Laurie4b Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 I have gone to primary care, had several kinds of blood tests and stool cultures and all were normal. No parasites, no bacteria, liver function normal, blood counts normal. I have an appt with a gastro-enterologist in a couple weeks (first available opening) and can get an ovarian scan about that same time . If this is still going on. Just a couple weeks prior to this, I had a C-reactive protein test and it was super low, so there wasn't inflammation at that time. In the meantime, any suggestions for what to try? There is some TMI . Dec 6th, I was traveling. Stopped to get gas at a combination deli-convenience store and there was a stray cat, really skinny, pawing at an empty pizza box. After much debate, I bought a thick slice of deli turkey to give to it. When I got back out to the car, the cat was gone. Now, I don't usually eat deli meat, but I didn't want to throw it out. That is a likely vector if this is viral. The next day, change in bowels ensued that has lasted until now. Huge amounts of gas that one dare not pass without being safely on the potty. Frequent need to use potty, but small amounts. Reduced diameter. That's as nongross as I can communicate it. I tried the BRAT diet. It didn't really make it better. Sugar treats over the holidays did make it somewhat worse, but it's basically remained status quo. Friend had something like this that they had for a year before it went away. They never did find out what it was. After a clean colonoscopy, the dr. said it was just aging and a new normal! What? Crazy. Anyway, any suggestions while I'm waiting? I already eat a lot of plain yogurt, drink kefir, and eat sauerkraut with live cultures. A friend suggested oil of oregano in case it's viral. Anyone else agree? Disagree? I've never taken it before. Any other ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 If there's any possibility it's the onset of IBS, then you might look into the low FODMAP diet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted January 4, 2016 Author Share Posted January 4, 2016 (edited) If there's any possibility it's the onset of IBS, then you might look into the low FODMAP diet. I hope not! Shees. I don't know how i would eat a healthy diet with all those restrictions. It was sudden onset and I am well past the age when it usually manifests, so I will keep my fingers crossed. Thanks for the link. Edited January 4, 2016 by Laurie4b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 My understanding is that stool testing for bacteria and parasites is limited in scope of types of germs and not known for being very accurate due to the random manner of sampling. With the sudden onset, I'd assume there is some sort of germ (virus, bacteria or parasite) that is present. I have no clue what types of germs to suspect. Have you tried s. boulardii? (I like Jarrow brand at Amazon or your local natural foods/specialty vitamin store, cheaper than Florastor) S. boulardii would help if it were a bacteria such as c. diff. It tends to be very good for diarrhea. Parasites are a whole 'nother ball of wax. There are all sorts of germ-killing choices at the vitamin store. I'm not sure whether oil of oregano is the first one I'd look at, but it does tend toward the strong side, I think. (You'd want capsules of that.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted January 4, 2016 Share Posted January 4, 2016 Did they test for listeria? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted January 4, 2016 Author Share Posted January 4, 2016 (edited) Did they test for listeria? Actually, no. Hmm. :huh: Wonder why not. Tested for salmonella, shigella, Campylobacter, and e coli 0157:H7 I haven't had a fever. Maybe that's why not? Edited January 4, 2016 by Laurie4b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) DS had a heckuva bout with GI issues when he was 2 years old; it ran its course, but took about 5 weeks before he wasn't pooping all over hell's half acre. Is it possible you have developed lactose intolerance? I'd cut out the dairy for a week and see if it improves; nothing to lose. Aging?!?!? WTH? That doc is an idiot to just not admit he doesn't know what it is. Edited January 5, 2016 by reefgazer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Library Momma Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I had similar issues when I was in my early twenties. I had every test under the sun done over the course of about three years. What I finally discovered (on my own) was that I had developed an intolerance to artificial sweetener. As soon as I stopped drinking Diet Coke and eating sugar-free gum I was completely fine, and have remained so to this day. Perhaps you have developed an intolerance to something as well. A food diary might help you to determine what it is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Actually, no. Hmm. :huh: Wonder why not. Tested for salmonella, shigella, Campylobacter, and e coli 0157:H7 I haven't had a fever. Maybe that's why not? I'd get a stool sample tested for giardia. Can be passed on from pets, etc. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I had similar issues when I was in my early twenties. I had every test under the sun done over the course of about three years. What I finally discovered (on my own) was that I had developed an intolerance to artificial sweetener. As soon as I stopped drinking Diet Coke and eating sugar-free gum I was completely fine, and have remained so to this day. Perhaps you have developed an intolerance to something as well. A food diary might help you to determine what it is. Malitol and sugar alcohols do that to me. I had some south beach bars and thought I was going to die. