GI Infection?

[smile1960]

I think that I have some sort of a persistent infection that needs to be identified because I seem to be stuck in a loop of getting sick every month for the last 5+mos.

First symptoms are fatigue, slight headache & scratchy throat.  A day or two later I get the feeling of acid pain right below my sternum.  The headache & scratchy throat go away after a day (as though whatever this thing is is trying to find a place to settle in).

I take some Pepto-Bismol which seems to help with the acid pain (Ranitidine tablets don’t seem to work).  I then develop a fever that is off & on for the next couple of weeks.  Usually, this is one-two degrees over my usual temp.  (My normal temp is usually 95.something-96.whatever). At about this point, I get “poking” pains all over, and some stiffness.  A few days after the acid pain starts, I have pain from the bottom of my ribcage downward.  Odd pain:  almost like one huge bruise.  I seems as though I can feel every inch of my digestive tract.  Then I get some cramping.  Sometimes this pain & cramping is enough that I have to lie or sit.  This most sever pain does not last long, but is not relieved by a bowel movement.  I have no nausea or loss of appetite.

I had this the first time last Sept.  When I went to the Doctor she said it was “a three-week thing that is going around”.  She gave me the ubiquitous Z-pak “just in case”.  I felt somewhat better, but it may have just run its course after those three weeks.

In Nov. I had a sinus infection.  Went to the same doc in Dec., got the Z-Pak.  Got a little better.  Had another one in Jan, but mild.  Had a bad one in Feb.  This time, I said that the Z-pak was not doing anything.  Took Levaquin for a week (750mg\day).  Felt much better.  Until March, when I had another mild sinus infection.  In April, I had this.  It did last about three weeks.  Now only a couple of weeks later I have this again.  (The only “break” that I got in between was my period.)

About me:  I am a 48 yr. old female.  I eat right (when I don’t have this intestinal “thing”).  Never any digestive problems.  Up until I developed hypothyroidism 4 yrs. ago, I had low blood pressure & blood glucose, and my cholesterol was in the healthy range.  When I don’t have one of these infections, I work out everyday (about 3-4 mi. on the elliptical, etc.)  I don’t smoke or drink.  I drink plenty of water. I am currently on Levoxyl 125 mcg.\day, Lipitor 20 mg\day, DiovanHCT 320\25 mg\day , Vit. D 50 K IU every other week (prescription), Fish Oil 1,000mg\day (I have suspended the therapeutic coated aspirin [1 every other day] for now).  I am good at washing my hands (after using the bathroom, before eating, etc.).  Bowel movements are about normal when I am sick.  Perhaps a little slow (perhaps due to the Pepto?)  I am not lactose intolerant.  I don’t have any large amount of gas nor is it especially foul (as I have had when I had intestinal “flu” many yrs. ago).

The sinus infections are no fun, but this intestinal “thing”, just uses up my energy, plus I cannot eat right.  Forget my eating any sort of meat or many vegetables.  About the only things that do not aggravate are fruit, yogurt, low carb ice cream, whole grain waffles\muffins.  

I want to go in & see my doc.  I have some lab tests coming up in a couple of weeks (twice yearly cholesterol & glucose, etc.), and if I need any other tests because of this “thing”, I’d want to get those done.  I have never had any sort of culture, blood test swab, and I think until I find out what this is & get the right meds, this won’t really go away.

I know that this is a lot of info, but any insight would be appreciated.

[mkh9]

I agree that is closest thing I can think of is H. pylori. But I would see a GI doctor and see what they think. Your fever is not really considered a fever it is too low grade even though you run low. Your temperature goes up normally in the afternoon and evening. The sore throat may be from acid reflux from H. pylori. They would have to do a gastroscopy and biopsy while they are in there. You are knocked out and don't feel it. The other symptoms such as the sinusitis may be something else. Whether this is something else you could see the GI doc first then if negative see an infectious disease doctor. Sinusitis can come back and be chronic. Try a humidifier and see if that helps.
mkh9

[jagesh50]

Helicobacter pylori infection is my impression.You would respond to amoxy,bismuth,metronidazole combination a a course.Consult your doc.