What can be wrong for so long?

For years I've had episodes that are becoming more frequent and longer-lasting; at least once a month. First I get cold. Then wave-like upper abdominal pain. Then I have a normal-but light-colored bowel movement. Then I have nausa followed by severe, watery pale yellow diarrhea. Lots of bowel rumbling. Before the diarrhea starts I will have heart skips and flutters. After the diarrhea ends-- the skips and flutters also stop--until the diarrhea starts again.  Sometimes I go 4-5 times a day and occasionally wake up at night to go again! I stay tired during the episodes--lasting 7-10 days. I have had gallbladder removal 3 years ago. I am 55 years old. During this last episode I have lost 21 pounds which I needed to do, but not this way. I have found I can't eat corn, bananas, beef or anything raw. Has anyone had this experience or know what it could be?? Thanks for any information!!

[rthornton]

I wonder if it could be some kind of malabsorption problem?  Sounds like certain foods don't agree with you, so maybe you aren't absorbing some kind of nutrient properly and this causes the symptoms.  Just a thought, see a gastroenterologist.  They can probably just run some blood test to start off the investigation!

Rebecca

[Meg_]

I have experienced the same  problem after my gallbladder was removed.  I do have a malabsorption problem.  This problem is worse the week before my cycle and at ovulation time.  My gastroenteroligist has tried me on many medicines. Colestid did help which it binds to the bile and slows down the trips to the bathroom.  Also this past year they started me on Celexa 20mg once a day and it has been wonderful. Celexa in normally used for depression which I did NOT have but the have found that the serotin that is in the bowel is very close to the celexa so it is the only antidepressant that can help with bowel problems.

[AuntLane]

I was so releived when I read your post.  I have been experiencing the very same thing for the last 2 years.  I have thought that I was dying so many times.

When you eat things like corn, bannanas, or things like that does it make you feel bad for a couple of days.

Also have you noticed that tomatoes bother you?

I would really like to ask you some questions about your condition.

AuntLane

[Dondi]

Yes, tomatoes bother me! I feel bad after eating them or anything cooked with tomatoes. I can taste and burp bananas until the next day. If I eat out I'll have to find a bathroom fast. My stomach and intestines will start rumbling, I'll feel cool, clammy and nausaus and then have diarrhea--then I start to feel better. What really bothers me is the heart skips and flutters I have just before the diarrhea. It is worse when the BM is very pale yellow. Do you have this? I have been to the hospital ER several times thinking I was having a heart attack. They always check me for pancreatitis, but the test are negative. And usually my heart is ok by the time I get to ER. I have been to a gastroentrologist and she tells me it's a bile problem from my gallbladder removal. I have been on Prilosec, Pepsid and Cholestyramine, but nothing helps and I still feel bad. Thanks for sharing!!

[AuntLane]

I have been to the ER also and they have told me once that it was a Virus, then I was told that it was a bladder infection, and I was also told that it was anxiety.

Sure I have anxiety, because something is going on in my body and no one can figure out what it is.

I do not have really loose bowells everyday, but I get the weird feelings and I also have very pale looking bowells.  I belch almost constantly.  When I feel really bad it gives me headaches.

I found out too that I can't eat hot dogs.  

I have been checked out by every test imaginable and they show nothing.

I am at the end of my rope, trying to figure out what is wrong with me.

I had my galbladder removed about 15 years ago.

I have found that if I stay away from spicy foods and fatty foods that it helps quite a bit.

Please let me know if they find anything out.

AuntLane

[keystone531]

have you been checked for chrons disease, my moms has this and the symptoms sound the same.

[Dondi]

Does your Mothers symptoms include the skipping and fluttering of the heart just before she has the pale diarrhea??  Thanks for the information.