G.I. problems (SIBO - Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth) and pain in left side

Question

I became very ill starting around December 2010, about 3 weeks after I had a root canal. That could have been coincidence, but I think it might have been the start for all this. I had flu symptoms over the next 9 months including, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain under the lower part of my left rib radiating to my back, etc.. I saw numerous MDs and a G.I. Specialist at Loyola. The G.I. Specialist did an upper G.I., a lower G.I., camera pill, and breath test, along with numerous blood tests for Celiac, etc.. During the upper G.I. she said that the cilia in my sm. intestines was blunted and looked like mushrooms. She said the camera pill went through me too fast to see what she wanted to capture. On 9/14/11 I got an actual stomach flu from my kids and my Mom decided to rush me to the Loyola ER since that was where I did all of the testing and my G.I. Specialist was there. They admitted me that night and reviewed the breath test, which I had taken a few weeks before. I was diagnosed with SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). They asked me if I had been to another country or if I had surgery on my bowel and I said no. They gave me Xifaxin 550mg to kill the bacteria and I slowly started to get better. I had lived with the bacteria for 9 months. During that 9 months I lost 75 pounds and became very weak. I was a size 14 and now a size 2. The G.I. Specialist told me it could have been a one time thing or could be a chronic issue due to another underlying issue, like Crohns. Since I was diagnosed I've had a few recurrences and was given the same medicine. Since then I haven't been able to gain much weight back and remain weak and frail. I still get that same pain on the left side. At the end of February this year, I started to take a probiotic in an attempt to rebuild my gut. 2 days after taking the probiotic I woke up and was in excruciating pain in my left side. My husband took me to the ER, where they gave me pain meds and called my G.I. MD. She told them to give me the Xifaxin once again. I still have this pain on my left side and it radiates to my back. I've started to see a holistic MD who put me on a strict diet and gave me vitamins to slowly rebuild gut. He said he thinks I have "leaky gut". At this point I'm having days where I'm in a lot of pain on that left side, no vomiting, but some diarrhea. Now I've lost more weight and am at my lowest, 112. I'm starting to get worried and am afraid of another organ failing due to my body not absorbing any of the nutrients and just being weak. I had a deeper scope upper G.I. the middle of May and nothing was found. They also tested me for the pancreas and many other things, but they said everything comes back ok. At this point, I have no appetite, pain on my left side just below my rib radiating to my back, where it's a numbing tingling pain. I also have sore muscles in my legs like as if I was dehydrated and am weak and fatigued. If you have any ideas I would be very appreciative to hear.

ChronicPanc123 · Answer

Did you ever find out what was wrong with you?

Amy925 · Answer

Thank you Dr. Kaul.  I'm now being tested for an abdominal vascular disease.

DrKaul · Answer

Hi there! 
 
Well, without knowing the relevant clinical details or a detailed clinical evaluation it would be difficult to comment specifically on the situation. Possible causes that may need to be considered include GI infections/ inflammations, GI motility issues, IBD, IBS, micronutrient deficiencies, malsorption syndromes, dietary causes, hormonal/ endocrine imbalance, medication side effect etc. While a few of these would have been ruled out by the tests already done, other possibilities may need to be considered as well. I would suggest seeking a review with your treating gastroenterologist for a detailed evaluation. After a specific cause is identified, it can be managed accordingly.  
Hope this is helpful. 
 
Take care!