Chronic diarrhea 10+ years no diagnosis

[prettyprettypumpkin]

My primary symptom has been chronic diarrhea since I was about 12. I am now 22. It happens when I eat. But can occur at anytime really. As I have gotten older things have gotten much worse. I have diarrhea 4-20 times a day, I wake up often in the night having to go, a few times I haven't made it and woke up in a big disgusting mess. I have been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. I have to take B12 injections because of malabsorbtion problems. I have had kidney stones. I have what appears to be a large mass on the right side of my abdomen/behind my belly button. I can't eat without becoming sick. I have had several intermittent bowel obstructions. I have had several ultrasounds, colonoscopies, and a CT scan all of which keep coming back normal despite all my other problems. I now have lesions on my skin, and my lymphnodes in my groin are causing me pain. Also my uterus is being pushed down and back to the left. I can feel that something is pushing it. I also have a fair amount of pressure on my right side lower rib cage. I can't stand up without the urge to urinate and defecate. Its ruining my life. I hate it. No one will take me seriously. I have to wake up several times a night to change my pyjamas, bedsheets, and comforter because they are usually drenched in sweat.My hormones are a mess. I have had hot flashes since I was 16. I have been accused of taking laxatives and doing this to myself. Please help me. Its been 10 years of my life and I can't go on with this much longer.

[rudyblues]

Can I relate to you or what?? Having my gallbladder removed runined my life!! It's been since '93 when I had mine removed and it's been pain, pain, pain, diarrhea and assorted symptoms ever since that do not go away they just get covered up by medications or pain killers that you can and sometimes get addicted to. I have had 4 prescriptions for vicodin from my doctor since this past August to kill the pain in the lower right side of my abdomen and I have to take 2 at a time just to relieve the pain but it doesn't solve my underlying problem, the pain is still there when it wears off and trust me it wears off. Tests, tests, and more tests, doctors, hospitals, er visits only to go home with more pain meds but no real long-term help. I got over-medicated by a hospital once to rid me of my pain and got sent home because they didn't know how else to treat me or for what, the doc said, 'sometimes we have unexplained pain that we just can't diagnose', so within 20 minutes I got 3 different pain meds and was sent home. What a fiasco that was!!! I have taken lomotil for years, doesn't work that great, I have to time my trips according to how my day starts out. From morning to night I'm in the bathroom. I think this is driving a wedge between my hubby and I because it is so often anymore and the pain is unbearable sometimes. Nothing shows up in the tests so they say IBS;... WHATEVER!!!! You have no other answer so they say IBS. I'm so sick of that diagnosis I could scream. Good luck and don't give up. Hopefully someday they will come up with something other than IBS for these symptoms!!! I could go on and on about htis but I understand what you are going through and like I said good luck!!

[karat1]

you may be allergic to dairy products, thats milk, cheese, yogurts, everything diary, try to stop eating these for a few weeks and see if you feel any different. worth a try if its that bad?

[linxz]

I suspect carcinoid (do not be scared) Tell your doctor to run the following tests

1. 24 hr Urine 5-HIAA test
2. Blood serotonin test
3. Chromagin A test


I am confindent you will find a cure soon. In the meantime just hang in there

[mind over matter]

I can fully sympathize with you. I have been going through the same thing for years now. I had my gall bladder removed, which helped for a while and then all of a sudden the diarrhea came back full force. I had colonoscopies and endoscopies come back ok, blood work looking for c-dif come back fine, yet I couldn't even drink water without it going straight through me. I can literally eat or drink something and have it run through me within 20 minutes. It is very painful and extremely embarrassing. My gastroenterologist did a 72 hr fecal fat stool culture and found that it was "grossly" high proving malabsorption. I have been diagnosed with pancreatic insufficiency. I have a severe case of it and my doctors are still trying to work out the proper medicine regimen but I am hoping that I am on the right track.

[mind over matter]

oops...accidentally submitted before I was done. I wanted to let you know that I also have intestinal and rectal spasms which cause an extreme amount of pain. I am on pancreatic enzymes, I take 180 mg with every meal, I take florastor and immodium to try to slow the diarrhea, these alone have not taken care of the problem. My doctor has had me on vicodin for a while, then switched me to oxycontin. The oxycontin helped   but I hated the side effects. I am now on the Dirugesic patch. The benefit of the narcotic has helped my pain but has also slowed down the diarrhea and I have not had a mess for approx 3 weeks now. Talk to your doctor and don't be afraid to ask questions. Nobody can fully understand until they have walked in your shoes and believe me....I hate them shoes. Don't give up....I have felt like I couldn't go on myself. I haven't been able to work, I can't even go out of the house without planning where a restroom might be. It is humiliating but as long as you keep it in your mind that there is hope, I do believe you will get through it. Keep in mind that STRESS is one thing that you need to eliminate as well. You are not alone.....talk to your doctor and request the 72 hr fecal fat culture. It is not pleasant but it might just hold the answers. Take Care.

[Brenda]

I just had Gallbladder surgery 2-14-07 and was so worried about the horror stories of the after effects of chronic diarrhea. I have not had one problem. I don't know if for the past 3 years I have elimated trans fat from my diet. This could be the reason I have no problems. I have ate fried potatoes fried in Smart Balance cooking oil and fried pork chops and then sat and waited for the problem of diarrhea to hit and nothing. I have had ate several types of food and with no problems what so ever. I do not eat out and cook all my food at home and have a high fiber diet (whole wheat everything)anyway so I think this is what has prevented me from the problems most people have had. I just thought I would share this so it may help people with any problems. I am a milk drinker but drink fat free milk as with any milk products these are all fat free so maybe adjusting the diet people will elimate diarrhea and actually enjoy eating again. Thank you for letting me share this with you.

Brenda

[Kevin Pho, MD]

You have had a pretty comprehensive evaluation for the symptoms.  

At this time, you can consider more specialized tests.  This can include blood tests looking for celiac disease.

Other tests can include stool tests to analyze the fat malabsorption or a breath test to evaluate for bacterial overgrowth.  

If the symptoms continue, irritable bowel can be considered.  Treatment options include antispasmodic agents, or a course of antibiotics like Rifaximin.

The skin lesions can be evaluated by a dermatologist and lymph nodes evaluated by a surgeon.  If they persist or enlarge, a biopsy may be necessary for a more definitive diagnosis.  

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_