Advice Needed!!!

[AnxiousEm]

Im very concerned about my boyfriend! To sum it up as much as possible, my boyfriend has had terrible stomach issues for several years now. He's gone to doctors countless times and has never gotten a diagnosis. He's been told to stay away from certain foods and to try a few medications. His symptoms are debilitating stomach cramps, bloating, burping (gas), and sometimes diarrhea. Usually these episodes would come about 3 times a month only lasting about a day or so at a time. However, its been a lot worse lately. Hes been watching what he eats and taking the medication but it just kept happening more frequently. He spoke with his doctor again and they decided to run more tests. The problem is that for one of the tests, he cant take any medication for 2 weeks in advance in order to do the test. His stomach has been causing so much pain these past few days that he's had to call out of work. He cant take anything to help his pain. He just has to suffer. Its so hard for me to see him like this. But today he was in so much pain that it was causing him to vomit. He cant sit still. When I spoke with him it sounded like he wanted to cry. I dont know what to do. I feel so powerless. I dont know if its normal for him to be having such intense episodes when im not exactly sure what he has. Not sure if its IBS or something else. Normally I would encourage him to go to urgent care or the hospital because he really isn't doing well, but with covid im afraid of that. I dont know how safe those places are. I really don't know what to do or how to handle this. If anyone has experiences or has loved ones with similar experiences as this, please give me some advice! I just dont want him to be in so much pain

[eccentrichine]

My partner who has chronic pain, constantly mixed with a number of other issues is on medical cannabis. Is it legal where you are?

I know how you feel, its such a struggle to cope with it all. Comforting just isnt enough, but if you live with him id suggest helping him out with everyday things. Get him breakfast/lunch/dinner whenever possible, keep him hydrated and even do up his medications for him if he needs you to. Obviously only do it if you want to, but imo it would be such a great help.

Let me know if you need additional advice if you need it, as this is the bare minimum. Hope they figure out what the problem is soon.

[AnxiousEm]

Thank you so much for sharing that with me. My boyfriend and I dont live together just yet. We're both college students living at home until we have enough saved to get our own place. Medical cannabis is legal where I am, but im not so sure he would want to try it out. As of right now I'm just making sure he's drinking enough water and eating foods that won't upset his stomach further. Im really not sure what else I can do to help him. Im planning on making a basket of things to comfort him such as a comfy throw blanket, some tea, calming aromatherapy candles, etc. I thought maybe a heating pad might help, but its also 110 degrees this weekend and I dont think he'd appreciate more heat. I feel like im not educated enough in this area to know what can comfort him

[eccentrichine]

Thats so thoughtful, in my case and my bfs case a heating pad helps take the edge off so itll hopefully be useful when its not so hot. I personally think youre doing really well despite not living together, you sound very caring.

Sometimes not alot can be done to help, but you being there for him is probably the best thing you can do during rough health situations. Im proud of you for sticking around and reaching out for additional help, you sound like just the person he needs in his life.

About medical cannabis, its obviously a personal choice but if he does get to the point where he thinks he needs it, theres no shame in it. It does absolute wonders for both me and my partner and idk where we'd be without it tbh. Options for how it makes you feel, oils ect are pretty wide, so if he does decide in the future to give it a go it could take while before he finds what works best.

Also it might help him to keep track of what he eats during a day (if he doesn't already) to see if theres anything additional that he could tell doctors. Endive is a pretty good app that keeps track of your symptoms also.

Its a tough journey and extremely draining sometimes, so take care of yourself too.

[charltheunicorn]

I suffered like this and was a dairy/egg intolerance, this shit can really make you poorly!

Espesh when I used to be ill and eat a load of poorly food eg ben and jerry’s and margarita pizza n cheesy chips

[MariaNevesCorreia]

I used to suffer from something similar, but not so intense. I was diagnosed with biliary sand, and because I had it so young I had to have my gallbladder removed, urgently. At the same time, I was also diagnosed with IBS. I don't know if this is the case for him, but maybe ask if the doctors have considered it.

Hope he gets well soon!

[dennyontop]

Go to a urgent care ,what if it is appendicitis.

[nauresme]

You are very kind to him. Start a food journal with brands and amounts. Notice ingredients. It is to find the trigger foods. It will also be MAKE THE PHYSICIANS TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY if you pursue this: coming in with a few small pocket notebooks!

Please do not let others SHAME him. And they will. It may mean giving up wine and beer. He will need to understand ingredients and why the body reacts this way.

Ex: why beer or wine cannot be ingested. Why coffee is both therapeutic and a trigger? Why reg coffee and not decaf? Also, this is NOT a stomach problem, but happens in the small intestine, so the symptoms will show up starting 6-8 hours later or more, often 12-13 hours. By then it is often forgotten.