hair loss, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting....

frenchie77 · 09-03-2003, 10:18 AM

Okay, here is my story...
26 yr old female-
My mother has Lupus, sister Crohns, and several uncles have intestinal problems. Yesterday I went in for a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy because I have been having strange symptoms for over 2 years- severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting, extreme hair loss (about 50%), body aches, headaches, fatigue, dizzy spells, and tooth decay. My blood tests have shown that I am severely low in calcium and iron and this is why the doctor assumed I may have Crohns or a malabsorbtion problem. Well, after the colonoscopy yesterday he said that my colon, stomach, and all looked normal and that I would now have to wait to see the results of the biopsies. I am very confused as to what else could be going on with me and really want to get my symptoms taken care of as soon as possible. He did say that I may need to have another exam where he gives me a pill/camera thing to swallow (don't remember the name) that can take pictures of my small intestine to make sure that there is not a problem there. Does anyone have any advice, ideas, or suggestions? Some of my symptoms are strange and I would like to know if anyone else is suffering the same thing. I am currently living in France and want to be sure that I am having the best treatment possible, though I do feel that the doctor I am seeing is very thorough. Another thing I should add is that I was diagnosed with PCOS- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, about 4 years ago and take multiple meds for this- Glucophage, Spironolactone, Mircette, and then Paxil and Xanax. Would any of these meds be causing such symptoms. Thanks bunches for any info...

cee27 · 09-03-2003, 12:41 PM

i'm not familar with your case but i know paxil has serious side effects..

mlgable · 09-03-2003, 01:43 PM

Read your literature that come's (came) with each of those medications to see if any of your symptoms are listed as side effects. I would assume you have diabetes too give that take Glucophage which is a diabetes medication. Has the doc tested you for celiac sprue at all? Some of the symptoms could be from that. I am also wondering if testing your for arthristis might be a good idea if the doc hasn't done this since the aches and pains etc could be the start of arthritis. I am sure more posters will have other ideas that come to mind that the doc should test for but at least this is a start.

frenchie77 · 09-03-2003, 02:48 PM

Thanks for the posts. I will try to read up on what are the side effects to all the medication that I am taking. I doubt that paxil is the problem because I have been on that for about 6 years with only having these bad symptoms the past two years. Not sure though. Also, I take Glucophage for my Polycystic diease. It is a regular treatment these days for women with the disease because they often have problems with insulin levels. I have read that this medicine can cause intestinal disturbances but am very reluctant to get off of it because it has helped me so much. I have also been told that my aches and pains are most likely caused by my calcium and iron deficiencies. Supposedly a very low level of something in your blood with cause muscle cramps and aches because it is trying to get the nutrients elsewhere. Does this sound right? Have not been tested for Celiac Sprue. Never heard of it myself either until now, but just did a search on it and I do have multiple symptoms. Will ask my doc about that on the next visit. Thanks again cee27 and mlgable!

frenchie77 · 09-09-2003, 10:46 AM

I got my blood results back today, but still have to wait for the biopsies from the colonoscopy. Trying to get an appointment with the doctor to get these interpreted, but thought I would post them to see if anyone understands-

eosinophiles- high at 14%
total iron binding capacity- high
coefficient of stauration of iron- low
albumin-low
globulin alpha 1- high
globulin alpha 2- high
globulin beta- high
globuline gamma- normal
globulin A\G ratio - low

Thanks!