Need help for husband with multiple undiagnosed symptoms

[worriedwifey75]

My husband (36yrs), has been dealing with mutliple diagnosed and undiagnosed health issues for the past 8 years or so. The impact of his collective issues has got to the point where he dangerously underweight, constantly fatigued, and unable to participate fully in our family life.

For the best part of ten years, he has suffered from chronic nausea and vomiting, almost every morning, although it seems to be episodic and made worse by stress. He also suffers from constant diarrhea, needing to have a bowel movement almost immediately after every meal but also sometimes throughout the morning also. He gets sweaty palms, anxiety attacks, and waves of fatigue. His nausea is sometimes triggered by nothing but often by certain smells or just the sight of food and almost always in the morning.  Sometimes there is blood in his vomit and/or diarrhea.

If he gets a cold or flu he is down for the count and sometimes winds up in the ER because the vomiting gets so unstoppable he needs anti-nausea meds, narcotics, and liters of saline to recover.

A few years ago he stopped taking Effexor and the nausea got less often and less severe. However, the diarrhea has continuously got worse and he lost 10lbs in the last 12 months (when he was already underweight.). He tried to go back on Effexor again recently, because we thought he maybe was having stomach migraines, but it has made the nausea worse again.

He was also officially diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis about five years ago and took Methotrexate for a while. Unfortunately, the Methotrexate made his nausea so bad for the 3 days after he took it that he couldn't function (even after injecting it) and so he had to stop that. Of course, now his psoraisis is worse again.

When the nausea/vomiting episodes first started several years ago, he went through a battery of tests for stomach ulcers, GI issues, bowel issues, but nothing came out of them. He is going for a lower GI scan again in the next few weeks and hope/don't hope that something is found.

He has also tried a gluten free diet for 3 months but this did not improve his symptoms.

If anyone out there has had similar symptoms and has found a diagnosis or treatment that works, please let me know. Thank you. He is too young to be this sick.

[pippigirl]

Autoimmune diseases can be very tricky for MDs to figure out.  When a person has one AI disease they are likely to have at least one or more other AI diseases as well, as it sounds like your husband has. (arthritis, psoriasis, IBS etc.)  I have autoimmune disease as well and was not happy with the "idiopathic" diagnosis and just managing symptoms.  I started learning more about Natural medicine and becoming focused on trying to get at the root of the problems.  Seeing a natural doctor might be a good option, especially one who specializes in acupuncture.  While most insurances don't cover it, you could find a provider that costs around $50-$100 a visit.  I have had alleviation for the first time in YEARS since going to acupuncture for a few months.  Anyway... A theory about the cause of autoimmune disease (and also other unexplained digestive disorder) is that there is a yeast overgrowth in the gut.  I know this sounds relatively simple but it can be devastating because the yeast can permeate the digestive tract and the immune system is so overtaxed trying to fight it that it goes haywire, to put it VERY simply, causing a plethora of problems.  http://treatingandbeating.com/yeastovergrowth.html  Here is a link to an article on how to combat the mysterious, difficult to diagnose,yeast overgrowth in the body.  It can be hard to follow the instructions in this guide (because it involves removing ALL sugar, even in fruit for at least 3 months), but it is probably the best first place to start seeing as it is mostly diet related.  I am sorry you face this difficulty, I understand the frustration as wish you much luck on your husband's journey to healing.  In case it is of pertinence to you, I am a 30 yr old female birth professional.  Keep us updated on progress!

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

I am really sorry that you guys have to go through all of this.  It is hectic and yes, he does not have to be so sick at such a young age (and 36 us still young).  His symtoms sounds a lot like my friend.  he is a bit older, but have been battling with diarree and gastro problems for years and eventually they diagnosed him with IBD - which is some kind of Colitis and NOT the same as IBS.  It is treateble but you need an experience GASTROENT. SPECIALIST for the diagnosis.

Out of my own experience:  I had 4 Endoscopes done (around here General Surgeons does it) and they all missed my problem.  3 weeks ago I went to a brand new Hosptial and saw a Gastroentrologist for the 1ste time.  ONLY the Gastro Ent. managed to pick it up.

Can I assume that your husband has been seeing a good Gastro-Ent. Specialist?  I wish I could send you my Gastro-ents details.. but I live in South Africa.  It might not help you.