gastrointestinal & blood sugar problem

[cheryl62]

After returning at the beginning of April from a 2 month trip to Jamaica for the next six weeks I experienced constipation, distended bloated stomache and extensive flatulence.  Middle of May I woke up just not feeling great and had a huge bowel movement that emptied out my entire intestinal tract.  Half hour later I got very faint feeling, started shaking and was very cold.  My blood sugar had dropped and I was dehydrated.  For the next 4 weeks I alternated between having very loose stools to constipation accompanied by bloating.  On my return trip to the doctor he checked me for parasites and redid my glucose test which was only at 57 after eating.  They tested for blastocystis hominis in three different samples all of which were positive.  The doctor put me on Flagyl which I was only able to take for three days because of severe adverse side affects.  All of the blood work that I have had done in the past two months (comprehensive metabolic panel, CBC w/o Diff, anti-nuclear antibody screen, rheumatoid factor and Lipid Panel) all had results in a normal range except for the repeat test for glucose and my LDLC cholesterol which is borderline high of 138.  I also have had an abdominal ultrasound which showed a normal pancreas, no stones in my gallbladder, normal size, shape and echo texture of the kidneys but did show abundant calcified atherosclerotic plaque in the abdominal aorta.  Have been off flagyl for 2 weeks.  For the first 4 hours that I am up each morning I will have from 2 to 4 bowel movements which appear to be normal (not black and tarry and I do not see any blood) but sometimes some mucous discharge....I am famished all morning until I have eaten several small meals.  I tend to feel a bit light headed and shaky until I finish with all of these bathroom trips and have consumed enough food for my stomache to feel satisfied.  ( I am 57 years old, 5'4" tall and weigh 113)    Could it be stress and/or other less invasive testing that can be done.

[lizziecee]

Hi Cheryl,
unfortunately, my experience has been that Dr. Pho does not answer supplemental questions. You could try posting on the Gastroenterology Community forum and see if anyone can offer advice.

A non invasive test for inflammation in the GI tract is a Calprotectin Stool Assay test, which if  out of range (norm is around 20, mine can be as high as 40 when I have a flare of my Crohn's) can detect inflammation somewhere, but not specifically, in the GI tract. It is cheap and easy to do and only requires a stool sample. If out of range, the doctor can then order invasive tests, such as endoscopy and/or colonoscopy.  If you do need a colonoscopy, you could go on a liquid diet for 3 days before the procedure to ensure your bowel is clean of faeces. I have done this a couple of times in the past when my anus was so sore, the mere thought of the dreadful prep med made me shake.

Take care,
Liz (Crohn's Community Leader).

[WEEDERKID]

My husband has been hurting fi=or over 6 months the doctors here has checked his heart they said he has a inlarged heart an blockage in the veins coming from the head not going to the brain, he has not had a bowel movement for in 8 days now they said he is full of poop. half way of his chest, what can we get too clean him out,

[cheryl62]

Keven,
Thanks for the info....Years ago I had an endroscopy and had a very bad reaction to the sedative so I am absolutely petrified of having this same medication for a colonoscopy...had serious blood pressure drop and intense vomiting....also with my nerves completely on edge I don't think I would make it through the clean out process.  Are there alternative  tests I could do?  Thanks, Cheryl62

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I would consider a colonoscopy at this point.  This can evaluate for potential colitis or inflammatory bowel disease.  

Sending the stool off for culture and analysis should be done if not already.  This can evaluate for malabsorption, and blood tests done to look for celiac disease.

It is uncommon for Blastocystis to lead to these symptoms.  If so, the Flagyl should have taken care of it.

These options can be discussed with a GI physician.

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.
www.kevinmd.com