I'm looking for some perspective here. For nearly a month now, I've been dealing with a cycle of watery diarrhea (which is how this all kicked off), constipation, and mushy stools accompanied by constant cramping, nausea, bloating, gas, an intense urge to go, and very loud bowel sounds. When it isn't diarrhea, the stools are large, have a really intense odor, and sometimes float. I’ve had all the tests done. Blood work is perfectly normal, urine is fine, and everything came back negative for viruses, bacteria—including H. pylori—and parasites. My tumor markers were fine too: CA 19-9 was 15.2 kU/L (ref. < 37.0) and CEA was < 1.7 (ref < 5.0). The only outliers are Vitamin D at 29.2 (ref: 75 - 100) and a slightly elevated calprotectin at 121 (ref < 80). The doctors at the Mayo Clinic say that since everything else looks normal, I shouldn't do anything or bother repeating the calprotectin test, even though the symptoms aren't letting up and I've lost about 2 kg (I'm naturally thin, female, 44 years old). They prescribed Vitamin D. Any attempt to ease the discomfort—diets, bland food, Lordiar capsules...—has been useless and short-lived. The symptoms just keep shifting.
About 1.5 years ago, I had a colonoscopy because of specific anemia (which was successfully treated with an iron infusion), abdominal pain, and family history (my father had colon cancer). Everything was clear then. However, a gastroscopy at the time showed gastritis (I take Emanera 40 mg), GERD, a hernia, and H. pylori, which was cleared up with treatment.
Thanks in advance.
My take? You aren't going to get a diagnosis. I've been dealing with this for a year now. Cramping, alternating diarrhea and constipation, vomiting, unbearable gas, and stool that smells absolutely foul. Every test comes back clean, including small bowel X-rays and colonoscopies. But the one thing we have in common is that no doctor—not even a gastroenterologist—will ever admit this is caused by certain things. Long-term PPI use—in your case Emanera, in mine Nexium—is a big factor. I took it for 2-3 months after a gastroscopy confirmed GERD. If you look at medical literature, you'll see that long-term PPI therapy reduces stomach acid, which makes you more susceptible to various bacteria migrating into the small and large intestines, throwing everything out of whack. I get bouts of gastroenterocolitis, vomiting, diarrhea, and heavy rumbling in my gut, yet all tests are normal. Stool samples for bacteria, rota, entero, or Norwalk viruses come back negative; the only thing that ever shows up is Candida on a fungal screen, but the GI doc just tells me everyone has that. Then you do a SIBO test and confirm the flora in your digestive system is totally messed up. I've tried all sorts of diets and probiotics that professors of infectious disease swear by. The only thing that actually helped was Rifaximin, but there's no guarantee the bacteria won't just come right back. Again, I'm telling you: you won't get a formal diagnosis, and no doctor will admit it's due to these various factors. But go ahead, Google it, and you'll see.
Update... unfortunately, I’m stuck dealing with whoever is on duty right now. We had an emergency CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis yesterday with contrast—everything looked fine, no abscesses or anything suspicious. However, the CRP jumped up to 48. Yesterday and last night, they switched his antibiotics, so I’m not sure what he’s actually on right now. His fever dipped to 38.2 today, but it's still hanging around. Looking for some input here...
Paul Ramirez59 said:Calling on the doctors on duty for their take. This involves a 12-year-old boy. On Nov 16th, starting at 10:00 AM, he had abdominal pain around and below the navel. He was sipping tea, soup, and Linex. Since the vomiting started, we took him to the doctor around 6:00 PM.
The labs showed high leukocytes (14) and clear urine. An emergency ultrasound was also clear; no signs of inflammation anywhere. We went back to the doctor, who thought it smelled like a urinary tract infection and prescribed Pancef and sent us home. At home around 8:00 PM, we gave him Pancef and Advil for the pain. He slept for a bit, but by midnight, the pain and vomiting kicked back in.
We headed to the ER. After a quick physical exam of the abdomen, they claimed it was just a stomach flu, but I insisted on a surgical consult. They were reluctant to provide one.
