least 5 servings of vegetables a day. No more stomach issues. Pooping like never before. No straining, no hemorrhoids or anything like that. Just one big log and almost no wiping. Wish I didn't suffer all of those years and my old doctor just found the obvious instead of searching for some obscure disease.

 

[scifijon]

It's not constipation, a colonoscopy rules that out.

 

[Steeler]

It's not constipation, a colonoscopy rules that out.

Really? Wouldn't all the stuff I drank before the procedure temporarily clear the blockage of whatever is causing the constipation? Assuming for a moment that is what's going on.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

It wouldnt hurt to start using some "real" pro-biotics (too conincide w/ healthier eating)

Zero scientific evidence that probiotics are even remotely effective

 

[boots11234]

Did they do a colonoscopy? If that's the route they chose be sure to find a facility that uses the Fuse endoscope made by EndoChoice. Gives a wider angle of vieW, 330 vs 170 degrees of view. It achieves this using better camera and software. It basically looks behind the scope which is very important. A recent study showed it detected 7% more polyps then traditional scopes.which is huge considering 22 million folks are scoped each year. This means there are a lot of folks running around who received the all clear who are not all clear. Scary.

 

[Tom Skerritt]

Hiatal/Abdominal/umbilical Hernia?

 

[Willie Neslon]

It's not constipation, a colonoscopy rules that out.

Really? Wouldn't all the stuff I drank before the procedure temporarily clear the blockage of whatever is causing the constipation? Assuming for a moment that is what's going on.

Yes

 

[Dismattle]

It wouldnt hurt to start using some "real" pro-biotics (too conincide w/ healthier eating)

Zero scientific evidence that probiotics are even remotely effective

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/what-are-probiotics

Basically IF ya dont have any issues ie. poor disgestive health Then YES, I agree..

It also could be a "sugar pill" effect..

There is also some research to show they ease the symptoms of non-stomach-related problems. For example, some people say they have helped with:

Skin conditions, like eczema

Urinary and ######l health

Preventing allergies and colds

Oral health

I just tried to list all my changes.. It sounds like the eating part is as good or better than mine (Im still snackin on some halloween candy)

Technically, I was trying the Probiotics, because Im dealing w/ a yeast infection around my eyes.. I had visited a "walkin" clinic, and was told it could also be internal..

I got a Dr's appt setup so I should find out more facts soon..

Bottom line, I guess its okay to skip the Pro-Biotics..

 

[Leroy Hoard]

For once, I am ruling out ball cancer.

 

[ROCKET]

It wouldnt hurt to start using some "real" pro-biotics (too conincide w/ healthier eating)

Zero scientific evidence that probiotics are even remotely effective

All I know is I feel better when I take them, science or no science. I'd rather take the herbal and holistic approach than spend thousands of dollars on tests and meds. To each his own I guess.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Stop pushing in those areas.

Best advice I've seen so far.