hi
I have had bad gastrointestinal problems during my college days, alternating diarrhea and constipation, and even black out. Later i took a BSc course on Holistic Nutrition & also Colon management, and now understand how these problems come about. So i suggest that you visit licenced health centre that do colon management in your area, and also go for a good brand of natural probiotics (friendly bacteria). i suppose you could look this up at the yellow pages.

It could be a whole variety of things or even more than one. I am in the same( or a similar) boat with urgent diarrhea, weight loss, cramping, and no known cause yet. I think we need to be proactive and keep nagging doctors until we figure it out.

Had to register--sorry. I started having intermittent chronic diarrhea about 1 and 1/2 years ago and tried to ignore the fact--didn't see a doctor or anything. Well, over the past month it has become on occasion urgent and explosive and life-altering. I see no blood or mucus, though. I went to my pd and did the standard stool sample (egads)--nothing was found to be wrong. I was referred to a gastroenterologist but I am afraid to go for a gazillion tests and then still not knowing. I have read many blogs and posts about that happening and hate to go through a litany of tests to be told to eat more fiber and control my stress. I eat very lightly and healthfully and hate this. I have cramps in my lower abdomen that are sometimes pretty severe. I have had a history of anorexia and I hate to think it may be related. I am not anorexic now but afraid to eat many solid foods before being in public as this can exacerbate the issue. I don't have the exact symptoms of any disease I've read up on (not Cronh's or IBS or gardia or pancreatitis or any of the gazillion others that are scaring me), but I come closest to ulcerative colitis yet with no blood or mucous in the stool. Help! This is horrible. I am starting to think my stress is coming out my rear, and I am a refined woman. Embarrassing and almost shameful-feeling:(

Dan, and other Colitis, Crohns/ IBD suffers

I have ulcerative Colitis, diagnosed at 15. I have suffered simular symptoms that you described. My body at times becomes completey disabled from the illness. Where I cannot eat sleep or go out because I am undergoing a severe flare-up. A flare up is a time where the disease is out of remmision and when symptoms are at their worste. Which requires Steroids, Anti inflamartory drugs, and liqud diet until the intestines calm down. It is an auto immune disease. Which means your body is litterally attacking itself. There are treatment options that your doctor will recommend depending on your case. You will most likely need a colonoscopy to scope out the situaton in your entire digestive track. Anyways, I've tried many things to be well. But I am never 100%, but there are times where I am more functional( whene I am not in a moderate- severe flare up). The one thing I regret is going on a healing diet which I will recommend to you. Once I got off it I started to get sick again. I will try my best to start again. Because I've been experiencing such horrendous symtoms I am in fear of it getting worste and my colon be removed, because the inflammation is in my colon, and that of Ulcerative Colitis sufferers. The main thign is to lower the inflammation, once the inflammation is down and in check, your body will not attack itself. It is important to read the book BREAKIGN A VICIOUS CYCLE- The diet you will need to follow is the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It has helped many suuferers of Colits, Crohns disease. It is a a diet which will resotre your bodys good bacteria and let your inflammation eventually decrease, and even deminish to ultimetly, a point of overal wellness. It is important to be kind to yourself, and not judge the situation, as hard as it is, you must make a mental acceptance in times of flare up so you do not make it worste. Stress, dispaire and resistance can cause more harm than good, and will not bring the universe to make you well! Listen to some good music, thats a great sensory healer too!- my faves- Beatles, doors, leppelin, floyd, beach boys, dylan... its all good stuff! and it will be your best friend in you time of trial and suffering. while youre at it go into a hot bubble bath, a few candles and add epsom salts for your full relaxation, try and deep breathe of course too. Enjoy after or during your bath, a nice cup of hot herbal tea.
For every sufferer of IBD and illness... Wishing you peace love and harmony!