DD15 frequent diarrhoea - what wld you do?

[Chocguzel]

DD is 15 and has always had a sensitive stomach: often in pain, always on the loo, vomits after ibuprofen, first to get every stomach virus since birth. She is stoic about it.

If she eats spicy food, even mild spice like chicken tikka masala, she will be running to the loo within 15 mins of eating and it will all come straight out in its entirety as diarrhoea. She will be on the loo for about an hour after the meal. Is she eats deep fried food, or too creamy food, the same happens although slightly less violently.

her BMI is 18.5 despite eating loads. She has mouth ulcers frequently. Her periods have never been regular.

Coeliacs runs in the family but she’s been tested and is all clear. Wheat actually is one thing that doesn’t obviously bother her. Blood tests all normal except iron is a little low.

is this just IBS or could it be something more?

Definitely get her tested - make another appointment and if so say it’s about the hyperpigmentation and ask for a 9am cortisol blood test. It may not be that at all as she’d usually be very fatigued and feeling dreadful, but the frequent diarrhoea fits.

Lactose intolerance? My son did a test at a hospital, though this was not in the uk.

I have an intolerance of lactose but also oil…anything too rich or fatty or oily will make me throw up and give me diahorrhea, can leave me ill for days. Both of these can be part of some of the issues mentioned above. Get her on a fresh, whole food, low lactose, preferably low histamine and anti-inflammatory diet, there’s lots of info online. Get her checked for gluten intolerance, do not remove gluten if she doesn’t have it. She might need to follow an elimination diet for a few weeks and then slowly start introducing foods so that you can work out what’s triggering her illness. It’s also worth knowing that some intolerances eg histamine intolerance, are accumulative. One high histamine item might not make you sick but several over several days could make you really ill.

While you’re looking into it, keep things simple, eg chicken breast with broccoli and rice, though also watch out for intolerance to cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower.

If there’s any way you can afford it, I’d go private for proper testing. From my own experience and the experience of those around me, the NHS is just rubbish with this kind of thing.

I am sorry your ZGP seems dismissive when your DD's symptoms are persisting. My GD has Crohns and the diagnosis was slow as test results were not always typical.
I would want further investigation and would go private if this is financially possible for you.