please help me

[morbid]

Hi Doctor,  I am really hoping that you can help me, as this illness is killing me. It started about 4  months ago when I started to have really bad nausea and dry heaves for no reason.  Then the diarrhea started. I went to the doctor and she gave me aciphex, and that help the nausea part, but not the diarrhea. That continued to get worse, and now it is absolutely unbearable. All my tests come back with nothing, but I know there is something seriously physically wrong with me. I can hardly eat anything, and when I do try to eat something more than rice or toast,  it goes right through me

and I have to run to the toilet.  Also, the food is coming out undigested for the most  part.   I am in pain almost

constantly, horrible cramping and other pain low in my stomach.  My mouth is always watering too. I know I cannot live like this for long. I have tried every otc and other treatment I can find.  i am in an Francisco and am at a loss for what to do.   Please, if you could provide some help for me I would really appreciate it.



Thanks



Evan

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Hello - thanks for asking your question.



Please understand my limitations over the internet as I have neither met nor examined you. This information is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation.



There are many causes that can cause chronic diarrhea.  I will briefly describe some of them.  



Irritable bowel syndrome — Patients with IBS can present with a wide array of symptoms, which include both gastrointestinal and extraintestinal complaints. However, the symptom complex of chronic lower abdominal pain and altered bowel habits remains the nonspecific yet primary characteristic of IBS.



Inflammatory bowel disease — Inflammatory bowel disease primarily refers to ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.  Diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and fever are the typical clinical manifestations.



Malabsorption syndromes — Malabsorption refers to impaired absorption of nutrients. The classic manifestations of malabsorption are pale, greasy, voluminous, foul-smelling stools and weight loss despite adequate food intake.



Chronic infections — Some persisting infections (eg, Whipple's disease, Giardia, Amebae, Cryptosporidium, and Cyclospora) can be associated with chronic diarrhea.  In HIV-positive individuals, more esoteric infections such as CMV, isospora or cryptospora may be considered.



Many of the above syndromes can be evaluated by an endoscopy (either colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy) - I would strongly suggest discussing this with your personal physician.  Basic stool tests including culture, ova/parasites, and electrolytes should be considered.  If everything is negative, I would consider a workup for malabsorptive disorders.



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.



Thanks,

Kevin, M.D.

[surgeon]

SanFrancisco has excellent medical resources at the UCSF medical center on Parnassus. If you aren't getting satisfied, I'd suggest an appointment in the gastroenterology clinic there.

[Staci110]

I hope you have found something about your medical concerns.  My husband had a sudden onset of excruciating LLQ pain and diarrhea with undigested food.  His symptoms are remarkably like yours.  If you have found any diagnosis or something that would help please reply.  He also has extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, and now depression.  If anyone has any ideas or if a Dr. could suggest anything.  He has had a colonoscopy, CT, many blood and urine tests and even hospitilization.  And now he has lost his job.  The doctors have ruled out Crohns disease, colon cancer, diverticulitis, and several other things.  He has lost 30 lbs in about three-four weeks and at this point has trouble picking up our 1 year old.  He shakes constantly and has become so lost that he has given up hope and lacks the will to live at this point.  This has become debilitating for the whole family.  PLEASE PLEASE anyone with any suggestions of rare disease or metabolic disorders or even chemical toxicity or anything at all that has similar symptoms I am open to do any research on anything.  Thankyou.

[morbid]

HI Stacy



I am so sorry to hear of your  husband pain.  I do not have a diagnosis yet.  The only thing that has helped me has been the following.



When I wake up the only thing I eat is 2 metamucil wafers

then I take 1 dose of immodium liquid and drink a galss of poopy seed tea, about 6 ounces..  Poppy seed tea has helped reduce the diarrhea from 10 time a day is usually five or less. During the day, I eat only rice or rice products, no protein, fruits or vegetables at all. Midday I eat 2 more metamucil crackers,  take another dose of immodium liquid, and drink about 4 ounces of poppy seed tea. I do not eat anyting after 7 p.m., only another dose of tea and immodium liquid.  I understand you husbands pain, I often think of throwing m yself in front of the train the picks me up for work.

And to be honest, I smoke a lot  of marijuana now, which has been a great help, mentally and physically.  THe recipe tpo the tea is as follows





1/2 lb of store bought poppy seeds

6 cups of water

1/2 cup of lemon juice

5 cloves

2 tbsp sugar



bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes very low.  Strain and keep in the fridge.





best of luck





Evan

[Staci110]

Hi Evan,



I am so sorry to hear that things are getting worse with no diagnosis yet.  But don't give up because there are a lot of good doctors and every day they are finding new diseases.  Which of course is not exactly great news.  



I think we are narrowing my husbands condition down to Wilson's disease, lupus, or maybe chronic liver disease.  



His latest symptoms are uncontrollable shaking mostly in his right hand but all throughout his body.  He has a rash, memory loss, weight loss, cold cold feet and hands, tremendous abdominal pain, diarrhea that goes straight through in just a few hours and is undigested, extreme fatigue and weakness, and many more symptoms.



I really hope you get someone who knows what you have and can help treat you.  Take care and good luck.  Staci