Fit one day and not the next

[lellywill]

I am a 57 yr old woman. For several years, led such a busy, active, but stressful life, very often not eating for a couple of days, very little sleep. I just drank beverages (not alcohol) and smoked heavily.I have suffered from Asthma for 25 years.These periods would swiftly be followed by very debillitating headaches that wiped me out for a couple of days. 1 year ago I I sold the business and took on a more sedentary lifestyle, this led to weight  increase from 10 stone to 14 stone. My headaches ceased, as I ate more frequently, but my breathing got worse and inhalers which worked before were ineffective. I have had numerous blood tests, lung xrays, even had a new heart stress test, using drugs to make the heart beat faster instead of a running machine. I stopped smoking totally with no going back. I have been found to have no heart disease, and my lungs are amazingly clear. But, still no diagnosis. Breathing is more difficult when my bowels are full and more so if eating heavy or fatty foods. Some acidic fruits or wine can cause it. I get severe heartburn with some foods.My upper stomach often distends, and the majority of my bulk is around my middle section.I feel most comfortable when my bowels are totally empty. My stools are lighter in colour, often very soft and sometimes watery.I am quite fit on some days, even walking 5 miles with ease only this week, yet two days later I couldnt breath, feeling like something obstructing my diaphragm, only easing as I empty my bowels. I'm convinced my asthma is minimal since I stopped smoking, but these other symptoms remain, which prevent me from exerting my self in order to take excersise to lose weight.This is now running my life and causing me to feel depressed. I would appreciate some suggestions. My very nice GP suggested it could be hiatus hernia, or IBS, she concurred a couplke of months ago that I was depressed, but where do I go from here?

[boron]

Both upper abdominal bloating and heartburn may arise from H. pylori infection of your stomach. You need a breath test for H. pylori.

Your additional problem may be with a gallbladder. Light stools (if they are really pale or bright yellow) are due to lack of the bile in stool, from bile flow blockage - in the biliary duct - usually from a gallstone.

[lellywill]

Thanks boron, but should'nt I be suffering extreme pain with gallstones? I dont have pain, just feel so uncomfortable all the time. I have 2 sisters who have gallstones. Is it hereditary do you know?. Although not painful, my waist expands so much that it can look like a preganancy, then halve in size over the next day or so. I feel something throbbing  around my diaphragm  co-inciding with when I am breathless, which led to the heart tests that proved negative.It is difficult to relax and live day to day normally. Sounds somewhat sad, but I always spend the day, hoping to use the toilet, to ease the pressure on my diaphragm, but never feel as if I have gone and emptied my bowel totally.Stools are not extremely pale, just paler than before. Having spent most of my life , active, and not overweight, this is like living in someone elses body. I am no longer in the menopause, so cannot blame it on the quirks of that time of life.        

[boron]

Gallstones may go even without pain for years. Otherwise, a cramp, spasm, typically occur within an hour after a fatty meal and may hold you from several minutes to hours. Pain is located and limited exactly to the spot where the vertical line from the right breast nipple comes down to the lower rib. Pain sometemis radiates into right shoulder or shoulder blade.
Gallstones are not exactly hereditary, but with your family members having gallstones, you have increased predisposition to have them. It's something what "runs in families".

If pain is more vague, not so exactly located, than it is probably from bloating.

You've mentioned heartburn and upper abdominal bloating. Have a breath test for H. pylori.

If you also have lower abdominal bloating, try LOW-SUGAR diet. Sweets, fruits, beer, alcohol, potatoes (starch) OUT for 4 days and see if helps. If not, then additionaly to above, exclude all dairy products (lactose intolerance may cause severe lower abdomninal bloating).