Question:
Long-term stomach pain and diarrhea anyone?
I am almost 2 years post op. Since January I have been having severe intestinal/tummy problems and have only been eating scrambled egg for breakfast, some beef jerky and s/f popsicles. I cannot eat anything solid - severe pain and explosive diarrhea. I also have a great deal of gas. The good part is I lost 14 lbs in 10 days, bad was the diet sucked and I was dehydrated. Once I could get some liquid down, some of that weight came back. So far I have had X-rays, stool sample tests, blood tests and a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis. I still cannot eat anything of substance. In fact, I have resorted to Gatorade, chicken broth and will try some Zerocarb Isopure today. I am scheduled for a colonoscopy next week. I have had intestinal/IBS problems since I was a teenager but don't remember getting to the point I couldn't eat for 2 months. I have been taking Pamine Forte, Zantac, Gas-X, phenegran, with little help. Has this happened to anyone else and what was the outcome? I haven't seen my WLS doc since the week before this began. He was supposed to get back to me regarding my limited weight loss but of course I have heard nothing. He was going to check with other docs and an endocrinologist for ideas. I exercise, and up until I got sick, was eating about 500 cals a day (his recommendation from my prior visit) but still the weight maintained. I am scheduled to see him April 16. Any advise/support would be welcome. — Dianne C. (posted on March 24, 2004)
March 24, 2004
Dianne: I am sorry you are experiencing so many medical problems. I
really cannot comment on those - I'm sorry. But the only thing that stuck
out to me in your post was the low calorie intake. I think 500 calories a
day is way too low - no wonder you're not losing, your body must be in
starvation mode. Of course, obviously you won't be able get in much more
than that until the other issues are resolved. If your WLS doc will not
respond, I hope that you will seek another opinion from a different
surgeon. Best wishes.
— Carlita
March 24, 2004
This same thing happened to me except it was early on after surgery, I had
a colonoscopy with no luck and a couple of GI's, well after talking with a
specialist, my doctor done a second colonoscopy to try to get into the
illieum(?) because she and the specialist was convinced I had Crohns
disease, and sure enough that is what it was, the reason the first
colonoscopy didn't detect it is because she didn't get all the way to the
illieum where you have to get to find the crohns, so make sure to request
that the dr try his best to look there because if not it can be overlooked.
Now I take medication daily and I live pretty normal. If I can answer any
questions feel free to e-mail me. GOOD LUCK!
— Lynda T.
March 25, 2004
I had an intestinal infection just like this. It was on overgrown of
bacteria in the small intestine. My doctor put me on Flagyl. It went a way
after about 2 weeks of being on antibotics. I now have irritable bowel
syndrome and take Equalactin. It is an IBS over the counter medicine. It
also seems as though you don't get enough fiber. You may also want to
increase your caloric intake if you are are working out, otherwise your
body will start feeding itself on your muscle.
— keishax
Click Here to Return