couple questions, some medical stuff, not too gross tho

okay- first, hi. im jenn. i have an INSANE weight goal- and even then i wont be totally happy- but i'll be.. umm.. satisfied.. lately i have been losing alot of weight very fast.. (about 40 pounds in about 5 1/2 weeks), (over 65 since end of june).. first, i had a BAD absessed tooth (i was already dieting, but not super seriously, was very depressed and in the process of ending a relationship that shoulda been ended long before).. but anyway, i really COULDNT eat much.. so the weight loss was not suprising.. then i had some sort of reaction.. this was mid july.. i had the tooth pulled and within 6 hours had horrible absessed and ulcers all through my mouth, inside of cheeks, tongue, .. it spread down my throat and to my stomach.. food became too painful, water was like razor blades.. so yea- again, weight loss not suprising.. i had a stomach biopsy (by a dr who actually texted on his cell phone the whole time, yes, i filed a complaint, and he apparently wrote a med he shouldn't that slowed down my digestive system ALOT, combined with my valiums, apparently it made it bad).. it hurts ALOT to eat now.. the absessed/ulcers are gone.. just some raw spots in my stomach, but its more further down in my digestive tract that it starts to hurt badly, like, near the belly button.. i had 2 hernia ops and thought it had something to do with that.. I had not "went to the bathroom" in over 2 weeks.. but kept losing AT LEAST a pound a day.. The dr's say all my blood work is fine.. it shows no dehydration, no lack of nutrients, nothing.. (and its not like im fasting or anything, i just very rarely meet my calorie goal because it just hurts too much, average around 900 a day maybe... sometimes..) they have no idea whats wrong.. done a million tests.. again- my labs look like someone who eats normally and drinks normally.. NOTHING ABNORMAL.. xrays showed today i had bowel impaction- only it wasn't just in bowels, it goes all the way to my stomach, and has intestines swollen.. when that is taken care of- we'll start to figure out why my gall bladder has stopped working (im also peeing blood and crystals, which means bad kidney stones gonna be passed soon apparently).. but otherwise- all labs are good.. They are making me drink this stuff that pre-surgery patients drink.. but making me drink it, then again every 6 hours to try to totally clear my digestive tract.. but told me TO EAT- even though the box says not to, because im not a surgery patient- not yet.. they want to make sure things are moving through there... SO- chicken noodle soup- and yea, i added a few crackers.. 7 up.. that's been all i can mange today between running to the bathroom every 3-5 minutes and the HORRIBLE pain combined with the HORRIBLE cramps.. so, i guess i have a couple questions- anyone else ever experiene this and have many doctors say "I have no idea whats going on, labs are great- but your losing weight like someone who is dying" even with me being very over weight- losing weight this fast is not healthy, and i realize that. if anyone experienced this before- what did they end up coming up with.. oh- and biopsy results were normal other than severe swelling of stomach and burns in my stomach from acid and some dead tissue areas, but no cancers, no wierd disease.. second question- the sorta gross one.... the stuff they have me drinking.. basically what i put in my body is immediatly coming back out- water, food. whatever.. and without really digesting.. i know i shouldnt care about the calories right now- but i still sorta do.. so umm- how much do the calories count when the food has barely digested? your literally going potty within , at the most, 20 minutes after putting it in your body... im sure SOMEONE out there has had to drink this stuff for something and experienced what im talking about.. but- has anyone ever heard of this before? has it happened to anyone before? they have NO IDEA what is wrong, no idea what to do about it- but will not put me in the hospital, because my lab work comes back fine.. even after 3 days of no fluids back a couple weeks ago- it came up with NO DEHYDRATION.. it was brown and thick and the only time i'd peed that day.. and its not just one hospital- its several doctors seeing the same results, the fast weight loss, the labs being fine.. the horrible pain... and the impaction , and my 3 year old kicking me in already very swollen intestines apparently caused swelling and bruising inside and then what that hit, caused swelling in- and i sorta look pregnant, but only on one side..... I have a CT scan schedualed, but it has to be preapproved thru insurance which can take up to 2 weeks.. i literally hurt from right under my breasts to right below where my belly button should be (hernia operations remember..).. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ME?! on one hand- im THRILLED to be losing this weight.. on the other hand- im freaked out.... so the 2 questions- anyone have any idea whats wrong with me.. 2nd- umm.. how do i count the calories when the stuff they made me drink has it running right through me without time to really digest? if anyone can answer- and im sorry if this was gross or offended anyone... i'd really appreciate any ideas, advice, suggestions, experienes.. anything...

