suffering with gastroenteritis

[schmegy]

I am 41 and have been suffering with this for the last 2 weeks.  I've been to see a general dr and a GI specialist and both have told me that I have gastroenteritis.  I've had blood work done and am waiting for the results however I'm not sure I feel a whole lot better.  I do have solid stool bowel movements but still have some stomach pain/discomfort.
What non-invasive procedures can be done to help me with my illness?  (I am very, very afraid of invasive measures, especially ones with anesthesia.  As it is it took 3 people to draw my blood.)
Is it normal to have this type of illness last this long as I am a healthy woman with no other illnesses, wash my hands, work out, basically try to take care of myself like eating oatmeal, salads, etc.  What is the average recovery time?
What types of food do you recommend that I eat?

What support group is out there that I can talk to other individuals with illnesses like mine?

Thank you so much for answering my questions as I have been home from work the last two weeks and starting my 3rd week.  I am very, very depressed and also not sleeping well except when I've taken a Sonata.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Sometimes gastroenteritis can certainly last a few weeks.  Ensure that appropriate stool cultures for bacteria, ova, and parasites were obtained to ensure you do not need to be on any antibacterial or antiparasitic agent.  I would also test the stool for a bacteria known as C Difficlie - which can also cause persistant diarrhea.

If the diarrhea continues to persist without a diagnosis, endoscopy should then be considered.  This would entail either a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy.  Non-infectious causes like inflammatory bowel disease can also present with persistant diarrhea.  

I would discuss this option with your personal physician.

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

[surgeon]

You really didn't provide detail as to what your actual symptoms are, so it's hard to make a recommendation. Persisting symtoms involving your digestion or bowels might at some point be best addressed by seeing a gastroenterologist.

[yoshi]

i can understand why some of us do not care for invasive procedures.
watch what you eat -you can google and find out food to avoid.

[lmroswell]

Do you know what caused your gastroenteritis?  Was it something you ate?

[Biskie2]

Neither a endoscopy or colonscopy requires anesthesia - neither does a sigmoidoscopy - they are invasive, but you can ask for a drug for the colonscopy where you won't remember it, and the endoscopy is quick, and the sigmoidoscopy is just a little uncomfortable.

[yoshi]

like the doc said,you have to describe your symptoms .
Did you eat something wrong or drink filthy water??