My nephew has been losing weight since about December. He hasn't been dieting at all. He was complaining of pain the stomach at first so the doctor told him to cut out the acid in his food. He did, but that didn't help any. He has severe pain when he eats and no matter how much he does eat, he still loses weight.

He has some x-rays taken and they showed air around his bowels and other organs. But the doctors are saying "he's dying" and also "It's all in his head". He had some blood tests done and he doesn't have cancer.

I think he was poisoned. But I am only basing it on a movie I saw this summer about a kid who ate the wrong thing in the woods and the plant made him starve to death no matter how much he ate. My nephew's symptoms are similar, but he hasn't ingested anything like that. That's not to say someone didn't slip him something though.

He's only 18 and looks like a concentration camp survivor. I am very worried about this kid. Any ideas? Possible poisons he could be exposed to or some other thing it could be?

Can't the doctors feed him through an IV? I had a diverticular abscess and was unable to eat for several days. They installed a pik line and fed me through an artery in my shoulder. Even thought I was in the hospital for a total of 11 days I only lost 3 pounds. I didn't feel any hunger at all and got good nutrition. Someone has to do something before he wastes away...can his parents take him to the ER and suggest that he be fed through his veins?

I hope a solution is found soon!

What kind of doctor has your nephew gone to? If he has gone to his PCP then I would recommend that he see a specialist such as a gastroenterologist. (sp?) What all have they checked your nephew for? Have they checked the acid levels in his stomach? Perhaps he has really bad ulcers. Or have they checked to make sure he doesn't have something chronic like chronic intestinal ischemia? Sorry if this doesn't help, I am no expert. Just thought I would throw a few ideas out there. I do hope you get answers soon, though I highly doubt he was poisoned. Please keep us posted on what his condition is. I hope he gets well soon.

He needs to be seen by a good gastrologist Now .It sounds like he has a serious problem. We would only be guessing it can be many things. Crohns or Colitis ect. Are you sure he does not have a eating disorder? The weight loss suggest it is something that should really be looked into by a gastro doc..

What kind of doctor has your nephew gone to? If he has gone to his PCP then I would recommend that he see a specialist such as a gastroenterologist. (sp?) What all have they checked your nephew for? Have they checked the acid levels in his stomach? Perhaps he has really bad ulcers. Or have they checked to make sure he doesn't have something chronic like chronic intestinal ischemia? Sorry if this doesn't help, I am no expert. Just thought I would throw a few ideas out there. I do hope you get answers soon, though I highly doubt he was poisoned. Please keep us posted on what his condition is. I hope he gets well soon.

He has been to several doctors. Most of them just say it's acid and don't even check him. He has been checked for ulcers. They put a camera down his throat not too long ago. They checked for cancer.

He has air around his intestines and other organs. Other than that everything looks normal there according to the doctors.

I honestly think he was poisoned. They haven't checked for that and I keep insisting that my sister make the doctors check.

He eats normally. I've seen him do it. He just keeps losing weight though.

It seems very odd that they would not try to find the cause of the air around his intestines and organs. Most things that would cause air in the abdomen are extremely serious and need immediate treatment. Your nephew should be seen by a gastro doctor and you or your sister should insist that they continue to treat and test him until they find what is wrong. If they won't help make them give you a referral to someone who can/will help. If needed take him to the ER and insist on tests/treatment. Make sure they know about everything and anything that you have been told so far. You may need to be a real thorn in their side to get things done, but your nephews health is worth annoying them. I truly hope that someone takes this seriously and gives you the answers and help that you need. In the meantime I will say a prayer for you nephew.
Good luck.

I agree with the others that he needs to see a specialist and find out what is wrong before it's too late. My prayers are with him.:angel:

Sincerely Nadine

I agree that they should be investigating the cause of the air. Is anyone going with your nephew to appointments? Yes, 18 year olds are adults but he needs a strong advocate to go with him.


Maggie

Is there any history of anyone being allergic to wheat or gluten? If he doesn't have cancer or a disease, maybe he's eating something he's allergic to? Sometimes allergies to food don't always show up, sometimes they show up in adulthood. I wouldn't think he has an eating disorder, even though people usually don't admit if they have one, he probably wouldn't go through blood tests and other rough tests. Don't give up trying to find out the cause!

Is there any history of anyone being allergic to wheat or gluten....

Right on the money!

This smells like Celiac disease to me.

Celiac disease is gluten intolerance, which destroys the villi in the small bowel leading to malnutrition and, ultimately, death from heart failure or even cancer.

Celiac disease almost killed me. I was at my wits end, in the hospital after losing 80 pounds in 6 months and unable to eat any more. I had terrible pain in my abdomen. Luckily for me they determined I had this disease. Since then I have removed gluten from my diet and am on the road to recovery.

Please have him checked for Celiac disease.

steve