Follow up on severe stomach sickness

[JMORRIS4372]

I wrote 2 months ago regarding getting sick every morning, and sometimes at other times.  Since then I have had the city out and independent water chemichal techs along with plumbers.  The plumbers flushed the pipes and found blue sediment (tons of it, so much the entire tub was blue) and upon flushing tons of brown oil, intially thought to be petrolium from flux which is used to bond pipes.  What the test showed was that the blue sediment was "pipe scale" from what I would assume to be copper pipes.  I live in Chicago, IL which is a high radon area in a basement apartment.  Since the flushing I have not ingested ANY water from the tap and as a result have not gotten ill after the first few days.  I have tried to do searches on ingesting this substance, but to no result. Can you please let me know that, as I am not getting sick, do I need to seek further tests for reprecutions from the two months that I was ingesting the oil (no one sure what it was, but was brown and thick) and the pipe scale, and basically how to proceed.  I am feeling much better, but do know these things can sneak up years later.  My landlord who did the independant tests will not release them to me.  Really not sure what to do at this point.  As I see it I have three ways to proceed; do a lot of tests, say that if the water bothers me just don't drink it, or start drinking the water now that the landlord says? it is safe and see how I fare... this is my least favorite as you might imagine, do not want to go down that road again.  Just one other thing, my dog too was getting ill untill I put him on the bottled water.  Thanks for any help, just not sure if I should let sleeping dogs lie or go for tests.  I can not find much on pipe scale.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Unfortunately, my insight into this question is limited.  

It all depends on what exactly was ingested.  Discussing with your public works department about your water concerns can be considered.  Analyzing a sample of the water can also be considered to ensure there isn't anything harmful within it is another consideration.

As for medical testing, without knowing what one is testing for, it is difficult to say.  I would consider a referral to a toxicologist who may provide more insight into the various pollutants that the water may contain.

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_b

[xxlee]

You may want to test for Copper ( Urine and liver test). Copper can contributed to Wilson's disease. Read about Wilson't disease.