At 2:00 AM on Nov 17th, we arrived at the hospital and he was immediately sent for an ultrasound and blood work. During the ultrasound, the doctor noted an enlarged appendix and couldn't rule out a rupture. Labs showed CRP 59, leukocytes 15, and a temperature of 38.5. When the surgeon examined him, he noted the appendix was likely in an atypical position because the pain didn't align perfectly with his physical exam. He was hospitalized immediately and, after pre-op prep, underwent surgery early in the morning around 8:00 AM on Nov 17th. Around 11:30 AM, the surgeon said it had ruptured, there was pus, but everything was cleaned out well. Diagnosis: Acute gangrenous perforated appendicitis with diffuse fibrinopurulent peritonitis. Standard procedure: incision and a drain placed in the subcutaneous tissue. On the first day, the pain was managed with Cephalexin and Metronidazole.
For the first two or three days, the fever stayed around 37.5 or disappeared entirely. Getting up was normal; bowel movements were loose for the first two days, then regular once a day. He started on fluids, then soup, following the standard protocol. The plan is a 7-day stay if all goes well, maybe up to 10 days depending on the medication course.
On the fourth day post-op, he started getting a scratchy throat and nasal congestion. There’s mucus draining constantly. He has a wet cough. He ran a fever of 37.8 that day. The surgeon said it was normal. The wound looks fine, and they removed the subcutaneous drain. The next day, the fever spiked again to 38.5, yet the surgeon remains unconcerned. Last night, the fever hit 39.5. He’s even more congested, swallowing mucus, feeling nauseous, and eating less.
On the morning of Nov 24th, we did an emergency abdominal ultrasound and blood work. Abdominal EHO summary: liver, bladder, and ureters are normal. Spleen is normal. Kidneys are normal with no signs of dilation in the renal collecting system. Bladder is normal. Near the incision site in the subcutaneous tissue, a hypoechoic fluid collection measuring 30x5mm is noted, appearing post-serosal. Intestinal loops are filled with fluid of appropriate appearance and wall thickness. No free fluid was detected in the abdomen or pelvic cavity. The surgeon says the ultrasound looks fine. Lab results: Leukocytes 4.7 (4-10) Erythrocytes 5.37 (4.4-5.8) Hemoglobin 140 (138-175) Hematocrit L 0.40 (0.41-,53) MCV L 75 (80-99) MCH L 26 (27-31) MCHC 349 (310-350) Platelets 288 (150-400) RDW 10.9 (9.0 - 15)
Neutrophils 3.00 (1.9-7.6) Lymphocytes 1.2 (0.8-4.6) Monocytes L 0.30 (0.8 - 2.00) Eosinophilic and Basophilic granulocytes - normal Neutrophil % 64.4 (40-70%) Lymphocytes % L 26.00 (30-50) Monocytes % 6.7 (2-10) Eosinophils % L 0.2 (1-6) Basophils % 0.00 (0-1) LUC 0.10 (0-4) No clue what this is NRBC **** (0.0-0.2) Probably non-measurable CRP H 29.9 (0.00-10.0)
Pediatrician exam: Running a fever for the last 2 days. Currently on a 6-day course of Cephalexin and Metronidazole. Boy looks eupneic and hydrated at the exam. Yellowish-white coating on the tongue. Throat is mildly hyperemic with white exudate. Lung sounds show slightly sharper breathing bilaterally. Heart rhythm is steady, tones are clear, no murmurs heard. Abdomen is soft, liver and spleen are not palpable. Post-op incision on the right inguinal area. Conclusion: Continue the current meds (10 days total). Since there’s no rise in CRP or significant neutrophilia, continue hydration with Glucosalini I at 500 ml / 60 ml/h for now. If the fever persists tomorrow, we'll run a follow-up CRP, then see the pediatrician again to potentially swap antibiotics.
That was back on Nov 24th. The boy had a fever up to 101.5°F yesterday and again today. He's staying on the same treatment until his check-up this Sunday. Today, the surgeon removed the sutures; the wound is dry and clean. From a surgical standpoint, he says the kid could head home, but the pediatrician makes the final call on Sunday. The surgeon insists there are zero post-op infections—blood work is fine, wound looks great. When I ask about the sinuses or throat being full of mucus and sore, he just tells me, "I'm a surgeon, we don't treat that." Now we're just praying and waiting for Sunday. Given everything, what do you think? Considering there’s some unknown virus going around right now causing high fevers, sore throats, and runny noses—which he likely picked up during those hours spent waiting at the urgent care or the hospital—could that be the cause of this fever? Those are his only symptoms. He denies any abdominal pain, wound pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. His appetite has been a bit lower since the throat started hurting, but he's still eating a little. When I asked the surgeon if these results point to an infection—I mean, with a CRP of 29, it seems logical, and looking at the CBC, does it look viral or bacterial?—he just says, "Ask the pediatrician, I perform surgery!!!!!" Please let me know what you think about our doctors on duty. Just a worried father. Thanks in advance.
