I do get more GI issues in the fall around end of October and I'm really not sure why. My stomach hurts pretty bad occasionally though I haven't noticed a pattern

hm I've got no idea what that could be. I'm not as knowledgeable as I'd like to be about physical illnesses/concerns, but if this were me I'd try to find the trigger. which you have probably already attempted to seeing as how you said it doesn't seem to be triggered by anything specific. I think the fact that it happens at the same time of year every year is the biggest clue and where you should start. my first though was perhaps something related to the weather. August and December are, obviously, summer and winter months (depends on where you live, though. I hadn't thought of that yet oops!), which are both ends of the extremes in terms of weather and temperature. I'm not sure how much weather can affect the gastrointestinal system, but I wouldn't be surprised if it could. I would also retrace your steps in the days before they hit. did you go outside and get exposed to something? since it happens at the same times, look for environmental phenomenon that correspond to those times. the next thing I'd think of is probably menstruation. I don't know the specifics for you personally or if you even DO, but if you do have the ability to menstruate, is it irregular? are you on a type of medication that affects it? is there a special annual or biannual event that happens in your life at these times that causes you to maybe eat things you usually don't every other day? like birthdays, holidays, cultural traditions, etc. it's not uncommon to develop allergies or sensitivities to foods later in life that you didn't deal with as a kid. that's kind of all I've got for biological triggers. but another thing to think about is psychological triggers. do these episodes happen around anniversaries of things that deeply affected you or were potentially traumatic? do you have a job that gets stressful at these times every year? or if you're a student, at least in the US, those times correlate to the beginning of the year and the end of the first semester when exams usually take place. do you get especially stressed then? if none of this rings a bell, I'd probably just go on a research rabbit hole pertaining to anything gastrointestinal related. this could mean genetic disorders/syndromes, physical defects of that area either from birth or physical trauma, chronic conditions, acute conditions, etc etc. hopefully anything I said jogs a memory or makes you think of something you hadn't thought of yet! your doctor sucks btw, if you've expressed a lot of concern over it and they don't care. think of switching if that's possible, or maybe see a specialist.