Need help, very sick.

[litngrl]

Last night I had a bad case of nausea. I was extremely tired and feel asleep only to wake up not much later throwing up for a long period.  At the same time I knew I was going to have diarrhea.  After throwing up I fell asleep on the floor in the bathroom, I was so hot that I laid down and fell asleep right away again.  I then woke up throwing up again and then had diarrhea, but it was strange.  At first it was really like water just pooring out of me.  This seemed unusually long also.  I got myself back into bed and fell asleep again.  I then woke up having diarrhea again, but this time along with the watery type, it smelled really bad, rotten kind of bad, and it was bright red.  I get hot, but with chills and really bad achyness in my bones.  I recognized this smell because I have had this happen once before about two years ago, but worse.  My doctor never came up with a diagnosis.  She tested me and only found that I still had blood in my stool, but the other symptoms were gone.  The blood and smell soon went away too.  She told me then if it ever came back to go to the emergency room (by ambulance)because of the amount of blood and water loss.  I am feeling better now,( a few hours have passed with no diarrhea) just with stomach cramps, but this scars me as to what it is.  I haven't eaten anything I think could have made me sick, but I don't know.  the last few days I've barely eaten at all because I've been swamped. Just would like any info someone could give me.

[Duchess47]

When you become violently ill like this there is usually a good reason.  Diarrhea is food in your bowels that needs to come out NOW.  Vomit is food coming out of your stomach that can't be digested.  The chills may have been because you lost so much fluid you were dehydrated.  It could have been something you drank, even water that had been sitting around and developing bacteria.  Eating is not as important as drinking clear liquids until you are feeling better.

[sbrucks62]

I'm a paramedic and have worked 911 for many years.  Your story reminds me of a patient that we used to get periodically.  He was approximately 34 y/o and each time we would get called to his house, he would be standing outside hunched over holding his stomach, vomiting and in obvious distress.  We only carried phenergan for nausea, which didn't help him at all.  Every ER doctor came up with a different diagnosis as did his own doctor.  I remember one of them was abdominal migraines.  Finally, it was discovered by someone who finally sat down with him, asked the right questions and simply listened to him, that he was being exposed to certain chemicals through his job!  Not saying that you have this but who knows.  I know it's easy for others to give you advise when they're not in your shoes, but I really believe that you should go to the ER should this happen again or if you haven't recovered yet.  You must know that dying is truly a possibility from what you've described. Your body can only lose so much blood or electrolytes.  One example is your heart, there are certain electrolytes that keep it going and when they become effected, your heart will be thrown out of its normal rhythm and you will die!  It sounds like you are really needed, so make small monthly payments or whatever it takes, but go to the ER.  The hospital will work with you, don't worry about that.  Just take care of yourself and get fixed!!

[Kalio1]

you really need to be evaluated by a liver specialist with a history of bulimia and over drinking. Often with liver issues you have to be persistant, they can go underdiagnosed or be missed all together.
I dont know what tests you had on your liver but you cant tell much without a liver biopsy even though the docs say you are "fine, they ca not know that unless they have a biopsy but they dont tell the patient that part but it is TRUE. See what the actual numbers were on the tests you did have, do you have a copy? That would be helpful to have a copy of the full hepatic panel, you need to faliliarize yourself with the info on those blood tests and understand them, always get a copy of your own, just ask they will give you one. What were your AST, ALT numbers, also what was your bilirubin? How are your platelet counts? Low platelets can be a sign. Upper right quadrant pain can be liver related. Your name indiates you do not drink now but if you do, I strongly suggest you stop until you sort this out. You CAN have cirrhosis and have normal liver enzymes so having normal readings does not mean there isn't a problem. the fact that you are having symptoms such as the pain and swelling in the liver area and the ankle swelling you really need to be evaluated by a good specialist, a heptologist if possible. I hope the bulimia is under control.
There is a lot you can do to improve the situation and condition of the liver, o alcohol and a liver friendly diet might help you feel better, it can be a log wait to see a specialist. Your doctor seems to be blowing you off.
I'd get a blood test for hep b and c too, you can have them and not have ANY risk factors and many people have it and dont even know it. Your pancreas can be involved, it is impossible to guess obviously but I would look further into your liver.
liver issues can be difficult to diagose and many do not get a proper diagosis until they have developed some pretty major damage because the only real measure of the condition of your liver is a biopsy. Frankly, I think you need one.
Alcohol makes the liver work really hard and a swollen painful liver is under stress.
good luck to you, hope you get some answers, I know it can be so frustrating to be having symptoms and the doc isnt helping.

