Any ideas what could be wrong with me????

[Petie1104]

I'm getting tired, I need some ideas, especially since doctors don't take this seriously.....

I get diahrrea ALL THE TIME, no joke, here is a list I have come up with

If I eat out at a restaraunt, it's gauranteed

If I have to leave early in the morning, before I usually would

If I eat any kind of red meat

Some days if I eat chicken

Too much milk

Too much grain (like oatmeal, cream of wheat etc.)

Anything greasy

Too much fruit (depending on the day the "too much" changes, could be an apple, could be 2 apples)

Too many fresh vegetables (again, depends on the day as to what is "too much")

Basically, if I have to leave the house, the ONLY thing I feel comfortable eating is bread, even then, if I am leaving early in the morning, that doesn't always work.

Things I've done.....

Activia, on day one I was Ok, day two had a bit of stomach upset, day 3 was running to the bathroom the entire day.  I continued, because I thought maybe that was just what it was supposed to do, you know, clean me out.  Day 4 I was so sick I couldn't see straight so I had to stop. 

I have spoken to my PCM and was told "if you ate something that is making you sick you should let it get out, no medication is needed"  OK so basically, she wasn't interested when I tried to explain that this is CONSTANT!!  So I got no help there.

Since then I have used Immodium to control this issue because I HAVE to leave the house and it gets tiring deciding where I will go and what I will do based on if a bathroom is close or not.  If we are out for the day, I usually sat at a table sipping soda while the family ate. I got tired of that so I decided that self medicating was the only option I had left. 

Does anyone have ANY ideas as to what could be wrong with me.  Everything I read on IBS says that they go between constipation and diarrhea.  I am never constipated.  I don't know what could be wrong with me but this issue controls my life.

[*farmergirl*]

do you have any other symptoms? pain,nausea,fatigue...? 

sounds a lot like me when Crohn's flares. I find the SCDiet really really helps. Of course it's hard to stick to-for me anyways. I was also reluctant to start it was I lived off saltines and the SCD is no grains etc.But I'm soo glad I did. Most of the time I can eat like normal and I don't plan out bathroom stops before leaving the house. Heck I use to know where every public bathroom was in town & travel with TP just in case I had to head for the woods-literally.

Also relieving stress is big too. stress like getting everyone out the door early or people visiting can cause me trouble.(Two weeks of the in laws- I'm not even looking at a salad). Hang in there. I spent 5years with doctors righting it off or thinking it was IBS (also no constipation and upping the fiber was the worst suggestion ever) or this or that.

I suggest taking a look at the book (or website even) Breaking the Vicious Cycle.

[Petie1104]

Originally Posted by *farmergirl* 

do you have any other symptoms? pain,nausea,fatigue...? 

sounds a lot like me when Crohn's flares. I find the SCDiet really really helps. Of course it's hard to stick to-for me anyways. I was also reluctant to start it was I lived off saltines and the SCD is no grains etc.But I'm soo glad I did. Most of the time I can eat like normal and I don't plan out bathroom stops before leaving the house. Heck I use to know where every public bathroom was in town & travel with TP just in case I had to head for the woods-literally.

Also relieving stress is big too. stress like getting everyone out the door early or people visiting can cause me trouble.(Two weeks of the in laws- I'm not even looking at a salad). Hang in there. I spent 5years with doctors righting it off or thinking it was IBS (also no constipation and upping the fiber was the worst suggestion ever) or this or that.

I suggest taking a look at the book (or website even) Breaking the Vicious Cycle.

Yup, I have tp in both vehicles just in case.  Plus, I know every bathroom, and which ones have the best privacy factor, between me and the places I go to regularly.  I actually get tied up in knots if we are between cities and I know that I have 20 minutes to the next bathroom.  Going somewhere new is always scary because I don't know what I'm getting into. 

I don't usually have nausea, but I get abdominal cramps alot.  I do have alot of fatigue, but I don't know if that's because I'm avoiding eating leaving me somewhat malnourished, or because of what ever is causing this issue.  I can sleep 12 hours at a time if I'm not careful.  So setting an alarm clock is a must.  Most days I would kill to take a nap, but if I do, I end up sleeping another 4-5 hours during the day.  I also have arthritis in my back, so that doesn't help either, it makes me want to just sit around rather than get up and get moving, so I don't know how much that adds to the problem.

