Help!! I can't eat any type of meat

I really need some ideas about what could be happening.  I have a problem with diarrhea for the past few years, becoming increasingly urgent and finally would end up having accidents if I couldn't reach a restroom in time.  I started eliminating offending foods and red meat was one.  I have had the normal problem with red meat making me gassy, so I stayed away from eating much of it.  In February, I noticed that if I ate even two small bites of red meat I would get very gassy, and would not have normal bowel movements for the next 2-3 days.  The only thing that I would have is globs of bloody mucus... no stool.  It would resolve in about 3 days, but during this time my whole abdomen would feel bruised and very tender.  Then by March I noticed that I could no longer eat ANY type of meat (chicken, beef, pork, hot dogs), or any beans (kindney, black, navy, white).  I would be miserable with bloody mucus for 2-3 days, gas (for about 12 hours), and a very tender abdomen.  I can't eat fish as it causes urgent diarrhea often during the meal.  I have had a colonoscopy (clean), endoscopy (mild esophagitis), and an abdominal ct scan.  Nothing can be found!!  I have positive fecal occult blood samples, but they don't know why.  The only thing off on a cbc was a hemoglobin of 16.3, and a red blood cell of 5.4, sodium 133, Creatinine 0.5, potassium 3.3.  I can eat dairy without a problem.  What on earth is going on?  Any ideas would be great, I miss eating meat, and worry about the nutritional problems from little protein.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree with the testing done thus far.  The colonoscopy would exclude many of the major GI disorders.

Sending the stool off for fat malabsorption can be done.  I would also consider breath tests to exclude bacterial overgrowth and blood tests to look for celiac disease.  

Chronic pancreatitis can also be considered, and evaluated with the appropriate blood tests and imaging studies.

I would discuss these options with a GI physician.

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

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com