Kiyah’s Personal Story: The challenge to find the right diagnosis
I’ve been suffering since 2020 with severe abdominal pain. I’ve had 3 endoscopies &’ one colonscopy &’ 3 different gastroentorologist. After the first endoscopy I was told by my GI doctor that I have GERD( acid reflux) &’ was place on a PPI called omeperazole and famotadine. I would have periods where my stomach would get better than flare up again &’ was worse during my menstrual cycle. In 2023 I had my second endoscopy was told that I had mild gastritis which is inflammation of the stomach lining. I changed my diet &’ was placed on the same PPI &’ it got better &’ the pain came right back months later. In 2024 I was at my healthiest weight of 140 &’ my stomach was doing good &’ then all of a sudden one night in October I felt a burning pain in my stomach like it was on fire. I was nauseated everyday and I couldn’t eat at all. My weight was decreasing significantly. My GI doctor ordered another endoscopy and I did a whole lot of structural test, blood work, CT scans, Barrium swallows of the esophagus and abdomen because I have periods where i’m unable to swallow but all came back normal &’ the endoscopy showed chronic gastritis. I did an elimination diet for 5 months and tried several supplements like slippery elm, zinc l carnosine &’ was given sulcralfate, and a ppi to coat my stomach before eating. I felt so alone doing so much research I became severely depressed and decided to switch GI DR’s because I felt like the last one wasn’t listening to me. I cried out for help every appt. I finally found a new GI dr &’ after reviewing my chart he looked at me &’ said I think you have functional dyspepsia which is a chronic digestive condition where your brain is sending pain signals to your gut because of hypersensitivy and he decided to do another endoscopy. This one came back with super mild gastritis , he then put me on a anti depressant called amitryptaline that works great for gut motility and hypersensitivity. I started off with 25Mg and at my follow up appt he kicked up the dosage to 50Mg because I haven’t had any improvement. I meet weekly with a dietitian and just started the nerva hypnosis through the app to see if it will help with my gut and brain interaction. My GI dr also cleared me to eat the foods I use to eat because he don’t think my FD is food related he believes it’s stress/anxiety related. I’m currently still trying to heal my gastritis completely and trying to get my FD symptoms to a place where it’s minimal and manageable and I can enjoy my life &’ do the things I once loved. FD will have you feeling hopeless like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Spending everyday in pain no matter what you eat or what you do is very sad &’ uncomfortable &’ nobody around you will understand! It ruins quality of life, relationships, friendships &’ so much more &’ people just don’t get it &’ it’s not researched or talked about enough. You will feel like your going crazy …. I’ve been to so many different doctors and even yoga &’ nothing helped &’ you will spend countless amounts of money to keep hitting dead ends until that one Dr. cares to listen &’ help you.