Nausea, nasal infection, diarrhea |

Has anyone else started vomiting after having multiple shots? I just had my third shot on the 12th and I have vomited the last two mornings since. I am still on 2.5 and aside from gas and diarrhea off and on since I have started, I haven’t had terrible nausea/vomiting until this week. It’s only the once in the morning though. I’ve been doing my injections in my stomach so I am considering trying my thigh to see if that changes anything. I’ve lost 12 lbs so far so I’m hoping I don’t have to stop now. 🥲

Hello, I'm 35 f, I'm 5'3 and 273lbs (got weighed today) my doctor prescribed zepbound as I had been taking phentermine and another med dual to lose weight but hit a plateau after losing 30 lbs, I've almost gained it all back after stopping the other meds. I finally found a pharmacy in my area that carries zepbound and my insurance approved it. I'm just nervous I suppose from the side effects list and speaking with my doctor put me at ease a bit but I want to hear from people that have actually taken this once weekly injection on how it's effected them? I had my gallbladder removed last year so the gall bladder related stuff is a non issue. I'm more worried about the constipation and diarrhea, nausea etc because I'm still having issues in that area anyway due to my gall bladder removal (I developed dumping syndrome) so 25 to 30 mins after I eat certain foods I have to go, urgently, anyway. But it's painful and less than pleasant. I guess what I'm asking is does the starter dose really have much side effects or is it only when you get into higher dosages? Any insight would be helpful. I'm a mom of 4 and try to be as active as possible. But at this weight, even a nice walk on mother's day made my feet feel like I broke them. I was always a decent weight my whole life until after having kids, even developed gestational diabetes during my last 2 pregnancies so I just want to get back to being healthy. Thank you for any anecdotes or advice in advance ❤️

Age 42
Sex male
Height 5'10
Weight 285
Race Hispanic
Duration of complaint 1 year
Location US
Any existing relevant medical issues none
Current medications Omeprazole
Include a photo if relevant I have been dealing with what now seems like gallbladder issues, my hida scan back in August showed a 86% EF I been complaining about pain on my left rib side for almost a year, wasn't until June of 2023 when I went to the ER thinking I was having a heart related issue and was dismissed. Forward to August and again back at ER with chest pain, arm pain back pain and warm feeling on my stomach. At that time they did a bunch of tests to see if I had a clot or something else. Everything came back negative including the US. Then I got a hida scan which showed 86%EF. Felt better but it didn't go away. Forward to a couple of weeks ago and back at the ER, after hours of blood work and US they found sludge on my gallbladder. Ever since I've had a bunch of different symptoms
Pain on RUQ that goes to the back, stabbing pain. Also feel it on the left lower rib cage.
A really bad taste in my mouth feels like when you throw up and have nothing but that sour nasty yellow goo on your stomach.
I had joint pain, tingling on my feet and toes. Skin feels like I have bengay on it.
Nausea, diarrhea, then constipation.
I have not been eating much since 2 weeks and symptoms are worse as time passes. I have surgery scheduled for the 21st of June but is this all related to the gallbladder? I been researching and reading and there are a bunch of symptoms that are caused by the Gallbladder but I'm going crazy here. ER doesn't find anything and I'm out of ideas.

i had cdiff for the first time last year and i still don't know how i got it. i was super gassy, bloated and only had diarrhea once a day but the smell? was something i never smelled before — that's how i knew something was up.
everything went back to normal after a round of vancomycin but a few weeks ago my stomach started acting weird. it was mainly just loud noises coming from my stomach and bloating. it wasn't until i finished my last pill of azithromycin for a tooth infection yesterday that things became a little worse.
i'm so bloated and have had diarrhea since yesterday (only once a day again) but it doesn't have that awful cdiff smell. on top of that, my stomach is even louder and more bloated than before. i go to the gastro doctor tomorrow but i'm so nervous, cdiff really did a number on my mental last year :(

