Malabsorption issues after months of intense anxiety

Hi Everyone,

In November I started an extremely anxius phase where I thought I had HIV, got tested with a PCR and Elissa test at 7 1/2 weeks post exposure and was negative, got tested again at 4 1/2 months and was negative. I have put my anxiety aside now but I do have major digestive issues as my body is not absorbing nutrients. Blood tests showed low iron and Vitamin D, I feel fatigue most of the time.

The biggest difference is during workouts, I was was losing 600 to 800 calories during every workout session at one point and now if I push too much in the gym I feel malaise the day after.

Stool is soft and pale, probiotics has not done much. I saw bright red blood in my stool and had 2 stool tests, they show no bacteria or candida...could I have leaky gut. Supplements are really not helping, I have recently started digestive enzymes so will see how I fare in a week or so. Can anyone please advise on my condition, what tests will I need to get done to get to the root of the issue, I am tired of going from Dr. to Dr. to no avail.

Also not sure if it is related but I have excessive dandruff, dry skin and my left toe is numb. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Anal fissures have recently appeared and I do have anal itch at times. Dry mouth to some degree as well as dry eyes.

Thanks in Anticipation

Hello Mo!

Drink, drink, drink lots of water to keep your mouth moist and stool soft enough not to cause problems passing. Are you eating 6 - 10 servings of vegetables and fruits per day? Start with a 2 fruit smoothie for breakfast with protein powder in it. That gets you off to good start each day. You cannot absorb vitamin D that you don't have.Everyone in Britain is vitamin D deficient by December 31st. That's because no one is exposed to the sun. Everyone must take 1000 IU of vitamin D daily from October until April...and longer if they are not out of doors in the SUN! So it is actually normal if you are vit D deficient but you can take omega 3 fish oil (I recommend Barlean's in your morning smoothie with no fish aftertaste. yum!). As for the iron, just eat more green leafy vegetables. Don't take iron supplements unless you are seriously anemic. Iron supplements are not good for you....AND they are terribly constipating. If you have problems in that department, take 3 magnesium tablets at bedtime with almond milk or milk. Use Prep H for your anal issues. And don't worry about your numb toe. (I have had the same thing for years.) You need to get out more, get your mind off yourself, do volunteer work, visit your grandparents, take up a hobby.....AND eat well...and everything will be fine.

Never mind all the tests. Just eat the way you should and all will be well.

Be good to your body and it will reciprocate!

Robin   

Hi Robin,

Thanks so much for your encouraging and detailed reply. Somestimes encouragement is all a person needs.

The issue with improving my diet is that I am unable to absorb, I have tried changing my diet to add lots of fruits an vegetables but to no avail. My hair and falling, I have fissures at the corners of my mouth, nails are brittle...so no Iron is going in. As mentioned the Dr. said there is no Bacteria but my body is getting weaker and weaker, my greatest fear is that I do not want to prolong this condition so as to catch something more serious like Osteoporosis or the likes.

Best Regards

Hello Mo,

Who told you that you are have a malabsorption issue? Have you been diagnosed with a disease like celiac disease? After eating wheat or most grains do you get diarrhea and is your stomach very distended even if you are thin? Have you been tested for this? 

When you say "I have tried changing my diet to add lots of fruits and vegetables' that means that your normal diet does NOT contain lots of fruits and vegetables. If for years you have not been eating properly (6 - 10 servings of veggies per day...many colourful; red peppers, broccoli, spinach, purple cabbage etc..) it will take longer than a short trial period to feel better. Eating 6 - 10 servings per day of vegetables and cutting out most 'beige' foods on your dinner plate WILL, I am sure, resolve your issues. If as you say, you do not absorb the nutrients from your fruits and vegetables...how do you know this? A scientist would have to do a lengthy study of your food intake and analyse your stool every day. If it is true that you do NOT absorb nutrients from your food...then more than EVER, you need to eat those 6 - 10 servings per day of fruits and vegetables...in order to get the benefit from them. 

Btw you cannot 'catch' osteoporosis'. If you were a sporty child growing up, you probably have strong bones...so no worries. If you were not, and your diet is low in calcium (green leafy vegetables and dairy products), then you may develop osteoporosis one day which affects more than half of people over 70. 

I think you are worrying too much and not doing as much as you can about it. And there is nothing worse than being iil and feeling helpless; like you cannot do anything about it. But the fact is you CAN do something about your health. Actually YOU are the person who can take care of YOUR body best.  No doctor in this day and age has the time or inclination to walk you through what you have to do to improve your general health. In any case, doctors know about tests and drugs...not diet and lifestyle which they do not study in medical school. 

One thing I need to go back to is what you said...that you 'tried CHANGING YOUR DIET to eat lots of fruits and vegetables.' This means that you are NOT on such a diet. And being on any diet that does NOT include lots of fruits and vegetables is a diet you should continue to follow if you want to feel sick. If you want your body to malfunction, eat plenty of beige foods; breads, cereals, chips, biscuits, sugar in your tea, fizzy drinks etc..  But if you want optimal health you have to DO something about it; eat a NORMAL diet of 6 - 10 servings of vegetables, get some form of exercise such as a long walk every day, do some stretches at home to keep limber, get out in the sun for your vitamin D and take up a hobby. If you are alone a lot you look inwards. Do for others and your health will improve.

Here is an article for you on cracked mouth which is often due to a vitamin B deficiency.

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Go to a health store (not a chemist) and ask for help. The naturopaths will undoubtedly give you Omega 3 fish oil supplement, vitamin Bs and definitely vitamin D. I take these every day...and more. I am 65 and feel great and have lots of energy. I start my day with a smoothie which I am sure you coudl have fun making every morning for a good, healthy start to your day. Get berries and melons and put them into a blender, add almond milk (I don't drink or eat any dairy because it doesn't agree with me.) and add ground flax seed if you like. I add ground nuts and seeds which I put into the blender first to grind. I also add a bit of vanilla for flavour. Delicious and you feel good starting your day off so well. 

Don't forget to drink your 2 glasses of water as soon as you wake up!

Good luck, Mo!

Robin

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Hi Robin,

Many thanks for your reply.

I feel I have malabsorption due to my stool apperance and the fact that I am Iron deficient, apart from various other signs on my body, dry skin, excess dandruff on hair (possible scalp psoriasis) cracked tongue, red patch on side of tounge, white marks on nails etc. Apart from feeling much weaker. However you are right I have to be diagnosed for it to be sure.

I notice you are advising me on diet, is it possible that I may have become intolerent of certain foods ? How could I have become intolerent all of a sudden ?

You are absolutely right, I need to start taking charge of my body, eat well etc.

Your kind words are very appreciated.

Thanks so much Robin smile

Hello m0786.How are you feeling now. I am also suffering from same problems like you.

Hope if the thread is Alive ?