Hey softy and everyone...when I went back to the GI last week he brought in a couple of other docs who poked and prodded and did all the things I am being trained to do myself. They went ahead and booked me for a small bowel enteroscopy (a glorified EGD) and colonoscopy, which I did on Friday. Still waiting for biopsy and blood test results.
The GI seems to think these symptoms are a result of disease of the small intestine. Usually such an immense volume of diarrhea points to small bowel pathology. However, it's hard to get a good "picture" of the small bowel...thus a more difficult diagnosis. The fact that I have Grave's disease complicates it more. The autoimmune diseases can really mess you up. The malnutrition/electrolyte abnormalities/dehydration seem to be affecting me more by the day, with ridiculous bruising, chalky skin,
My personal opinion is that it's likely a case of lymphocytic colitis or something similar, but it may be difficult to pin down due to its location. We might try a trial of an ASA drug or other IBD med if the tests don't yield anything helpful.
To try to slow down the diarrhea I am taking calcium polycarbophil (FiberCon) and supplementing the ol' diet with Culturelle (a blended probiotic), Omega 3-6-9, and a multivitamin. The doc referred me to a hematologist who might have a clue about the bruising, although that is the least of my worries at the moment.
School starts again in a few days. I passed all of my classes except one, which was literally by 4/10ths of a point. Will have to re-take it over the summer. I thought about arguing that but don't want it to make it seem like I'm trying to milk this illness. Definitely makes life more challenging but in the long run, nothing you want so badly should come easily anyway, right?
Thank you all for listening and for your support. I'm sorry I haven't been around so much, I've been posting a lot on the Crohn's board lately. Not that you guys aren't amazing :) Just need a bunch of perspectives on the same old problem, you know?