Seeking Guidance on Ongoing Health Issues
I’m a 25-year-old African American woman and I need some advice regarding my current health situation. Several weeks ago, I caught the stomach flu from my younger sister, and since then, my body hasn't felt quite right. Let me break down what I’ve been experiencing: Initially, during the flu episode, I dealt with severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. For that week, my diet consisted solely of bread and soup. The following week, although the nausea subsided, I continued to have cramps and diarrhea, leading me to stick to bland foods like bread and tomato soup. I felt excessively bloated and gassy despite my limited intake. After that, I enjoyed a brief period where my symptoms improved, allowing me to eat normally. However, now in the third week, while I no longer experience cramps, my appetite has significantly decreased. I primarily consume bread, as most regular meals make me feel bloated, nauseous, and uncomfortable. It’s troubling because I constantly feel full even though I’m hardly eating anything. Drinking water also contributes to this overwhelming sensation of fullness. My current diet consists mainly of bread, chips, and apples, as I’m nervous to try anything else for fear of becoming ill again. Recently, I even woke up feeling nauseous and dry heaving. To manage my symptoms, I take Pepcid at night, which does provide some relief. Unfortunately, I've lost 7 pounds in just over three weeks due to this. As for context, my sister, who is five years old, has fully recovered without any lingering effects – children tend to bounce back quickly. For clarity, I am not pregnant and I’m not sexually active. Given these ongoing issues, could these symptoms indicate something like Crohn’s disease?
Answers (1)
9/6/2025, 12:30:49 AM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your detailed health concerns, and I'm sorry to hear about what you've been through. Based on your description, it seems like you are experiencing lingering gastrointestinal symptoms following your bout with the stomach flu. While I can't diagnose you, I can provide guidance on the common things to consider in your situation and actionable steps to help address your symptoms.
Key Points:
- Your ongoing symptoms could be related to post-infectious gastrointestinal dysfunction, but other conditions should be evaluated.
- It's crucial to focus on restoring your diet and hydration gradually and monitor your symptoms closely.
Explanation:
Your experience after having the stomach flu, which included severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, is not uncommon. Some people continue to experience digestive issues, including bloating, nausea, and changes in appetite, even after the initial infection has resolved. This could be due to various factors, including sensitivity following illness or potential impacts on your gut flora.
While conditions like Crohn’s disease or other forms of inflammatory bowel disease can cause similar symptoms, they usually present with more chronic issues affecting other aspects of your health over time. It's important to remain alert for any severe or unusual symptoms, but your current state may simply be a temporary reaction to the recent illness.
Actionable Next Steps:
-
Slowly Reintroduce Foods: Gradually add other bland and easy-to-digest foods to your diet, like rice, bananas, and yogurt. Keeping a food diary may help you identify triggers for your nausea and bloating.
-
Hydration: Continue to drink water, but consider electrolyte solutions (like sports drinks) to help replenish what may be lost. Avoid carbonated beverages or those high in sugar.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a record of your symptoms, including any changes in the severity or frequency of bloating, nausea, or bowel habits. Look out for signs of dehydration or persistent weight loss.
-
PROBIOTICS: Consider incorporating probiotics through foods such as yogurt or supplements. Probiotics can help restore balance to gut bacteria after gastrointestinal illness.
-
Follow Up on Medications: Since Pepcid has provided relief, consider consulting with a healthcare professional about a long-term plan or alternative medications if symptoms persist or worsen despite diet changes.
-
Seek Further Evaluation: If symptoms do not improve significantly in the next couple of weeks, or if they worsen, it would be wise to receive further evaluation from a healthcare provider. They might recommend tests to rule out other conditions that may require specific treatment.
Please remember to be patient with your recovery; your body has been through a lot. Control what you can by optimizing your diet and hydration, and keep an eye on your symptoms. If you have further questions or need clarification, feel free to ask!
Related Questions
Seeking Guidance on Persistent Chest Discomfort After Extensive Testing
I'm a 43-year-old male, standing at 5'11" and weighing 180 pounds. My journey began around March to April of 2025 when, despite regularly hitting the gym four times a week, I was struck by severe chest pain along with frequent belching and a tight feeling in my diaphragm. At times, the pain became so intense that I feared it might be a heart attack. **Medical History:** In May 2019, I received a diagnosis of **PVS** and have since been under the care of a cardiac electrophysiologist. Upon experiencing these new symptoms, I consulted my EP, who conducted an EKG right then and set me up with a 7-day heart monitor. The results showed no irregularities. Subsequently, I was directed to a cardiologist, who carried out both a **stress test** and an **echocardiogram**, both of which yielded normal findings. Afterward, I returned to my primary care physician, who speculated that my gallbladder might be involved. An **ultrasound** was performed but revealed no issues. I then requested a **chest X-ray**, which also came back normal. My PCP then considered the possibility of a **hiatal hernia** and referred me to a gastroenterologist; unfortunately, that appointment took almost **five months** to materialize. In the meantime, my symptoms persisted, prompting me to cease weightlifting and switch my focus to **cardio and running**. Surprisingly, these activities didn’t exacerbate my symptoms, though the chest pain remained constant. When I finally saw the gastroenterologist, they suggested an **upper endoscopy**, which took another roughly three months to arrange. During this procedure, I was diagnosed with **Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE)**, a condition I had not previously experienced. The doctors also placed a pH monitoring device for acid reflux assessment, which indicated **no unusual acid exposure**. Following this, I began a treatment plan that included a swallowed steroid inhaler and an increased dosage of **omeprazole**. Sixty days later, I underwent another endoscopy, which showed that the EOE had largely resolved, with minimal residual symptoms. Unfortunately, my chest discomfort persisted without any improvement. It has now been about **a year** since these issues emerged, and I still have not found substantial relief. A recent chest MRI completed at a dedicated imaging center revealed no abnormalities. I entertained the idea of **costochondritis**, but again, the MRI did not support that hypothesis. The only minor relief I find comes from consciously pulling my shoulders back and expanding my chest. I continue to experience discomfort around my **diaphragm** and tenderness in the area of the **xiphoid process**. My PCP prescribed a steroid pack, which was somewhat beneficial for the pain but failed to alleviate the pressure or constant discomfort. At this juncture, I feel quite lost and uncertain about my next steps. I would greatly appreciate any insights or experiences from others who have faced similar issues. Additionally, if there are any physicians here willing to offer advice, I am open to traveling to find the answers or relief I'm desperately seeking.
