Mystery illness??

October 17, 2009 6:30 PM

Never-sick person + sickness = hell.

For the past 4 days I have been plagued with symptoms that have baffled me.

No fever; yet: nausea (vomited once), headaches, near-constant dizziness/equilibrium problems, some fairly epic diarrhea. Most persistent issue is what I describe as a thunderstorm in my stomach- rumbling, gassiness, etc., worse after eating.

Today my nausea felt like it had subsided but later in the day (after grocery shopping) the dizziness increased to the point that I got re-nauseous (moreso the way you get when you are carsick or otherwise equilibrim-based nausea). What is going on? Is there any new/bizarre strain of flu or other type of illness going around that would account for it?

In the past I suffered some post-surgery dehydration that gave me similar dizziness. I drank a lot of water today thinking perhaps that was it; maybe the diarrhea exacerbated fluid loss. But this evening it's worse than ever. And if it were food-based, wouldn't it have run its course by now?

I am hardly ever sick and this is about unendurable. I've been irritable, impatient and jumpy. I am very reluctant to go to the doctor with these symptoms because they sound like just the random set of things that will guarantee either a result of "Don't know; take a few days off and see what happens" or worse, "go see specialist(s) X, Y and/or Z" and spend time and money I do not have to waste right now.

I know YANMD but all insights appreciated as long as you don't rag me for my anti-doctor stance).

posted by I_Love_Bananas to health & fitness (45 comments total)

The only thing I can recommend is to try and replace the electrolytes and fluid you lost with the diarrhea. Try sipping some Gatorade, or Gatorade cut half-and-half with water. That will probably help the dizziness.

Feel better. This sounds awful.
posted by corey flood at 6:43 PM on October 17

I have no Gatorade and absolutely don't feel like driving/going out.... what else could I drink to get more benefit than just water?
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 6:50 PM on October 17

Salmonella (and the runs that result from it) can last 4 days, and everything else can be chalked up to the dehydration that results. As far as a recommendation, ditto Corey Flood - think about fluid and electrolyte replacement, and Gatorade is great for that. Also, a tea made from a few slices of ginger boiled in water, with a bit of sugar added will help immensely with the nausea.
posted by deadmessenger at 6:52 PM on October 17 [1 favorite has favorites]

I don't know if this is a possibility as I don't know if you are female but it sounds quite a bit like you might be pregnant.

I am not a doctor but the nausea is certainly characteristic as is the dizziness (I once fainted and the hospital staff sort of assumed I was pregnant). The irritability sounds like it would fit in as well and a quick google search indicates that diarrhea might be a symptom as well. I am certainly not trying to freak you out (for all I know you are male and this is not a possibility) but best of luck to you either way!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 6:53 PM on October 17

This might be a lingering case of food poisoning, but given that some women seem to get diarrhea along with nausea in the early months, is it at all possible that you're pregnant?

If you need electrolytes, make your own home-grown solution.
posted by maudlin at 6:54 PM on October 17

H1N1 is hitting a lot of healthy young people.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 6:54 PM on October 17

You can make an electrolyte replacement drink with stuff you probably already have in the house.
posted by deadmessenger at 6:55 PM on October 17

Pregnancy is most definitely NOT a reason. trust me.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 6:56 PM on October 17

what else could I drink to get more benefit than just water?

I think Gatorade is water with a little salt & sugar added. Plus some Fierce Food Coloring. St. Google delivers this:

After all, anyone who likes Gatorade could save money by making their own version. A home-made Gatorade can be made as follows: mix roughly 93.3% tapwater (7 fluid oz), 3 tablespoons sugar (sucrose/table sugar), 1/16 teaspoon of salt stirred into a preparation of 1 fluid oz. lemon-flavored citrus juice. Voila, you a Gator maker. [cite]

Dunno if it's accurate, but it sounds like it might help a little.
posted by spacewrench at 6:57 PM on October 17 [1 favorite has favorites]

