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Still nauseous after 10 weeks

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 7/9/2007 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

   Boy, is this a drag.

   I began getting nauseous the first week in May, after I started using CPAP.   I quit using that and have seen my Internal med doc and an ENT.  I've had a colonoscopy, an upper abdominal ultrasound, a HIDA scan, lab tests, which were all negative.  My doc wanted me to see an ENT and a GI doc, so I went to a new ENT and got a sinus cat scan. I'm waiting to hear back from the ENT.   I'm the kind of person who has to do one thing at a time, so I put off seeing the GI doc, until this other stuff was done.   I really thought it was the CPAP or a sinus problem, since I'm having dizziness too.    But now I'm having more diarrhea, so I'm thinking its a GI problem.   I finally called the GI doc this morning, and he's on vacation until the first week in August!   I probably could see one of his partners, but I'd rather see him.

  Of course now I'm mad at myself for not seeing him a month ago.   I'm sure I need an upper endoscopy.

   Is it possible to have an ulcer without much pain?  The only mild pain I have is in my left mid abdomen.

  I finally got scared enough to call the doc, and now I can't go in for a month.   Its one of those nagging things that you keep thinking will resolve itself, but it hasn't yet.

   I suppose I could use this month to see the OB/GYN and make sure it isn't a hormonal problem.    I think my Internal med doc would order an abdominal ct scan, but I'm thinking I might not even need that, once we see what's going on in my stomach.   Darn.  Why do docs have to take vacations??   hahaha    I'm sure he doesn't even need one.  ;)

    Any suggestions?   Its easy to think its a cancer that, during this month, it will go from treatable to terminal.

(Isn't it funny how easy it is to get carried away........)

   

Posted 7/9/2007 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
Cathy,

Not to throw you to any new type of doctor lol but have you seen a Neurologist yet? Dizziness can also be neurological and dizziness can contribute to nausea so it may be worth checking out until you get your GI appt. I don't really know what to tell you except that I truly feel for you. Nausea has to be the worse.

Take Care
Posted 7/9/2007 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Des has a good point. The husband of a lady I used to work with was having terrible bouts of dizziness; he had to take a leave from work because he couldn't drive himself or even sit upright a lot of times. It took months to get in to see a neurologist, but he was diagnosed with an inner ear problem. Something about the fluid in his inner ear drying up and crystalizing. The doctor gave him a bunch of exercises to do which, oddly enough, involved things that typically make dizziness worse, such as rocking back and forth and turning his head certain ways. But just a week or two of doing his exercises got him all cleared up. Something about the movements kept that fluid sloshing around enough that it didn't harden. Anytime he started to get dizzy again, he did his exercises and cleared it up.

But since you're having diarrhea, I'd start with the GI. Maybe you have a bacterial infection? That can make you dizzy and nauseated and have D (just like having a cold). Of course, since it takes such a long time to get in to see most neurologists, you might want to ask your GP to go ahead and refer you, that way if the GI doctor doesn't help, it won't be too long before you can see the Neurologist. If the GI does help, you can just cancel the appointment.
Posted 7/9/2007 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Also keep in mind that you can have more than one thing going on with you. Your dizziness and nausea might be caused by inner ear or something else and your diarrhea could be caused by something gastrointestinal.
Posted 7/9/2007 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Des and Kariamon,

When I went to the ENT, my dizziness was alot better and so we didn't focus on that, but rather my sinus/ear problems. And the dizziness was never horrible. It definitely took a back seat to the nausea.
And I get dizzy just when I'm starting to eat. Its so weird.
I have a very weird body. For years now, I intermittantly get irregular heartbeats when I start to eat. In fact, about 12 years ago, I began having horrible ectopy when I would start to eat. I had a holter test and it showed tons of PVCs when I began to eat, which would subside over the evening. The cardiologist wasn't worried about it. (I even started having PVCs just from looking at the food, before I would eat). That made me think it had something to do with the hormones associated with eating......like gall bladder, pancreas, etc.
Anyhow.....that subsided for many years, but in the past 2, its come back. I've considered the GERD problem, which may have irritated my esophogus, and exposed my vagus nerve too much. But doctors don't seem to be interested in concepts like that, since they aren't very common.
I have the feeling I will get (hopefully) lots of answers from the GI doc. I just wish I didn't have to wait a month to see him.
I've only met him during my endoscopy, but he seemed nice, plus he mentioned using probiotics for IBS.........so he made some brownie points with me on that one.
What would you do? Would you go see one of his partners that you know nothing about in order to get in alot sooner, or would you wait?
I realize I could also be having some neuro problem, but I really think its either GI or endocrine, so I'm holding off on the neuro until the other stuff comes up clear.

