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Suggest Treatment For Severe Nausea, Diarrhea And Lack Of Appetite

Posted on Sat, 24 Sep 2016

Question: I am wondering if I'm going through perimenopause. I am 39 and used to take clonidine for another issue. I have noticed that I've been feeling all the symptoms listed since stopping but also have been dealing lately with nausea, trouble eating, and diarrhea. Could these be related?

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
As below

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
Are your periods regular ?
Would you mind telling me what symptoms are you referring to, when you say all the symptoms listed ?
What were you taking clonidine for ?
Do you have any menopausal changes ?
I think nausea, trouble eating and diarrhoea would more likely be due to a gastrointestinal issue, and not perimenopause.
Need more details though.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (12 minutes later)

Periods are coming late and are shorter than usual. Symptoms: Hot flashes, depressed, irritable, sensitive to hear, difficulty sleeping, sweating, vaginal dryness itching and pain during sex, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, frequent urination, dry mouth, psoriasis, bruising easily and headaches.
I was taking clonidine to help with anxiety at night. I would wake up with racing heart.

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
As below

Detailed Answer:
All of these symptoms tally with those of peri menopause.
You can easily get blood work done to confirm this diagnosis.
Just get the following done - FSH, LH , Serum estradiol.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (21 hours later)

I am waiting to get the blood work done for FSH LH Serum estradiol. My psychiatrist I met with yesterday thinks it's a gluten/wheat allergy. I don't agree as my symptoms are all listed under perimenopause and I don't have a lot of the common symptoms of gluten intolerance. Can things like hot flashes, irregular periods, depression, vaginal pain during sex, nausea, and frequent urination be from gluten intolerance? I don't experience any foggy feeling, fatigue, bloating/gas after eating
gluten. Also my diarrhea has gotten better in the last couple weeks so maybe that is a virus.

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
As below

Detailed Answer:
No, the symptoms mentioned are not associated with gluten intolerance.
The Gastrointestinal upset could have been a virus, you are right.
I would rule out perimenopause first.
When have you stopped clonidine ?
Have you noticed a causal association between the onset of symptoms and stopping clonidine ?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (3 days later)

I stopped the clonidine in mid-April. It's hard to say. The day itself varies as does the time of the month. I was hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital in mid-April to make med changes for my Bipolar. I was having crippling panic attacks. I went to my NP today and presented my symptoms of perimenopause. She said that I would not be showing any signs of perimenopause as I am on birth control pills. I have been on the pill for years. My pill brand was changed mid-April with different generic brands, from Sprintec to Estarylla.
I have scheduled another appointment with an ob/gyn for tomorrow. However, if it is true that being on birth control would keep me from having perimenopausal symptoms I don't want to waste my time or money. It's frustrating because I feel like the numerous symptoms I've been experiencing the last couple years are hormone related but my psychiatrist thinks it's a gluten allergy and my NP doesn't know. She told me to stop taking oxybutin that I'm on for urinary incontinence. She is really only focused on my digestive issues. Please help!

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
As below

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes, being on the birth control would keep you from having perimenopausal symptoms.
If you are having these symptoms inspite of the birth control, then again it is confusing because it is less likely to be perimenopause.
Stop the birth control for a month, and get the blood work done.
That will give a definitive diagnosis.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (39 hours later)

I'm wondering if it could be a thyroid issue. I am Bipolar and on lithium. Tests done recently say my lithium level is okay and my thyroid looked okay. Could there be other tests they need to run on my thyroid? my monocyte count is 1.4 and I have psoriasis.

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
As below

Detailed Answer:
If your TSH level is normal, then there are no further tests to be done.
Have you been investigated for auto immune disease ?
It could co exist with psoriasis.
Take care.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Priyanka G Raj