Calling all ER doctors for a quick opinion. We're looking at a 12-year-old boy. Nov 16th. Starting tomorrow at 10 AM, there’s abdominal pain around and below the navel. We're sticking to tea, broth, and Linex for now. Since vomiting has kicked in too, we're taking him to the doctor around 6 PM.
White blood cell count is elevated at 14, but the urine test came back clean. Emergency room visit was fine too—no signs of inflammation anywhere. We’re heading back to the doctor, who thinks it smells like a urinary tract infection and is prescribing antibiotics. She's taking Pancef and staying home. Around 8:00 PM, we gave her the Pancef and some Advil for the pain. She managed to nap for a bit, but then around midnight, the pain and vomiting started right back up again.
Heading to the ER. After they poked around my stomach, they tried to brush it off as some intestinal virus. I’m not buying it, though—I’m pushing for a referral to a pediatric surgeon, even if they're being reluctant about it.
We rolled into the hospital around 2:00 AM on November 17th. They sent us straight to ultrasound and labs. During the scan, the doctor noted an enlarged appendix and mentioned they couldn't rule out a rupture. The labs came back showing a CRP of 59, leukocyte 15, and a fever of 101.3°F. When the surgeon checked me over, he suspected an atypically positioned appendix because the pain didn't quite line up with his physical exam. I was hospitalized immediately, and after some quick pre-op prep, they took me into surgery early that morning around 8:00 AM. Around 11:30 AM, the surgeon confirmed it: it had ruptured, there was pus everywhere, but everything was cleaned out well. Diagnosis: acute gangrenous perforating appendicitis with diffuse fibrinopurulent peritonitis. It was a standard procedure—just a classic incision and a drain placed in the subcutaneous fat. On the first day, the pain started settling down once they got me on Cephalexin and Metronidazole.
For the first two or three days, my temperature stayed under 99.5°F, if anything at all. Digestion was a bit hit or miss—loose stools for the first couple of days, then back to a regular once-a-day routine. I'm starting on fluids now, then moving to broth, just following the protocol. If everything goes smoothly, I’m looking at a 7-day stay in the hospital; if things get complicated, maybe up to 10 days or until the treatment wraps up.
Day four after surgery: throat starts feeling scratchy and my voice sounds nasal. There’s mucus constantly draining. I’ve got this wet cough going. That day, the fever hits 100.0. The surgeon says it’s normal. The incision looks fine, so he pulls the subcutaneous drain. Next day, the fever climbs back up to 101.3, and the surgeon still isn't sweating it. Then by nighttime, it spikes to 103.1. Everything feels more congested, I'm swallowing phlegm, feeling nauseous, and can barely eat.
On the morning of November 24th, I had an emergency abdominal ultrasound and some lab work done. Here’s the breakdown of the ultrasound results: basically, the liver looks fine, and the bladder and bile ducts are normal. Spleen is good. Kidneys look normal with no signs of dilation in the renal pelvis. Bladder is clear too. However, near the ileocecal area right where the incision is, they found a hypoechoic fluid collection in the subcutaneous tissue measuring about 30x5mm, which looks like a post-serosal type. The bowel loops are filled with fluid, but everything looks typical regarding the appearance and the wall. They didn't see any free fluid in the abdomen or pelvic cavity. The surgeon says the ultrasound looks fine. Lab results: Leukocytes 4.7 (4-10) Red blood cells: 5.37 (Range: 4.4–5.8) Hemoglobin 140 (138-175) Hematocrit 0.40 (Range: 0.41–0.53) — slightly low. MCV is low at 75 (normal range is 80-99). MCH: 26 (Normal range: 27-31) MCHC 349 (310-350) Platelets: 288 (150-400) RDW 10.9 (9.0 - 15)
Neutrophils 3.00 (normal range 1.9-7.6) Lymphocytes: 1.2 (Range: 0.8–4.6) Monocytes L 0.30 (0.8 - 2.00) Eosinophils and Basophils — all good. Neutrophils 64.4% (Ref: 40-70%) Lymphocyte percentage: L 26.00% (Normal range: 30-50%). Monocytes %: 6.7 (Normal range: 2-10) Eosinophil % L 0.2 (1-6) Basophil %: 0.00 (0-1) LUC 0.10 (0-4). I have absolutely no clue what this is. NRBC is sitting at 0.0–0.2. Probably not even worth measuring at this point. CRP is at 29.9 (normal range is 0.00–10.0). Definitely elevated.