I was feeling okay this morning, and made a banana/blueberry/rice milk smoothie. With the very first drink, my heart started having PVCs. Now I'm nauseous. It just seems like some substance gets dumped into my bloodstream when I eat, to cause this stuff. Sure was hoping to have the doc take a look at my esophogus and stomach sooner than a month.
Posted 7/9/2007 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
When I was speaking of neurological, I did not mean the inner ear. There are other neurological disorders that can cause nausea. The most common is a migraine. There are migraines that do not cause the classic "head pain" but can cause the other effects such as dizziness, nausea, auras, etc. Neck problems can also cause nausea and these can be evaluated by a neurologist as sometimes they stem from the brain (spinal cord). Just a suggestion if all of your questions still come up unanswered.
Posted 7/9/2007 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
THanks Des,
I understand. I had a big neuro workup about 8 years ago for alot of funky symptoms, and it was all "normal". I do have migraines which have eased up alot, although I did have 2 auras recently. I can't imagine that they would cause constant nausea though. I was tested for M.S. and Lyme in the past.
I feel sort of weird. I have had sooooo many funky symptoms in the last 12 years, with my fibromyalgia. There are so many people who go through so much serious stuff......like M.S., cancer, etc. I feel stupid that I complain so much and have had to have so many tests, but everything is always "normal". I do start feeling like a hypochondriac........but its all so real to me. I try to look at it objectively......but maybe that's impossible??
I really enjoy many things about life. I have lots of interests. But in the past 12 years, life has been a huge challenge for me.
Maybe some day they will figure out what fibromyalgia really is, and it will explain all this craziness I have experienced. But for now.........I DO feel like a hypochondriac!
Posted 7/9/2007 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
Cathy,

A lot can happen in 12 years. I have to get my blood tested every 4-6 months so 12 years sounds like forever. You are not complaining at all. I understand the frustrations. IBS and Fibro are a lot alike as they are both in a sense diagnoses of exclusion but they ARE real and you ARE sick. I have been up and down that road and back again and yes it is a big frustration. I sure hope you can get some answers soon. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Take Care
Posted 7/9/2007 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Des,
I really appreciate the support!
Posted 7/9/2007 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Des is right: it's always a good idea to go back and examine old ground when you get new symptoms. After all, doctors didn't catch my bad gall bladder the first two times they looked at it--third time was the charm. And the only symptom change that I had was that I started to hurt all the time on my right side, like my GB was swollen or tender. That was all it took to make it show up, even though I know that's what my problem was for 5 years previously. Never hurts to have another look when your symptoms change as they may have changed to the point that whatever it is you have (if anything) will show up.

