Bizarre symptoms

Over the past year, I have had several bizarre symptoms. One year ago I began to go through periods of hyperventilation, though I had nothing to "Panic about" while this was happening. For the past four years I have had a slighly irregular heartbeat which seems to have begun once I started pump therapy four years ago.

These periods of labored breathing have since left, since that time I've had continued fatigue and confusion. A few months ago I began to notice irregularities of bowel function w/ diarrhea like-symptoms on and off. Now, over the course of the past couple of weeks I have been experiencing intermittent pains that seem to move back and forth from my kidneys to stomach region. Kidney involvement has stopped, now seems to be focused in stomach. This started two weeks ago after I took a Vitamin C supplement (500mg), which I have done for several years along with a few other vitamins. The confusion/fatigue seems to be present, too.

I am a type 1 diabetic, so I have testing of the metabolic panel, creatine, A1c (5.7 last), CBC, 24hr Creatine, lipids/fluids, and tsh regularily, all of which has been normal, though I used to have hypothyroidism that has mysteriously disappeared over the past three years (10 years Hypo, prior). ANA borderline at 125. Holter monitor shows some pre-beats but nothing more. Very minor Neuropathy, no Retinopathy.I have a relative with Celiac Sprue, so I was given a few different different tests for that this summer when symptoms began,returned negative.

Because of on going problems w/ bowel I met with GI specialist recently, somewhat of an alternative character. I try to be an informed patient so I know this goes against the accepted mindset, so I need to confirm whether he may be right or I am in the hands of a crazy man, hehe.

Says that he will perform Endoscopy if I want it, but he would rather have me do a Stool Culture for three days straight because he believes that CELIAC SPRUE IS GIARDIASIS. When I asked him why Endoscopy wouldn't show that (I thought Endoscopy shows Giardiasis?)he says that "It would take a miracle for an endoscopy to reveal Giardiasis, or other parasites/worms/fungals for that matter." Said something to that affect. Bases his belief on something to do with the amino acid Glutamine. Claims he's "Cured" 2 Celiac patients, so I don't know if he's nuts or he's onto something.

Stool Cultures planned next week. If I may have Celiac I want to know about it, obviously, but now I don't know what to think about any of this. Since my apt I've researched Giardiasis and it makes sense to me because they are very similar, other than gluten's role. Thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy post, would appreciate any advise you may be willing to give. Take care.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Stool cultures would be the appropriate test to evaluate for giardiasis.  As for the stomach pain, the upper endoscopy would be the most appropriate test.  Things like GERD, inflammation of the upper GI tract and ulcers can all lead to stomach pain.  If negative, you can consider a 24-hr pH study, which is the definitive test for GERD.

Regarding the palpitations, you can consider an event monitor.  These tend to be more useful than a Holter monitor.  It is a device that you wear continually for a month, and press a button to selectively record the heart rhythm when you feel the palpitations.  

Regarding celiac sprue - the biopsy would be the most definitive test.  The diagnosis can also be suggested via blood antibody tests.

If the tests continue to be non-revealing, then things like irritable bowel syndrome can be considered, and treatment discussed with your GI specialist.

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.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b