Chronic problems after a stomach bug......

[PXXMaverickXXP]

Sorry for what is going to be a long post, but I am going to put it all out there.  November of 2009 I went and ate with my family at my sisters house and got sick.  My brother and brother-in-law also both got sick with what seemed to be a stomach bug, we all had severe diarrhea and vomiting for 2-3 days with body aches.  They both recovered to normal health but I have been suffering with some chronic symptoms ever since.  After the diarrhea and vomiting passed I had a chronic dazed lightheaded almost off balanced feeling everyday since.  I also started getting optical migraine headaches(which I had never dealt with headaches ever before the sickness) about one every 3 months.  My vision also changed to where I got eye floaters along with seeing sparkles in my vision anytime I look at anything light colored that is bright(example would be the sky).  I have also been chronically tired and lethargic which in all honestly is the complete opposite of my normal self before the sickness.  This all started and has stayed with me since I had that stomach bug, before I got sick I was completely healthy and loving life.  Now everyday is a struggle just to get up and go to work.  I have been to an ENT, Ophthalmologist, gastro doc, and a neurologist.  I have had countless amounts of blood work, 3 CAT scans of my head/inner ear, MRI of brain, endoscopy and colonoscopy.  I have had vision test and hearing test and I have also went to a chiropractor.  The reason I posted under this forum is because the most annoying symptoms for me is my vision and dazed/lightheadedness feeling.  It just feels like there is a lot of pressure in the front part of my brain.  I thank you in advance for your response.  I am a 28 year old male.

[JBarloo13]

Hi, I am just wondering if you got anywhere with this? as I have been experiencing something very similar over the last 12 months or so. I too have had many investigations. I would really appreciate a reply on this. thanks

[PXXMaverickXXP]

I sincerely appreciate your response and will keep you posted.  Your mention of exercise did make me think when I was in a normal routine of running on a treadmill a few months ago, I wouldn't actually feel to bad while I was exercising but when I was done I would feel noticeably worse for about one to two hours.  I have quit exercising mainly due to that reason of it causing my symptoms to be enhanced after a workout.  Your mention of cardiac disorders reminded me that I have also had two EKGs done as well.  Would an EKG or the MRI of my brain show blood flow to the brain and if the brain was receiving enough blood/oxygen?  I truly do appreciate your response.  Thanks

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

It may not be related, the stomach infection and the light headedness. The light headedness may happen if there is inadequate supply of oxygen to the brain. This can also cause problems with vision. This can happen with cardiac disorders or lung disorders.  In cardiac disorders there is inadequate pumping  of blood and in lung disorders there is inadequate oxygenation. It could also be due peripheral arterial blood disorders. Symptoms are usually aggravated with exercise in cardiac disorders. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension can cause these symptoms. Again inadequate sleep, hypoglycemia, anemia and vitamin deficiencies can aggravate your symptoms of lightheadedness. Diagnosing the cause for your symptoms needs a workup to rule out the causes mentioned above.  

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.