GI Problem or Nervous Breakdown?

Posted By Stephanie on May 09, 1998 at 12:22:03:







I am a 32 year old female, and have been in good health (I think), but with the advent of some GI problem a month ago, I am beginning to think that I am losing my mind!   My only prior health problems have been a bout with erythema nodosum four years ago and a positive skin test for tuburculosis 1 1/2 years ago.  No systemic cause
for the erythema nodosum was found and since I did not have active TB, I did 6 months of isoniazid as a prophylactic.  Then, a month ago, I begain having watery diarrhea between 2-5 times per day for a two week period, sometimes it would wake me at night.  My only other symptoms were extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, and a nervous stomach (no vomiting or abdominal pain).  My doctor checked for the four most common bacteria, blood, and parasites in my stool, but all came up negative.  I then had a colonoscopy, and everything looked fine.  Following the colonoscopy, the diarrhea subsided for about 10 days, although I continued having more bowel movements than normal for me (2-3 times per day), floating stool, a temperature from 99-99.6 degrees, a persistent but nonproductive cough, weight loss (I'm down 6 pounds total), continued fatigue, and anxiety.  I know that I have been stressed due to my symptoms and worried that I may have a serious illness, but I have been feeling anxious at strange times, such as when I am trying to get to sleep.  Meanwhile, a complete blood count looked fine, but I had diarrhea again three days ago.  My GI guy put me on metronidazole and Immodium AD two days ago because he thought that I may have a toxin or parasite that the tests did not pick up.  I know that all the negative tests are a good sign, so why is it that I am not gaining back weight, still feel fatigued, lacking an appetite, and anxious?  Is there a way I can tell organic disease from a psychologial problem?  Are there any more tests that you would suggest?  I just want to get to the bottom of this so that I can do whatever I need to in order to feel well again.