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What Causes Persistent Weight Loss, Nausea And Dizziness After A Back Surgery?

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Posted on Thu, 1 Sep 2016
Question: hello I am a 40 old female with prior back surgeries
which unfortunately resulted in osteomyelitis of the
sacrum. for the past month maybe 2 months I'm dropping weight everytime I eat I get
nauseous I just recently had blood work done butt unfortunately when I get it infection it doesn't show up in my white blood cell count and I do not get fevers I have been getting chills sweats dizziness pain and control if I do eat my stomach bloats immediately. I'm constantly tired. due to the fact that I've had some awful experiences with doctors and surgeons I don't go on a regular basis I've had a complete hysterectomy I'm crying all the time I'm not sure if it's the pain or if I'm just losing my mind. not sure what if I should go to another doctor stomach hurts only on left side and in my shanks both sides but mostly left
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Likely to be a viral infection.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. It seems that you have been getting viral infections. The WBC counts and other parameters remain unaffected in a viral infection.

The tiredness needs evaluation. Get your thryoid profile checked. Hypothyroidism is a very common cause of such a presentation.

I understand that visits to doctors might often be stressful but nevertheless are sometime still essential. You need not get stressed over them. They are usually not that bad.

Please describe the location of your abdominal discomfort and mention if there are any aggravating and relieving factors. Mention if there is any association with food intake. Also mention if your bowel habits are proper. Constipation is a likely cause of your problems. If that is the case, taking plenty of dietary fibers and fiber supplements should help. You also need to take plenty of water and fluids to drink.

Feel free to write back.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (43 minutes later)
well when I force myself to eat no matter what I eat after a couple of bites my left side starts hurting and I immediately bloat and the pain will even move up into my Lt side back in will try your expel gas but I can't seem to relave it
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Likely to be due to GERD

Detailed Answer:
​Thanks for clarifying. Your problem seems to be due to gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux. Our gastrointestinal tract has a forward propulsive movement (peristalsis) that moves the food material forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally expelled as feces. If somehow this movement gets hampered, food along with the digestive juices would stagnate, stomach acid will reflux into the food pipe and on the other hand the bowel habits would not be proper. Degradation of undigested food in the intestines by the intestinal bacteria would lead to the excess gas formation.

​​In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fibre intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep 20 mg tablet once daily for at least 2 months (it may take time for the action to set in).
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.

Hope that helps.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (45 minutes later)
ok awesome i will most definitely try that but 1 more question is it possible years after a complete hysterectomy to have crazy moods swings and hot flashes? I do not normal have ever taking hormone replacement therapy
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Hormone depletion

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Hormone depletion is quite likely following complete hysterectomy (the ovaries get removed as well) and so mood swings and hot flushes are not unlikely. Hormone replacement therapy should help in resolving the problem.

Regards
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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What Causes Persistent Weight Loss, Nausea And Dizziness After A Back Surgery?

Brief Answer: Likely to be a viral infection. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. It seems that you have been getting viral infections. The WBC counts and other parameters remain unaffected in a viral infection. The tiredness needs evaluation. Get your thryoid profile checked. Hypothyroidism is a very common cause of such a presentation. I understand that visits to doctors might often be stressful but nevertheless are sometime still essential. You need not get stressed over them. They are usually not that bad. Please describe the location of your abdominal discomfort and mention if there are any aggravating and relieving factors. Mention if there is any association with food intake. Also mention if your bowel habits are proper. Constipation is a likely cause of your problems. If that is the case, taking plenty of dietary fibers and fiber supplements should help. You also need to take plenty of water and fluids to drink. Feel free to write back. Regards