Concerned and Frustrated

[Teresa Pitman]

My daughter was like this - constant stomach problems - and I decided that before she went to university we were going to get to the bottom of it. She spent two days in hospital having tests done, including a stomach biopsy and having scopes down her throat. The doctor finally concluded that she was deficient in the enzymes that break down animal proteins (meat). She had noticed since she was about six or seven that meat made her sick, and had been vegetarian since that time. We had also suspected that dairy products bothered her, but she still ate some.

So on the doctor's advice, she became completely vegan - and the problems stopped. Other than rare occasions when she accidentally eats something with milk or egg in it, she never has stomach problems or the other symptoms she used to struggle with.

I think you are doing the right thing to insist that they keep checking - there will be an answer!

Teresa

 

[3jsmommy]

I was going to suggest the endocrinologist also. I would have her candida level checked too, there is a blood test they can do. A yeast overgrowth can reek havoc on the body & many symptoms are fatigue, gastro problems, etc.. has she been on a lot of antibiotics in her lifetime?
She isn't taking any weight loss pills is she? That could pose some of those symptoms.
My sister had some of those same symptoms for about a month & she went to her GP for sleeplessness, he prescribed an antidepressant. (which caused her to have an SSRI induced suicide 7 days later) I know that if she had seen an endo instead she'd still be here. I think her problems were a hormonal imbalance, she had went off the pill a few months prior & never had become regular since.
Good luck with your daughter you sound like a great Mom!!

 

[Feralpeg]

I was going to suggest the endocrinologist also. I would have her candida level checked too, there is a blood test they can do. A yeast overgrowth can reek havoc on the body & many symptoms are fatigue, gastro problems, etc.. has she been on a lot of antibiotics in her lifetime?
She isn't taking any weight loss pills is she? That could pose some of those symptoms.
My sister had some of those same symptoms for about a month & she went to her GP for sleeplessness, he prescribed an antidepressant. (which caused her to have an SSRI induced suicide 7 days later) I know that if she had seen an endo instead she'd still be here. I think her problems were a hormonal imbalance, she had went off the pill a few months prior & never had become regular since.
Good luck with your daughter you sound like a great Mom!!

She is not on anything for weight loss. She is not at all overweight.

When she was little, she had chronic strep. She'd take an antibiotic and it would clear up. A month later, she'd have strep again. This went on from the time she was a year old until she had her tonsils out at age five. Since that time, she hasn't had strep.

Well, I received a PM that told me I was getting a bit to graphic in my description of DD's problems. Sorry if I offended anyone. I felt I was getting really good feedback on things that I could ask her doctor to check. I appreciate everyone's advice.

 

[DMRick]

Actually, that PM was from me. I didn't mean you were getting too graphic (and I wasn't offended), what I said was I was afraid you were giving out too much info which could lead people to your daughter and that perhaps your daughter might not be OK with the info you were sharing. You assured me she was, and that it helped you get some much needed help. So..who am I to say it's too much..I was just trying to be helpful. Sometimes we (or at least me) forget we are talking to thousands of people all over the world, and not just a few close friends.

 

[3jsmommy]

http://www.holistichelp.net/candida.html

This is some info on candida, I was constantly on antibiotics for strep as a child also. I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue & epstein barr virus when I was 17 but basically my immune system was shot from all the antibiotics. I finally went on a low carb diet that included a yeast cleanse with very good probiotics. All of my skin irritations totally cleared up, no more sleeping problems & generally just feel much better. It can be hard to find a Dr. that will tell you it's candida. (I think the fact that the antibiotics are a huge culprit doesn't help!) Like I said before, you can get your candida level checked with a blood test now.
The good thing about this is that it can be correcetd relativly easily with the right diet, supplements & probiotics! PM me if you need info on that!

 

[Rachael Q]

Hi Peggy,

I've been there. I was diagnosed with IBS when I was 9. I am now 38.

I also had acne on my face and back (not breakouts but real acne), the hot flashes when my face would become bright red and I felt extremely hot like there was a layer of fire around me, insomnia, hirsutism, lethargy, low blood sugar and an almost non existant libido, depression, fertility problems and so on.

Over the years I have been tested for bowel/bladder/ovarian/colon cancer, crohns, colitis, and celiacs. I have had my appendix, gallbladder and small ovarian cysts removed. I have been on wheat free, then gluten free and then dairy free diets. I went 12 months with no gluten, no dairy, and no additives or preservatives at all. With each change in diet I would feel better for a month but then all the symptoms would return. I have had barium enemas, colonoscopies, ultrasounds, MRIs etc

I have actually lost jobs because I have taken too much sick time. Friends and some family members often then I am just faking it, and comment that I'm always sick.

I have been to various specialists over the years - gynecologists, gastros, endocronologists, and there is nothing major or life threatening wrong with me. Finally after 30 years, I have found a GP (of all people) who is willing to give the time and effort to work it out.

My first step is blood work and lab work (urine samples, stool samples etc). All been done before, but he starting from scratch.

I hope your daughter gets answers quicker than I did.

 

[DisneyMomOK]

Peg, I hope the best for you and Kendall. Lots of good advice, which I hope leads you to the correct diagnosis.