Long list of issues since trip to Mexico

[Rev.Scorpion]

I am a 36 year old male. 135 lbs. 5'7" tall.

I first got very sick after we went to Mexico in April of 05. I got sick the night of May 13th. Hands down the worst I have been sick in my adult life. Diarrhea and vomiting with leg cramps and weakness. Went to the doctor and was found to be dehydrated but otherwise as OK as can be expected. I had blood work done and stool tested for parasites as well as X-rays to check for blockage.

Lasted about 36 hours before I started feeling better. Doc-in-a-box gave me 10 days of Levaquin. The side effects of which led me to depression and 1 attempted suicide. Wont take that again.

For about a year after that I had mild to severe mucus in stool three or four days a week but no real pain or other issues until about 4 months ago.

At that point I was awakened to severe gas and cramping that led to severe diarrhea. Total episode lasted about 2 hours.
2 months ago the same thing happened again but a little more severe.
Last week I had a third bout that was the worst to date with cramping, extreme nausea, brief severe dizzyness (I couldnt see or stand) and what may have been a fever (no thermometer so I cant be sure but was sweating heavily - used a towel to cool off).
In each of these cases, the whole event lasted about 45 minutes and afterwards I felt ok, just a little sore in my abdomen.

For the last week I have felt tired/ lethargic. I can work but I am exhausted by 3 or 4 o'clock.

Also for the last 2 months or so I have had a "pinching" feeling in my lower abdomen. Not every day but about 4 days a week. Typically it is most noticeable right after a bout of diarrhea. Left side about the same height as the top of my pelvic bone and about 1 inch or so to the inside. It isnt a severe pain by any means, I am just aware of it.

I have also had brief periods of dizzyness (only a few seconds long and less than once a day) since the most recent attack.

I have been taking Zantac 75 twice a day since it became OTC and had a prescription for it before that.
I also take 2 Metamucil tablets daily - one with each meal.

I am not sure how much of the "blah" feeling is psychosomatic and how much is real. I dont have health insurance so expensive tests are a problem. Dying is more of a problem so I will follow any advice I can get.

I have not lost any weight since this whole thing started over a year ago. I have acutally gained 5 lbs. in the last year.

Thank you for your time.

[SAL1975]

YOU MIGHT WANT TO GET A HEPATITIS PANEL DONE. SOUNDS LIKE SYMPTOMS OF HEP A, WITH THE FACT THAT YOU WERE IN MEXICO.

[yoshi]

E Coli bacteria could cause nausea,sweating ,vomiting too,so make sure you check that.

[Hudson]

Hi again, so have you been treated with Flagyl and not responded? I do know sometimes giardia requires more than one course of meds. It can lie dormant in the intestional tract and it only takes a minimal number of "cysts" to cause symptoms.

I think you are right to insist on repeat stool sampling, however sometimes the giardia will never show. I also agree with the other poster who suggested being tested for H. Pylori.

Please post again and let us know how you are doing.

Hudson

[yoshi]

Also do test for Hector Pylori bacteria,I am in  Texas and many Mexicans have this bacteria.
It is a simple breath test you can take in doc's office.
Also take some good yogurt with live bacteria and see if it helps with your mucous and runs.

[WhatCanItBe]

Hudson I'd like to know what they do for a chronic case that does not respond to Flagyl? I am deathly ill as we speak but these freakin' doctors won't see me right away. They just don't care....

I'm trying to find a gastro in addition to the GP, because I don't think a CT scan is even the right test to be giving me!!

I feel I should have repeated stool samples and endoscopy.

[Hudson]

I would ask your doctor about the possibility of contracting giardia in Mexico. It is possible to have this despite a negative stool sample. This happened to my son and his symptoms were similar to what you describe. It is treated with flagyl. Giardia can live in the gut a long time, dormant and then the "cysts" can begin to multiply. It's worth an ask.

Hudson

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Testing for infection and parasites I assume have been done with the requisite stool studies.  

Given the fact that the symptoms are persisting, evaluation with an upper and lower endoscopy can be considered.  This can evaluate for various types of lower GI disorders that can lead to chronic diarrhea - such as inflammatory bowel disease or colitis.  The upper endoscopy can evaluate the nausea.  

More specialized tests, such as a blood test looking for celiac disease or stool tests looking for malabsorption can be considered as well.

These options should be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_

[Rev.Scorpion]

Forgot to mention that I have had IBS with diarrhea for most of my adult life. The fiber was/ is taken to help with that and it did.
Since the trip I have had no bouts of diarrhea till the last week or so but I have had recurring bouts of constipation.