From Therapy To Er

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

Just before I went to therapy today, I had crippling abdominal pain. It went away enough so I could gather my stuff and drive over there, but as soon as I got out of the car and walking into her office, it came back. I couldn't hide such intense pain and I knew I wouldn't be able to focus on much else. I told my therapist what was going on. I have been struggling with abdominal pain for awhile and can't figure out what it is. Finally, my therapist called my doctor's office for advice and I ended up going to the ER. Not quite what I had planned for my therapy session today.

The ER claimed to give me some pain meds, but whatever they gave me did not help. They did do labwork and take a couple of X-Rays, but I still went home with the "everything looks normal, follow-up with your primary care". I felt so stupid and like I messed up going there and missing out on therapy and like a burden once again because my husband had to come with the kids to pick me up. I cried a lot, which is good, I can't always do that. Made the appointment with my primary care and I am really going to try to push for every test that we can do to try to figure out what is going on. I hate going to the doctor's and tests, but I need this pain to be gone. Sorry, I just had to share and vent a little.

 

[Powder]

Sounds like it could be something out of the ordinary and not just body memories, although they can be just as bad.

Have they checked gallbladder and kidney stones?

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

@Muse , I've done a lot of work internally to figure out if the pain is body memories or physical and it can be both, but there is definitely something physical going on. Mostly it is the physical stuff I am dealing with bringing on flashbacks and body memories if I can't stay in the present with the pain. I already had my gallbladder out several years ago, so that's one thing it's not. I've had an ultrasound of my abdomen, a colonoscopy, and the X-Rays today. Oh and a CT scan at one point. I don't know if they have checked for kidney stones or if those would have showed up on the other tests. Getting more bloodwork done tomorrow and hopefully will see my primary care dr. Friday or Monday. She's really good so hopefully she can point in the next best step!

 

[EveHarrington]

I hope they can find a cause. It stinks when it's just chalked up to stress and the doctors offer no real solution. :(

 

[Powder]

I hope you get the Dx quickly and figure it out.

For me, I had several tests done, all very expensive, with more on the way only to rule out things. It was from the start believed by the drs to be a motility disorder, esophageal spasms. They are very painful, and can knock you out, when/if the heart is slapped during an attack.

I did a ton of my own research and discovered that PTSD brings e.s. about due to overall high muscle tension but a food sensitivity is in more than 70% of suffers of e.s. the catalyst. They cause a stabbing pain for me, made worse if I eat and then bend over. Fats did make the pain intolerable, along with stress, but what seems to keep it all going was eating wheat or barley, a genetic allergy. All the other family members also found they could no longer handle wheat by their mid-30s.

Sure enough, wheat, grass not intolerance, was at the crux. But there I was eating wheat almost exclusively thinking that fats and fiber were indigestible.

After eliminating wheat and barley entirely, I have almost none. I do still have other digestive discomfort and haven't figured that all out yet.

It's not fun to go through medical that is complicated or brought about by PTSD. I hope that you find the thing(s) that are making this happen so you can take back control and feel better soon. Elimination diet is hard, but noticing a food that then leads to pain or severe allergic reactions within a few minutes to hours is one way. Allergy testing on a blood draw might prove helpful and affordable vs all the expensive testing usually done, endoscopy, etc. Also very elaborate.

s.

 

[sun seeker]

Have they tested for parasites?

 

[Crow]

Man I hope you feel better! That completely sucks.

Do you do any somatic psychotherapy? I was having all kinds of weird stuff/pains. Seemed I was in the er every other month. My primary sent me over a few times bc of bp stuff. Now when I have crippling pain I call T and try to get an appointment. Half an hour working with her and symptoms disappear.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

Allergy testing on a blood draw might prove helpful and affordable vs all the expensive testing usually done, endoscopy, etc. Also very elaborate.

I had allergy testing done about 11 years ago, might be worth trying again. Everything came up negative, but I am definitely allergic to some of the things they tested for so I don't feel confident in the test.

And endoscopy could be useful- had one of those done before getting my gallbladder out to check for escaped gallstones.

Thanks for the ideas.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

Have they tested for parasites?

Not that I know of, but I can ask if it would be something worth looking into.

Do you do any somatic psychotherapy? I was having all kinds of weird stuff/pains.

This particular stuff I am dealing with is not psychosomatic though I sometimes use of the techniques I know to try to help with it. I have DID and my parts and I did extensive journaling about what was causing these pains and signs point to physical. There are other reasons signs point to physical because it's not just pain, that's just the most consistent and crippling symptom.

 

[Crow]

I hope you find a solution soon. My neurophysical symptoms werent just pain either. They ranged from severe rashes, falling (no muscle strength or balance), acid reflux, heart issues, kidney function, severe ibs, migraines, hearing/sight issues and so much more. $18,000 out of pocket for tests and nothing. Walked around with nodes on my head even. Somatic Experiencing therapy has resolved nearly everything.

I wish you the best.