[ved10]

I had the same symptoms , burning up, then chills, vomiting, my body aches, cramps so bad, horrible headaches. I went to Duke hospital, a very good one and they couldn't find anything wrong with me. They actually tried saying it was probably drugs or something and ran tests then found my system was clean. I spent the night and they couldn't figure anything out after several tests. This has happened 3 times which the last just happened 4 days ago and I still don't feel better. I've stopped throwing up but the cramps and nausea and headaches continue. I to am looking for some insight into this. Some believe food poisoning. Another theory is abdominal migraines, ask your doc about these. This causes similar symptoms. A friend of mine spent several years trying to find out her sons problem and finally a specialist diagnosed this.

[Postdenial]

I am a recovering bulimic who realizes that for the past three years I have been drinking too much. I drank almost everyday for at least two years. I had been having pain in the mid right quadrant of my abdomen. My test came back negative and my doc thinks it is errosive esophagus with gerd and a poss ulcer. I lost insurance before I could get an EGD. The pain has moved more to the right and sometimes radiates to the back. My doctor used prilosec to help since I cannot afford nexium. If I take it as directed it does help. My concern is liver disease or pancreatitis. I have mucous in my stools now. My skin is breaking out. I do not know if some of the swelling in my ankles (not very noticable) is from cirrosis(possibility ended my denial. My liver panel done in feb. came back ok) or if it is from joint pain. I started sipping to relieve panic attacks. Once a doctor puts that in your record many others do not take you seriously. That is the problem I am helping. Any advice is appreciated.

[Kye0929]

[quote]I know I should have, but I don't have any insurance (I've been denied because of a medical retirement with the Sheriff's dept for prexisting reasons, my knee) and I pay for my mothers bills as she is disabled.[/quote] Gotcha. I can relate to not having insurance. It can make things very difficult, but even so, please get to the ER asap next time it happens.  I've had issues nearly identical to yours and each time I've been diagnosed with a major intestinal infection. I had to do IV Cipro, which is a pretty heavy-duty drug. Your symptoms may be gone right now, but you very well may have a chronic infection that needs to be addressed right away.  Good luck.

[shyan]

when is the cramping pain located in ur abdomen?
i have pain in my lower left side and 1 episode of blood in the stools but more like clots in the stools, my doctor thought that it could be diverculitis (sp?) so i went on antibiotics (i'm stilling having mild pain, after taking the antibiotics, i see him again tomorrow)oh, but i also have a history of 2 partial bowel obstructions which clear up by making the stools bulkier(sp?).
so, my question again is where is the pain located?, i guess it makes a big difference with with trying to find out where to look.
shyan

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Infection can be considered.  Sending off the stool for analysis and culture would be an appropriate initial evaluation.  If you have been on recent antibiotics, testing for the bacteria C Difficile can also be considered.  

If the nausea continues despite appropriate evaluation for infection, you can consider an upper endoscopy or upper GI series to further evaluate your symptoms.  

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_

[Kye0929]

Hello...why the hell didn't you go to the ER like your doc suggested?  Make an appt with your primary and get him/her to give you a lower GI workup.

[litngrl]

I know I should have, but I don't have any insurance (I've been denied because of a medical retirement with the Sheriff's dept for prexisting reasons, my knee) and I pay for my mothers bills as she is disabled.  It passed last time and I was counting on it passing again.  I know not smart, but they didn't give me a diagnosis with the last tests and I am too scared of the medical bills for the same no answer end.  When this happened last time I went to the local ER (small town) and they only tested my urine and told me I had a UTI!!  Clearly, I didn't.  I saw my primary two days later and she was mad because she said if it had continued the outcome could have been fatal if I had believed the ER docs.  She said to go to the next city's big hospital the next time.  She ran the tests, but still didn't come up with the reason for the vomiting and bloody stool, which were nearly gone by that time.  I'm afraid of the same mistakes being made with an idiot ER doc and still not getting answers, but being out a heck of a lot of money.  
The blood and diarrhea are almost gone, I'm just really tired now.  I've been eating okay and drinking a lot of water.  I hope it will be gone again by tomorrow?  My family is mad at me and I've promised to try and get insurance again tomorrow.  After I get some I will have a work up done ASAP. I just hoped someone else had gone through this and had a better idea of what causes it to happen like this.  Thank you.