Replies

  • xxbookwormbabexx
    xxbookwormbabexx Posts: 92 Member
    My first suggestion would be to make this post about a third shorter...

    My other suggestion would be to ask a different doctor about this, unless you already have.
    I'm so sorry you've been dealing with so much, and that it affects your weight loss goals.

    Good luck :)
  • maremare312
    maremare312 Posts: 1,143 Member
    I don't mind long posts, but you definitely need some line breaks to make it easier to read. Best wishes on your journey!
  • nadinab
    nadinab Posts: 124 Member
    Wow. I would recommend a couple of other opinions from medical professionals. I am sure that there is a solution to the discomfort that you are experiencing. Make sure you get onto this asap. Best wishes!
  • kcthatsme
    kcthatsme Posts: 5,136 Member
    Hmmm... She's only been on here since August and has only written two posts. She's trying to get some help and what does she get? Criticism for the length, etc. of her post. Rude...
  • med2017
    med2017 Posts: 192 Member
    he probably gave you fleet which cleans out your whole digestive system. its extremely strong laxative. i think it would be a lot better if you asked another doctors opinion, A SPECIALIST gastroenterologist about this. bowel movements constipation and stenosis thats all his job
  • chinatbag
    chinatbag Posts: 249 Member
    First off, I just have to say, I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice.

    However, I do highly suggest seeing if you can find a gastrointestinal specialist.

    To answer your question: nope, I have not experienced this. This sounds like a very complicated case. Your second question regarding how do you calculate your calories for the day? It is pretty much a guesstimation, if your body is just passing everything you eat within minutes, you're probably not getting very much out of it. We really don't have any idea what the medication is that you're taking, my guess is that it's a type of laxative and they need to do some type of bowel resection, so in order to avoid complications from your next surgery, they're trying to flush everything out.

    Honest answer here, these are really questions for your doctor. I know it's frustrating and can also be scary, but your doctor who has all your case information will know better. Best of luck and I hope you get better soon.

    Edit: forgot a word
  • sorry it was so long, but i wanted to be detailed- so that people could actually know what was going on without leaving out something that might be important- if no one wants to take the time to read it *shrug* i cant make them.
  • Superwoman79
    Superwoman79 Posts: 61 Member
    Sorry for your discomfort and your best bet would be to see a Gastro Doctor. I hope you get the help you need in a timely manner.
  • Boring story but I nearly died from an undiagnosed (well misdiagonsed) burst appendix a few years ago.

    I remember clearly giving a p#ss sample and marvelling how it looked exactly like coffee. Same colour as an Americano with solids that looked just life coffee grounds. Lots more ugly/scary details that I won't bore you with...

    Simply I lost 10 kgs over 9 days. It wasn't a big surprise for the docs.

    Just this. A poor diagnosis nearly killed me. No jokes. Get better advice from a doctor who seems at least slightly empathic.