Pediatrician exam: Fevering back and forth for two days. On a six-day course of Cephalexin and Metronidazole. Boy looks flushed but hydrated during the exam. Tongue has yellowish-white coating. Throat is slightly hyperemic with white exudate. Lung sounds show somewhat sharper breathing bilaterally. Heart action is rhythmic, tones are clear, no murmurs. Abdomen is soft; liver and spleen are palpable. Post-op incision on the right inguinal area. Conclusion: Continue the therapy from the list (10 days total). Since there’s no spike in CRP or significant neutrophilia, stick to hydrating him with Glucosalini I at 500 ml / 60 ml/h for now. If the fever sticks around tomorrow, we’ll run a follow-up CRP, then see the pediatrician to potentially switch up his antibiotics.
That was back on November 24th. The kid had a fever of 101.5 yesterday, and it's the same today. He’s staying on the current meds until his check-up this Sunday. Today, the surgeon pulled the sutures; the wound looks dry and clean. From a surgical standpoint, he says the boy could head home, but the pediatrician makes the final call on Sunday. The surgeon insists there’s no post-op infection—blood work looks fine and the wound is perfect. But when I ask about his sinuses or his throat being full of mucus and sore, he just shrugs and says, "I'm a surgeon, we don't deal with that." So now, we just pray and wait for Sunday. Given everything, what do you guys think? There’s some mystery virus going around right now causing high fevers, sore throats, and runny noses. He probably picked it up during those hours spent waiting at the urgent care or the hospital since he can't be alone. Could that be the cause of the fever, considering those are his only symptoms? No stomach pain, no nausea, no vomiting, and no diarrhea. His appetite has been a bit low since his throat started hurting, but he’s still eating something. When I ask the surgeon if these results point to an infection—meaning, if the CRP is 29, shouldn't that suggest something, especially looking at the CBC to see if it's viral or bacterial?—he just tells me, "Ask the pediatrician, I perform surgery!!!!!" I’d love to hear your thoughts on our doctors on duty. Just a worried dad here. Thanks in advance.
Here we go again. It starts with mild nausea, then moves to loose stools, eventually turning watery, and finishes with one bout of vomiting. Over the last few months, I’ve done two or three stool samples checking for bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Every single time, they find high levels of Candida. My gastroenterologist just brushed it off, claiming everyone has it. He ran a genetic test for lactose intolerance—negative. He’s still insisting it's just IBS. When I tell him I deal with vomiting, he tells me I do! One thing I've noticed: the bloating and gas really ramp up whenever I eat potatoes, anything potato-based, bananas, or apples... I don't know if that's a coincidence or what. I'm at a loss here. Should I see an infectious disease specialist about this Candida stuff? It's the only thing that's actually been proven so far. I stopped taking PPIs, but it keeps happening anyway.
I’ve agreed with my gastroenterologist to stop taking my PPI, though he’s convinced the PPI isn't the culprit. He thinks I'm just dealing with IBS. Personally, I don't buy it—you don't get this kind of vomiting from IBS, and we both know it. When I brought up getting a stool cytology test, he just brushed me off, saying I'd already done the work. As far as I recall, I've had tests for bacteria, viruses, and parasites, but nothing else. Can anyone explain what a stool cytology actually looks at? What are they looking for specifically?
