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Chronic Diarrhea
Hello, I am 29 years old and male. I have been suffering from chronic diarrhea for the past 7 months. I am currently seeing a gastroenteroligist for my problem. He is struggling to find out what is wrong with me.
My symptoms first started just a few days following taking malaria tablets, prior to going on vacation to Hondurus (Central America). While on vacation the diarrhea started badly, which followed eating some 'home made' soup (tripe).
Upon returning home I still had diarrhea, but it had subsided. Then a couple of weeks later I found myself going to the toilet up to 20 times a day. I have found that it is when I eat I need to rush to the toilet. I sometimes have cramps, although not often. I also only have wind occassionally. The stool has never contained blood. The stool also varies from liquid to semi-formed (in the morning). When semi formed it floats. The colour varies from light brown to almost white.
I have had the following tests:
Blood Tests
Stool Culture Tests
Fecal Fat Test
Hormone Test
Barium Meal X-ray
CT scan
Abdomen x-ray
Nuclear Isotope Scan
HIV Test
Pancreatic (Urine) Test
Other Urine Tests
Endoscopy
Flexible Sygmoidioscopy
All the tests are normal, apart from the fecal fat test which showed that I am not absorbing fat and producing a huge amount of stool. The doctor described this as gross steattorrhea.
I am otherwise healthy apart from the diarrhea. I have lost 30lbs in weight due to this. I am also suffering from depression due to the diarrhea. I have been off work for 5 months.
I am currently taking Codeine Phosphate and Cholestramine, which don't seem to do anything. I have previosly tried Loparamide, Lomitil and Colafac also (to no avail). I am now on Fluoxetine for depression.
I do not smoke and only occassionally drink alcohol. I have never had surgery and never had a serious medical condition. I have never suffered from diarrhea before. I have not changed my diet apart from cutting out dairy products (as advised by my doctor)
Please give me some help and advice!!
Regards
Rob.
My symptoms first started just a few days following taking malaria tablets, prior to going on vacation to Hondurus (Central America). While on vacation the diarrhea started badly, which followed eating some 'home made' soup (tripe).
Upon returning home I still had diarrhea, but it had subsided. Then a couple of weeks later I found myself going to the toilet up to 20 times a day. I have found that it is when I eat I need to rush to the toilet. I sometimes have cramps, although not often. I also only have wind occassionally. The stool has never contained blood. The stool also varies from liquid to semi-formed (in the morning). When semi formed it floats. The colour varies from light brown to almost white.
I have had the following tests:
Blood Tests
Stool Culture Tests
Fecal Fat Test
Hormone Test
Barium Meal X-ray
CT scan
Abdomen x-ray
Nuclear Isotope Scan
HIV Test
Pancreatic (Urine) Test
Other Urine Tests
Endoscopy
Flexible Sygmoidioscopy
All the tests are normal, apart from the fecal fat test which showed that I am not absorbing fat and producing a huge amount of stool. The doctor described this as gross steattorrhea.
I am otherwise healthy apart from the diarrhea. I have lost 30lbs in weight due to this. I am also suffering from depression due to the diarrhea. I have been off work for 5 months.
I am currently taking Codeine Phosphate and Cholestramine, which don't seem to do anything. I have previosly tried Loparamide, Lomitil and Colafac also (to no avail). I am now on Fluoxetine for depression.
I do not smoke and only occassionally drink alcohol. I have never had surgery and never had a serious medical condition. I have never suffered from diarrhea before. I have not changed my diet apart from cutting out dairy products (as advised by my doctor)
Please give me some help and advice!!
Regards
Rob.
Rob,
I am so sorry for your troubles. Keep your chin up. There is hope and answers out there. Many would kill for your weight loss plan.:) Just kidding, I know how serious and frustrating this can be. I, too, suffer. Finally, one doctor prescribed a blood allergy tests to test for food allergies. I found out that I am severely allergic to yeast(found in most foods and all Alcohols), soy, eggs, milk, mushrooms, wax beans and most beans. I have now been on a very restrictive rotation diet for the last thirty days...this was a new discovery. As you can imagine, its a pain in the ....to try and elimanate all those foods. But I have! And I am so pleased. I no longer have gas(a severe problem with me), headaches, stomach cramps, vomiting( I used to vomit immediately after almost every meal-embarrasing on dates!), naseau and jsut plain ole tiredness. I do however, have diarrhea problems still. But last week, I had a colonoscopy done and it happens i have colitis. So, my doctor thinks it was a combination.