Some people still swear up and down that ivermectin is actually effective against COVID-19. This is false. They also insist ivermectin has far fewer side-effecs than the Coronavirus vaccine. This is also false. I'm going to prove it to you, but whether you are capable of accepting evidence such as listed below is something I obviously have no control over. I can try, and you can keep an open mind.
First of all, ivermectin has many side-effects, ranging from innocuous to severe.^[1]
To wit:

General

Ivermectin is well tolerated compared to other microfilaricidal agents (i.e., thiabendazole, diethylcarbamazine). Adverse reactions (i.e., pruritus, fever, rash, myalgia, headache) occur commonly during the first 3 days after treatment and appear to be related to the extent of parasitic infection and systemic mobilization and killing of microfilariae. The majority of reactions can usually be treated with aspirin, acetaminophen and/or antihistamines. Adverse effects tend to occur with lesser frequency during periods of retreatment.

Ocular

Ocular side effects have included eyelid edema, anterior uveitis, blurred vision, conjunctivitis, limbitis, punctate opacity, keratitis, abnormal sensation in the eyes, and chorioretinitis/choroiditis; however, these effects are also associated with the disease onchocerciasis. Loss of vision has occurred rarely but usually resolved without corticosteroid treatment. Conjunctival hemorrhage has been reported during postmarketing experience in patients treated for onchocerciasis.

Other

Worsening of Mazzotti reactions, including arthralgia, synovitis, lymph node enlargement and tenderness, pruritus, skin involvement (including edema, papular and pustular or frank urticarial rash), and fever, has been reported during the first 4 days following treatment for onchocerciasis.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included dizziness, headache, somnolence, vertigo, and tremor. Serious or fatal encephalopathy has been reported rarely in patients with onchocerciases, and heavily infected with Loa loa, either spontaneously or after treatment with ivermectin. Seizures have been reported during postmarketing experience.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention.

Other

Other side effects have included asthenia, fatigue, abdominal pain, chest discomfort, facial edema, and peripheral edema.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included decreased leukocyte count (3%), eosinophilia (3%), and increased hemoglobin (1%). Hematomatous swellings associated with prolonged prothrombin times have been reported, but the clinical significance is unknown. Leukopenia and anemia have been reported in at least one patient.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included elevated ALT and/or AST. Elevated liver enzymes, elevated bilirubin, and hepatitis have been reported during postmarketing experience.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included tachycardia and orthostatic hypotension. EKG changes, including prolonged PR interval, flattened T waves and peaked T waves, have been reported in single cases. Hypotension (primarily orthostatic hypotension) has been reported during postmarketing experience.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included pruritus, rash, and urticaria. Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome have been reported during postmarketing experience.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included worsening bronchial asthma, laryngeal edema, and dyspnea.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included myalgia.

Renal

Renal side effects have included rare transient proteinuria.
I tried to get incidence rates for these side-effects, but in some if not most instances, the answer given for these side-effects is either simply "unknown" or they're just not shown. Imagine telling this to anti-vaxers: if they have at least a consistent set of beliefs, this should deeply alarm them, shouldn't it?
Some people actually did take the horse dewormer version out of sheer desperation and got really sick, were hospitalized or worse: they died.

In New Mexico, two people died after taking a deworming drug for horses and other livestock to treat COVID-19.^[2]
The FDA received multiple reports of patients who required medical support and hospitalization after self-medicating with Ivermectin intended for horses.^[3]
There was a significant increase in calls to poison control centers due to misuse of Ivermectin. Texas saw a 550% spike in poison control calls due to people ingesting horse and cow dewormer.^[4]
People poisoned themselves with the horse-deworming version to thwart COVID-19, resulting in an uptick in calls to poison control centers.^[5]

Ivermectin was consistently found to be ineffective in treating COVID-19:

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Virology Journal evaluated the efficacy of Ivermectin for COVID-19 patients based on current peer-reviewed RCTs. The study concluded that Ivermectin did not have any significant effect on outcomes of COVID-19 patients.^[6]
A Cochrane meta-analysis of 11 eligible trials examining the efficacy of Ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19 published through April 2022 concluded that Ivermectin has no beneficial effect for people with COVID-19.^[7]
An article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) concluded that taking 400 mcg/kg Ivermectin for three days, when compared with a placebo, did not significantly improve the chances for a patient with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 to avoid hospitalization.^[8]
A study published on News Medical concluded that in COVID-19 outpatients with mild or moderate illness, Ivermectin use for three days at a dose of 400 μg/kg showed no significant improvement in the time to sustained recovery compared to those who received placebos.^[9]

