Navigating My Health Conundrum: Could It Be a Virus, Infection, or Autoimmune Condition?
Age 27. For the last couple of months, I've been experiencing a wide array of troubling symptoms. It began with irregular bowel movements—sometimes my stools were loose, occasionally I dealt with diarrhea, and then I noticed blood in my stool. Furthermore, I often felt full after eating only small amounts and experienced some regurgitation. I decided to schedule both a colonoscopy and an endoscopy with my gastroenterologist, but the results were all clear. Simultaneously, I had this peculiar sensation of warmth and flushing in areas like my abdomen, back, and forehead. It felt hot, but I never actually developed a fever. Additional symptoms included aching in my abdomen and back. Following the procedures, I again found blood in my stool (which had only occurred a couple of times previously). Soon after, I experienced a stool that was black in color, prompting an emergency room visit. Fortunately, the tests showed normal results, including satisfactory hemoglobin levels. The episodes of black and bloody stool eventually subsided. I also had biopsies taken during the endoscopy. Meanwhile, I continued to suffer from bodily aches and an odd sensation in my neck, almost as if something were there. I visited an ear, nose, and throat specialist due to my gastroenterologist's concerns regarding lesions observed in my hypopharynx. The ENT assured me it was nothing alarming, describing it as resembling cobblestones. Seeking further clarity, I obtained a second opinion from another ENT, who echoed the same findings. I've made several trips to the emergency room over time, with my latest visit showing that most of my blood work came back normal, including a comprehensive metabolic panel. A CT scan of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis was also clear, except for notes suggesting possible enteritis and a slight thickening of the bladder wall (which I'm following up on with urology next week). At this point, I'm quite perplexed about my condition. Recently, I’ve started to experience occasional tingling in my head, alongside the previously mentioned warmth, body aches, and neck discomfort. Thankfully, I haven’t noticed any weight loss, night sweats, or swollen lymph nodes. If anyone has suggestions on what further tests I should consider or the next steps I should take, I would greatly appreciate the advice. I’ll include a link to my test results below.
Answers (1)
8/8/2025, 3:01:47 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing a complex range of symptoms that have understandably caused concern and confusion. Given that you've had multiple tests and evaluations that returned mostly normal results, it seems vital to focus on monitoring your symptoms and analyzing any patterns that may emerge.
Summary of Key Points:
- Symptoms: Blood in stool, abdominal discomfort, fullness after meals, back pain, warmth sensations, and recent tingling.
- Test Results: Clear colonoscopy, endoscopy, CT scan, and normal blood work, with only minor notes on potential enteritis and bladder wall thickening.
Explanation:
Your symptoms could result from various factors, including gastrointestinal issues, neurological conditions, or even stress. Since you mentioned irregular bowel habits and episodes of blood in your stool which have since subsided, it's invaluable to investigate any ongoing GI symptoms or triggers, especially with the noted potential enteritis. The tingling sensation could also relate to nerve irritation or anxiety, particularly if your symptoms have caused significant stress.
Next Steps:
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Symptom Tracking: Keep a detailed symptom diary for the next few weeks. Note when symptoms occur, their intensity, dietary habits, stress levels, and sleep patterns. This diary can help identify patterns or triggers that may assist you and your healthcare providers in finding answers.
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Follow Up on Bladder and GI Issues: Since there’s a follow-up with urology regarding bladder wall thickening, make sure to discuss any related symptoms with the urologist. Given your GI symptoms, continuing communication with your gastroenterologist is essential, especially if symptoms worsen or new ones arise.
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Consult a Neurologist: If tingling continues or becomes more frequent, consider speaking with a neurologist. They can evaluate potential nerve-related issues that might align with your sensory symptoms.
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Stress Management: Incorporate stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness, relaxation exercises, or gentle physical activity. Stress can significantly affect both gut health and physical sensations in the body.
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Consider Dietary Adjustments: Maintain a food diary to identify if certain foods trigger your symptoms, particularly with the fullness or irregular bowel movements. A dietitian can also be beneficial in optimizing your nutrition and gut health.
Always communicate with your healthcare providers about any new or worsening symptoms and ensure that you are comfortable discussing your concerns with them. You deserve support throughout this process, and I hope these suggestions resonate with you. Let me know if you have further questions!
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