Unexplained diarrhea,malabsorption,dizziness,feeling faint, confusion

Posted by ajstaley @ajstaley, Jan 24, 2019

Hello,
I’m new here. My symptoms have gotten worst in the last year. I’m sick to my stomach or vomiting or have dry heaves everyday. I have developed food and medicine intolerance. Can only eat maybe small portions of rice and vegetables and plain bread throughout the day. And even then some days I am in the bathroom with diarrhea after eating. My gallbladder was removed some years back. When some of the same symptoms appeared back then. But there is no gallbladder to remove now. I’m losing more and more weight. I have periods of confusion and that’s really scary. The testing MRI’s , CT scans and blood work are coming back negative. My gi doc is repeating the testing with a CT scan of the Brian this time. I doubt she will find it. I’m getting sicker everyday. Really losing hope. I’m glad this website is here. It’s soothing to know I’m not alone. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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

how do we stop it, she has had upper and lower test done, they find nothing wrong. help

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@charlie5678

how do we stop it, she has had upper and lower test done, they find nothing wrong. help

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@charlie5678 I can totally sympathize with your wife. I have pretty much the same problem. First I thought it was caused by the immunosuppressants that I must take, but I have come to realize that it is set off by certain foods, and I am still trying to figure that out. Since the start of it did coincide with my taking immunosuppressants I think they have caused me to be more sensitive to certain foods. It seems as if dairy may be the biggest culprit but lactose intolerance generally happens quickly after ingesting food with lactose, and with me, it happens hours later or the next day. I was having salads every day for lunch with greens, chicken, crumbled goat cheese and strawberries so I figured it had to be something in there, but for some reason, I didn't consider the cheese for a while. Has your wife tried tracking what she eats and cutting things out, to see if that helps?

Tomorrow I have an appointment with my PCP and I plan to speak to him about it. I will let you know what he says. It almost certainly is a food intolerance, or possibly IBS.
JK

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Hi @charlie5678,

You may notice that I moved your discussion and combined it with this existing discussion on unexplained and chronic diarrhea. I did this as I thought it would be beneficial for you to be introduced to the many members who have discussed much of what your wife is experiencing.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.

How is she managing the diarrhea, @charlie5678? Have medications or diet changes helped any?

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I am experiencing the same symptoms but have radiation enteritis. My gastroenterologist in Midland MI said there was nothing else she could do and I was referred to the University of Michigan hospital. They want to repeat all the tests that were already done. My husband wants me to go to Mayo.

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@ajstaley

Thank you. I will stop the bread and see if it helps. I am lactose intolerant as well. But from time to time I was able to eat a little frozen yogurt for the probiotics. But not now since this illness has kicked in. My body seems to be rejecting just about everything.

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I am having the same problems and doctors here say there is nothing they can do for me.

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@beanglow

I am having the same problems and doctors here say there is nothing they can do for me.

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I am getting the same answer here it’s a GI problem but no one has the answer. Looks like we are pretty @much on our own. I have to keep searching no other choice at this point. Sending positive vibes your way.

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@ajstaley

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

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Sorry I haven't really been active I have been pretty sick and was in the hospital for 5 days. They believe I have gastroparesis so now I have to go through the testing for that. Some days are better than others but most days are not very good. I am right now just trying to keep my weight stable as I have lost over 35 pounds now. How are you doing? I am hoping you are doing better!

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@hgarm

Sorry I haven't really been active I have been pretty sick and was in the hospital for 5 days. They believe I have gastroparesis so now I have to go through the testing for that. Some days are better than others but most days are not very good. I am right now just trying to keep my weight stable as I have lost over 35 pounds now. How are you doing? I am hoping you are doing better!

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So good hearing from you. I really hope they can pinpoint what the problem is .I know that would be a great relief to you. I have had that test done and it was negative as well. I still have the nausea just about every day. Dizziness and lightheadedness too. Food wise I am still a bit limited still. I can eat some homemade chicken and rice soup with added vegetables. My weight is still dropping 20 lbs lighter. This is still very scary to me because I feel like I could die from this and they wouldn’t have a clue as to what happened. I am glad your weight is now stable. Keep me posted when you feel up to it. I am really glad to hear from you.

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@ajstaley

So good hearing from you. I really hope they can pinpoint what the problem is .I know that would be a great relief to you. I have had that test done and it was negative as well. I still have the nausea just about every day. Dizziness and lightheadedness too. Food wise I am still a bit limited still. I can eat some homemade chicken and rice soup with added vegetables. My weight is still dropping 20 lbs lighter. This is still very scary to me because I feel like I could die from this and they wouldn’t have a clue as to what happened. I am glad your weight is now stable. Keep me posted when you feel up to it. I am really glad to hear from you.

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@hgarm Have you been tested for gastroparesis? I have multiple organ problems, PN, upper/lower GI, bladder and bowel incontinence (unexplained intermittent diarrhea), can’t digest, weight loss, … vomiting. nausea, GERD, etc. Spent a summer in the hospital when I couldn’t even keep water down. Syncope (“near-fainting”), light headedness, dizziness, and more. It’s all been treated separately without success. After I researched it and asked my neurologist about it and he diagnosed autonomic neuropathy (AN) recently which explains it all. God bless you. 🙏❤️

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@ajstaley @beanglow
I have the same symptoms, as well as peripheral neuropathy and more. I was diagnosed with gastroparesis years ago. Have you been tested? The “stomach emptying” test can come back false negative... my last one did but whenever I have an endo, etc., my gastroenterologist has to empty my stomach of its contents. I have bladder and bowel incontinence which has dramatically worsened. Trouble swallowing, dizziness, imbalance, staggering, falling, near fainting (syncope) and many other diseases/conditions. Finally, after my own research, my neurologist diagnosed me with autonomic neuropathy (AN) which ties a lot of it together.

I do not have Parkinson disease, am not diabetic.

I found the Cleveland Clinic site on AN to be the most helpful. Check it out, also gastroparesis. I hope this helps you. God bless you.

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