OpenHealth Q&A

Facing Ongoing Health Issues: Seeking Guidance

Hello everyone, I’m a 23-year-old assigned female at birth, currently weighing around 140 pounds, which is part of my current concerns. I’m on medications for depression (Auvelity), migraines (Topiramate), and acid reflux (Omeprazole). I’ve been on these treatments for quite some time without any noticeable improvements. My lifestyle and dietary choices haven’t changed either, and just to clarify, I’m definitely not expecting; my partner is a woman. Here’s a summary of what’s been happening: - To get straight to it, I am experiencing severe diarrhea. It doesn’t seem to matter what I consume – even just water brings it on within 10 to 20 minutes, often as pure liquid. - I’ve been feeling nauseous regardless of the trigger. For instance, when my girlfriend steps out of the shower with her fragrant body wash, it causes me to gag. Fortunately, I’ve only thrown up twice. If I avoid hefty meals, I seem to dodge that outcome, but I’ve been primarily dealing with diarrhea. - My appetite has diminished significantly. I’m not entirely sure if it’s a true loss of appetite or if my body instinctively knows that food wouldn’t stay down. Over the past week, I’ve barely eaten anything substantial, just grazing occasionally to stave off feeling faint. - There are sporadic bouts of intense pain radiating from my lower left abdomen. This discomfort appears to be random – unprovoked by food or touch – and can force me to double over for periods of 5 to 20 minutes, followed by a return to normalcy. The pain can be quite severe, possibly around a 7 out of 10. - I have noticed a significant drop in my weight; I was 157 pounds before these symptoms struck. - Additionally, I frequently feel lightheaded and slightly disoriented, likely due to dehydration and inadequate nutrition. In terms of over-the-counter remedies, I’ve tried Pepto-Bismol and Imodium. Pepto-Bismol had no effect on my symptoms. Imodium helps temporarily, particularly if I need to go out, but it leads to an eventual more intense episode later. Now, here’s the full context: Last Saturday (September 7), I began experiencing symptoms reminiscent of a stomach bug – nausea, diarrhea, the complete set. At first, I didn’t think much of it, attributing it to the seasonal changes. However, my condition deteriorated; keeping food down became impossible, prompting me to visit the nearest urgent care. They suggested it might be a bacterial infection and prescribed antibiotics, which I was hopeful about. Unfortunately, as time passed and after completing the antibiotic course, my situation only worsened. Diarrhea increased, and even the smell of food became unbearable. This was also when the episodes of pain started cropping up. I reached out to the urgent care facility again, only to be advised to go to the emergency room. At this point, it was September 14, just to note the timeline. At the ER, they conducted several tests: urine analysis, bloodwork, and a CT scan. The result? Nothing alarming was discovered. The doctor returned empty-handed, shrugging and instructing me to head home. While I wasn’t hoping for dire news like internal bleeding, I also felt unsettled by the lack of answers. Now I’m at a loss for what steps to take next. I’ve never faced such significant gastrointestinal troubles before, and while I want to attribute this to a stubborn bug, my instincts are telling me that something else may be at play here (or perhaps I just need to find a bathroom quickly!). I did manage to contact my primary care physician at some point, but unfortunately, they don’t have any openings until October. Typical timing, right? I fear that by then, I might be in a much worse state.

Answers (1)

9/14/2025, 7:31:10 PM

OpenHealth AI

I understand you're experiencing a troubling array of gastrointestinal issues, including severe diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and significant weight loss. These symptoms can be distressing, especially as you haven’t found relief from medications or over-the-counter remedies. It's essential to prioritize your health and take steps that might help alleviate your discomfort while waiting for further medical evaluations.

Summary of Main Points:

1. You have significant gastrointestinal symptoms that are impacting your nutrition and hydration.
2. You have already sought medical advice, but further action is needed given the persistence and severity of your symptoms.
3. Your health concerns should be addressed immediately, especially with your weight loss and dehydration risks.

Explanation:

Your symptoms of diarrhea and nausea, combined with abdominal pain and weight loss, suggest that something beyond a simple stomach bug may be occurring. Factors like medications (Topiramate, Omeprazole), potential food intolerances, or underlying gastrointestinal conditions (e.g., inflammatory bowel diseases) could be contributing to your situation. The failure to respond to antibiotics and the worsening of symptoms raise concerns for possible underlying issues that need to be addressed.

Next Steps:

1. Hydration: Focus on staying hydrated. Since you're experiencing diarrhea, consider oral rehydration solutions (ORS) like Pedialyte or homemade electrolyte drinks to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes. Drink small sips frequently rather than large amounts at once.

2. Dietary Adjustments: Temporarily switch to a bland diet; try consuming easily digestible foods like bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (BRAT diet). Avoid fatty, spicy, or high-fiber foods that might worsen your symptoms.

3. Symptom Diary: Start keeping a diary of your symptoms, food intake, and any activities that seem to influence your nausea or diarrhea. This record can be helpful for your doctor in upcoming evaluations.

4. Nausea Management: Consider over-the-counter medications such as meclizine (for nausea) or ginger tea, which may help settle your stomach. Be cautious with these if you're experiencing significant vomiting.

5. Follow-up Care: Given the seriousness of your symptoms, make it a priority to contact your primary care provider’s office again to explain your situation and ask for an earlier appointment or another avenue for care. You might also consider visiting a gastroenterologist for specialized evaluation of your gastrointestinal symptoms.

6. Emergency Care: If you experience severe dehydration signs (like very little urine output, extreme weakness, or confusion), or if the abdominal pain intensifies, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Your health and well-being are paramount, and while you’re doing your best to manage these symptoms, please don’t hesitate to seek care designed to offer further insight into the underlying causes. You're taking the right step by seeking help. Let me know if you need further details on any of these recommendations!