[Naturopath Mom]

Here are a few idea off of the top of my head. First off, I hope you are making sure you are drinking TONS of water. With chronic diarrhea it can almost be near impossible to stay hydrated. Have you ever been hospitalized for dehydration?? Water, water, water :)

My first thought was indigestion. This can be caused by lack of enzymes and/or HCl production. I might also be parasites. Parasites can cause extreme situations like this. Allergies of course is a possiblity.

I would begin by trying to trace it back to when this started. Do you have any idea when it started and what might have triggered it all?

[Petie1104]

Originally Posted by Naturopath Mom 

Here are a few idea off of the top of my head. First off, I hope you are making sure you are drinking TONS of water. With chronic diarrhea it can almost be near impossible to stay hydrated. Have you ever been hospitalized for dehydration?? Water, water, water :)

My first thought was indigestion. This can be caused by lack of enzymes and/or HCl production. I might also be parasites. Parasites can cause extreme situations like this. Allergies of course is a possiblity.

I would begin by trying to trace it back to when this started. Do you have any idea when it started and what might have triggered it all?

 It started, the first time, when I was 18.  I was in AIT (military training) and it had gotten so bad that I quit eating.  I was diagnosed as having stress induced anorexia, and was monitored for every meal.  After I got out of AIT it became very situational.  If we had a big day (gas chamber, range, things that made me nervous) then I would have to take Kaopectate (my first discovery into the world of self medicating).  During my pregnancies I was usually fine.  But, now, in the last 4 or so years, (this started 15 yrs. ago)  it has gotten almost unbearable, with it culminating now, in the last year.  In the past 4 years, I went from worrying about big events, basically if I got butterflies in my stomach, I knew it would be a bad day.  To now, I need to know where every bathroom is when we go places.  It used to be the exception that this happened.  NOW, today was the exception.  I managed to go eat Pizza with the family, had a slice and had no trouble.  This was an exception rather than this being normal and the other an exception.

[motherhendoula]

Have you ever been tested for Celiac's Disease?  My daughter was just diagnosed with Crohn's Disease - hers included a peri anal abcess....but everyone has different symptoms.  The only thing you can do - is keep a meticulous food journal - see another gastroenterologist, or a naturopath.  This a service for which you are paying - demand an answer.

[lovetomom]

iI'm sorry mama. That sounds really rough. Have you or are you willing to do acupuncture? In chinese medicine your symptoms translate to weak spleen, coldness in the center and dampness.  Traditional Chinese Medicine can really help.  To start with I would recommend you stop eating and drinking anything cold or raw.  Eat and drink only warm things, and in small quantites so it is easier to digest.  Drinking boiled water with ginger slices is a good place to start.  Lots of soups, bone broths, etc.  Feel free to PM me, if you are interested.

[amyhulen]

I have seen 2 episodes of Mystery Diagnosis that are similar to your symptoms. However I cannot for the life of me figure out which season/episodes they were. One lady had to wear diapers because she simply had no other choice and the other was a mom who had begun showing the same symptoms when she went to college and like you she got better during her pregnancies although I think she had an issue with vomitting as well.

The first woman ended up having a gallbladder issue or something like that, she found a specialist in Chicago  or somewhere near there and the disease was named after the doctor because he was the one who discovered it. She started taking a cholesterol medication and it completely resolved the issue. Unfortunatly I cannot remember what the other woman had or what was done to fix the problem.

I wish I could remember more but came up empty handed when I was searching online. Discovery Health doesn't have every episode online right now but there is lots of info on the tv show on there.

[Naturopath Mom]

Okay, so would I be right to gather that it started with some emotional upsets? I would start to address those issues if that is the case. The best way to do so is with flower essences, at least in my experience. Anxiety would generally fall under Red Chestnut. Fears could be Mimulus or Aspen. You could also just try rescue remedy as well.

