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.