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Undigested bits and appetite

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 8/12/2007 9:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi again.  First of all, a small update: I saw the doctor again recently and he is referring me to a gastro.  I mentioned he had taken blood the previous time, but from the results he shared with me, I don't think he actually tested for the things we talked about (or didn't explain it well).  Anyway, the results were pretty much normal, my urine sample was normal, and I'm waiting on word about another blood test, stool sample, and the gastro ref.

But anyway, the doctor did bring the possibility of IBS up, though he also thought it was premature to call it that right now.  I agree.

But my question (which has probably been asked before) has to do with the diarrhea/loose stools I've been having over the past few weeks.  As I mentioned in a previous post, sometimes it's yellow, sometimes it's brown, most times there's mucus involved, but almost always I can see something from whatever I last ate.

I guess I wonder if I'm absorbing any nutrients if I'm seeing these foods again in nearly whole form (well, chomped up, but other than that...).

One reason I don't think that this is IBS (although some symptoms fit) is because I've been experiencing a lot of general nausea and stomach pain, leading to a lack of appetite (though some things strangely appeal and I'm eating, but not lots).  From what I've read here, lack of appetite doesn't seem to be normal. If anyone can shed some light on that too, it would be great.

I also think I may have some GERD and sinus issues.  To be honest, I've been kind of fearing the worst in all of this, but that's no way to think and it may not be that bad.  Hopefully once I get in with the gastro, more comprehensive tests can be done (including the HIDA) and we can get this figured out to some degree.  Thank you, everyone. 

Posted 8/15/2007 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
I have just been diagnosed with IBS last week and to be honest you sound like me, I also suffer with the nausea (which for some reason seems worse on a night) and also suffer from lack of appetite, I reeled all of my symptoms off to my doc and this is what he diagnosed me with
Posted 8/16/2007 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Princess.  Thanks for replying.  I actually saw a gastro today about my symptoms (one of which includes daily bouts of diarrhea) and he's thinking, after five weeks, it could be an infection that is due to dissipate anytime now.  However, I have been scheduled for an endoscopy and colonscopy later in the month.  When I told him I didn't have my normal appetite, he didn't seem too alarmed.  Neither did my regular doctor.  I was happy about that.  I really thought that might indicate the worst possible thing, but really, if you're feeling sick for whatever reason, you're probably not going to be too hungry.  Anyway, my appetite has gotten a little better recently and hopefully yours does as well.  Good luck with everything and thanks again!
Posted 8/16/2007 7:16 AM (GMT 0)
The question I would ask you is whether you've lost a significant amount of weight due to your lack of appetite (i.e., more than 5-10 pounds).  How do you describe that lack of appetite as well?  Are you not eating because your nauseated or because you have pain or because you're feeling on edge? 

I wouldn't worry too much about the unabsorbed food; your body is absorbing probably more nutrients than you might imagine (although I admit that seeing your dinner in the toilet can be a bit disconcerting - a lot of us have been there)!  Did your doctor take any stool samples?  These would check for things like leukocytes (white blood cells) or occult blood (blood that you can't see).  They might ask you to do this gnarly test where you eat >100 grams of fat for three days and then collect all of your stools to check for fat malabsorption.  I dreaded this test (but hey, it gives you a good excuse for cheese fries).  They can also check for parasitic infections this way.

I'm glad your appetite is returning.  Hopefully you'll get back to normal soon!

Posted 8/17/2007 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
I am curious as to why if he thinks you have an infection that it will just go away. You blood test should have showed an elevated white count if you have an infection. I would try the Probiotics and see if they help. They won't hurt. There are certain antibiotics he could give you if he thinks it is an infection. I just wonder why he is expecting it to just go away. An infection in the stomach can travel to all parts of the body like all infections. Hope things straighten out soon for you.
Posted 8/17/2007 10:33 AM (GMT 0)
Sarita: With my lack of appetite through all of this, I feel like it's been a combo of feeling sick (be it nausea or heartburn)/anxiety (but not pain).  I wouldn't say I've lost a significant amount of weight.  At the most, 10 lbs. in 5 weeks, which is already returning through being able to eat normally again.

My doc did take a stool sample, though inconveniently, I had my appointment with the gastro before the results of that (and more blood work) came in.  The other test does sound pretty gnarly!  I'm sure I'll be having the endoscopy and colonscopy before that happens, though.

Canyonbabe: See, I was excited when he told me that he suspected it was an infection.  I mean, I sat there, told him all my symptoms, everything I'd been taking and doing, and that's what he came up with.  Surely it has happened before and he did say these things sometimes take 6 weeks to run their course (and it's been about 5).  That said, I didn't really see the logic of it and like I said, he did schedule me for an endoscopy/colonscopy at the end of the month anyway.  So there could be more to it.

And I did try Digestive Advantage a few weeks ago and it wasn't doing much for me.  A good suggestion indeed, though.

 

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