I got the H1N1 in Hungary this summer; my symptoms didn't include diarrhea, but everything else you had - and some of my peers who also came down with it had symptoms which matched yours entirely. Many of us came down with it. Those of us who didn't get diarrhea took about 14-18 days to recover. It was awful. These who did have diarrhea recovered in a little more than a week. We all had nausea and few of ate much the whole time, though we did stay on top of the dehydration issue. My main issues were dizziness (after walking only a few steps) and a total inability to walk in a straight line or navigate uphill motion. It sucks, but you'll survive.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 7:03 PM on October 17

Dee, wouldn't there be fever with H1N1?
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 7:04 PM on October 17

Eponysterical, I know, but I had the same experience this past week and in retrospect, I'm fairly sure I came down with H1N1. The flu all but mowed down everyone I work with this past week, myself included. The symptoms I had began with an annoying cough, followed by a three day-long headache, two days of a fever that reached 102 at its peak, a nose that wouldn't stop leaking, some awesome bowel issues and the same kind of dizziness you describe. Three or four days after my fever finally broke, I was still experiencing a dizziness that got worse while in the car or out and about.

I never get the flu. The last time I was this sick, I was worried about getting my arithmetic homework done. Anyway, I spent a few days hopped up on Dayquil, Theraflu and lots of water and green tea. As far as I've read, H1N1 doesn't necessarily require that there be a fever, but it's definitely a hallmark. If it lasts and you decide to consult a doctor, consider giving your local walk-in clinic or GP a call to ask their advice before going in, in case you add to the din of people going in for flu-related symptoms.
posted by theraflu at 7:08 PM on October 17

H1N1 is hitting a lot of healthy young people.

Yes, but it's not a gastrointestinal illness. It can occasionally come with nausea and diarrhea, but the usual symptoms are like the typical symptoms of seasonal flu: fever, aches, cough, sore throat, congestion -- the basic NyQuil array of discomforts.
posted by redfoxtail at 7:08 PM on October 17

Which is just to say, if you don't also have any of: a fever, a cough, a sore throat, or a runny/stuffy nose, in addition to the symptoms described in the post, my mind wouldn't leap to the flu.

IAcertainlyNAD.

Purely from the point of view of treating symptoms, Immodium AD is a very effective over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicine.
posted by redfoxtail at 7:14 PM on October 17

H1N1? Really? No.

OP: Sounds a heck of a lot like some form of food poisoning. Did you eat anything unusual a week or two ago? Eat a lot of seafood or poultry?
posted by Justinian at 7:24 PM on October 17

WebMD has a nice symptom checker you can delve into. After filling out a few of your symptoms, a few that popped out at me were viral gastroenteritis, food poisoning or carbon monoxide poisoning. You say your nausea got better after you had been outside, but then returned after you went back home, this lends some credence to the carbon monoxide theory, and would certainly be one of the easier problems to check out without going to the doctor.
posted by sophist at 7:25 PM on October 17

Oh, dairy products would be of interest as well. Unpasteurized or raw milk or cheese?
posted by Justinian at 7:26 PM on October 17

sophist: CO poisoning isn't a bad thought but the concentrations of CO that would cause the symptoms described are high enough to cause unconsciousness and death fairly rapidly, and the OP is still alive.
posted by Justinian at 7:29 PM on October 17

Dee, wouldn't there be fever with H1N1?

Not necessarily. The OP does not mention respiratory problems such as cough though, which I think is a better indicator of H1N1. That being said, there is definitely some serious flu going around this year and it is a distinct possibility.
posted by sophist at 7:30 PM on October 17

Justinian: the concentrations of CO that would cause the symptoms described are high enough to cause unconsciousness and death fairly rapidly.

From CDC:
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. High levels of CO inhalation can cause loss of consciousness and death. Unless suspected, CO poisoning can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other illnesses.
posted by sophist at 7:33 PM on October 17

There isn't necessarily a fever with the normal flu.

If you refuse to see a doctor, you're basically choosing to ride it out with no treatment, so it doesn't really matter what it is. Just make sure you don't get dehydrated.
posted by kathrineg at 7:39 PM on October 17

Sophist: Yes, thats all true. Those symptoms then progress to unconsciousness and death in the space of 10 minutes to a few hours.
posted by Justinian at 7:39 PM on October 17

CO would affect others in the house, though, right? It's just me that's illin'.

