chronic stomach problems

My primary symptoms, whether related or not, are 6-12 bowel movements a day, chronic diarrhea- at least 4 days out of the week, continual abdominal cramping and feelings of having to have a bowel movement, very bad gas- but only at night, frequent urination and/or pressure on bladder making me feel as though I have to go even when my bladder is empty. I wake up between 4 and 7 times a night to urinate and urinate about every hour during the day. I have extreme lower back pain, but only when I lie down.
Symptoms relating to the stomach and bladder began when I was five, but have only gotten worse as I have aged (currently 25).
I have visited a urologist, and technically there is nothing wrong with my bladder or urinary system- bladder is empty even when it feels as though I have to go.
As a child, my pediatrician only put me on Metamucil and other regulators which obviously did not work.
In January of 2004 I had a colonoscopy and upper GI, both were normal and the general surgeon recommended trying a lactose and/or gluten free diet. The lactose free diet had absolutely no affect, whereas the gluten free diet seemed to have some type of initial affect. I stayed on the gluten free diet for a year and a half, but ultimately it did not help the problems I was having. Also, the majority of the year, the cramping etc. is bearable, but every six months or so I hit a bout where I will have extreme pain and diarrhea constantly for about a month or so, then back to “normal�.
In October of 2006 I began seeing a gastroenterologist. He performed another colonoscopy which came back normal, and an upper endoscopy, also normal and the biopsy confirmed I was not gluten intolerant. He placed me on an irritable bowel medication which had no effect, an anti- biotic that is supposed to be the equivalent to a month of Cipro in seven days- no effect. I have also been on anxiety medications to no avail, and I am not really a nervous person.
I have since had a lower bowel follow through, hyda scan, ct scan, blood work testing for diabetes, liver functions, glandular functions, as well as a myriad of other blood related tests, all of which have come back normal.
My general surgeon, gastroenterologist and general physician have conferred with one another and all agree that whatever is plaguing my body is real and not in my head, but they have no idea what is going on.
I am 6’ 4� and 192 lbs, so it is not at all a weight related issue. There are no food or event triggers, and I am extremely frustrated.
My next step is to go to Vanderbilt if they accept my case.
If anyone has any advice or similar experience, please let me know.

you let me know if you figure it out because i am having the same problems.

I'm a male, 32 years old of asian and hispanic descent. Here's my story...I had my gall bladder removed in September of 2007 due to a dysfunctional gall bladder which was working at a low 6%. I had no stones or sludge but my surgeon said that the inner walls of my gall bladder was simply thickening. He called it Colistitis (spelling). For about 3 months I was doing well up until three days before Christmas I felt this weird tingling and poking sensation on my left chest followed by a slight headache. I let it go for a few days then it progressed to this pressure that developed under my rib cage on both sides. I was in and out of the ER thinking that it was a heart related problem but every test (i.e. upper and lower CT scans came out normal, EKG came out normal and blood work came out normal. They also did a urine test and it also came up normal. Up till now the symptoms are all different. Some days it feels like my heart will stop, somedays my stomach feels weak, sometimes my back would hurt. I also developed a choking sensation in my throat. I also been diagnosed with anxiety by my physician but I'm not a nervous person at all. However I think all these symptoms made me very nervous. I've seen my Gastroenterologist as well and he did an Endoscopy and Gastric emptying study with all results coming out normal. I'm now going into the fifth month of this problem and no one seems to be able to find an answer. On May 13th I will be seeing a group of stomach specialist who works for the Center for CAPPS and hopefully they will find something. Does anyone have the same symptoms? If so I'm desperate to hear your story.

Please email me at klayford@aol.com.

I've been dealing with stomach issues for three months. It started out as a dull ache/pressure just below the rib cage, about four inches left of center. The pain/ache would always be there. Normal bowel movements. After a week, I went to the doctor, they said it was GERD and put me on Prilosec. Took if for 5 weeks and toward the end of this time, symptoms almost completely disappeared. Suddenly, they returned, almost as bad as the beginning, even though I never stopped taking the medication. Went back to the doctor, put me on prevacid. I've been tested for the ulcer bacteria, but came back negative. Sometimes my stomach has that cramping feeling, sometimes indigestion, sometimes both, but ALWAYS something. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with a churning in the stomach, even though I haven't eaten for hours. I take tums, but they really don't do anything. Ultrasound is next. I'm extremely fustrated. There is never any relief. It's difficult to eat, and I'm skinny to start with so it's a struggle to try and maintain the weight. To be healthy again.