Bloating and Acid Reflux: Managing Gastrointestinal Pain - Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Bloating? Excess stomach acid leading to stomach pain!

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Hello, doctor.
Before I present my issue, I would like to mention that there is a family history of colorectal cancer (my grandmother passed away from it).
I have informed other doctors about this, and they all said it was too distant to be relevant.
The reason is that over ten years ago, I had a lifestyle that led to severe health issues due to irregular sleep patterns and frequent medication use (for conditions like urticaria and colds).
I was afraid of the cycle of seeing doctors and taking medications, so I decided to change my bad habits, and my health gradually improved.
However, starting last year, while writing my thesis, I had to stay up late and my eating habits became very irregular (sometimes skipping meals or binge eating).
Up until the day of my defense, I didn't experience any issues.
But just before graduation, a close family member fell seriously ill (almost passing away), which made me fearful of having regrets.
During that time, I barely slept for over a week, totaling less than 10 hours.
My body started to show signs of distress.
Once the situation stabilized, I quickly returned to normal sleep and eating patterns.
However, I had been pushing my body too hard, and in September 2015, I began experiencing issues.
I was suddenly awakened during sleep by sharp pain in my right abdomen (below the ribcage), and I tried to hold off until morning to avoid waking my family.
In the morning, I noticed it seemed manageable, just a bit of diarrhea, so I decided to wait it out.
By evening, after dinner, the pain persisted, prompting me to seek medical attention at a local gastroenterology clinic.
After explaining my situation, the doctor noted that my skin was not jaundiced and there were no rashes on my extremities, so he prescribed medication.
After nearly a week of medication, both the diarrhea and pain subsided! I was relieved but unsure if I was truly cured, so I started taking probiotics as a health supplement.
A few days later, the symptoms returned, and it felt like I was back at square one.
I went back to the clinic, but the treatment didn’t seem as effective as before.
I wondered if there might be other underlying issues, as the initial doctor had only considered my described symptoms.
I then sought a clinic with endoscopy services for further evaluation.
After the examination, the doctor told me my condition was quite evident and showed me several articles.
He listened to my abdominal sounds and clearly stated that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
He prescribed a variety of medications, including antacids and antidepressants.
However, after taking the first dose, I experienced severe side effects: nausea at the sight of food, excessive sweating, and a significant drop in blood pressure, while my heart rate was abnormally high.
I felt extremely unwell and quickly drank a large amount of milk to dilute the medication, nearly fainting.
I consulted a friend from the pharmacy department, who discovered that the antidepressant was causing these reactions.
Fortunately, I found another clinic at a gastroenterology department in a hospital.
I explained my situation, and the doctor also confirmed that I had IBS.
After spending so much time without proper treatment, I requested further testing.
The doctor agreed, and I underwent an endoscopy, which revealed that my stomach looked good, though there was some mild inflammation due to excess acid.
I followed the prescribed medication for two weeks, and my condition improved, but soon after, the symptoms returned in a cyclical manner.
I was at a loss for what to do next, as the doctor indicated that medical intervention could only go so far.
Now, nearly four months later, I am still doing relatively well—eating normally (I even gained 1 kg)—but my sleep is inconsistent.
I experience abdominal pain that shifts from the right to the left side, along with occasional bloating and gas.
When not on medication, I have excessive stomach acid, and sometimes my throat feels uncomfortable and my tongue feels sour or bitter.
I forgot to mention that my BMI is around 32, and every doctor has advised that losing weight would improve my condition.
I am unsure what to do next.
Recently, during a health check, I noticed elevated liver enzymes (GOT/GPT), which I am concerned may be due to the medications I've been taking for over four months.
I want to address my symptoms appropriately without wasting medical resources.
Previously, when my BMI was 34, I didn’t have these issues.
I have researched a lot online and found that many gas-producing foods are part of my diet, which seems to be the case for most foods.
I am curious if there are foods that can reduce gas, as nature tends to have opposing elements.
I found conflicting information and came to seek your advice here at Taiwan e-Hospital.
Have you encountered patients with similar issues? Do you have recommendations for foods to eat or other suggestions?

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Luff, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2016/01/08