The unwarranted hype surrounding ivermectin can be traced back to its promotion on the Joe Rogan Experience.^[10]

Public interest in ivermectin ballooned following Joe Rogan’s podcasts. “On a national level Rogan’s podcast was a tipping point,” said Keenan Chen, an investigative researcher with First Draft News, an organization that tracks misinformation. (Rogan, who has previously expressed hesitancy to vaccines, announced in September he had contracted Covid-19. He claimed to be taking ivermectin among several other treatments.)

Joe Rogan took a cocktail of Big Pharma^tm meds which, with the exception of monoclonal antibodies, were not indicated for his situation. In fact, some of the medication he took could have made things worse.^[11] Rogan probably didn't get seriously ill because he's fit and without significant comorbidities. The one thing that would have actually been the most effective was the vaccine, which he refused to take.
Many others weren't as lucky as Joe was. I suggest you follow the footnotes and see for yourself. Especially the first one.^[12][13]
Other than ivermectin, coronavirus vaccines are also a subject both Joe Rogan and his guests have shamelessly lied about numerous times, which could have caused medical harm to people who bought into it, and probably did. The most prominent guest which comes to mind is RFK Jr.
RFK Jr.'s influence is so odious, I am comfortable saying he probably contributed to thousands of unnecessary deaths in total. One incident in which 83 people (mostly children) died is particularly disgusting:^[14]

In June 2019, Kennedy and his wife, the actress Cheryl Hines, visited Samoa, a trip Kennedy later wrote was arranged by Edwin Tamasese, a Samoan local anti-vaccine influencer.
Vaccine rates had plummeted after two children died in 2018 from a measles vaccine that a nurse had incorrectly mixed with a muscle relaxant. The government suspended the vaccine program for months. By the time Kennedy arrived, health authorities were trying to get back on track.
He was treated as a distinguished guest, traveling in a government vehicle, meeting with the prime minister and, according to Kennedy, many health officials and the health minister.
He also met with anti-vaccine activists, including Tamasese and another well-known influencer, Taylor Winterstein, who posted a photograph of herself and Kennedy on her Instagram.
“The past few days have been profoundly monumental for me, my family and for this movement to date,” she wrote, adding hashtags including #investigatebeforeyouvaccinate.
A few months later, a measles epidemic broke out in Samoa, killing 83 people, mostly infants and children in a population of about 200,000.
Public health officials said at the time that anti-vaccine misinformation had made the nation vulnerable.
The crisis of low vaccination rates and skepticism created an environment that was “ripe for the picking for someone like RFK to come in and in assist with the promotion of those views,” said Helen Petousis-Harris, a vaccinologist from New Zealand who worked on the effort to build back trust in the measles vaccine in Samoa.
Petousis-Harris recalled that local and regional anti-vaccine activists took their cues from Kennedy, whom she said “sits at the top of the food chain as a disinformation source.”
“They amplified the fear and mistrust, which resulted in the amplification of the epidemic and an increased number of children dying. Children were being brought for care too late,” she said.

