Oh my gosh does anyone know how to stop this stomach problems I feel like im wasting away here

[Ihavenoideawhatmybodydoes]

I have been ill since the start of December, diahrea stomach pains (althought not awful) and general tiredness dizziness etc.

Saw doctor multiple times eventually ended up in hospital for a week because I was so dehydrated and I had lost 26 pounds.

they did all kinds of tests the only one that came back abnormal was the stool test for calprotectin which was 1100 but they found nothing else. I had an endoscopy and sigmoidoscopy that found barrats esophagus but nothing that would explain the stomach issues.

its been nearly two weeks since I was discharged and I’m still so miserable today was so awful I had stomach pain all day although nothing diahrea but then this evening again been stuck on the toilet . I’m so tired I’m just bascially managing to cook and eat then lie in bed all day! I’ve tried immodium etc that makes it way worse as then I just get really bad pain.

I messaged the doctor last week asking for more help but they could only offer me a review appointment this Friday.

what the hell can I do! Has anyone had this before the hospital discharged me and the gp doesn’t really seem to be that worried but I’m going crazy!

I've had overlapping stomach issues the last 18 months, probably not related to you at all but took me forever to figure out myself so just dropping it in here. Came off my antidepressants and switched to another one.. it was withdrawl from the forst antidepressants. Lost a stone and a half in 3 weeks, literally couldn't eat more than a slice of toast or 2 a day, and everything went straight through me. Once that was sorted out I still had a lot of nausea when eating, cramps and soft smelly poos which I eventually figured out was caused by vaping! (after years of vaping and being fine) hope you figure it out soon, it's awful isn't it

I'm assuming they tested you for celiac?

Yes negative !

Assume they've done lots of blood tests already. Did you see a gastroenterologist while you were in hospital?
Have they ruled out serious causes?

Other things could consider that are less usual are, SIBO, bile acid malabsorption, assume your not diabetic or have any nerve problems? assume they checked for parasites/bugs/nasties in your poo?

There are other things the go could offer instead of loperamide if they are happy that other things have been ruled out, one of the simplest is codiene which slows bowel transit and helps relieve cramps (there are other things too) but you need a full reassessment by your Dr to decide what the best way forward is as they will have all the relevant information.

Watch out for further signs of dehydration, and know there are other things that you can become deficient in such as magnesium if your v loose for prolonged period. If you feel at all unwell/different get reviewed, ring 111/walk in centre if can't see own GP and concerned for dehydration. Also assume they reviewed any medication you are on whilst in hospital?

In hospital I did have a lot of blood tests the only ones that came back abnormal were vitamin d and folate which were low and they said some of the liver results were slightly off but not majorly. The did test for bugs but nothing showed.

Are you an outdoor swimmer?

Maybe try pepto bismol, it's easier on your stomach than immodium

I had this and doctors just said it was a virus. Took about 18 months to fully recover. The first month was the worst

Did they check for parasites and water borne diseases? DC were ill after coming back from a camping trip with Scouts. They'd got Giardia which our GP was astonished by. She thought it could only be caught in 3rd world.

I worked somewhere in UK recently where we were put up on site, and there was legionella in the water. It's worth ruling these out.

Also if you have been ill and had anything like Covid or flu it can upset the balance of your stomach and cause new allergies. Could be lactose allergy or IBS?

Bile acid malabsorption has to be tested via a Sehcat test involving you swallowing a radioactive capsule. Do you have a gall bladder? Any issues with gall stones?

Have you had a colonoscopy? Sounds like a diverticular flare.

Gallbladder issues?

Have you had your thyroid checked? An overactive thyroid can really upset digestive system and cause weight loss

I picked up a really nasty gastro bug a few weeks ago. I am taking probiotics and I do feel as if they are helping. Maybe worth a try?

Did this happen after taking antibiotics by any chance?

A bit of a stretch but could be C Diff

Sounds very similar to myself. Turns out I have Crohn’s. I was diagnosed after having a colonoscopy but we had to push for one. Took over a 18 months for them to take action and not fob me off.

But did they do biopsies when they did the endoscopy? I had negative antibody test for years only diagnosed via biopsies and genetic test. I ended up in hospital once after losing weight and dehydrated while pregnant, thought I was dying but just undiagnosed coeliac disease. Other than that I think it sounds like inflammatory bowel disease, might need a full colonoscopy to diagnose again with biopsies rather than sigmoidoscopy

Have you tried an elimination diet. I had very similar symptoms so my GP suggested this. I had to fast for 24 hours, drinking plain water only. Then slowly introduce food groups back into my diet. I very quickly found out it was dairy causing me problems.

As you’ve been diagnosed with Barrett’s Oesophagus, I hope you are permanently on omeprazole or one of the other proton pump inhibitors? If you are, do make sure you take magnesium glycinate, vitamin d, vitamin c, zinc and iron.

I had the same issues and during colonoscopy they took some samples and I was confirmed positive for microscopic colitis (in specific collagenus colitis). It can only be seen under a microscope so often gets overlooked if just doing a regular colonoscopy without biopsy. But my symptoms were exactly the same as yours

Probiotics are worth a try. If it's ibs I find them a great help along with buscopan when really bad.

Live yoghurt, avoid coffee and alcohol.

With a calprotectin that high they should be looking for crohns or colitis. Calprotectin shows the level of inflammation that you have. You don't have inflammation with IBS.
You will need to have a colonoscopy to check for this. Ask for a referral to a gastro doctor.

people mentioning bile acid malabsorption ---- you don't get inflammation with this. I have BAM and had all the checks. It sound more like IBD [ inflammatory bowel disease ].

Agree with pp about the calprotectin. Massive red flag and they need to urgently investigate IBD (colitis or crohns)

Please make a doctor appointment and reference the calprotectin levels. They are wildly outside the normal limits. It should be under 50. Ask to be tested for crohns or colitis.

My Dad has Barrett’s he found he needed to keep a food diary to work out what the problem was - for him it was Tomato’s. He also has diverticulitis and te two apparently go together so he needs antibiotics when he has a flare. He is managed by the special Barrett’s team and Addenbrooks hospital. He also had polio as a child and if the Barrett’s or diverticulitis flares it causes his ost poli syndrome to flare too.

I’m really sorry — this sounds absolutely miserable and frightening. Being this ill for so long, losing that much weight, and then being sent home without answers would drive anyone mad. A calprotectin that high plus how wiped out you are doesn’t feel like “nothing”, and it makes sense you’re worried. You’re not weak or dramatic for struggling — you’re genuinely unwell. If you get worse before Friday, it’s okay to go back to A&E. And when you see the GP, be really clear how little you’re able to function. You deserve to be taken seriously.