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Reply: My large intestine feels inflammed

Corn, popcorn and beans too...

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Reply: My large intestine feels inflammed

Also, oatmeal, nuts and raw (and sometimes cooked) fruits such as apples, pears, and...

Posted by LotaHossain

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Reply: My large intestine feels inflammed

I live in Florida right now, but I was born and and have lived most of my life in El...

Posted by LotaHossain

I live in Florida right now, but I was born and and have lived most of my life in El Paso, Texas. These symptoms, however, did not rear their ugly heads until AFTER I took a trip out of the US to Bangladesh back in 2009. The first SEVERAL diagnoses were giardiasis. I have been on antibiotics and Flagyl 5 times to "treat" the infection. I took everything as directed even though they only made the symptoms more severe. The diarrhea never went away even for a day after these treatments. I lost my last job due to the fact that I needed to use the restroom too frequently. I got little to no help from anywhere/anyone.

About 4 months ago, I started a new regimen to try to lose weight which consisted of cutting down on fat, salt, fried foods and empty carbs. What carbs I ate were higher in fiber content and lots of whole grain. I ate more fruits and vegetables and lean meat and more lean protein. I used low-fat, reduced calorie milk, ate lowfat cheese and other diary products and ate low-fat / non-fat probiotic yogurt, lean protein, a banana and original Post Shredded wheat cereal every breakfast. I cut out onions (and fennel, leeks, shallots & chives) which I found increased my symptoms and cut down on caffeine as well. I took multivitamins (almost) everyday- (sometimes, I forgot). I started walking for at least 30 minutes at least 3-4 times a week and did other cardio (usually dancing) for at least 30 minutes - 1 hour at least once a week -- in addition to my usual routine. After the second week of this, my diarrhea and discomfort was gone! By the end of week 4, I had lost 18 lbs.

By the end of week 8, I had lost 25 lbs and was looking and feeling great! No more tummy/intestine troubles! (at least not frequently, I still had a bout every now and then if I ate something with onion or high fat or deep fried.) This bliss was too good to be true, apparently, because shortly after month #2 of no diarrhea, it started to come back again. Slowly at first but now it is to the point that I am taking anti-diarrheal pills everyday to every other day to keep from running to the bathroom every 15 minutes, so as not to lose my new job position.

The main thing that changed in my routine is the fact that I do not get to exercise as much as I did before my new job. I have gained back 8 lbs (and thankfully only that amount in these two months since). I have also noticed that other foods also seem to cause my problems: Lettuce, cucumbers, spinach, cilantro and raw vegetables all cause an immediate effect. IF I EAT A SALAD I LITERALLY AM RUNNING OFF TO THE BATHROOM WITHIN 30 MINUTES with bloating, gas, popping sensations, gastric sounds and explosive diarrhea.

I've recently started increasing my exercise again, but so far, there isn't a change from my gastrointestinal problems. I don't have time to exercise as I did before I had my job. I haven't gained any more weight but I am not losing any either. I really don't know what to do and I don't know what this is and even though I have been advised to see a GI specialist, I cannot afford it.

kristisez- I agree with you on that, unfortunately, that doesn't stop them from billing me... =(

I've tried it all- high fiber, low fiber- doesn't seem to make a difference... I'm just so lost...View Thread

Posted byLotaHossain

17 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:My large intestine feels inflammed I live in Florida right now, but I was born and and have lived most of my life in El...

Somebody help me! I've had diarrhea for almost 2 y...

Hi, I'm not sure where to get help, and I need some suggestion of where to go, what to...

Posted by LotaHossain

Hi, I'm not sure where to get help, and I need some suggestion of where to go, what to do and perhaps any ideas of what may be wrong with me.I will try to give as much detail as possible to allow for a proper response.

I am a 26 year old woman and I have had diarrhea daily for 23 months.

Back in Dec. 2009, my family and I visited Bangladesh. At this time, I weighed 174 lbs. Within days of arriving everybody developed some sort of food-borne (likely parasitical) illness accompanied by vomiting, severe diarrhea, fever, fatigue, and malaise. We went to a hospital and were prescribed Flagyl and were told we likely had Giardiasis. Upon taking this prescription, my son and husband quickly regained their health and while I did get a little better and was able to walk around and hold down my food and water, and the diarrhea lessened in severity, it did NOT go away.

