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General health

What's making me ill?

5 replies

kitsabits · 27/03/2019 19:26

For the last couple of months I've had two bouts of a sort of digestive/gastro illness and I don't understand why.

It starts with tiredness and lethargy, plus a strange feeling of fluttering in the roof of my mouth. By dinner time, I've started having diarrhoea and have completely gone off food. It then lasts for another couple of days before going away again.

I am unemployed and rarely leave the house. The last time I did this week was on Monday, very briefly, but I've been inside since then. My husband, who does get out and about, is not ill at all. I can't see how it could be an infection.

I do have food sensitivities and have recently done the FODMAP elimination diet and have removed a number of things that affect me. This doesn't feel like the IBS did, though. I feel much more like I have an infection, except that I can't see how I could have one.

It's not painful, though I have discomfort in the lower left abdomen (colon) and I do tend to feel a bit nauseous. Mostly, though, I'm just absolutely exhausted. Before it started today, I was very lethargic and my husband commented that I was pale. I said I wasn't ill, just low in mood, but lo and behold...

I have anxiety, especially around gastric issues, so this is a massive trigger of anxiety for me. I can't tell whether the anxiety has triggered it, though. I have absolutely no idea what's causing it. There are no obvious food triggers, and I've just been through the process of eliminating my trigger foods anyway and am not eating them any more. I am really confused.

Anyone got any ideas what might be making me ill?

OP posts:
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Iamnobirdandnonetensnaresme · 27/03/2019 19:37

Get a new toothbrush and put it in the dishwasher daily while you feel ill- you could just be reinfecting yourself.

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Pegsinarow · 27/03/2019 19:40

Could it be IBS or an allergy?

Keep a food diary?

I hope you feel better soon.

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kitsabits · 27/03/2019 19:59

@Pegsinarow I've done FODMAP elimination for IBS only three months ago and have been feeling so much better having identified my intolerances (esp gluten), and tbh this just doesn't feel like IBS. I feel actually ill, not just need to go and then a lot better. I haven't eaten a potential trigger since Monday - I can't see how this could be IBS.

@Iamnobirdandnonetensnaresme that's an interesting idea, but would it reinfect me three weeks apart? I'm not sure bacteria live that long outside of a host/food source, do they? But it's worth giving it a go!

Thanks both. Teeth are rattling in my head and I feel horrible. DH is getting me some ginger tea. Wish I could sleep but I'm on edge with anxiety.

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Pegsinarow · 27/03/2019 20:56

Sorry kitsabits I missed that bit about IBS in your op. It does sound very much like it (I'm not medically qualified). I think stress can provoke an attack? Would it be worth a trip to the GP? Anxiety is awful; I hope you can find some relief from it.

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QuestionableMouse · 28/03/2019 03:12

It could be something wrong with your heart. One of my dad's heart attack symptoms was indigestion and the runs. I think you should see your GP at the least.

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