The pandemic is over. Ivermectin wasn't effective. On the one hand we should move on, on the other hand, there should be some accountability for people who pushed this lie, especially those who benefited from it financially.^[10][15]
[1] Drugs.com - Ivermectin Side Effects
[2] USA Today - 'A serious issue': New Mexico health officials suspect two people dead from ivermectin poisoning
[3] Global News - FDA warns Americans to stop taking horse dewormer for COVID-19: ‘You are not a horse’ (Some anti-vaxers counter that the FDA lost a court battle about ivermectin, proving that it works - this is false)
[4] USA Today - Fact check: 590% jump in poison control calls about ivermectin seen in Texas
[5] Ars Technica - More people are poisoning themselves with horse-deworming drug to thwart COVID
[6] Virology Journal - Ivermectin under scrutiny: a systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and possible sources of controversies in COVID-19 patients
[7] JAMA Network - At a Higher Dose and Longer Duration, Ivermectin Still Not Effective Against COVID-19
[8] KU Medical Center - Ivermectin shown ineffective in treating COVID-19, according to multi-site study including KU Medical Center
[9] News Medical - Ivermectin is ineffective in non-severe COVID-19 patients according to new study
[10] The Guardian - Ivermectin frenzy: the advocates, anti-vaxxers and telehealth companies driving demand
[11] Doctor Mike - Here's Why Joe Rogan's COVID Treatment Is Problematic
[12] /JamiePullDatUp - "I made a terrible mistake" vs. "I'm still not a 100% sold on the inoculation" - videos of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients in the hospital
[13] /HermanCainAward
[14] AP - RFK Jr. spent years stoking fear and mistrust of vaccines. These people were hurt by his work
[15] Time - ‘What Price Was My Father’s Life Worth?’ Right-Wing Doctors Are Still Peddling Dubious COVID Drugs

Vitamin d toxicity
Hello, I had a vit d deficiency of level 6 in March 2023
I went to a doctor and requested the right dose of vit d as my deficiency was severe and I was constantly shaking and felt like I would die. The doctor prescribed me 1 injection of 6L arachitol twice a week for 4 weeks.
Then also take 8 supplements of 60k iu vitamin d
I started taking it and by the end of the injections, 1 month had passed and I developed debilitating vertigo
I went back to her and she told me continue taking vitamin d supplements and quit my job and go relax in Another country. I quit my job as I was very worried about my health at this point and the doctor scared me into it. I had a very good wfh job.
I took 4 supplements as instructed but all my bones started to hurt and I was having severe heart palpitations, night sweats and shivers at the same time. I also developed s in my neck, shoulder, above ankle and below wrist, all on he right side of my body as it's the side I took all the injections.
I googled about the dosage worrying about my symptoms and it suggested Vit d toxicity so I got the levels checked and it indeed was 109 toxicity.
So I stopped supplements and restricted calcium and decided to check it next month.
But the next month it was 127 toxicity.
Anything above 100 is toxicity as per the reports.
I developed severe body pain and my upper back cramped straight for 2 weeks and I couldn't move my upper body.
My uric acid levels were Normal, calcium was in range cause I kept avoiding it.
I went to a doctor and I was suggested to walk 1 hour a day and avoid calcium and vit d
I did so but my vertigo remained and I developed tingling and numbness all over my body and burning near all my joints and my entire head tingling and numbing.
I got several infections of the ears nose and eyes due to extreme dehydration from the overdose. I had dry mouth to the point the tongue used to stick to the roof of my mouth and dry eyes and no tear formation as well as no nasal wetness, to the point nose was scabbing.
I got an x-ray and it showed straighting if the cervical spine as well.
The ENT I visited just treated me with multiple antibiotics and loaded me up on anti vertigo medicines. Which still didn't stop my vertigo
I visited a neuro and they suggested an mri "only to calm me down" cause I was over reacting and it was a brain mri and it showed a c5-c6 annular fissure and nerve indentation.
I was advised to wear a collar which I did from sept to January 2024.
My vit d was now at 36 and finally low enough but none of my swellings subsided. I haven't been able to walk properly since months or do ANYTHING as even chewing triggers the swellings.
Vertigo is mild now but still persists.
Doctors are very dismissive of everything I say and will not provide any solution for the awellings
I've been to physiotherapy as suggested by them and do exercises but my swellings only get worse by even doing the minimum
January I visited an orthopaedic again and he told me to stay home for a year and ignore myself and that I would be fine. It makes me want to off myself that they don't provide any solutions.
My family never cared about me and thinks Im over reacting but I can't look down or move, I can't draw and pursue my hobbies cause it's making my neck swell up to the point I can barely d have difficulty swallowing because of the swelling. I am severely depressed..
Ive gained weight too and they have been body shaming me. I am 5'3, I used to be petite and I think in my 40s-early 50s in kg, I am 64-66 kgs now and doctors have said it's fine but ik I'm overweight by a few kgs. I'm meant to be 57 and everyone blames my weight but I literally can't walk more than 400 steps without debilitating pain, I have walked despite the horrible pain 4000 steps a day minimum it causes a visual issue where everything around me starts moving backwards... Idk what it is but I think it's like vertigo, atleast that's what I assume. Same when I work out..
Ive been doing back pain yoga for 20 mins everyday.
It has also effected my eye sight, I had 0.5-0. 7 vision in both eyes since I was in 5th grade and it never increased and before the overdose this is what is was. But I got it checked last sep and it is now, 1.75 in each eye and I have double vision if I look at a certain angle.. And the muscles around my right eye hurt.. My eyes take time to line up together as well and focus.. I have blurry vision often..
I did some research and online via reddit it suggested that Vit d depletes vit k2 and magnesium and may help break down calcium if they're in the wrong places.
I ate blueberries for the first time in April 2024 and my neck swelling seemed less and I really thought it may all go away cause they're rich In k2 and mag.
I did all the blood tests suggested by a doctor and all of them came back normal, including arthritis tests and bone density tests.
I also requested more mris as my back and neck still hurt massively and I found out I have c4-c6 protrusions and L5-S1 bulge.. I am at a loss on what to do with myself.
I showed the ortho all the reports and requested supplements for k2 and mag and was provided a 30 day prescription for calcimax k2. I was suggested to only walk for the disc issues..
I have been taking it and the first 3 days the swellings seemed down and I experienced much less pain but it's the 5th day and my swellings are back full fledged and it's painful enough to have a panic attack..
All my teeth also hurt when I bite down..I think they've lost density and loss minerals.. I feel like I'm losing my life and I'm not able to do anything about it.
I am at a loss and I don't know what to do, I did approach a lawyer to sue the doctor and I have been told I cannot lose in court if I do file and then the lawyer dipped and he also wants 15% and I don't have the funds cause I've been unemployed for a year
I've been working since I was 16 cause my lifes always been hell and I've had a nail fungus issue since the past 14 years and I haven't lived normally as I can't dip my hands in water as it lifts the nails off the nail bed and it's extremely painful.
Idk what to do anymore and I can't keep being strong and keep getting through this and I feel trapped.. If any one at all, a doctor or medical professional can comment on this and assist me I would really really appreciate it.

