Unexplained diarrhea,malabsorption,dizziness,feeling faint, confusion

So glad to hear from you. Even though you’re still sick and I’m really sorry they haven’t been able help you. I’m still feel dizziness and nausea just about everyday. I have moved on to wearing smaller clothes that I thankfully didn’t give away due to my recent weight loss . I don’t think they know what the heck is going on. God help us. I will keep checking on you.

Ask for the SIBO test - small intestine bacterial overgrowth. The diet is strict, but it works. Ask your consultant about the FODMAP diet, developed by Monash University. It’s not easy but I’ve gone from having a hardly functioning digestive system, always worried about going out, unable to travel, to being able to visit India ( on a very restricted diet!), Russia (Russian food is great for me) and many European countries. Good luck!

How are you today? Just sending positive vibes your way.

@hgarm How are you? Just sending positive vibes your way.

My father (82) has serious diarrhea immediately after eating. A ct scan showed inflammation of the rectal wall. He has doctored for this for years and with no different answers. We thought a ct scan was necessary to rule out cancer. This was all it showed. He continues to loose weight drastically and eats 3-5 times a day. Three square meals for sure, proper nutrition, and snacks. He is unable to leave home at this point because the diarrhea hits so quickly. My question is, do we need to continue with the colonoscopys', irritable bowel diagnoses. He's become tired weak and has had enough. He does suffer from Parkinson's disease. Please, anyone?

Hi @homo and welcome to Connect. That must be hard watching your father struggle so much.

I wanted to introduce you to fellow Connect members @ajstaley, @hgarm, and @haighsue as they have expressed similar symptoms in the past and may be able to provide you support and help answer your questions.

I also wanted to share two other groups that you may find helpful as you take care of your father.

Parkinson's Disease: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/parkinsons-disease/
Caregivers: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/caregivers/

How is your father doing today? That's great that he is maintaining proper nutrition with three square meals. How much weight has he lost?

Hello @homo

I appreciate your concern for your dad. It does sound as if he is experiencing symptoms that are limiting his life to a great extent and I can understand your concern for him.

In your next to the last sentence you mention that he has Parkinson's disease (PD). Have you talked with his neurologist about these symptoms? Has your dad had a change in his PD meds recently? Have his PD symptoms changed recently? I'm thinking of symptoms like balance, gait, difficulty walking, speech, etc. I inquire about this because PD (or the meds used to treat it) often do cause digestive problems as well. Connect has a discussion group on PD for which I am a mentor. You might consider posting about this in that conversation as well. (Ethan provided the link in his post.)

I look forward to hearing from you again. Will you post an update as you think about these things?

Yes, he has increased symptoms from his Parkinson's. Gait, walking, speach, memory. He gets confused, doesn't walk far as he has degenerative spine disease. Literally no cushion in his spine at all. Cortisone injections recently that were extremely painful and did not help at all. He has began to drool, ( months ago) his mouth deforms. He's had one episode of combativeness. With my mother.Totally not like him. Wanted to leave in the car. I don't know if the gi symptoms started when he started the dopamine or before. I want to say before. My mother was also going to see if the thickness was more than 3 mm or irregular. Its rectal thickness. From what I have researched, 3mm or less is not uncommon. However, if more than 3 mm or irregular, they advise a colonoscopy and biopsy. Health wise, I do not know that he could do the prep for a colonoscopy. He's tired always...just worn out. He eats regularly and continues to loose weight. I will question her on the ct scan and respond again. Thank you for the reply

Has she been tested for celiac disease or other food related problems?

If your water changed recently she may be reacting to it. I moved one time to an area that had high iron which for me gives me diarrhea. I finally took petol bismal three times a day for a week to ten days and it stopped. I have had this happen for a few other reasons and I get diarrhea easily but the petol bismal will bring me back to normal. It sounds strange but maybe it will help and is easy.