For the past year, I've had chronic diarrhea, nausea, severe belching (no bloating though), nausea and vomiting off and on, low grade fevers, and my stomach makes horrible, loud watery gurgling noises all day. It all started with an "intestinal flu" that EVERYONE in my workplace contracted last March, (right after a co-worker's dog suffered an "intestinal infection" which cleared with metronidazole.). We all had fever, severe watery diarrhea (10+ BMs a day) and all symptoms I listed above, lasting for at least four weeks for everyone, and up to four months for some! My diarrhea went down to three to six stools a day, and stayed that way. The symptoms are disabling because along with the diarrhea I feel weak, exhausted, achy, and sick all day - like I have the "stomach flu". I also recently developed muscle and joint pain, particularly in my knees, hips, and muscles of the legs which is quite severe. I have no solid stools at all - just water. I have no appetite. I also find that if I fast and drink nothing but water for a day or so, I still have gurgling and numerous watery bowel movements the next day. I also sometimes have severe epigastric pain, not relieved by antacids or PPIs.
1. Rheumatology workup was negative - sed rate, ANA, RF, etc. all normal, NO fibromyalgia "tender points" ; stool culture negative for ova & parasites, blood, etc.; colonoscopy & biopsy neg.; CBC good; blood test & biopsy for Celiac negative; upper endoscopy neg.; H. Pylori test neg.; HIV, STDs, diabetes neg.
I have tried: Levbid, Imodium, codeine, fiber, antidepressants, calcium, pepto-bismol, and special "IBS" diets, which don't help. In fact, fiber of all types (even apple pectin and other soluble fibers) makes it much, much worse. Proton pump inhibitors also make the diarrhea and stomach gurgling a LOT worse.
I have seen rheumatologists and gastroenterologists. They say IBS. I'm wondering if it's still possible there's an infectious component?