stomach pain and churning, nausea, and Diarrhea

[Ringoboycat]

My 83 year old father complained of constant severe abdominal pain and also nausau when eating.  This started around August 15, 2006 and he weighted 168 pounds at that time.  A CT scan revealed a tumor on the bladder.  After all testing, it was determined he had bladder cancer.  The bladder, prostate and several lymph nodes were removed three weeks ago.  We were told all the cancer was removed and therefore he has not had any radiation or chemo.  

My father still gets nausea after only two or three sips of liquid.  The anti nauseu medicine increased his ability to each some food but now he has constant diarrhea and is once again not eating.  The doctors have done an endoscopy and colonoscopy and found/removed 4 non-cancerous polps.  They have also done an ultrasound of the kidneys, pancreas, liver and gallbladder and found nothing.  In the meantime he has dropped to 118 pounds (December 20, 2006).  Does anyone have any idea as to what this could be?  Help!

[eyrshangel]

I was diagnosed with a C. Diff infection in March, 2008, which resulted in pseudomembranous colitis.  After several rounds of treatment, the C.Diff is apparently gone.  However, my bowels have not returned to normal.  It's a nasty infection.  I've had diarrhea ever since...moving on to  and GI Surgeon now.  

[Ringoboycat]

Just in case others have these symptoms, I wanted to share that the physician at the Transitional Care facility tested my father for C-diff.  The test was positive and Dad was treated with the proper medicine.  The symptoms are gone, he is eating without pain and has gained 5 pounds back.  Apparently, C-diff is on the increase.  While it is usually seen in hospital patients who have been given large doses of antibiotics, it is now increasing in the general population as it is contagious.

[nervous_nikki]

hello there,

I am so sorry to hear of your father's illness.  Your father has been through a lot since the end of the summer as well as his close family members and it is likely that this is effecting him in many ways.

1.  Is your father experiencing any anxiety or depression?

2.  What medications is he currently on?

There are many things that could be causing him to feel nauseated with loss of appetite...I would first start with the mental aspect.  He has been through several major procedures recently and it is a very feasible possibility that still is not feeling 100%. His self image as well as his perseption of his health has been majorly altered.  Let me know. I am interested to hear the updates.  Good luck and continue to send him the healing light.