Incredibly Confused

Exactly 3 weeks ago I had a 48-72 hour bout of diarrhea, abdominal bloat and pain on both sides of lower abdomen. The diarrhea was very liquidy and about 4-6 times per day for the first two days. Then it slowly normalized in terms of frequency and hardness over the course of the week. However, the ab pain lingered. In weeks two and three, I am having intermittent diarrhea...everything is normal for two or three days and then I get it again for a day or two. Not pure liquid like when it originally hit and usually 1-3 times per day, but definitley soft and loose. I've also had a lingering sore throat that seems to come and go as well during weeks 2 and 3. I've lost about 4-5 pounds, probably from eating a lot less and the diarrhea.
I had full blood work and urinalysis...all normal. Stool sample came back with no parasites, still waiting for C-diff (but I haven't taken antibiotics in 6 months) and waiting for blood in stool result. NO visible blood at all. Had swollen lymph nodes in neck/throat area and under ear, all resolved. Also have tiny fistula about half inch from rectum. Have sensitivity and redness at tip of tongue as of this AM. Also tested negative for HIV at 6 weeks from exposure (Thank you God!) and will retest again a bit further out.
I am VERY confused and stressed. I've never had diarrhea come and go like this and normally heal very quickly. Also no family history of cancer and generally I am in great health.
Few questions. 1. What do you think is going in based on the above. 2. What should next step be...wait to see if diarrhea resolves? get a test? 3. Is the diarrhea associated with HIV constant and aggressive or like I described?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Stool tests have been done already with negative testing thus far.  

You can consider evaluation for inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome.  A colonoscopy can be considered to rule out the former disease.  Stool tests can also be done to look for fat malabsorption, as well as blood tests looking for celiac disease.

There is no specific characteristic of HIV-related diarrhea.  It can present as watery, bleeding, and associated with upper or lower abdominal cramping.

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_

[Praying4negtest]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I am 44, male and live in Nevada. Do not know if any of that matters, but just in case it does I wanted to supply the info.

[Praying4negtest]

Last but not least I should mention that the pain on the sides of my lower abs and down into the groin is now limited to the right side. The left seems fine. I had an inguinal hernia repair on the right side about 4 years ago.

[Praying4negtest]

So sorry Doc. But I was wrong about the left side. When I was showering a bit ago and touched both sides, the left is a bit sensitive. Neither side is as sensitive as they were at the onset of the diarrhea, however. Also, I am very cold walking around most of the time during these 3 weeks. When everyone else seems fine, I feel like I need a coat.

Thanks and sorry again for all these posts. I'm trying to be accurate and thorough so that I have the best chance of getting the best possible answers.

[Praying4negtest]

Do not know if this makes a difference, but it seems relevant. The majority of the times I eat anything, there is a gurgling feeling and sound...as if I'm very hungry even though I am not....sometimes accompanied by bloat and some pain, sometimes not. It can surface before the meal is even over and sometimes goes away and comes back hours later.

Thanks in advance.

[tummyyuck]

I have had some similar problems. Not mouth or throat things but my stomach pain, rumbling, cramping and change in bowel habits. I have been taking a probiotic(found in heath food stores) and I think its helping. Not all my pain is gone but it has subsided a good amount! Also stress really makes me hurt-usually a day later. Go to a health food store and look into parasite cleansing and probiotics. They cant hurt you to try!!

[yoshi]

Once doc replied to your thread,he will not be revisiting it ,so your comments to doc would not be read,you have to start a new thread if you want his attention.
Have you tested for H Pylori bacteria,a simple breath test in doc's office will do,usually caused by eating /drinking contaminated water/food?
gas can be neutralised by your own salive(try chewing gum),baking soda,gas x,alka seltzer,but it does not address the source-why do y ou have too much gas in your system??