My husband is 43 and moderately overweight. Over the past few years each fall and winter when the temperature outside goes below 70 or so he starts feeling sick. In general he is very tired all the time and has no energy. Most days he cannot go to work (self-employed as a remodeler) and when he does go he often comes home early because he is too weak. Sometimes he can sleep but at night he often cannot. He states he feels weird inside all the time, has chills and is weak. At night he has profuse sweating where the bed sheets become soaked. He usually has a low grade temperature. In addition but it comes and goes he has frequent heartburn, diarrhea and bloody (dark) stool. He has seen a specialist for chronic sinus infections and antibiotics (when we can get them) sometimes help but only temporarily. He has been tested for all the usual things such as H-pylorie, TB, Hep. HIV, etc. None indicated anything. He has hypoglycemia but this is under control. We have monitored his glucose levels but they do not correlate with any of the symptoms. We have also tried all kind of vitamins including Melaluca. We have also been to a chiropractor for some back pain and those adjustments did not effect the symptoms either. We do not have insurance so we cannot afford to visit doctor after doctor. We have to be very selective on what we do. He (we) is frustrated and refuses to even go to the local clinic now that we have been many times with no results. So basically at the moment we are doing nothing. (except praying for directions and answers) Can any one help or have any ideas on which direction to go next?? Thank you.

Shelly:
Environmental sensitivities can make people react in a number of ways. But, what I would suggest is a number of things. Blood in the stool would be the first thing to get an answer to. It is nothing to postpone or put-off. There is a reason for that blood in the stool. I recommend seeing a gastroenterologist. A gastro doctor will cover the stomach problems, the blood in the stool and the loose bowels. The doc may recommend a stomach scoping and colonscopy. I know I had similar symptoms (but no fever) and I had a small bleeding ulcer. I did feel weak but I also had other problems - fibromyalgia. The second thing I would suggest is to be tested for lyme's disease and lupus. If after all this comes out clear, I would research chronic fatigue immune deficiency syndrome. If you go to the fibro board, you will see a good doc list for that. I understand you're not having insurance and this can all can be very expensive. I personally would start with the gastro doc. Blood in the stool is a major clue to something going on that should be looked into further. Good luck and hope you find some help for your husband.

Hi, There are other possibilities as well. Seasonal Affective Disorder. Millions suffer from depression, low energy, lowered libido, etc. It is thought to be due to the lack of light, as days get shorter, among other things. If this is an aspect of your husbands ills, then colitis, or ulcerative colitis call be an accompanying stmptom, which would accout for bloody stool. I do also recommend seeing a gastro-enterologist, as well as a psychotherapist. Colitis is well known for being a symptom of internalized and unexpressed emotional difficulties.


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