But maybe it's all fibro; that in and of itself makes for a lot of weird symptoms besides the characteristic muscle aches and fatigue. Have I suggested an organic diet for you? My mother's doctor suggest that for her and she thinks that it's helped some. At least her symptoms are not as severe as they were, or coming quite as often.
Posted 7/10/2007 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again everyone,
Things may be showing themselves more. Last evening I got so dizzy I could hardly function. So maybe all this nausea really has been an ear problem.?? Maybe the dizziness was so mild, all I noticed was the nausea.
I'm going back to the ENT tomorrow morning. He said he'd run a bunch of dizziness tests if it came back, so hopefully we'll figure something out soon. We also drew a few more labs this morning (thyroid, glucose, CBC). I just have the feeling that its something higher up in my body, that's affecting all these different areas......but we'll see. I'm sure dizziness doesn't make IBS worse.
Maybe I was right back in May, in thinking my CPAP machine messed up those little otoliths?? Then again, maybe when I was out during my colonoscopy they dropped me on my head??? ;)
Posted 7/10/2007 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cathy,
I have a family member that gets Vertigo... I'm not sure it's really explained, he just gets it. Doc told him to take Dramamine. It works. Just a thought if you're feeling terrible and need a quick fix to tie you over.
I'm sorry you're feeling this way. Hopefully the ENT will be able to help you. Good luck and please keep us posted.
Posted 7/10/2007 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lil,
I just can't help feeling like something more is going on. After I wrote that post this morning, I felt like I was dying. I have 12.5mg antivert, but after I took one last night I got sooooooo dizzy. I don't think its supposed to work that way! I'm so sensitive to meds, if I were to take a normal dose of anything, I'd be asleep all day.
Maybe dramamine would work better, but I think it would put be to sleep too.
I just hope I can get to the doc's tomorrow! I hate asking DH to help, since he's the boss at his job.
I looked up my ENT's office website and its fantastic. It sounds like a state-of-the-art place. They can test for all kinds of dizziness and provide all the needed help (vestibular rehab, that head-rotating stuff, etc.), so I'm confident that I'm going to the right place, if it is a vertigo problem.
Thanks Lil!
Posted 7/10/2007 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
I still think it has to do with something that happened with the C-pap like you said, like those little crystals all moving around. They do this test with a really long name that starts with an E where they rotate you and pour water in your ear. I was scheduled for it once but then mine went away. Twice I have had problems similar to yours but not as bad and twice it was coming from my neck. so many nerve endings in the neck. Maybe they did drop you on your head. Just kidding. I think that Phenergan is used quite a bit. Forget it you have taken it. It makes me too sleepy. Teh antivert is pretty strong and is more for dizziness than nausea.
Posted 7/10/2007 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Canyonbabe,
I've been so careful not to go to too many docs at once, because they all have tunnel vision. I'm so afraid that this is, after all, a GI problem, but since I can't get in to see him for awhile, I'm turning to the ENT.......and he'll do a zillion tests. Maybe I just worry too much!
My concern is that maybe I have a GI problem that gives me nausea and dizziness. I wonder if the fancy testing at the ENT's can differentiate if it is indeed an inner/middle ear problem, or if comes from somewhere else??
I just called and found out that they can't do all the fancy manipulation and testing at the site I'm going to tomorrow, so I'll have to schedule that for another day. Sometimes just knowing someone is going to try to help me makes me feel better! Here's their website if any of you would like to look it over: midwestear.com. Its very informative and interesting. Being able to do anything for dizziness seems to be a fairly new thing. Thank heavens for it. I can't imagine having dizziness forever with no hope for relief.
Posted 7/10/2007 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
If it's an inner ear problem, then it will show up, regardless of whether or not it is causing your upset gut, or if your upset gut is making the dizziness problem worse (could compound it). You have to rule things out, so might as well do as you are doing and start with the ENT. If he makes your dizziness better, but you are still having some gut problems, then proceed onto the GI. If he says there's nothing wrong with your inner ear, then also proceed to the GI.
Posted 7/11/2007 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Eng test
http://www.stjohnsmercy.org/healthinfo/test/neuro/TP015.asp
Posted 7/11/2007 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
I appreciate all of you listening to me whine!
I had my ENT visit today. He did one test in his office, where I put on special glasses and he moves my head around and then I lay down and he watches for nystagmus, which I don't believe I had.
The other 2 tortures.....er......I mean tests they have to do somewhere else, and the first opening was July 23. What a drag to have to wait so long. And I have to wait until Aug 3 for the GI doc. :(
The ENT said it was a bit unusual to have so much nausea, with just intermittant dizziness. He said the GI doc would hopefully have some answers for me. The tests that they will run in the other ENT office will show where the imbalance lies, if its in my inner ear. One test they put me in a revolving chair in total darkness, and I listen to clicking sounds and they move the chair. This takes about 2 hours. Then the other test I lay down and they put warm and cold air in my ears, and see what happens. I guess this is the big dizziness one, but only lasts a short while. For a person who gets very anxious over tests, this long wait isn't going to be fun.

The ENT said something that was interesting. I asked him what other problems would give me these kinds of symptoms and he said stuff like thyroid, diabetes, electrolyte imbalance, and possibly a vagus nerve problem.
I have been wondering for several years about the vagus nerve. I know people with GERD can have problems with it because it runs alongside the esophagus and can get irritated. Plus, often when I begin to eat or drink, I'll get irregular heartbeats and lately it makes me dizzy and nauseous. I just hope the GI doc is up on this kind of thing.
I'm finding out that many docs aren't up on some things. I feel very lucky when I happen onto one who seems to know things that are unusual.
So I guess for at least 2-4 more weeks, I'll have to feel like poop and not know why. I hope it doesn't kill me. I think my husband is running out of patience with me feeling sick all the time.
The ENT did give me a Rx for phenergan. I probably shouldn't take that unless I don't have much to do, right?

