Need help diagnosing a digestive system disorder

I wonder if you could help with a possible diagnosis. I

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Chronic diarrhea associated with fever warrants further workup.  Things like colitis and inflammatory bowel disease should be excluded.  

Regarding the stomach pain - various causes of upper GI disease (i.e. an ulcer, or inflammation of the upper digestive tract) should be evaluated for.  I would also consider a blood test looking for a bacteria known as H Pylori - which is associated with these disorders.

I would consider a colonoscopy to evaluate the lower GI tract as well as an upper endoscopy to evaluate the upper GI tract.  Together, they would give you a pretty comprehensive GI evaluation.

One non-GI thought - if everything is negative, you may want to consider blood cultures to see if there is anything like endocarditis present (i.e. infection of the heart valves).  This condition would be one reason for the unexplained fevers.

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

[Bibsy]

Ron,

Have you had a stool test for parasites, bacterial overgrowth, etc?
I was on antibiotics that gave me clostridium difficile colitis...same type symptoms as you describe. Only way to find out is stool test for bacteria...

[Ron G.]

No, no doctor has ever sent me for a stool test. Sounds strange now that I think of it. Thank you very much for the input.

[MLWTR]

You might want to consider a colonoscopy to check for Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. It can cause a number of the symptoms you mentioned, including diarrhea, stomach pain, occasional fever, fistulas, and, in some individuals, ongoing troubles with hemorrhoids.

Hope you feel better soon.

[mamaschwab]

Get a blood test for Celiacs Disease.

With the history of your Grandfather and sister....it just might be that.
Good luck

[Ron G.]

My stool tests and blood test (for H.pylori) came back negative. Will try again for Celiac. Thanks.