This is a long story, so I will try to make it short. Over the past 9 months, I have had continual GI problems. I do currently live in a third world country where parasites like giardia and ameobas are common. However, I also have a family history of colon cancer (my mom has HNPCC and I was found to have a benign polyp at age 24- I am now 26).
In the beginning, my main symptoms were mucous in the stools (though not diarrhea) and common headaches and tiredness. Though a stool test came back negative, I was treated for ameobas based on symptoms. Symptoms cleared, but within 2 weeks, I was ill again. Another stool kit revealed giardia. Again, treatment cleared up symptoms, but only briefly before I was rediagnosed with ameobas (this time based on a positive stool test). By this point, around 4 months had passed. The mucous continued, even after treatment.
I was sent to see a Gastroenterologist. She believes I have IBS and has now put me on several different series of anti-spasmodics and other medications and have been put on special IBS diets (low fat/sugar, no fresh vegetables, no oil). Though these help, the symptoms return after I finish the round of medications and return to a normal diet. I was recently (a month ago) diagnosed again with giardia, at the same time that I was set to start another round of these medicines and diets. At the time, I was experiencing lots of bloating, gas, and diarrhea. But, despite taking the medications, and continuing the special diet longer than prescribed, the diarrhea continues any time I stray from the prescribed diet by eating even so much as a single cookie (even though I was supposed to be able to quit that diet after the first week- I've continued based on symptoms). A few days ago, I finished the last of the anti-spasmodic medication, and symptoms continue. Also, I have had a low-grade fever (99-100) on-and-off for around 3 months and have a persistent point of tenderness, while lying down, just above the navel and continuing a little to the left (my left). There has never been blood found in the stools.
Though parasites are common here, to have gotten infected so repeatedly is not normal. And the persistence of symptoms despite treatment is concerning. Though I generally trust the medical advice I'm being given here, after 9 months of problems, I do start to worry. Also, I found it a bit concerning that the gastroenterologist I've been seeing didn't seem at all interested in my family history of HNPCC. However, at my last appt, she did mention that, if the diarrhea persisted, she might want to do a colonoscopy. The only problem is that the organization I work for (and who provides my medical care) will not allow colonoscopies in country as they require general anesthesia. For me to get a colonoscopy, I would have to quit my job and return to the States. I do not wish to quit my job, but not at the risk of my health. What do I do?
