Honestly, I'm just lost. I’ve been healthy my entire life, but this past year has been a total disaster. First, I ended up in the ER with terrible nausea and weakness (didn't vomit, though) only to find out I have gallstones—which somehow weren't on my physical a year ago—plus chronic gastritis, reflux esophagitis, and a hiatal hernia from my endoscopy. Because of some cell changes in my esophagus, I have to go back for another endoscopy soon, but they didn't find any HP. I had my baby two years ago, and that's when the occasional nausea started. My digestion was always fine before that. About a month and a half after the first gallbladder issue, I had a second attack (dealing with pain for 24 hours using Spasmolytic). My gut would get nervous in the mornings, but after that second episode, I started getting weird cramps during the day too. A bit of a burning sensation. Then, about ten days ago, my urinary issues started, followed by intense cramping all over my abdomen... really uncomfortable pains and sharp stabs near my kidneys. My stool turned extremely dark, almost black, and there was even a reddish tint in the water. I rushed to get a basic urinalysis done—lots of red blood cells, white blood cells, bacteria, and mucus. I even went in for an abdominal ultrasound out of pure panic. Everything came back clear. I was prescribed a broad-spectrum antibiotic, and now, five days later, my stool color is back to normal, the cramping and kidney pains are gone, and I feel pretty good. I dropped off a urine sample for a culture yesterday, and today I did a stool test for occult blood just to be safe... just waiting now. All these tests are starting to wear me down, but when you feel this bad constantly and it’s unlike anything you’ve ever felt... you worry and start coming up with theories. So, I'm wondering, what could have been going on with my gut that made the antibiotic work so well?
Yeah, taking just the blocker shouldn't be an issue since they don't really have side effects. But the thing is, we're swallowing a whole bunch of bacteria that has to survive the stomach to settle in the gut. It makes sense that they'd have a much easier time passing through if the stomach acidity is lower. Right?
I highly doubt I have low stomach acid—it’s been years now. I tend to get full pretty quickly, even if what I'm eating isn't particularly heavy. Plus, heartburn just isn't an issue for me.
And honestly, every woman knows how easily bacteria can travel from the rectum to the urinary tract. That’s why hygiene is such a huge deal (without getting too graphic here).
What I'm really wondering about is whether low stomach acid could actually make you more prone to bad gut bacteria. I've read bits and pieces about it online, but I'd love to hear some perspectives...
Basically, I'm trying to figure out why the antibiotic I'm taking for my UTI seems to be fixing my gut issues too. It's weird because neither dietary changes, probiotics, nor Pepcid have made a dent in those symptoms.
I've been on Lanzul for over three months now to block stomach acid; spent the first month and a half dealing with gastritis, then just trying to stop my stomach from triggering gallbladder attacks.
But lately, I feel like things are shifting in my gut; first there were these uncomfortable cramps (even though my stool was okay, just a bit darker), and then after I caught a UTI, the pain spread to my back... honestly, felt like my kidneys. When my stool turned really dark and looked like it was leaving red streaks in the water, I totally panicked and went for a urinalysis—found quite a few white and red blood cells. My GP put me on a broad-spectrum antibiotic right away since we didn't have time for a culture before the long holiday weekend.
After four days on the antibiotics, my stool started looking better, lighter, and those cramps finally eased up.
So I'm wondering... I've heard stories that stomach lining inflammation can actually happen from a lack of acid too, when bacteria start multiplying in the stomach or the lining itself. If they prescribe a proton pump inhibitor on top of that, things might actually get worse. Those bad bacteria spread to the intestines, and from there, it's a short jump to a UTI.
Since I never really had symptoms of excess acid—actually, I always felt like I had too little, like how I could handle spicy food pretty easily—I'm questioning if they misdiagnosed why I have gastritis. They didn't find any HP, though they did note it wasn't in the specific sample they took.
You really need that endoscopy. I mean, how can you be sure there isn't an ulcer hiding in there if they haven't actually looked inside? It’s all just guesswork without it. I honestly never thought I had acid reflux because heartburn was never an issue for me... but then during my endoscopy, they took a biopsy of my esophagus and found cellular changes. Everything was inflamed and starting to change...
Honestly, you really need to get some extra private health insurance. Wandering around those hospital corridors just makes you feel sick... even though a huge chunk of my paycheck already goes toward healthcare, I've realized it doesn't actually get me anywhere. I'd much rather just pay a provider directly and get treated right away... like a real person...
I think I might need some dermabrasion too... my skin hasn't handled the sun well for the last decade. Instead of an even tan, I just get these blotchy spots. Dark patches mixed with broken capillaries... not exactly how I want to look at 35!
Nicole Nelson73 said:Can someone please recommend a good private dermatologist here in the States for spider vein removal? There are so many options online that I honestly have no clue which one is actually worth the money...😕 If you happen to know how much these treatments usually run... let me know.... THANKS🙂
I'm interested too. Those little veins on my face are getting so annoying as I get older. I've even realized I have to skip the steam rooms because the sudden temperature changes just make them pop up more... And I'm definitely not old enough to just live with them without trying something.
Lately, I’ve been noticing these tiny red veins popping up on my whites, mostly toward the inner corners near my nose. It makes my eyes look kind of cloudy... I actually went to see an eye doctor a few months back; eye pressure was fine, retina looked good, and my prescription is still sitting at -2.50... Where do these annoying little lines even come from? I don't want people thinking I'm constantly tipsy...
I honestly think these issues stem from unresolved life stuff—frustrations, depression, or maybe even old trauma... Everyone deals with it differently, but I feel like it hits the most sensitive, intelligent people hardest. Those who are just way too aware of everything happening inside and out.
You might think some quiet guy is just worrying about minor details, when really he’s dealing with a stomach ulcer or all sorts of psychosomatic symptoms.
And honestly, everyone I know seems to have a little bit of OCD. It’s wild, but once you start looking closer, you see it everywhere.
If OCD is actually making it hard to get through your day, you should definitely talk to a psychiatrist. You need to find someone good, maybe even someone who specializes specifically in this disorder.