I know it sounds silly that something you are eating can you make you feel this way and I was very skeptical but now I am believer. I feel 200% better and in just one month...people have noticed a big difference. I am 33 and believe me i ahve been sick with stomach disorders most of my life an dI fully believe now it was just allergies.
Oh the best part. After a three month very restrictive but healthy diet most people can reintroduce there problem foods and they are fine! We'll see. Its fascinating and often overlooked by medical staff. ANd at thsi point, its worth a shot. The test is expensive around 560.00 dollars but most insrances cover it.
Anyway, best of luck! If you'd liek any further information you are welcomed to email me at ***@****
I am so sorry for your troubles. Keep your chin up. There is hope and answers out there. Many would kill for your weight loss plan.:) Just kidding, I know how serious and frustrating this can be. I, too, suffer. Finally, one doctor prescribed a blood allergy tests to test for food allergies. I found out that I am severely allergic to yeast(found in most foods and all Alcohols), soy, eggs, milk, mushrooms, wax beans and most beans. I have now been on a very restrictive rotation diet for the last thirty days...this was a new discovery. As you can imagine, its a pain in the ....to try and elimanate all those foods. But I have! And I am so pleased. I no longer have gas(a severe problem with me), headaches, stomach cramps, vomiting( I used to vomit immediately after almost every meal-embarrasing on dates!), naseau and jsut plain ole tiredness. I do however, have diarrhea problems still. But last week, I had a colonoscopy done and it happens i have colitis. So, my doctor thinks it was a combination.
I know it sounds silly that something you are eating can you make you feel this way and I was very skeptical but now I am believer. I feel 200% better and in just one month...people have noticed a big difference. I am 33 and believe me i ahve been sick with stomach disorders most of my life an dI fully believe now it was just allergies.
Oh the best part. After a three month very restrictive but healthy diet most people can reintroduce there problem foods and they are fine! We'll see. Its fascinating and often overlooked by medical staff. ANd at thsi point, its worth a shot. The test is expensive around 560.00 dollars but most insrances cover it.
Anyway, best of luck! If you'd liek any further information you are welcomed to email me at ***@****
Rob,
I am so sorry for your troubles. Keep your chin up. There is hope and answers out there. Many would kill for your weight loss plan.:) Just kidding, I know how serious and frustrating this can be. I, too, suffer. Finally, one doctor prescribed a blood allergy tests to test for food allergies. I found out that I am severely allergic to yeast(found in most foods and all Alcohols), soy, eggs, milk, mushrooms, wax beans and most beans. I have now been on a very restrictive rotation diet for the last thirty days...this was a new discovery. As you can imagine, its a pain in the ....to try and elimanate all those foods. But I have! And I am so pleased. I no longer have gas(a severe problem with me), headaches, stomach cramps, vomiting( I used to vomit immediately after almost every meal-embarrasing on dates!), naseau and jsut plain ole tiredness. I do however, have diarehia problems still. But last week, I had a colonoscopy done and it happens i have colitis. So, my doctor thinks it was a combination.
I know it sounds silly that something you are eating can you make you feel this way and I was very skeptical but now I am believer. I feel 200% better and in just one month...people have noticed a big difference. I am 33 and believe me i ahve been sick with stomach disorders most of my life an dI fully believe now it was just allergies.
Oh the best part. After a three month very restrictive but healthy diet most people can reintroduce there problem foods and they are fine! We'll see. Its fascinating and often overlooked by medical staff. ANd at thsi point, its worth a shot. The test is expensive around 560.00 dollars but most insrances cover it.