We came back to the US in January 2010 and my Husband and child stayed since without having any diarrhea, except when ill while I still had ONLY loose stools several times a day. Along with the diarrhea daily, I developed chronic muscles and bone pains, intolerance to heat, frequent nausea, weight gain, loss of concentration and ability to stay on task, severe mood swings, urinary & fecal incontinence, and constant, unrelenting fatigue.

These symptoms kept going on and in July 2010, I went to the hospital. At the hospital, they ran a urine test and a visual pelvic examination (no PAP or any other tests), told me I had a mild UTI and that my prolonged menses was likely caused by a hormonal imbalance, prescribed me an antibiotic and sent me home. They did NOT run a fecal culture test nor did anything other than give me a referral to a clinic.

When I went to make an appointment at the clinic, I was told that the fee for the appointment would be $115 and various lab tests would be in excess of $800- I did not and still do not have that kind of money- so I did not make an appointment to get seen because I couldn't afford it.

In January 2011, A family friend whom happens to be a plastic surgeon visited our home and we asked him if he could refer us to someone who could help us without it being too expensive. He pulled some strings and I was able to see a colleague of his pro-Bono who also felt that it was Giardiasis and prescribed Flagyl. We could not afford any tests so again none were administered.

After taking the Flagyl a second time, the diarrhea did not go away, still, but I did at least, start getting solid stools at least a few times a week also.

This diarrhea interferes with my life in such a way that I can't go anywhere that does not have a restroom available because the diarrhea and/or urination can come at any time without warning. It interferes with my sleep schedule because I have to get up 3 or more times per night to use the bathroom.

I have tried changing my diet so many times, but nothing makes the diarrhea go away. Although I have found that oatmeal, lettuce, cucumbers, and other raw veggies, grape nuts cereal, whole wheat, high fiber bread, and spicy and oily or fried foods aggravate my symptoms and cheese, bananas,steamed veggies, potatoes and rice lessen the severity, nothing makes it go away.

Despite daily urinary and fecal incontinence, I am NOT losing any weight. In fact, I am gaining weight and despite adopting rigorous diet and exercise, I cannot lose any weight. I am now 195 lbs.

I don't know what to do or where to turn for help. I'm tired of the frequent bathroom trips. I'm tired of the pain and headaches. I'm tired of not being able to think or concentrate or remember like I could 3 years ago. I'm tired of the weight gain and tired of the pain and head-aches. But most of all, I'm just tired of being tired all the time.

Please somebody, help me. Anything at all, please.View Thread

Posted byLotaHossain

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Somebody help me! I've had diarrhea for almost 2 years straight. Hi, I'm not sure where to get help, and I need some suggestion of where to go, what to...

Reply: Somebody help me! I've had diarrhea for almost 2 y...

Another Tid-bit: I've been looking up my symptoms and asking around and I keep getting...

Posted by LotaHossain

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Reply: Somebody help me! I've had diarrhea for almost 2 y...

Thank you so very much for your comment. I will definitely look into finding a GE...

Posted by LotaHossain

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Somebody help me! I've had diarrhea for almost 2 years straight. Thank you so very much for your comment. I will definitely look into finding a GE...

Reply: My large intestine feels inflammed

Except for the constipation, it sounds like what I have been going through for the past...

Posted by LotaHossain

17 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:My large intestine feels inflammed Except for the constipation, it sounds like what I have been going through for the past...

Reply: Burning pain to left of navel; diverticulitis, her...

I'd like to help you but I have had similar experiences and have not been able to get...

Posted by LotaHossain

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Reply: Right Hemi-colectomy

A volvulus is when a section of the intestine folds in and twists itself, prevented...

Posted by LotaHossain

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Right Hemi-colectomy A volvulus is when a section of the intestine folds in and twists itself, prevented...

Reply: Somebody help me! I've had diarrhea for almost 2 y...

I have a few tid-bits to add about my symptoms: When my diarrhea is severe, it is...

Posted by LotaHossain

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