Hospitalized for 3 days with severe dehydration

This time last year I had a bad bought of Gastro and was hospitalized for 3 days with severe dehydration. It was one of the most terrifying experiences I have ever been through. A couple of weeks later, as I made the transition from bland food to a more regular diet, I suddenly had a terrible flare up with the most intense nausea.
My nausea turned into a full-blown panic attack and the endless cycle began from that point.

It’s been a whole year, I’ve seen doctors, specialists, had an endoscopy, I’ve tried alternative medicine, seen multiple naturopaths and I still have no solid answer as to what my problem is – it baffles me that no one has brought up IBS and has passed it off as indigestion and slapped me with a prescription of Nexium (which I refuse to take for long periods of time)

Feeling constantly ill every day has triggered terrible anxiety which I’ve been seeking psychological help for. It feels as though I am on a Ferris wheel which will not stop, sometimes it speeds up and sometimes I get stuck in one position.

Upon having an endoscopy and an abnormal amount of blood tests at the request of my GP, the gastroenterologist concluded that I am also coeliac and have severe lactose intolerance. I have always had lactose intolerance however the changes in my stomach lining and intestinal tract means I can no longer digest gluten properly. For me, adjusting to this has been the hardest thing.

After one year of suffering, I am glad to have found this thread and others who are suffering from the same things as me. My anxiety and changes in stomach and bowel function have driven me to a point where I avoid social events and going to work because I am worried I’ll have an ‘episode’.

Hopefully, these feeling will subside and I am able to regain control over my life.

Thanks, everyone x

This is a user story submitted by Belle on 7th of July 2018.