Anyway, best of luck! If you'd liek any further information you are welcomed to email me at ***@****
I am so sorry for your troubles. Keep your chin up. There is hope and answers out there. Many would kill for your weight loss plan.:) Just kidding, I know how serious and frustrating this can be. I, too, suffer. Finally, one doctor prescribed a blood allergy tests to test for food allergies. I found out that I am severely allergic to yeast(found in most foods and all Alcohols), soy, eggs, milk, mushrooms, wax beans and most beans. I have now been on a very restrictive rotation diet for the last thirty days...this was a new discovery. As you can imagine, its a pain in the ....to try and elimanate all those foods. But I have! And I am so pleased. I no longer have gas(a severe problem with me), headaches, stomach cramps, vomiting( I used to vomit immediately after almost every meal-embarrasing on dates!), naseau and jsut plain ole tiredness. I do however, have diarehia problems still. But last week, I had a colonoscopy done and it happens i have colitis. So, my doctor thinks it was a combination.
I know it sounds silly that something you are eating can you make you feel this way and I was very skeptical but now I am believer. I feel 200% better and in just one month...people have noticed a big difference. I am 33 and believe me i ahve been sick with stomach disorders most of my life an dI fully believe now it was just allergies.
Oh the best part. After a three month very restrictive but healthy diet most people can reintroduce there problem foods and they are fine! We'll see. Its fascinating and often overlooked by medical staff. ANd at thsi point, its worth a shot. The test is expensive around 560.00 dollars but most insrances cover it.
Anyway, best of luck! If you'd liek any further information you are welcomed to email me at ***@****
have you ever been tested for intestinal worms
have you ever been tested for intestinal worms
Dear Rob...
My first suggestion would be to go back to the GI specialist.
and re-explain your symptoms of Diarrhea and Large amount of fat in stool.
Fat in stool means poor fat absorption. The Pancreas is very important here. Some people may get Pancreatic lipase insufficiency (defciency of the enzyme that helps digest fats) (I have this.) One option may be to have your doctor try you on a lipase supplement...to see if the problem improves.
People who go to foreign countries often come back with wierd parasites... (Like I did)
My Dr. did a CBC (blood test) that revealed elevated "eosinophils" I was told that this might be caused by parasites in the body or severe allergies.
repeat testing for Ova and Parasites and also testing for Giardia (another parasite) may also be considered.
Of course some people who just had their gall bladder removed may also have similar symptoms...
Or perhaps while you were gong to another country you took an antibiotic for diarrhea prevention...Consider getting a test for Clostridium deficile a bacteria that can infect the GI tract usually associated with excessive antibiotic use and sometimes with just one course of the same. Treatment is simple, usually.
My first suggestion would be to go back to the GI specialist.
and re-explain your symptoms of Diarrhea and Large amount of fat in stool.
Fat in stool means poor fat absorption. The Pancreas is very important here. Some people may get Pancreatic lipase insufficiency (defciency of the enzyme that helps digest fats) (I have this.) One option may be to have your doctor try you on a lipase supplement...to see if the problem improves.
People who go to foreign countries often come back with wierd parasites... (Like I did)
My Dr. did a CBC (blood test) that revealed elevated "eosinophils" I was told that this might be caused by parasites in the body or severe allergies.
repeat testing for Ova and Parasites and also testing for Giardia (another parasite) may also be considered.
Of course some people who just had their gall bladder removed may also have similar symptoms...
Or perhaps while you were gong to another country you took an antibiotic for diarrhea prevention...Consider getting a test for Clostridium deficile a bacteria that can infect the GI tract usually associated with excessive antibiotic use and sometimes with just one course of the same. Treatment is simple, usually.
Just about the same thing is happening to me. My doctor told me he thinks I have anxiety disorder and tried to put me on Zoloft. (I hope to be pregnant again soon and am assuming that would NOT be any good for the baby!!!) He also told me to cut out dairy (I already know I am lactose intolerant. Nothing good is happening, so I'm off to the doctor for a barium enema this week to find out if something else is wrong. Very scary stuff, I can see where it would make a person depressed! Let me know what you find out, our problems sound similar!
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