    Best of luck ^^
  • btw- i have been to 2 different gastro docs.. and a general surgeon.. 2 different hospitals and 3 different docs.. and they ALL have the same answer.. we just dont know.. thats why i thought i'd ask here- if anyone else had ever experienced anything like this- i know that no one can give actual medical advice.. but just wondering if i was the only one.. and for the people who asked about what it was they have me taking......

    it is called SUPREP BOWEL PREP KIT... its suposed to be for people who need bowel surgery, to get them totally cleaned out quickly- usually given in the hospital, or day before you go into the hospital... but they have me doing it differently.. normally you take the first dose plus 2 16 oz cups of water within 1 hour.. then the next morning do it again.. they had me to it 6 hours after the first one.. the impaction was so far up, they thought it might rupture.. i dont understand why not one single one has put me in a hospital to watch the weight loss or do something about it.. and mainly- how can all my lab work be NORMAL?! i just wondered if anyone else had experienced this, or known someone who did...

    again- i know you guys aren't doctors.. im just in so much pain..... and so conflicted.. thrilled with the weight loss.. (i guess if im gonna be honest, this is the place to do it.. went from a 24 to a 26 , dependng on make, to an 18, almost 16 size jean (if i wanna squeeze my already hurt stomach) since july). However- i KNOW that doing it this fast is not good for my body- and i have 2 little girls i want to be around to watch grow up...... thats why im so conflicted..

    again- sorry this is long- trying to answer questions- and add details.. incase something i leave out might be important. not trying to bore anyone to death...
  • Not a doctor here, but maybe the weight loss could be that you weren't digesting your food? Although you're technically eating, if that food isn't broken down for the body to use it's useless. So your body may have been using stored fat as it's main energy source. Also, if you're body was fighting off an abscess (infection) it will require more calories than a "healthy" person. Your immune system may not have calmed down much. If your impaction was due to the wrong med you were put on then your digestive problems should start working themselves out now that you're clear and not on the meds.

    I know you want to lose weight and get healthy, but the best way for you to do that now is not to worry about calories. Eat what you can until your body heals. It's one thing to not be able to eat, but a completely other thing to purposely restrict calories. You will probably gain some of your weight back, but getting healthy should be #1. I'm sorry if I misread/misinterpreted your question about how many calories are actually used if it comes right out.
  • Have they checked for crohn's disease? From what you describe on here it sounds alot like it. Google it and if it sounds like whats going on then mention it to them. Of course I am no dr. But it sounds the same.
  • actually, no they haven't.. i dont think they even thought to check for crohn's.. every single dr looks at someone overweight and wants to blame every single problem on that- and not look any further.. it sucks.
  • pdworkman
    pdworkman Posts: 1,342 Member
    Don't bother trying to log or calculate your calories. Eat what you can manage and take care of yourself the best you can.

    They should be looking for any sort of inflammatory bowel disease - crohns, colitis, celiac, etc.; anything that has major constipation as a side effect - thyroid, food intolerances, medications, opiates, iron supplements; things that might cause bowel obstruction - adhesions from your previous surgery, an additional hernia they didn't catch, etc.

    Did they give you a barium suspension or anything else before the x-rays?

    How much have they biopsied?

    Areas of dead tissue in the stomach, gall bladder that has shut down, and pee that is thick and brown are *not* normal, and they should not just be shrugging this off and giving you laxatives, no matter how "normal" the blood tests look. This is serious stuff.

    If it was me, I would go to the emergency room and insist on being admitted. This is not about counting calories or losing weight in a healthy way. We are talking about your life being in danger here. Go to the hospital and don't give up until they can start giving you some answers.
  • maremare312
    maremare312 Posts: 1,143 Member
    Hmmm... She's only been on here since August and has only written two posts. She's trying to get some help and what does she get? Criticism for the length, etc. of her post. Rude...

    It's probably more rude to call people rude. There is nothing wrong with explaining to someone basic internet etiquette that will help more people read their posts in the future.
  • DaraEden
    DaraEden Posts: 68 Member
    Don't bother trying to log or calculate your calories. Eat what you can manage and take care of yourself the best you can.

    They should be looking for any sort of inflammatory bowel disease - crohns, colitis, celiac, etc.; anything that has major constipation as a side effect - thyroid, food intolerances, medications, opiates, iron supplements; things that might cause bowel obstruction - adhesions from your previous surgery, an additional hernia they didn't catch, etc.

    don't give up until they can start giving you some answers.



