Love my mystery illness! (PG-rated, possibly TMI, or is simply gross)

[Deja Q]

No signs of parasites or ova despite numerous tests.

Only a one-time sign of ________ in the lab results which only suggests parasites (according to ER doctor) or an allergic reaction (according to the doctor at my clinic). (It was a big long word, started with an E or an N and I was stupid for not writing it down... Can't seem to find the word on the 'net, not that that would be easy or anything... :D )

No bacteria infection found, in stool or blood samples.

Occasional stomach gurgling

Variable (little to Normal) appetite

Stools are basically brown/yellow water with beige colored blobby things, no real substance. Yuck. Smells foul too if it happens after I eat. Double yuck.

Energy levels variable; either my usual self or feeling slightly haggard and knackered.

No fever!

The weird part was, I was recovered during the month of August and seemed to be fine.

Sigmoidoscopy, taken just as I was starting to get better the first time, showed a very clean and pure tract - worthy of a Kodak moment!

I am now taking numerous vitamin tablets to compensate. And keeping hydrated with Gatorade(tm).

I haven't done anything sexual for 20 months. I had been tested for HIV 5.5 months after the last time I had been potentially exposed (and I did nothing even considered a medium risk let alone anything that's a high risk!) I'm certain HIV is not the issue, especially given the time factor! Besides, the diarrhea is not consistently severe...

I seem to be stable at 216 pounds, though I was 226 before this started in June. My gut isn't so large now, which is nice. :D The walking has probably helped too... Should I be exercising when I'm ill? My goal is to get back to 180... maybe 190...

I hate being a mystery! Or, rather, I hate being a mystery that isn't of my own design!!! Nothing makes sense... Any ideas? Thanks!

[fishnfla]

1. Chron's disease? Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Perhaps a bland diet would be helpful?

[Dookus]

2. Yes, Crohn's is a possibility...

another thing worth looking into - a good friend of mine suffered for years from what he was told was either Crohn's or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

After years of pain and weight-loss, he discovered he had an allergy to wheat. Cut out all wheat products from his diet and he's never had a problem since.

Unfortunately, it's a rather difficult diet to maintain. He has to be careful about his food not even TOUCHING something where wheat was. For instance, at a diner, he has to ask that his eggs be cooked in a frying pan, rather than on the griddle where pancakes may have been cooked previously.

There are other food allergies that could be the culprit, too. Have you tried cutting out all dairy?

[Deja Q]

6. I rarely do dairy, but my diet is high in fiber and contains some wheat...

Either in whole grain rice or whole wheat bread.

But I've had all those things during the month I seemed to be well again (August).

They've also pushed and pounced on my abdomen, asking if there was any pain. There wasn't. :-(

I bet it is an allergy. The question is, of what... It's not dairy because I don't eat enough of dairy products.

It COULD be wheat. But that's depressing.

How about broccoli?

[Snow]

3. Eosinophils?

Here's an url:
http://www.hon.ch/Library/Theme/Allergy/Glossary/eosinophil.html

and those suckers go after parasites.....have you been traveling overseas, or hiking in the mountains & drinking mountain water (giardia)?

The lab knows to centrifuge when they're looking for parasites & ova, right? Because sometimes those suckers just aren't that common. Beyond that, I'd get to a good gastroenterologist. And don't let 'em do the "we can't find anything; it must be 'stress' bullcrap, either." Some other thoughts are loss of gut flora - have you taken a lot of antibiotics lately? or maybe you've got a helicobacter problem (treatable with antibiotics followed by dosing with lactobacillus culture to re-decorate your gut with friendly bugs.)

[Nikia]

4. Do you eat dairy?

After being sick like you were for about a month, my Dr. suggested lactase tablets since I have to eat dairy as part of my job. It has helped quite a bit. Bad intstinal viruses can reduce your ability to break down lactose and casuse you to stay sick. I lost more weight than you and I didn't have much to lose. Two weeks later after I started to eat decently again, I am at 120lbs(5'5''). I've gotten used to being thin so I might try to maintain it although fear what would happen if I got sick again at this weight (I had lost a little over 15 pounds during my illness). I'll see what the doctor thinks when I follow up next week. I hope that you get better. I suppose that if you are eating and don't feel sicker when you walk, it is alright. If you do feel sick or tired when you do it though, don't do it. It sounds like you aren't dropping weight like crazy so that shouldn't be a concern either.

[tjdee]

5. AWWRRIGHT! I high five your mystery illness!

Sorry to hear they don't know what's up with you, at least they've ruled out some things...sounds a bit to me like Irritable Bowel, a friend of mine has it...
I hope you get it sorted out soon...

My mystery illness is shaping up too, I *may* have asthma and some strange feminine problem! Mystery illnesses! Aww yeah!