FYI I have followed the above links and have been forcing down some home-brewed "gatorade." I hope it helps because it tastes awful.

I've been thinking back over possible food culprits and the only thing other than home cooking that everyone shared was Olive Garden soup and salad last Sunday. This hit me at its worst on Thursday.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 7:40 PM on October 17

There isn't necessarily a fever with the normal flu.

True, but there usually is by a fairly hefty margin. Plus there usually isn't diarrhea. Plus there vrtually always is cough, sore throat, runny nose, etc.

No fever, no cough, no sore throat, no runny nose, significant diarrhea says that it isn't flu.
posted by Justinian at 7:41 PM on October 17

I_Love_Bananas: Did you eat anything immediately before symptoms started? Like immediately?
posted by Justinian at 7:44 PM on October 17

(ok, by immediately I mean within about 2 hours)
posted by Justinian at 7:45 PM on October 17

I'd go with food poisoning.

Replace fluids/electrolytes. Water, gatorade if you can, or the real stuff from the pharmacy if you can get it.

Google around for DIY fluid/electrolyte replacment - I found this from a sports forum -sounds sensible, but I'm no expert:

1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
1/2 cup orange juice OR 1/2 mashed banana (these provide potassium)
2 Tbsp sugar OR 1 1/2 Tbsp honey
1 liter water
lemon juice to taste (if desired--just for flavor)

Won't rag on you about the doctor - but if the dizziness continues or escalates, and you can't remain hydrated, or risk severe electrolyte imbalance.... you really should see a doctor at some point. IV fluids and some medication can fix you up in no time. Make sure someone is checking on you from time to time too - I've seen food poisoning so bad it could have left someone dead from dehydration had friends not found them and dragged them to the hospital (don't freak out because I said that...... just sayin.)
posted by TravellingDen at 7:46 PM on October 17

I highly doubt it is flu as well.

Did you start taking any new meds? New supplements? Eat any new foods? Are you really stressed out? You already ruled out pregnancy...

Do reflux meds help?

Different immune systems are different, so you might have gotten something from some shared food. I know my partner gets sick from food I nosh on happily.
posted by kathrineg at 7:47 PM on October 17

Yeah, dehydration is very dangerous. If you go to the doctor before you get too dehydrated you might not have to pay to go to the ER...
posted by kathrineg at 7:48 PM on October 17

Justinian, I honestly can't think of a specific trigger. I had the rumbly stomach "storm" brewing as early as Tuesday evening. The feelng of a tight fist in my gut got more intense Wednesday and Thursday morning I barfed, thought perhaps that would improve things (because sometimes that happens- you get it out and feel better). But no... I went to work, realized that was a joke and came straight back home.

I stayed in bed all day, absolutely laid out, getting up only to visit the loo.

Friday I went in but felt like crap; off-kilter and still with the abdominal tension/rumbliness. Today was more diarrhea and headache/dizziness. Sigh.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 7:52 PM on October 17

4 days seems long for food poisoning. That mix of symptoms could be any number of gastro-intestinal ailments, and I'm not saying it is, but it sounds a bit like my experiences of giardia.

Regardless, I don't think you should put off going to the doctor. Note that this site suggests a person with food poisoning should go to the doctor if symptoms persist for more than two days, and to the emergency if they have dizziness.
posted by carmen at 7:56 PM on October 17

I am starting to realize that a doctor visit is probably not a bad idea. I'll ride out Sunday and give them a call on Monday. Thanks for the help everyone.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 7:58 PM on October 17

Carmen- The giardia info sounds very much like my issues. Good to know.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 8:01 PM on October 17

Chiming in that it sounds exactly like giardia, as carmen suggested. I was traveling with a friend when she picked up the parasite and had it diagnosed after suffering through 2 weeks of almost your exact symptoms. Antibiotics worked the trick.
posted by meerkatty at 8:55 PM on October 17

