1. < Digestive Health

Malabsorption Syndrome Questions

Posted by kidprodigy @kidprodigy, May 5, 2020

Has anyone here suffered from a malabsorption syndrome? If so, what is/was the cause and how were you diagnosed?

I ask because I’ve been dealing with a 60+ lbs weight loss, chronic fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, low grade fever, chills and night sweats for the past 7 months. No doctor has been able to diagnose me and no matter which medication I take, I cannot get relief!

My symptoms fit a malabsorption syndrome of the small bowel. My reasoning behind this is the abdominal pain kicks in within an hour of finishing a meal and subsides within 1-2 hours.

Aside from autoimmune diseases, what infectious agents would cause malabsorption in the small bowel?

Thank you for your time! 👍🏽

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

13hugeblackkatz | @13hugeblackkatz | Mar 6 11:43pm

Would appreciate any new or old thoughts about what is going on.

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 7 5:39am
In reply to @13hugeblackkatz "After spending 26 hours in our ED and having an ultrasound and two CT scans and..." + (show)
@13hugeblackkatz

After spending 26 hours in our ED and having an ultrasound and two CT scans and the results that there was only one problem - one not so large gallstone that does not cause me any difficulty- pain or otherwise, is it possible that that one stone is sitting atop of my bile duct? I have lost 33 pounds in avery short time and the surgeons don't know why I can't gain any weight back. They have discussed taking the stone out on an outpatient basis and seeing if this is what the problem is. If this is done and I still can't weight what do I do next?

Jump to this post

Hello @13hugeblackkatz and welcome to Mayo Connect. I read your post and can understand why you are concerned. That type of weight loss must be confusing for you.

You mention in your post that, "...the surgeons don't know why I can't gain any weight back." Have you had surgery recently? I'm also wondering how you are feeling. Do you have any other symptoms like nausea, vomiting? As you are comfortable doing so, please post with a little more information.

I look forward to hearing from you again.

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13hugeblackkatz | @13hugeblackkatz | Mar 7 7:58am

Hi,
No surgery since 1983! I feel horrible. Have nausea but no vomiting. One med to sm gallstone that is not to my knowledge is readyvto taken out now, maybe as an outpt up the road. Also have GERD, newly dealing with situation too. Weight loss with last several months, lost 32 lbs. I am 79, all CT, ultrsounds show nothing. Wonder if that one stone is sitting on top of my bile duct. That possibility was not considered. And procedure to check to see if bile ductvis blocked was not checked. Thank you for responding to me.

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13hugeblackkatz | @13hugeblackkatz | Mar 7 8:00am

Just had endoscopy and cholestomy about two wks ago. Nothing sited. Have return to gastro office next week.

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13hugeblackkatz | @13hugeblackkatz | Mar 7 8:02am

I cannot go back to my ED here. No meds, no food, no water for about 26 straight hrs. Felt lucky to leave while alive. Horrible experience

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bb03 | @bb03 | Mar 8 11:33am

Did you ever have an ERCP, per a gastroenterologist? Change Drs if your getting no where and no results!

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 8 12:00pm
In reply to @bb03 "Did you ever have an ERCP, per a gastroenterologist? Change Drs if your getting no where..." + (show)
@bb03

Did you ever have an ERCP, per a gastroenterologist? Change Drs if your getting no where and no results!

Jump to this post

@bb03
You bring up a good point for @13hugeblackkatz. An ERCP may be able to identify a problem that could not be seen with an upper endoscopy. Here is some information on an ERCP and when it is used and how it can help to diagnose and treat GI problems:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4951-ercp-endoscopic-retrograde-cholangiopancreatography
Another opinion at a multi-disciplinary healthcare system like Mayo Clinic or a university health care system might be a good idea. @13hugeblackkatz have you considered another GI opinion?

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sjodry | @sjodry | Mar 18 1:02pm

Hi. I see the date of your post was quite some time ago, but thought I would respond anyway. I have an almost identical situation. 65lb weight loss and all muscle mass and appetite. Have been trying to narrow down the culprit as I have several diagnoses. I have been told that the progression of my symptoms fit my Scleroderma diagnosis. You might wish to research malabsorption & malnutrition in scleroderma. Hope you are better since the time of your post.🌻

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