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What Causes Persistent Diarrhea While On Nexium?
Question: Hey doctor,
I have been having this pain since last night in the upper and lower left side of my abdomen. I have attached a picture pointing mainly to where the pain is, but its kind of like a constant dull ache sensation along with general stomach upset/farting and I had some slight diarrhoea this morning. I ate some take away deepfried chips for dinner with home cooked lean chicken with salad/carrots at around 7pm. The pain first started to come on later in the night when I was working around 12am, I was filming for a music concert and I was walking/moving around a lot and holding up my camera which is kind of heavy. I did sweat quite a bit throughout it, possibly dehydrated to some extent. A bit of background I am 19 years old, have been having stomach issues for the last couple of years on and off with a recent flare up a 6 weeks ago of bad reflux which lead to a gastrocopy that didn't find anything really but I am still on Nexium 40mg every second day trying to come off of it after a 6 weeks on it. Recently though I have been having more lower stomach and digestive/bowel issues over the last couple of weeks and my acid reflux symptoms that I had are not as bad after being on the Nexium for a month, it's more so my lower stomach thats having issues now. I plan on seeing he doctor next week but I was just wondering if you had any ideas on what the pain in my stimach could be and if its realated to digestive or bowel issues, how I can manage the pain until I see a doctor? Thank you in advance.
One thing to add I am also suffering from a common cold at the same time as all of this. I am also noticing some more pain further to the left of my belly button and just below it also with a lot of stomach growling.
Kind Regards,
xxxxxxxx
I have been having this pain since last night in the upper and lower left side of my abdomen. I have attached a picture pointing mainly to where the pain is, but its kind of like a constant dull ache sensation along with general stomach upset/farting and I had some slight diarrhoea this morning. I ate some take away deepfried chips for dinner with home cooked lean chicken with salad/carrots at around 7pm. The pain first started to come on later in the night when I was working around 12am, I was filming for a music concert and I was walking/moving around a lot and holding up my camera which is kind of heavy. I did sweat quite a bit throughout it, possibly dehydrated to some extent. A bit of background I am 19 years old, have been having stomach issues for the last couple of years on and off with a recent flare up a 6 weeks ago of bad reflux which lead to a gastrocopy that didn't find anything really but I am still on Nexium 40mg every second day trying to come off of it after a 6 weeks on it. Recently though I have been having more lower stomach and digestive/bowel issues over the last couple of weeks and my acid reflux symptoms that I had are not as bad after being on the Nexium for a month, it's more so my lower stomach thats having issues now. I plan on seeing he doctor next week but I was just wondering if you had any ideas on what the pain in my stimach could be and if its realated to digestive or bowel issues, how I can manage the pain until I see a doctor? Thank you in advance.
One thing to add I am also suffering from a common cold at the same time as all of this. I am also noticing some more pain further to the left of my belly button and just below it also with a lot of stomach growling.
Kind Regards,
xxxxxxxx
Brief Answer:
Looks like enteritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for query.
Have gone through your narration and picture attached by you.
As ache is associated with loose stools and bloating most likely you are having acute enteritis.Enteritis means inflammation of intestines.This inflammation of the lining membrane of the stomach and the intestines is characterized especially by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps.
Most of the time its viral and self limiting in nature(usually caused by food or contaminated water).Though it can also be caused by few protozoans like amoeba.
Anatomically the area you are pointing by your fingers has colon(large intestine) hence gastroenteritis is the primary differential.
In such cases I usually advice the following:
Tab Azithromycin 250 mg twice a day(antibacterial)
Tab Tylenol twice daily (for pain)
Cap Omeprazole 40mg once daily before break fast.
Cap Econorm9any probiotic) thrice daily
All are OTC.
If pain not relieved then you need to add
Tab dicyclomine 10 mg thrice daily(anti spasmodic relieves intestinal spasm).
You will need a prescription to get these, so please do consult your local doctor and discuss the same.
Investigations suggested-
Ultrasound abdomen-To ruler out diverticulitis.
Stool microscopy.
Follow up with reports.
Take natural easily digestible vegetarian food for 5 days preferably rice and curd.
Thanks
Looks like enteritis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for query.
Have gone through your narration and picture attached by you.
As ache is associated with loose stools and bloating most likely you are having acute enteritis.Enteritis means inflammation of intestines.This inflammation of the lining membrane of the stomach and the intestines is characterized especially by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps.
Most of the time its viral and self limiting in nature(usually caused by food or contaminated water).Though it can also be caused by few protozoans like amoeba.