See a doctor, but trust in what your body is craving - if you want a Pepsi, get one; if you want ice cream, get some; crackers? Get some! Your body tends to know what's missing, and what you're craving (if anything) is generally it. If Gatorade doesn't taste salty, you're probably missing some salt, and so on. At this point, I'd figure any sugar/salt/calories you can keep down are exactly what you need until you see the doctor.
posted by kcm at 10:41 PM on October 17

Yeah, doctor is a good idea if it hasn't improved by Monday. If it were me I'd ride out 3-5 days (depending on how bad it is) and then hit up the doctor with no imrovement. Which, it sounds to me, is exactly what you've done and are planning on doing Monday.

Just make sure you stay hydrated over the weekend. From what you're describing it sounds like dehydration is the big thing to watch out for.

If it were giardiosis you'll likely still be sick on Monday and need the doc. If it's some sort of nasty food poisoning I'd think you'd have started to feel better by then (but possibly not; there's always somebody who gets it worse than average, that's why there's an average) but you would want to talk to a doctor about it anyway at that point. Or it could be something totally and completely different.
posted by Justinian at 11:10 PM on October 17

IANAD, but it is barely possible that you are describing an atypical presentation of appendicitis. Definitely see a doc ASAP to rule out.
posted by paulsc at 12:10 AM on October 18

I'm not a doctor, but I would get checked out at a walk-in clinic. Meantime I cant recommend ALOE JUICE as a drink of choice... you can find it at practically any health store. It will help sooth your intestinal tract. If the taste is too bitter you can dilute it with water and add a little sugar.
posted by audio at 12:36 AM on October 18

Another vote here for a gastrointestinal infection such as Giardiosis or Shigellosis, though most of those do come with at least a low-grade fever. Many of those organisms take up to two weeks to start causing symptoms, so it may not be something that you've eaten recently. Given the timeline you described, it's unlikely to be a Salmonella infection. On the off-chance that it's an E. coli, you should get yourself some Pepto Bismol. Keep up the rehydration solution you've been drinking, as most of the problems with these diseases. However, given the duration of your symptoms, it's probably time to get yourself to a doctor, who will likely prescribe antibiotics.

Not a doctor, but I am a microbiologist who is currently in the midst of teaching a unit on the medical relevance of the pathogens of the digestive system.
posted by amelioration at 7:15 AM on October 18

Ugh. "... as most of the problems with these disease are caused by dehydration."
posted by amelioration at 7:16 AM on October 18

Update for those playing at home... this morning, stomach portion recedes in dominance; dizziness increases.

Whe you're fullly motion-sick and hang at that almost-nauseous stage, where lights and sounds irritate you, and all you want to do is lie down til it goes away- that's how I felt pretty much right out of bed. I lurch a bit if I get up too fast. I don't want to bend over or talk to anyone. Ugh.

I've had LOTS of fluids and urine is clear. No diarrhea since yesterday morning. No vomiting since the single episode early Thursday. Plan to call doc tomorrow.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 9:18 AM on October 18

'Glad you're planning to call a doctor. In the meantime, if you have any in the house, Dramamine/Bonine/Meclizine might help for the dizziness. I find it works better when taken with Benadryl.

Hope you feel better soon!
posted by wiskunde at 11:50 AM on October 18

I am not a doctor, of course, but note that it is possible to get labyrinthitis after a viral or bacterial infection.
posted by gudrun at 12:31 PM on October 18

Dee, wouldn't there be fever with H1N1?

Maybe. I don't really know. I was in an un-air-conditioned place with an outside temperature near 100 degrees Fahrenheit each day. The achiness and dizziness were so extreme I didn't notice much else. I_Love_Bananas newest symptoms follow the course of the disease for many people - things seemed to get better, then even worse dizziness. I can't tell you anything other than my experience, but many of us were tested and the H1N1 diagnosis is from a doctor, not me!
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 9:04 PM on October 18

Just got a reminder to mark this "resolved"... all is well!
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 6:27 AM on November 25