It is hard to give other recommendations, as I think there is several things going on here. I would probably start with some diet overhauling once the emotional nervousness was addressed. I would try eliminating all problmatic foods and go from there. Possibly an ELISA test for sensitivies, or some enzymes with HCl. Hard to guess here without knowing more details but I hope that helps some.

(hugs)

[Panserbjorne]

You described my issues to a "t".    You might be my twin.  This issue is why I went back to school after a lifetime of no help from the medical profession.  NO constipation here either-ever.  I don't know what that's like. 

I agree 100% and would do flower essences for SURE as it's the only thing that has ever helped me (other than eliminating grains and fiber-which helps, but only so long as I'm off them.)

Impatiens, mimulus, cherry plum, crab apple, white chestnut and vine is the combo I've used with people (including myself) that have this issue.  Honestly, I am still shocked that it works, but it does.  I can talk more about why I chose these, if you are interested...but it's kind of a one size fits all for people with digestive issues that tend towards diarrhea and loss of control.

I'd love to say homeopathy-and that does help some people, but I've now seen about a dozen people in my practice that have the exact same issue and without exception this blend helps them.  So while deeper treatment can possibly resolve the issue, this gets right in there.  I haven't hit a point where I can stop taking it-and I've been on it for years and years, but when I stop taking it discomfort is a fraction of what it once was. 

I'd not even put it out there, because flower essences are a modality in which you treat the individual.  However having worked with many individuals that all say the same thing about this situation I can tell you the emotions are the same.

The other thing I would suggest is pascalite instead of immodium.  Same basic idea, but more natural and healthful for the system.  Pascalite will help to grab on to toxins and usher them out, while also slowing digestion.  In that sense it's affirming what your PCP said (let things get out) while providing you with the comfort of a more solid stool.  Pascalite is a clay-and really you could use just about any edible clay for this.

In terms of a remedy you could *try* arsenicum (has the issues with food, diarrhea and anxiety) and you may get some relief.  Hard to say, but given the low cost, safety and accessibility of the remedies it's worth a try.

The last thing without question would be a castor oil pack.  You can google for instructions-they are hugely healing for the gut.

Naturopath mom-curious as to why you'd chose red chestnut?

[Panserbjorne]

Originally Posted by motherhendoula 

Have you ever been tested for Celiac's Disease?  My daughter was just diagnosed with Crohn's Disease - hers included a peri anal abcess....but everyone has different symptoms.  The only thing you can do - is keep a meticulous food journal - see another gastroenterologist, or a naturopath.  This a service for which you are paying - demand an answer.

and yes to this.  Ultimately I received a diagnosis of CD.  Only after a really savvy doc was able to diagnose dd.  Gluten is very clearly an issue for me. 

[elmh23]

See a GI doctor.

I had something very similar and it ended up being Gastroparesis.  Basically, my stomach stopped processing food, causing cramps and diarrhea.  It resolved after about 5 months on Reglan.

It also sounds like a Crohn's Disease flare.  Or Celiac.

Basically, go see a GI doctor.  They'll do the necessary testing (for testing for Celiac, you MUST be eating gluten for at least 6wks prior, just so you know!)

[Petie1104]

Originally Posted by elmh23 

See a GI doctor.

I had something very similar and it ended up being Gastroparesis.  Basically, my stomach stopped processing food, causing cramps and diarrhea.  It resolved after about 5 months on Reglan.

It also sounds like a Crohn's Disease flare.  Or Celiac.

Basically, go see a GI doctor.  They'll do the necessary testing (for testing for Celiac, you MUST be eating gluten for at least 6wks prior, just so you know!)

Now gastroparesis is the ONE diagnosis I can cross off.  DH has it and well, our symptoms are nothing alike.  PLUS.....I'm allergic to Reglin which is the standard treatment. Speaking of that, do you have twitching since you've been on the Reglin?  How long have you been on it?  DH, after about a year, started having horrible twitches, that are now permanent.  But, it's better than dealing with the symptoms of the disease, so he tolerates them. 

I have considered going to a GI doctor, but I saw the testing dh went through and that honestly scares me.

