Long term illness - GERD or something more?

Hi everyone,
I am new to the forum. I decided to join after coming across Healing well many yimes while searching my symptoms. I am looking for answers but also just generally looking or support. I have been sick for what feels like an eternity, and I am just so tired of not being able to participate in my own life...

It all started in May of this year. I was feeling more and more lightheaded, feelig like I was going to pass out. I went to a walkin clinic and was told I had labyrinthitis, a problem in the inner ear, and to just wait to get better. Mid June saw me still suffering, and then new symptoms set in. A dry cough and watery diarrhea. It was extreme, but I pushed through with my normal tasks, ignoring it. I ended up in the ER after experiencing racing pulse and heart palpatations. ER tested my heart and said it was fine, gave me 3L IV saline and said I had electrolyte imbalance.

I got sicker. Vomiting, painful mouth and throat, and no appetite. I returned to the doc, this time with my new family doctor. She said it was probably a virus and would just work its way out. A week later, still sick, I looked in the mirror and saw a terrible case of oral thrush. Yuck. Back to the doc for an antifungal med. While there for thrush I mentioned my continued symptoms--dry cough, trouble eating, and increasingly uncomfortable gas and belching. She recommended OTC Zantac, presuming heartburn/GERD. I have always had mild heartburn, usually controllabke with a tums and only triggered by certain foods.

I started the Zantac daily, and it was helping. I started eatig more, which was helpful, because my lack of appetite has been contributing to a feeling of extreme fatigue (tired after using the restroom or brushing my teeth). I go on a job interview and clean the house for visitors even though this exhausts me. Everything falls apart... I start vomiting again, mostly bright yellow bile. I'm so sick I don't leave the sofa for four days... I can barely nibble a cracker without belching, painful gas. I start 150mg zantac twice daily and make another appointment.

At appt doc gives me pantoprazole magnesium for GERD symptoms. She is now rrferring me to a specialist, although she said I may end up in the ER if I don't improve soon. I was feeling a bit better, but over the weekend I had a terrible headache and took an ibuprofen which gave me red then black stool for two days, so I guess I irritated my stomach further... Then last night I had painful gas in my chest so bad I couldn't breathe well enough to sleep. This progressed to three episodes of intense belching and vomiting (bright green bile and nothing else). My stomach is burning and my head aches from the vomiting (I assume).

Anyway, I guess I wanted to hear your thoughts. I have been struggling for 2 months, lost 25lbs, and have barely left my home except for doc appts. I just want to be well again... I've been sick so long I have forgotten what it's like. :( Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

Hi Ian,

Thanks for the reply. Yes, it's a lot all at once... It has been tough for me, I am pretty healthy normally. Last time I was awful sick was early 2010 when I had a bad flu. I'm 26.

Yes, I have had many blood tests. My doc said all my bloodwork was "normal", and she also did a stool sample for parasites and the like that came back clean. So it's been frustrating, having no diagnosis but feeling so rotten. I would greatly appreciate some help from Dr. House! Anyway, I appreciate you "listening". I have a fear I will end up in hospital, but I guess if that's what it takes, I'll do it. Thanks again.

Have a specialist to do an endoscopy to see what's wrong with your stomach. Could be an ulcer. Black stool indicates that you have more then stomach irritation. Stay away from NSADs.

Post Edited (getbettertummy) : 8/17/2013 10:51:25 AM (GMT-6)