My 6 month old Cavapoo is struggling with potty training. He was making slow progress until a Giardia infection with its diarrhea hit him a couple of weeks ago. We live in a highrise, and he's too scared of the streets to do his business outside, so we're relegated to our balcony.
Now he's having accidents about once a day inside with very little warning. He's had two today so far :( . This morning, I took him out (no poop). Fed him breakfast. As soon as he finished eating, he toddled near the door, and pooped before I noticed he was in a squat. (I was nearby but didn't keep my eyes on him while he was eating). I interrupted his squat and opened the door for him to go to the balcony. He finished pooping at his potty station.
So we know he knows where to go. He doesn't know not to go in the home as well.
I understand I need to go back to square one - take time off work or fake WFH while he's awake, tether him to me, take him out every... half hour? 45 minutes? Treat and celebrate each successful potty. I know it's recommended to confine them for a few minutes when they don't go (and to take them out again), but he doesn't tolerate being put in his crate or pen. Lots of barking. I tried crate training and crate games, but we couldn't get past the first couple of stages.
But for how long would I need to do this? 2 weeks? 4 weeks? Longer? I assume it just gets harder and harder the older they get.
His potty station is too small (it was not intended to be permanent when we put it together). He understandably doesn't want to step on his pee in order to poop. I'd love any ideas on diy potty station solutions for balconies.
Is there hope for us after 4 months of trying? Our trainer says he should be potty trained by 6 months, and every accident inside just rehearses the behaviour, making it harder and harder to correct. Meanwhile, I feel like a huge failure of a puppy parent, and am scared to leave him alone at all, in case he has an accident (not that it matters, it seems. I avert my eyes and he pees). The problems just compound.
Some of our potty challenges:

He gets overaroused.
- When I take him out to balcony on leash, he often bites, chews and plays tug with the leash.
- He often bites our feet/ankles after we clean/disinfect the poop and change the pads. It's harder than normal biting to deal with since our hands are full of poop/used pads. Confining him while we do this makes him upset.
Sometimes he goes to the door to go out for potty, and sometimes he wants to just sit on the balcony or run around.
He's starting to poop more generally on the balcony, which isn't great as it's hard to clean/disinfect due to the bumpy no-slip surface. Hopefully a better potty station will

Hi all,
Symptoms for last two years: + Dry nasal inflammation internally. No infection. + Incredibly stiff shoulders and neck.
29M, 180cm, 88kg, living in EU, IBS and reflux sufferer since 14, moved into a new apartment in July 2022 and a couple of months later I started to have nasal inflammation (no infection, no runny nose or no mucus just nose getting blocked like concrete) and breathing problems through nose gave me tens of other physical anxiety symptoms which last year ended up in 9 months of antidepressants and psychotherapy. Since I moved in, I have observed silverfish around the apartment from time to time and since they are an indication of dust and dust mites, my focus was always on fixing probable dust mite issue. Although if mites existed I believe they would've been already eliminated because of the stuff I tried.
Stuff I tried:

Examinations by ENT and family doctor
Stop consuming milk products or at least lactose most of the time.
To reduce dust mite and silverfish population, lowering the humidity, lowering the heat, and getting rid of dust/papers/cereals in the apartment.
Administrating Avamys spray for months (Fluticasone furoate)
Administrating Nasonex spray for months (Mometasone furoate monohydrate)
Administrating Flonase spray for months (Fluticasone propionate)
240mg Pseudoedepherine tablets (can't use them anymore due to triggering physical anxiety symptoms)
Crebros antihistamine tablets (Levocetirizine dihydrochloride)
Loratin antihistamine tablets (Loratadine)
Neti Pot (Water + Salt + Xylitol)
Saline sprays (Water + Salt)
Nasal Inhilator (Ocalyptus + Menthol)
Moistruzer nose spray (Natural oils)
Allergodil antihistamine nose spray (azelastine)
Air Dehumidifier
Air Humidifier
Air Purifier
Keeping windows open for days
Vacuuming floors and furnitures daily with HEPA filtered self-cleaning robot, 800W HEPA Filtered floor Vacuum, HEPA Filtered Cordless FlooHand Vacuum, and Mattress Cleaner emitting UV light.
Xylometazoline spray (This becomes a last resort if I can't sleep at night, but I can live without using for months)
Nasal strips (Using at nights, they somewhat saved me from dependency on Xylometazoline)
Massage Gun in case if the nasal issues are the result of constant muscle tension instead of vice-versa.

Tests conducted:

Blood allergy test for common allergens (which came out negative for everything)
Nasal endoscopy by ENT (Some dryness was found, but no polyps, no deviation, no infection)
At home Sleep Apnea Test by sleep clinic with and without CPAP (No apnea or blood oxygen issue was found, but intermediate hypopnea was found probably due to nasal inflammation)
Nasal breathing test, which showed improvement in breathing through nose when Xylometazoline is administrated which indicated to my doctor the Xylometazoline dependency, but quitting the spray for months doesn't show any improvement. Go to QuitAfrin and you will see no one had issues after quitting the spray for at most two weeks.

