I felt compelled to join this forum and
post a message after reading everyone's
posts!
I am a 23 year old college student who has
been suffering from stomach problems for
almost four years. I have read nearly
everyone's posts on this forum, and I can
relate with nearly every symptom. Since
most of the posts inquired about possible
causes of their problems and/or if anyone
can relate, I can offer both. I'll start
with my own story.
four years ago, I was prescribed
antibiotics for my moderate acne problem
i'd had since I was about 13 (at the time,
I was 1
. The medication
was eurythromycin (spelling?). Anyway, I
took my full course of antibiotics from
may of 1999 through november of 1999.
There was a huge improvement in my skin,
but I was beginning to notice a change in
my bowels. I passed it off as stress (i
had just started my first job) and the
possibility of stomach problems (i had
always had constipation problems as a
child). Anyway, I continued my daily
routines of taking my medicine and going
to work ( a stressful job). In early
december of that year, I caught the flu
(the bad cough, chest pains, i'm sure you
have all been there). I went to the the
doctor and she was convinced I had
bronchitis (something I had never had in
my life). I was prescribed cephtin to
clear up the "bronchitis". I began
taking cephtin (as I was told), and the
next day I had severe nausea with
cramping. My parents call my doctor, she
insisted I finish the antibiotics. The
nausea lasted for a couple of days. I
finally got better...Then about a week
later I began to have severe gas-like pain
and severe diarrhea. That lasted about a
day and a half. By january of 2000, I
was having constant stomach problems and
it's been a battle ever since. I began a
new job in august of 2000 (much less
stressful) and I noticed a huge
improvement with my stomach. I've had
two ultrasounds, stool samples, blood
work..Ect. Ect. Nothing has turned up.
Now, almost four years later, about two
months ago, I caught some kind of weird
virus or who knows what it was, and ever
since i've had nausea or constipation,
sometimes diarrhea. I've noticed that I
can't really eat right after a bowel
movement (i experience discomfort or
nausea). Four years ago, I was having
diarrea more often than nausea, now it's
just more nausea with less diarrea. I'm
at a new stressful job with a couple of
other stressful factors in my life.
Doctors don't really know what the problem
is. However, I do have a few of my own
hypothesis'.
1. Antibiotics. Antibiotics can kill
the bad bacteria in your system, but
unfortunately, they can also kill the
good. The good bacteria is what your
body needs to sustain a healthy disgestive
system. Eating foods rich in live,
active cultures (such as yogurt..Soy
yogurt if you're staying away from milk).
You might also want to consider taking an
acidophilus supplement.
2. Stress.
3. Lactose intolerance. I was allergic
to milk when I was an infant and had to be
switched to soy.
4. Viruses! I think the body may have
a hard time recovering from severe
viruses. This might explain why some
people experience symptoms long after
they're well.
I hope my story helps! I am still
seeking out answers to my problems and I
hope everyone is successful in your
pursuits, also! I have to make a
doctor's appointment tomorrow...I'm sure
they'll want to order more tests.
Anyway, good luck and god bless you all!
:d
sincerely,
"been there"
23 years old, female, california.