Anatomically the area you are pointing by your fingers has colon(large intestine) hence gastroenteritis is the primary differential.
In such cases I usually advice the following:
Tab Azithromycin 250 mg twice a day(antibacterial)
Tab Tylenol twice daily (for pain)
Cap Omeprazole 40mg once daily before break fast.
Cap Econorm9any probiotic) thrice daily
All are OTC.
If pain not relieved then you need to add
Tab dicyclomine 10 mg thrice daily(anti spasmodic relieves intestinal spasm).
You will need a prescription to get these, so please do consult your local doctor and discuss the same.
Investigations suggested-
Ultrasound abdomen-To ruler out diverticulitis.
Stool microscopy.
Follow up with reports.
Take natural easily digestible vegetarian food for 5 days preferably rice and curd.
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Do you think it is also worth getting a colonscopy done to rule out any colon problems as well or should I do the ultrasound and stool microscopy first? I have been taking Yalkult probitoic would that be ok for it seems to help me in terms of what to eat what foods should I completely avoid for now and how long does this condition usually last?Also to add to that since I have a cold as well is it ok to still take decongestants for my blocked nose or will that make my stomach feel worse? It has a slight bit of alchool in the one Demazin one I have.
Brief Answer:
follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,Colonoscopy is not a first line test so right now i don't think colonoscopy is indicated.
Initially a stool test should be done as problem has a acute onset.
This consition usually last for 5-7 days.
Take light and easily digestable food.
Fruits like banana.
Have apple curd and rice.
Avoid all processed foods, Meat and oily products.
Probiotic as suggested earlier is good for you.
You can have decongestant it won't effect your gut problem.
Regards.
follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,Colonoscopy is not a first line test so right now i don't think colonoscopy is indicated.
Initially a stool test should be done as problem has a acute onset.
This consition usually last for 5-7 days.
Take light and easily digestable food.
Fruits like banana.
Have apple curd and rice.
Avoid all processed foods, Meat and oily products.
Probiotic as suggested earlier is good for you.
You can have decongestant it won't effect your gut problem.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Hey doctor just to update I am noticing some slight pain and pressure when I am peeing I hav attached a picture roughly where it is but similar to the area in first picture and which radiates around there. I went to the local gp as well and he told to stick to a low fibre diet for now and see how it goes in 5-7 days but the peeing pressure has only come on recently what do you think it seems to be in the same area just a bit lower? Is it common for someone at my age of 19 to have these problems as well?He also said not to worry about doing any tests yet either.
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.
Detailed Answer:
Hey there
most likely you are suffering from urinary tract infection.An infection in any part of the urinary system, the kidneys, bladder or urethra.
Most of the times bacteria involved in enteritis reaches the urinary tract and cause symptoms of urinary tract.
I would suggest you to take
Nitrofurantoin 50mg twice daily.
Tylenol twice daily(anti inflammatory)
If not relieved in 3 days go for urine test.
Regards
Follow up answer.
Detailed Answer:
Hey there
most likely you are suffering from urinary tract infection.An infection in any part of the urinary system, the kidneys, bladder or urethra.
Most of the times bacteria involved in enteritis reaches the urinary tract and cause symptoms of urinary tract.
I would suggest you to take
Nitrofurantoin 50mg twice daily.
Tylenol twice daily(anti inflammatory)
If not relieved in 3 days go for urine test.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thanks for that doctor I have also been having this cough I have had a cold since the start of this week. At the same time though I have been tapering off of Nexium after being on it for 6 weeks and it feels as if the acid is coming up my throat at times. I have been taking Nexium 40mg for that time period and now I have been taking it every second day for the last week and half. Is there any tips that you have to getting off of this drug and am I doing the right thing? My gastroscopy came up with nothing so I had been prescribed these drugs uneccessarly and now it feels as if I am suffering from it, what should I do to get better relief?
Brief Answer:
follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
No there is no need to tapper off Nexium.You are already on a low dose and if you are symptomatic you should continue taking it minimum for 12 weeks.
Endoscopy in acid reflux disorders usually shows nothing.Main reason to do endoscopy is to see any ulcer or H.Pylori infection.
For better relief continue taking Nexium for 12 weeks and make doses 40 mg twice daily.
Regards!
follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
No there is no need to tapper off Nexium.You are already on a low dose and if you are symptomatic you should continue taking it minimum for 12 weeks.
Endoscopy in acid reflux disorders usually shows nothing.Main reason to do endoscopy is to see any ulcer or H.Pylori infection.
For better relief continue taking Nexium for 12 weeks and make doses 40 mg twice daily.
Regards!
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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