Understanding Mild Uncomplicated Diverticular Disease
I am a 29-year-old female, standing at 5'7" and weighing 130 pounds. Recently, a CT scan revealed that I have mild diverticulitis. About a week ago, I experienced significant discomfort, particularly in the pelvic region, along with pain in my right leg and hip, and some mild discomfort on the left side. After undergoing a CT scan, which confirmed the presence of mild diverticular disease, I was surprised that no one from my medical team provided any follow-up or acknowledged the condition. My blood tests returned normal results, and I was discharged without further information. While the pain subsided after about three days, it has unfortunately reappeared four days later. Is this something I should be worried about? What does this mean for me? I had a colonoscopy around 11 months ago, which indicated no issues.
Understanding the Reality of End-Stage Pancreatic Cancer
Navigating the complexities of end-stage pancreatic cancer can be overwhelming, and I'm seeking clarity on what lies ahead. My mother, who is 59 years old and weighs about 115 pounds, received her diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer in October 2025. Unfortunately, she has largely rejected the option of chemotherapy and is consuming her pain relief medications—specifically oxycodone and morphine—at an alarming rate. While I’m not worried about the dosage, the severity of her pain has reached a level that is becoming unbearable. Despite this, she is adamant about avoiding any hospital treatment, even though that's where she would receive the most effective pain management. I’ve attempted multiple times to get her medical attention, calling both hospitals and emergency services. However, due to her refusal for assistance, they have also turned us down. It was explained to me that taking her against her will could be considered kidnapping. After consulting with various healthcare professionals, I have been informed that her time may be measured in days or weeks. There’s also a chance that she could slip into unconsciousness, leaving me deeply unsettled. I am already in a state of mourning, yet I am desperate to understand what to expect in the coming days. It is crucial for me to prepare myself—emotionally and mentally—so that I can help ensure her comfort in these final moments. Plans are underway to engage hospice care, but the uncertainty fills me with apprehension. This is my mother, and I want to alleviate my fear so I can provide her with the support she needs as she nears the end of her journey. I yearn to be present for her without being entirely consumed by grief before she passes away. Any guidance or insight you could provide would be invaluable. I'm at a loss for what steps to take next and truly desire to navigate this situation with as much grace and readiness as possible.
Concerns After Gallbladder Surgery (Three Weeks Post-Op) - Is It an Infection?
Profile: - Age: 35 - Gender: Female - Height: 5 feet 4 inches - Weight: 160 pounds - Ethnicity: Asian Duration of Symptoms: Last Three Weeks Location: United States Recent Medical History: Nearly three weeks have passed since my gallbladder removal surgery. Over the last few days, I've noticed a small amount of unclear fluid coming from the incision. I just observed what seems to be pus oozing from the surgical site. Although there is slight tenderness when I move or touch the area, it isn't painful. Thankfully, I haven’t experienced any fever or chills, and there’s no unpleasant odor emanating from the wound. Should I continue to clean it with soap and water, or is it necessary for me to visit the emergency room for further evaluation?
Exploring Inositol and CoQ10 for Managing PCOS Symptoms
As a 28-year-old female, I have faced the challenges of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) since my teenage years. Starting from the age of 16, I have dealt with highly irregular menstrual cycles, occurring anywhere from three to eight months apart. My diagnosis has been substantiated through two ultrasounds and blood tests revealing elevated androgen levels. Despite maintaining a healthy diet and leading an active lifestyle—balancing my work as an environmental biologist with gym sessions alongside my husband—I continue to wrestle with weight management. Other symptoms impacting my daily life include significant hair loss, unwanted facial hair, and persistent fatigue. In my journey to manage PCOS, I previously sought counsel from a gynaecologist, who primarily suggested hormonal birth control as the main approach to alleviate my symptoms. Although I adhered to this recommendation for several years, the hormonal changes negatively impacted my mood, leading me to discontinue its use. Another alternative proposed by my gynaecologist involved androgen blockers, but these are not suitable for me since my husband and I plan to start a family in the next two to three years. Recently, my research led me to discover that supplements like Inositol and CoQ10 might effectively combat insulin resistance and lower androgen levels. They are purported to improve various symptoms associated with PCOS, including the regulation of ovulation, all while boasting minimal adverse effects. I am curious about the viability of these supplements as alternatives to hormonal birth control or androgen blockers in managing my PCOS symptoms.