Nausea, diarrhea, bloating

[ggreg]

I am 54 years old, female, weight should be 120, but normal for me is 150.  I have been dealing for two months with a sudden onset of nausea, bloating, acidy tummy, lack of appetite, small stools, and watery diarrhea.  Even though I can't eat much, I have steadily gained weight, went from 155 last summer to almost 190 now in winter.  

Blood work does not show anemia or anything else suspicious. CAT scan only showed a fatty liver, which the enzymes are normal at the moment.  Stool samples were normal.  My gastroenterologist felt I was indeed bloated, and since relatives had colon cancer, he thinks the colonoscopy is a recommended test, which I am scheduled a month from now.  He thinks I have something I've forgotten the name of, maybe gastroenteritis, but doesn't want to treat it until he eliminates other stuff with exam.

My problem is, while I wait, I am in such misery.  I was given nausea pills, which help some.  I occasionally have Mylanta or Tums.  I eat same breakfast I've always had, but only light foods during day becuz I'm so sick.  I worry I belong in a hospital, that this waiting around for a diagnosis is wrong. I got so dehydrated at one point and ended up with an I.V. at the Urgent Care, so I try to drink more water now.

Any suggestions as to what is causing this?  Any ideas of what I can do while I wait for a diagnosis?  Should I be in the hospital?

[gwtx2]

Make sure you aren't unknowingly tensing your lower abdominal muscles. Throughout the day, relax your lower muscles as if you are about to have a bowel movement. You'll notice if they are tense or not. Tensing muscles in the abdomen (lower, middle or upper) can cause symptoms of IBS such as bloating, nausea, loose stools and constipation.

[dusty052694]

i have the same problem as you right now. ALL of the same symptoms. oddly enough what fixes it for me is going to mcdonalds and eating a double cheezeburger. fast food helps for some reason and im pretty sure it deals with salt intake. just run by and pick one up, eat what you can and save the rest for whenever you are feeling enough to eat again. i ate two today and went from barely being able to stand without feeling bloated and nauseous to symptom-free, full energy joy

[marty15]

I am a 50 year old female and had a kidney transplant in January.  4 months later the diarrhea started with a vengeance, bloated stomach, nausea and unable to eat much food.  I have lost almost 20 lbs. in the last month.  I am wasting away.  I have had tons of blood test, upper and lower gi's, colonoscopy, stool samples, etc.  Everything has come back normal.  I can't take much more.  My quality of life is terrible.  I am always weak and tired.  Can anyone shed light on this?

[mermaid26]

True, looks are deceiving.  My doctor told me I can't believe how good you look for all you have been through.  I put makeup on that day.  I used to be the type that never left the house without it and this past year I have let that go.  Too tired from almost a year of anemia.  Show your "true colors."

[katherine1111]

Thank you.  I will check into 'celiac disease' (never heard of it).  Colonscopy was clear.  I don't do dairy products so milk is not an issue.  Lots, and I mean, lots of stress in my life this year and perhaps this may be the cause.  I have not taken any time off of work other than a day here or there where I was so weak I couldn't get out of bed.  Doctors have been shocked by how much I've been through this year without doing disability leave.  But it may be time to do so now, as this stomach problem is really horrible.  I remain bed ridden most of my time now due to extreme weakness.  I don't sleep at night because my stomach pain wakes me up. Can't eat; can't sleep; and so much diarrhea (which amazes me because I eat so very, very little) plus I have dry heaves every single morning.  This has been going on for 2 months now, and it is only getting worse. But again, thank you for your suggestions.  I appreciate it.  Oh, and one more thing, to everyone out there...as women we have a tendency to be vain and go into our doctor's office with our makeup on.  I know I have done this many, many times, and the doctor can't validate how sick you really are, because to him/her you look great.  So last week I went in with no makeup on, and doctor was shocked at how ill I actually looked, and ordered blood tests and cat scan. So please, let your vanity go, and go into your doctor's office with no makeup on so he/she can see how very sick you really are... Thanks for listening.  Katherine

[Shebah]

Crohn's or Ulcerative colitis might be the case. If you need. It might help to stay away from milk products until you have your colonscopy. Many people become temporarily lactose intolerant when having diarreah.

If you colonscopy comes back "clean", I would also ask for a blood test for celiac disease.

Good luck!

[katherine1111]

Wow.  I am 58 and it sounds like I have almost the same problems as you do.  I, too, am miserable.  So much pain with my stomach.  Had cat scan yesterday.  Results this week.  I eat just a few bites of food and my stomach distends to 45 inches.  I can't sleep; constant diarreha; can't eat cause it hurts. Not sure what the problem is.  I think all of us just want the doctors to find the cause of our problems so that we know how to deal with them.  I'm praying for a miracle this week.

[sdp4314]

Have you see the gyn?  The reason I am asking is that sounds like the symptoms I had with ovarian cysts.  I too gained weight, had problems with bm's and bloated.  I had the colonoscopy first and was clear.  Then it got much worse and went the gyno route.  Please have your colonoscopy though!  With your family history you can't afford NOT to.  It's worth a shot.