As of right now—meaning tomorrow morning—I’m pulling my labs. CRP, white blood cell count, and sedimentation are all normal; everything looks fine there. Occult blood test came back negative. They took biopsies from both the antrum and the duodenum. Diagnosis is Grade 1 GERD (I'll post the full results later). Biopsy was negative for H. pylori. I haven't done a stool cytology yet. I can't pin this on anything I've eaten, but the only pattern I see is that it flares up right when I stop taking Esomeprazole or switch over to Nexium...
Forgot to mention that the intestinal pass study was normal, the irigography came back clear, and my fecal calprotectin levels are right within the normal range
Maria Fisher46 said:Did they take any random biopsies during the colonoscopy?
No biopsy was done during the procedure. The report shows a small anal fissure at the 12 o'clock position and second-degree hemorrhoids. They reached the terminal ileum with the scope, and everything else looks normal...
I could really use some help here; any advice would be appreciated. I’m 38. For context, I’ve been taking something like Prilosec occasionally for a month or two at a time for a few years to deal with mild heartburn. Then, about two years ago, out of nowhere, I started getting hit with nausea, one or two bouts of vomiting, followed by watery diarrhea that lasts until late at night. My temp hits about 99°F. I get some mild cramping, and then it's all over within 12 hours. My family calls it "stomach flu," suggests a bland diet for a few days, and I'm fine. That was the pattern for a while, and then I forgot about it. Then, 3-4 months later, the whole thing repeats and lasts a single day. It happened again around New Year's. I went for lab work—everything came back normal, including stool cultures and testing for enterovirus and Rotavirus. All negative. So, I feel deathly ill for a few hours and then it just stops. I saw a private gastroenterologist who didn't think much of it, but he did order an endoscopy and colonoscopy, which I had done in January '22. Colonoscopy was fine, aside from some second-degree hemorrhoids. Endoscopy showed some minor erosions (non-bleeding) and a lot of acid. They took two biopsies; everything was clear except for mild gastritis, and it was negative for HB. I was put on Esomeprazole 2 x40mg for a month. I finished the treatment a few days ago. Last night, it happened again: nausea, one vomit, then diarrhea, and by this morning, it was gone.
Now my gastroenterologist is telling me it's just more stomach flu and isn't suggesting any further testing. Basically, my gastroenterocolitis keeps coming back every 3-4 months. The stool is watery, no blood, maybe a little mucus. Blood tests are always normal. Once I recover, this nightmare passes, and I'm left wondering who to talk to or what to do to actually find the root cause of these recurrences. I read somewhere that long-term use of PPIs like Prilosec might cause infectious gastroenterocolitis, which makes sense since lowering stomach acid could let viruses thrive. One doctor doesn't think it's SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)—which is hard to prove anyway—but I don't see how that fits since I have vomiting. Has anyone dealt with anything similar?
I didn't even realize I had those temperature sensitivity issues with my lips and mouth, though maybe I just wasn't paying attention. I'll run some tests and see.
I’ve got a weird issue that started last year, but it’s only really hitting me hard now. Basically, I’m sweating exclusively on the right side of my body. It’s most noticeable under my right armpit, on my face, and even behind my knee—those spots get soaked while the left side stays bone dry. I used to think the left side didn't sweat at all, but looking closer, there’s a tiny bit of moisture under that armpit too, just nothing compared to the right. I did some digging on American search engines, but there isn't much info out there. Some results point toward diabetes or nervous system issues. I actually went in for a full physical three days ago, and everything came back clean. My A1C is 5.1%, glucose is 5.0. Cholesterol is slightly elevated, but my thyroid hormones are totally fine. For meds, I’m taking Pfizer for insulin resistance and Paxil for panic attacks—though I haven't had a panic attack in ages, I've been on it a long time. As far as medical history goes, I have herniated discs at L3, L4, and L5, plus cervical scoliosis. Everything is under control, and I doubt those have anything to do with this, especially since it affects my face too. My family thinks they’ve never heard of this and wants me to see a dermatologist, which feels like a shot in the dark. On some US medical sites, they mention CNS damage from lesions, tumors, or maybe autoimmune stuff, kidney disease, or heart issues. But my abdominal ultrasound and EKG were both normal. Personally, I don't think it's a tumor because I'd probably be dealing with other symptoms by now. Has anyone ever dealt with this, or even heard of it?
