Nephew is very sick, need advice, he is starving - Bowel Disorders Message Board

-CvC- · 03-18-2008, 09:05 PM

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?

Redneon82 · 03-18-2008, 09:42 PM

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!

niknak77 · 03-18-2008, 10:14 PM

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.

gardenandcats · 03-19-2008, 07:35 PM

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..

-CvC- · 03-19-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niknak77

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.