[Petie1104]

Originally Posted by Panserbjorne 

You described my issues to a "t".    You might be my twin.  This issue is why I went back to school after a lifetime of no help from the medical profession.  NO constipation here either-ever.  I don't know what that's like. 

I agree 100% and would do flower essences for SURE as it's the only thing that has ever helped me (other than eliminating grains and fiber-which helps, but only so long as I'm off them.)

Impatiens, mimulus, cherry plum, crab apple, white chestnut and vine is the combo I've used with people (including myself) that have this issue.  Honestly, I am still shocked that it works, but it does.  I can talk more about why I chose these, if you are interested...but it's kind of a one size fits all for people with digestive issues that tend towards diarrhea and loss of control.

I'd love to say homeopathy-and that does help some people, but I've now seen about a dozen people in my practice that have the exact same issue and without exception this blend helps them.  So while deeper treatment can possibly resolve the issue, this gets right in there.  I haven't hit a point where I can stop taking it-and I've been on it for years and years, but when I stop taking it discomfort is a fraction of what it once was. 

I'd not even put it out there, because flower essences are a modality in which you treat the individual.  However having worked with many individuals that all say the same thing about this situation I can tell you the emotions are the same.

The other thing I would suggest is pascalite instead of immodium.  Same basic idea, but more natural and healthful for the system.  Pascalite will help to grab on to toxins and usher them out, while also slowing digestion.  In that sense it's affirming what your PCP said (let things get out) while providing you with the comfort of a more solid stool.  Pascalite is a clay-and really you could use just about any edible clay for this.

In terms of a remedy you could *try* arsenicum (has the issues with food, diarrhea and anxiety) and you may get some relief.  Hard to say, but given the low cost, safety and accessibility of the remedies it's worth a try.

The last thing without question would be a castor oil pack.  You can google for instructions-they are hugely healing for the gut.

Naturopath mom-curious as to why you'd chose red chestnut?

I'm going online to look at pascalite.  Thank you.

[AtYourCervices]

#1 tip is go to a doctor. Stop self medicating. You're only treating the symptoms and not finding the cause.

Have you perchance had your gallbladder removed at some point? I know several people who've had their gallbladders removed and had these same symptoms.

[Petie1104]

Originally Posted by AtYourCervices 

#1 tip is go to a doctor. Stop self medicating. You're only treating the symptoms and not finding the cause.

Have you perchance had your gallbladder removed at some point? I know several people who've had their gallbladders removed and had these same symptoms.

I still have my gallbladder.  My problem going to the doctor is most of them blow me off.  I went when the issues first started, and continued to complain about it for about a year.  Unfortunately, I was active duty and they kind of treated it like I was trying to get out of work, which I never even suggested I wanted.  Then, as a dependant I went back to complain, and they kept saying that it must be a stomach bug.  Mind you, I explained, in detail, the long process this had taken.  I finally gave up.  But, in February, we get a new PCM, mainly because we aren't authorized, as retiree dependants to be seen on this post, but the end result is the same, I get to choose my PCM from almost all the doctors in this community, so I'm going to start looking at them now. 

 

[AtYourCervices]

Start keeping a journal of the foods you eat, and when you experience gastrointestinal upsets. Present that to the doctor when you see him/her.

[Naturopath Mom]

Originally Posted by Panserbjorne 

Naturopath mom-curious as to why you'd chose red chestnut?

Panserbjorne, I'd suggest the red chestnut for anxiety. Anxiety seemed to be a big part of the problem.

[Petie1104]

Originally Posted by AtYourCervices 

Start keeping a journal of the foods you eat, and when you experience gastrointestinal upsets. Present that to the doctor when you see him/her.

GOOD IDEA!!!  Why is it that sometimes it's the simplest things that you don't even think about doing.  Thank you. 

[MsFortune]

In addition to your food diary, I would keep a mood diet.  I've had IBS off an on my whole life, and it took me a long time to figure out that it was related to my anxiety.  

Mine also went away during my pregnancies which may have been a physical side effect of my pregnancies, or could be because I felt mellow and not anxious when pregnant.

But I agree with seeing a GI doctor.  If this has been going on for years, and it is effecting your life to this extent, it's not normal and should be addressed.  Good luck with this!