Stomach bug? Worried! Too many health issues lately

[hypersloth]

Recently I went to the Dominican Republic for vacation and came down with some stomach bug on the 3rd day there.  That evening I had horrible diarrhea.  For the next 3 days I chills/warm moments, but eventually was able to leave the hotel and goto dinner with the family and have some noodles and sauce.  The 4th day we had a trip planned to snorkel, which I went on after taking some Imodium.  I felt fine, as if each day I was getting a bit better.  Fast forward to the last day / return day, I didn't have too many issues. Stomach was grumbling but unfortunately my stool was still very loose.  
Upon returning home we were all a bit ill, me more so than all.  We stopped at a local sub shop for a bite to eat before returning home from the airport.  That evening my daughter was in pretty bad pain, and I appeared to be getting diarrhea worse.
The next day - I had diarrhea that was pure water.  Sorry to be gross here but I've got to figure this out.   That evening I thought I was going to die.  I was dizzy and disoriented.  This morning was the same after I slept for awhile, I almost went to the hospital.  
I did goto the doctors yesterday, they gave me vials to collect 'samples' which is very difficult if you have nothing to collect! but I managed.  We turned them in today, and questioned if I should goto the hospital as I am feeling AWEFUL and very strange.  They told my fiancee that there was no need, they would just do the same tests and take just as long and then replenish me with fluids.

I'm getting worried as now I've had to take an additional day off of work, and probably will again tomorrow.  My stomach is CONSTANTLY churning and making horrible sounds, and everything is still pure water.  I ate crackers today and drank 2 quarts of gator-aide throughout the day.  I'm feeling dizzy and disoriented again and even as I type this am feeling very weak.  

Not sure what to do!  About 5 years ago I was diagnosed with hashimotos thyroid condition, and about 2 years ago when I complained of constant ear infections , I also found out that I have a chronic low white blood count.  I'm tested every 3 months and it's about the same each time, borderline low but slowly ...very slowly getting lower.  For awhile, I cut out sugar from my diet almost entirely EXCEPT what was in foods.  This included colas, brownies, chocolate cake etc etc.  Obviously many foods contain alot of sugar but this seemed to possibly help my white blood count But then during the next test it was down again.  

Not sure why I'm telling you all of this, I'm very worried an hoping someone has an idea as to what I should do next?  I'm worried about losing my job and being able to function.

AND IM LOSING WEIGHT VERY FAST!

help!

[hypersloth]

just fyi feeling a bit better, everything is still on hold though.  No cultures back but now my fiancee who was already battling something she caught early in our trip appears to have the same thing I do.
Pretty bad, even my eyes are sunken in from losing weight so fast.  
I'm finally able to do some work from home, although at times my breathing feels a bit weak and I get a bit dizzy, especially after I took a shower today.  

Just hoping I can eat something 'normal' and stop having this urgent need to use the restroom feeling sometime soon, with all the 'strange' health issues I've had in the past, this scared me as it was taking so long to clear up, now I realize that I think I had two parasites.  Was just getting over one when the other took hold.  

If you ever find the need to leave the country for vacation, would recommend:
1. it's not a third world country like the dominican republic.
2. your insurance covers you there AND they have proper facilities
3. you find reviews of the place you are going to stay and find out if there are any issues with the water/food or even such things as a massive flu/plague outbreak.

I took for granted that the trip we booked through friends was researched, it was not.  the place had HORRIBLE reviews on food safety, nearly every other review was someone complaining about food illness during their trip or shortly afterwards.

[michell221]

I agree they are overprescribed but once you have the cultures you should take one.  A lot of stomach ailments from infection or parasite will not clear on their own.   Most ear infections will so I do not bother with antibiotics for that anymore.  I had over 50 rounds of amoxicillin as a child for this with no help.  I never did get relief until they installed drains in my ears.  I do not think it will kill you in the meantime but do go to the dr and get rehydrated or if you get weaker or have new symptoms.

[hypersloth]

unfortunately i think antibiotics are evil.  I believe them to be the root of all evils with our health today.  Sure, they are wonder drugs when you are DYING, but when you have a scratch on your skin , no needed.  

I had a doctor give me avelox for an ear ache.  I laughed and just let him write the prescription.  Like as if I'm going to take one of the most powerful , harmful antibiotics in the world without so much as a culture first.  

Hopefully they will get the tests back soon from the docs to see what it is I have.  My boss thinks I have dysentery.  I scared as no matter what, my body isn't cleaning it up on its own.  It's now day 3 with this 'new' strain and I'm exactly the same.  however, I'm losing more weight and more dehydrated.    I'm sure they will give me something powerful to kill it but will it kill me in the process?  

[michell221]

You probably picked up some sort of travellers diarrheah in DR.  I would go ahead and go to the ER.  If you are weak and dizzy your electrolytes may be off  and you probably need to be rehydrated.   Once they find out what is wrong they should be able to give you an antibiotic or something else to cure the infection you aquired.    Try to drink lots of pedialyte .