This nausea and dizziness is getting very old.
Thanks for listening.
Posted 7/11/2007 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
What strength did he give you? I had 25mg which I broke in half and it still wiped me out so start small and take only before bed or at least close to one. Electrolye imbalance is easy to check with blood work, same for diabetes and thyroid. Keep us informed. I really don't know a lot about the Vagus nerve except that for some reason they cut it sometimes. Eating shouldn't make you dizzy unless it is something in your head that chewing is affecting.
Posted 7/11/2007 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have heard that Zofran is less likely to make you as drowsy as Phenergan. I have taken Phergan and it does make you tired. You may want to call your doc and ask about the Zofran and if it will help you the same way. You are going through the wringer with these tests girl!!! I hope you can get some answers after all of this.
Posted 7/11/2007 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
I just read up on zofran and it is in fact used for nausea and vomiting but it seems to work on different receptors so it may not work for you but I'm not sure. May still be worth asking about.
Posted 7/11/2007 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Canyonbabe and Des,
Yes, my pills are 25 mg. Thanks for the heads up. Maybe I'll just take 1/4 pill. If I were horribly nauseous, I'd rather be asleep. But I'm just moderately nauseous, and would like to stay alert and functional......just with no nausea.
I'll probably have a million dollar work-up, and the nausea and dizziness will just suddenly be gone. That's the way my crazy body seems to work.
Since most of the nausea started up right after the colonoscopy, it makes me wonder if some organism took off in my gut. But doctor's don't believe in those kinds of things.
I'm still taking the probiotics, but it hasn't made much of a difference. I have wondered about a brain tumor, but no doctor has suggested an MRI yet. I suppose the ENT and GI approach make the most sense right now. But dang, I want to feel good again and soon.
What would you guys do about the GI doc? Would you wait it out to see the one you sort of know and who did your colonoscopy, or would you pick one of his partners that you don't know anything about, if he could see you sooner?
Posted 7/12/2007 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again,
Am I starting to look like a crazy woman? lol! (well, I am!)
Here's my new thoughts. Even though I haven't had a period in 3 years, I still think my ovaries are clanging to beat the band. I get several times a year when I have ovary pain, and PMS symptoms accompany it. I have my pelvic exam every year, so I'm pretty sure its not anything lethal, and my OB/GYN has said that its not unusual to keep having cysts.
2 years ago, I had ovary pain for quite a while (maybe 6-8 weeks), and I ended up in the ER on Christmas day because of the pain. They did an abdominal CT scan and it only showed a small cyst. "Not enough to cause all this pain", the ER doc said.......but he's a man and has never had an ovary cyst! Anyhow......the next week the pain subsided and I've been fine ever since, with just occasional ovary twinges. Well last night my ovary really started hurting again.........so I'm thinking maybe its possible that my hormones ARE causing all this mess.
Doc's seem to think that as soon as we quit having periods, that its all over for us........but its not. I've been having increased diarrhea, joint/muscle pain, anxiety, a few migraine auras, ectopy, sinus dryness and this nausea and dizziness..which are all PMS-type symptoms........so now I'm trying to get in to see my OB/GYN before wasting my money on those inner ear tests.
I must appear like a maniac. But nobody else is thinking for me......so I have to do it all myself. And my brain isn't always cooperating! hahaha Thanks for listening!
Posted 7/12/2007 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Have you gone through "the change"? If so, then you can do okay without your ovaries. Yes, they will continue to produce some hormones for you, but it won't be nearly as dramatic getting them out, especially if they are causing you pain. Definitely get your hormones worked up. Yes, they can cause you dizziness and nausea and bowel problems all at once.
Posted 7/12/2007 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Keriamon,
I think I've been going through the change my whole life! hahaha Actually, perimenopause happened right after I developed fibromyalgia and all the other problems, so in retrospect, its hard to know what's actually what. I began perimenopause in about l996 and it continues. I'm 57 now. Although I haven't had a period in 3 years, I still get some cyclic migraines, and other PMS stuff.
My OB/GYN can see me in a week.......so I may put off the inner ear tests until I can iron a few things out with her. She's pretty cool. She went through hell during perimenopause too, so she knows what I'm talking about.
My other labs came back and my blood sugar and thyroid are still fine. Its sure an enigma to me. I feel like dying and all the tests are always normal. I guess this is pretty common in fibromyalgia........but it sure stinks.
I don't want to have my ovaries taken out, since they are only 1/3 of the hormone situation.......the other 2 are the pituitary and the hypothalamus, and they seem to not want to give up, even if your uterus and ovaries are gone. Dang them. hahaha
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