#chronicillness #chronicpain #stomachpain
March 16, 2023 & March 22, 2023 - We got my CT angiogram done on March 16th to check for vascular compression syndromes and Mesenteric Ischemia. My chronic upper abdominal pain was what necessitated the test. We intended to make a vlog about it, but the test went so quickly, and we were so stressed about the results, and it didn't turn into a full vlog. This video is much more about how I have been feeling throughout the month of March given that the tests we have done have only solidified the fact that we truly have no idea what is going on with my health. Although I am extremely relieved the CT angiogram was negative, preparing for that test made me realize how much I deeply want to know the root cause of all my symptoms. We do not know why I am so sick. We do not know if or when my condition will progress. We do not know what to do to help me get better. The medications help to an extent, but not nearly enough. I am still declining and we do not know why. The only "answer" we have is that my intestines are slow. We have never confirmed gastroparesis. My endoscopy was clean. My SIBO test was negative. We have nothing solid to blame my ever worsening and debilitating abdominal pain on. There is nothing I can do but wait to see a new doctor at the end of April. This video is me getting all this heaviness off my chest, honestly. I am so scared and in so much pain. I'm so frustrated that begging for help from doctors is all I can do. My current gastroenterologist is truly out of ideas, so my hope now is that my new gastroenterologist can think outside the box and get to the root cause of my health decline that has been ramping up since 2018 or perhaps even before then. If you are watching this as someone who is still a medical mystery, I hope this video at least helps you feel less alone. Let me know in the comments if you would like to see more videos where I just talk about what's on my mind.

Chapters:
0:00 - CT Angiogram Test
01:31 - CT Angiogram Results
02:51 - MALS
04:01 - Linzess Update
5:55 - Desipramine Update
6:53 - Abdominal Pain Update
12:00 - Weight Loss
12:30 - Thoughts on my Doctor
13:00 - Bloodwork
14:22 - Chart Notes
15:15 - Self-Advocacy Struggles
16:15 - Medical Mystery
20:20 - It's Not SIBO
21:00 - We Need a Root Cause
22:20 - New Level of Pain

Videos About My Previous Gastroenterology Appointments;
1. Appointment 1: "My Broken Tummy: Scheduling 5 GI Tests in 2 Months | My GI Journey":    • Video  
2. Appointment 2: "SIBO and Slow Motility: The Diagnosis + Second GI Appointment | My GI Journey":    • Video  
3. Appointment 3: "We Maxed Out My Dose of Linzess Only One Month into Treatment":    • We Maxed Out My Dose of Linzess Only ...  
4. Appointments 4 & 5: "Watch my Gastroenterology Visit! Trying Psych Meds for Stomach Pain & Buspar for Anxiety":    • Video  
5. Appointment 6: "March GI Visit: Testing for Mesenteric Ischemia? Plans for CT Angiogram & Medication Increases":    • Video  

Timeline Videos:
1. "My GI Health Timeline: From Anorexia to Veganism to Gastroparesis":    • My GI Health Timeline: From Anorexia ...  
2. "My 2022 GI Journey Recap and Health Update | 28 Videos in 34 Minutes!":    • My 2022 GI Journey Recap and Health U...  
3. "My Severe Pain Attacks Became Chronic Pain! | GI Timeline Redux":    • My Severe Pain Attacks Became Chronic...  
4. "Calorie Data Proves My Illness Progressed | Monthly Diet Analysis | Weight Gain & Loss in 2022":    • Video