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 Thank you so much for the additional suggestions. I was not tested for Listeria or Giardia, so I will request those. I have been lactose intolerant since my early 20s and know what I can and can't eat. Hadn't had any before this kicked off. I also avoid artificial sweeteners totally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Thank you so much for the additional suggestions. I was not tested for Listeria or Giardia, so I will request those. I have been lactose intolerant since my early 20s and know what I can and can't eat. Hadn't had any before this kicked off. I also avoid artificial sweeteners totally. If it was the lunch meat then listeria is the likely suspect. I had something similar last spring. In the end I concluded it was viral. It lasted about a month and then it went away. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/giardia-infection/basics/symptoms/con-20024686 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evergreen State Sue Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 My dh had something similar happen to him. He went through all the tests and they never figured out what it was. But the doctor told him he could take Pepto Bismol 4 times a day, which he did for about a month (maybe too) and he is totally good now. When you see your doctor, you can ask about that for a remedy. Dh suffered for about 4 months before this did the trick. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 one of my kids had a serious GI issue when a toddler. Finally figured out it was carrageenan in the soy milk. 48 hours later off the stuff it all cleared up. Have you done any kind of limited eating? Like broth for a few days just to get any possible food intolerances out of your system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I have IBS and ground flax (1-2 TBSP either in a few oz of OJ and water or in a smoothie, start small and build up) and regular probiotics have been extremely helpful for me. My dd had a stomach bug once that irritated her stomach slightly for weeks after and her peds ran some basic tests and said wait it out. It really started to improve once I got her on probiotics and I've just kept her on probiotics. Traveling/excess sugar can really throw off the bowel. Especially if you DO have some IBS tendencies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) I find that whenever I'm 'off', drinking strong tea made of fresh ginger is helpful. This is for GERD as well as intestinal trouble. I cut 4-6 ginger 'coins' off of a knob, very thin, drop them in the bottom of a mug, pour boiling water over it, bruise the slices with the handle of a dinner knife, and let steep until lukewarm. You can use the same slices 3-4 times. I drink this every 2-3 hours during the day, and usually after two days everything is much improved. Having said that, if I needed antibiotics I would start there, for sure. This is more for nonspecific 'the doctor can't really help much' types of things. Guardia and listeria are nothing to fool around with--they can be very debilitating if they are not nipped in the bud. Edited January 5, 2016 by Carol in Cal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 I think since you are at your wit's end, I would give it another week or so and then try and find another doc who doesn't brush you off. In the meantime, I like the suggestion of a poster below to try clear broth for a few days and add things back in gradually in order to find the issue. Good luck to you. Thank you so much for the additional suggestions. I was not tested for Listeria or Giardia, so I will request those. I have been lactose intolerant since my early 20s and know what I can and can't eat. Hadn't had any before this kicked off. I also avoid artificial sweeteners totally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 (edited) My DH had nasty food poisoning that took nearly 2 mos to kick. His doctor even ordered a lower GI because Chron's and early colon cancer run in his family. When he got food poisoning again many years later, I went to WF and got the strongest probiotics they carried. They were ridiculously expensive for a tiny bottle, but so worth it if they helped him avoid the lingering hell. He was better in a few days that time. I hope you feel better soon! ETA: did they test for c-diff? Edited January 6, 2016 by zoobie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted January 6, 2016 Author Share Posted January 6, 2016 My DH had nasty food poisoning that took nearly 2 mos to kick. His doctor even ordered a lower GI because Chron's and early colon cancer run in his family. When he got food poisoning again many years later, I went to WF and got the strongest probiotics they carried. They were ridiculously expensive for a tiny bottle, but so worth it if they helped him avoid the lingering hell. He was better in a few days that time. I hope you feel better soon! ETA: did they test for c-diff? No, she specifically said she was not ordering a test for c-diff because my symptoms were not that severe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 I have a lot of food allergies, unless your broth is homemade, there is a ton of stuff in broth. I would try pedialyte for a few days and see instead of broth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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