Two months ago, I started dealing with some gut issues following an appendix removal. Did the H. pylori test—negative. Had a colonoscopy—everything looked fine except for some third-degree hemorrhoids and a tiny anal fissure. Also did a barium swallow and imaging for the duodenum and small intestine; all clear. Honestly, my bank account is taking a massive hit from this hypochondria, but hey, if I actually had a real medical problem, I’d be facing much bigger issues anyway.
I don't know, I noticed that long-term Siofor use can tank your Vitamin B12 levels. Plus, insulin resistance tends to mess with your Vitamin D levels on its own, so maybe that’s why the numbers are low. Look, I know I’m prone to anxiety, but my theory is this: if I take, say, two Xanax or some Praxiten during a panic attack, everything settles down immediately—but now, nothing seems to touch it. Thank God I haven't had a panic attack in a while, but if I turned into a full-blown hypochondriac every time I felt a minor health glitch, both my sanity and my bank account would be trashed. Right now, I'm just sticking to a B-complex, Vitamin D with fish oil, and Vitamin C.
Yeah, my B12 and Vitamin D levels came back normal, but my folate is running a bit low. I’m not sure if that alone could be causing all this trouble...
Still no diagnosis, but the issues aren't going anywhere. The fatigue is constant, along with aches in my neck, back, and calves. It’s not "emergency room" pain, but it definitely makes getting through the day a struggle—especially the exhaustion. My doctor just ran another round of tests, and everything looks textbook: CRP, ESR, complete blood count, iron, minerals... even my Calvin Klein levels came back normal. Creatinine, Urea, ALT, AST, GGT—all clear. Now I’m waiting on RF and ANA results for Tuesday, plus some X-rays of my neck and upper back coming Wednesday. We'll see. Since I take Siofor for insulin resistance, she thinks that might be a factor, so she told me to skip it for a few days. Honestly, as far as I know, the only real side effect is Lactic acidosis, which usually presents with much more life-threatening symptoms. Maybe it's just myalgia that'll eventually settle down enough for her to send me to a neurologist. She brought up Myasthenia gravis, but says since I don't have ptosis and my fatigue isn't tied to specific muscle exertion, it doesn't really fit the profile...
It’s this heavy sensation, like my arms, shoulders, and legs are made of lead. It feels like someone is sitting right on my neck, trying to drag me straight into the floor... I feel pretty wiped out, but sleep just won't come. It's hard to put into words...
Like the title says, I’ve been dealing with some weird physical sensations for five days now that I just can’t put my finger on. An admin, please move this to whichever sub you think fits best. 35, male, no history of heart disease. Basically, five days ago—just before I caught a cold—I started feeling this massive weakness in my body and muscles, almost like the onset of a heavy flu. It’s hard to describe as actual pain; it’s more like strange sensations in my calves, shoulders, neck, and the back of my head. Plus, there's this constant urge to take a deep breath, like I'm not getting enough oxygen. I spent two or three days waiting for a fever to hit, but while the sensations keep getting worse, there's no sign of infection. I went to my family doctor, who checked my heart, lungs, throat, and lymph nodes—everything came back fine. He sent me for basic blood work at the local Laboratory. I ran everything from glucose, RBC, hemoglobin, HCT, MCV, MCH, platelets, WBC, lymphocytes, and iron; all within normal ranges. CRP is 2.2, sedimentation is 4. The doc basically told me to rest, take some Vitamin C, and magnesium. Classic. Two days have passed, and this morning the sensations hit hardest. I’ve got this tightness right below my neck in my upper back, where a sort of stiffness or tension radiates from the spine up through my neck to the back of my head. I still feel like I got hit by a bus; I'm exhausted, but I can't sleep, and I'm still struggling to catch my breath. For context, I’ve had panic attacks since my diagnosis, and I've been on Paxil for years, but during these episodes, I don't actually feel anxious or panicked. I haven't experienced anything like this during previous bouts of anxiety. I tried taking Xanax, but it actually seems to make the sensations worse... Naturally, because I'm a hypochondriac, I'm already spiraling toward thoughts of MS or ALS. What should I do? Who do I talk to? I don't want to go back to the family doctor just to be told to take vitamins and Apaurin again. Anyone else dealt with something similar? Some people say it's just the weather changing, which would have cleared this up in six days, but I'm not one to play the victim...