Before I begin, I'd just like to thank anyone and everyone who takes the time to read through my story (I'll try to be brief) and provides me with some helpful information (or sympathies).

Roughly 2.5 years ago, every morning for 3 days I would wake up, everything would be normal, then I would get the most painful cramps in my upper abdomen (RIGHT below the ribcage) that would last about 5 minutes and go away completely. They were so painful that I would have to lay down, wishing I'd pass out. As I mentioned, this occurred 3 days in a row, but then stopped and never happened again. After that day I had noticed a very slight, dull pain in the same spot, at the very top of my abdomen in the middle. This pain was very mild, usually only noticeable if I pressed on that spot and sometimes not even. It never particularly bothered me (unless I was feel paranoid) and I never went to the doctor because I don't have a family doctor and the clinics here are crap (oh, a pun).

Then it happened, about 2 months ago or so I had a really bad cold. No nausea or vomiting or anything, just a terrible sore throat and headache and whatnot... Just as I was getting better, with a bit of weakness and runny nose, I went for a run (school related, I regret it). I felt a bit sore after that but figured it was just the affects of running while still sick, but the next day I noticed some odd abdominal pain. NOW, since then I have had rather constant stomach aches and pains ranging from the upper abdomen to the lower and I think around to the back as well. I can live with this; I don't want to, but I can. However, this have been accompanied by another problem: fecal leakage. I've noticed that, since then, I've generally had loose stool (not diarrhea, but quite soft... a bit harder than peanut-butter). Whenever the stomach pain is worse, the stool is looser and I can get some leakage here and there.

The real problem is when I exercise: running, biking... even just walking for semi-extended periods. At these times, I more often get fecal incontinence, but most of the time it's completely invisible; however, I can smell it on my boxers and sometimes on my jeans (I really hope other people can't smell it, I've asked my dad but he gave an uncertain "n-n-o, I don't think so"). So this is my life right now. The only thing I've noticed is that I think caffeine makes it worse. I was also getting pretty stressed with exams and such up until recently.I've had some blood tests and a stomach ultrasound so far, all clean.

I have no clue what's wrong with me and was hoping someone here might be able to enlighten me. I will continue to return to the [crappy] clinic and get more testing done. I will also provide some more info in case it is useful.


Male, 18 years old, Caucasian.
Family history? My father and sister both seem to have some gastrointestinal "problems".

I've also had some other conditions that I wouldn't think are related but I'll throw them in anyway (also lasted for about 2.5 years).
-Swollen glands, mostly in neck; one above belly button; some in groin area.
-Urinary problems: burning during urination, testicular pain, all sorts of string bumpy stuff in the scrotum.

I've gone to a doctor and specialist for these symptoms but I was told to forget about the glands (apparently nothing to worry about); and the urologist still has no idea what is causing my problems.

I tried taking "Lactaid" thinking I might be lactose-intolerant. For the first couple of days it made me feel wonderful, everything seemed to get better... then it suddenly got quite bad for a day and went back to normal. (Maybe I was placebo-ing or maybe I am LI but did something wrong).


I'm really just looking for answers that I can't get elsewhere because the health care system where I live is terrible. (Canada!)

Thanks again, everyone who has the patience to read all this. I tried to split it up into paragraphs for easier reading and also spell checked it for your pleasure (and because I'm a perfectionist).