    I agree!! Do NOT let them fob you off. Make sure they understand that you are in pain and need to sort out this problem. Hospital is your best bet as doctors generally don't have that much time to look into it. I was sick last year and the doctors didn't know ( or care really ) what is was. I had to go into hospital and they were thorough and sorted it out.


    Hope you get well soon!!
  • Jxnsmma
    Jxnsmma Posts: 919 Member
    Hmmm... She's only been on here since August and has only written two posts. She's trying to get some help and what does she get? Criticism for the length, etc. of her post. Rude...

    It's probably more rude to call people rude. There is nothing wrong with explaining to someone basic internet etiquette that will help more people read their posts in the future.

    I agree, I read 3 lines and then skipped the rest of the wall of text, skimmed the answers and am moving on cuz Im not a doctor and cant help anyway.
  • jeme3
    jeme3 Posts: 355 Member
    I have a friend who started having bizarre gastro symptoms that her doctors were not able to explain. She lost 60 pounds in a matter of a few months.

    I don't remember what the officially diagnosis finally was, but it was described as "a heart attack in her bowels". After a year, she could only eat a few bland foods.

    I have sort of lost contact with her, do I don't have much more info, but I wonder if that's something you can bring up with your doctor?

    And I agree, forget trying to track calories at this point, concentrate on your health.
  • half_moon
    half_moon Posts: 807 Member
    Chron's. My dad has this.
  • Besides Chron's disease you might also want to check into Grave's disease also. Which is an over active thyroid, my brother lost 50lbs in two months because of it. I am not a dr. nor do I pretend to be one, definitely don't stop until you have an answer
  • jensfitpal2012
    jensfitpal2012 Posts: 145 Member
    First,let me start off by saying,"I am so sorry you had to go through all this,it sounds like it has been an extremely difficult and frustrating situation. Second,I agree with others you should see a gastroenterologist to rule out things such as Chrons,colitis...also,maybe an allergist to rule out any food allergies,or even an absorption problem." I am glad you have lost weight you wanted to lose,but concerned how you lost it,the first goal is to be healthy.I pray the doctors encouraged you to take vitamins to replace the minerals you have lost. I don't know where you live,b ut where I live people have come to get answers when nobody could figure out what was going on. There is a MAyo Clinic close by and a Children"s Hospital,don';t let the children stop you,they also see adults who have had trouble being diagnosed.I would suggest you get on the computer and look for some specialists elsewhere.We had a bad experience and prognosis with my grandfather when he had cancer(mutiple myeloma),they gave him weeks to a month to live when they first found it.I got online and researched specialists in this area,and brought him 2 hrs.away to get the help,made that trip for years getting chemo.It gave us years instead of months. I wish you the best of luck.As for how you should be eating,eat what you can,smaller amounts are probably alot easier to handle,make sure you talk to a nutritionist and get on some supplements. Take care of your self for your family and for yourself.
  • mojo81378
    mojo81378 Posts: 5 Member
    My BFF has gastroparesis {spelling} meaning her stomach is paralyzed. You had a lot of the same symptoms you currently have.
  • nsblue
    nsblue Posts: 331 Member
    during my rapid weight loss i was under a docs care. At times i had to watch for constipation and was on colace, senekot and milk of magnesia. i would never go more than 3 days without a bowel movement at least every other day or i would be in pain. this has to be monitored constantly to prevent this.

    hindsight is 20/20 they say...a person should never go that long without moving their bowels IMO. being blocked will only back up causing more problems... as you have discovered. hopefully things settle n you can get things regulated.
  • psv1012
    psv1012 Posts: 65 Member
    I agree with your advise, go directly to the emergency room .Do not worry about eating, try insure or some other nutrition suppliment. You could be in real trouble. I am not a nurse or Doctor, but I know what I would tell my children or a friend and tha twould be insist on being taken seriously. Have they looked at Diabetis? I am diebetic and it can wreck you if it isn't managed correctly. Good Luck. Quit dieting. Eat what ever you can.