Things I did not try yet but I will be looking into this year:

VivAer or any surgical procedure
CT Scan (Tomograhpy) on sinuses
Seeing an allergist on July 2024.
Mold test
Test to see what chemicals are used for wall paints. (Happened to another Redditor)
Lose weight (I was 65 kg in 2020, last year ended up almost 100kg due to antidepressant but I already started having health issues when I went over 80 kg in 2021.)
Wheat-free diet, keto diet and other anti-inflammatory diets.
Wet fasting, dry fasting, daily intermittent fasting.
Acupunture, spa, sensory deprivation tank, massage, exercise/cardio/lifting at gym, yoga to reduce anxiety and also sauna (one Redditor fixed his issue permanently by going to sauna only two times)
Kimchi powder

I'm open for all recommendations or possible diagnoses. American friends, please don't tell me to move out, here healthcare is free not moving out.
Thank you

WHAT HELPS THE NAUSEA AND DIARRHEA?!
I’ve almost finished three weeks of 20mg and it started 5 days ago! It’s so hard to work! And I’m loosing weight!! Forcing myself to eat but it’s brutal! I tried some pepto today…

For background: Hey guys! I got my gallbladder out in 2018 and was fine for like a couple months then the problems began. I had half the appetite I used to have, bad nausea, reflux and diarrhea.
I was able to get an endoscopy/colonoscopy in 2022 but they just found mild gastritis. The past two weeks it’s been way worse, the worse it’s ever been. I have such an intense burning in the mouth of my stomach, belching, the worst nausea i’ve ever had, non existent appetite, stomach churning and orange/yellow loose stools. I have an endoscopy tomorrow but i’m scared they won’t “find” what’s wrong with me.
This has essentially ruined my life. I’ve had to take short term disability from work and I literally can’t do anything because of lack of energy/ bad symptoms.
I’ve tried it all: PPI’s, acid reducers, cholestyramine, colestipol, cholesvam, pantoprazol, dicyclomine. Yes i’ve been on a low fat diet and eat healthy food 95% of the time.
Question: Has anyone gone through this or is going through this? I suspect bile reflux but if you think it’s something else i’d love your opinion!! Thanks again guys :)

Hello everyone!
Pardon my English, it is not my first language, but I don’t know what else to do. I’ve had colitis since I was 13 and right now I am 22, turning 23 in June. My colitis has been kind of mild to moderate with it’s ups and downs, but since autumn 2023 I have had more flare ups than ever and they usually cause me lower abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and bloating. Lately my overall gut health has been worse, I have upper abdominal pain as well and I feel most of the time like I need to vomit, but never do. I bloat, I need to use bathroom more frequently. Why am I telling this? I got my stool and blood tests done a few weeks ago, last colonoscopy in September and the doctors said despite the small inflammation, everything looks fine and blood work is the best I have had in years. So my question - why do I feel so shit if everything is supposedly nice and exceptional? In addition to this, my gastroenterologist booked me another visit in the end of May for gastroscopy and colonoscopy to figure out, what is going on, she said “Maybe you have Crohn’s, but who knows?” I have been using mesalamine tablets all my colitis life, nothing else.
I have many questions and since I come from a small place, I have no support system, no one who understands the pain and the fears I have regarding this disease.
Does anyone have any experience with misdiagnosis or thinking having colitis, but actually has Crohn’s? Is it worse? Also - are other, stronger drugs actually worse and more damaging? I think mesalamine is kind of the mildest drug out there for colitis and I am scared to use anything else. I am a big fan of eastern and herbal medicine, so if anyone has any recommendations I am really open to this as well in addition to western medicine and pharmaceuticals.
Sorry for the long text. I feel like I am really alone in this although I have an amazing family and boyfriend, but they will never understand the pain of having IBD while you are supposed to be young, healthy and social young adult enjoying her 20s.
Thanks for any help and thoughts, this group has given me a lot of food for thought and helped me realise that I am not so alone in this.

I was struggling with horrible IBS-D for months on end, and even had to quit going to school in person and started doing it totally cyber. It was seriously debilitating and had me calling out of work more than I should, which just gave me more passive aggression from my bosses over something I couldn't control. The last few days have been a lot better, and I've been having more solid bowel movements. At first, I thought more fiber was what I needed and so I was taking supplements and this caused me to have diarrhea every day. I even changed my diet multiple times over the course of months, nothing helped. Then I also tried peppermint oil capsules, which helped with a lot of the bloating and stomach pain, but definitely attributed to my nausea on an emptier stomach. Had my mom, who is a nurse, freaked out that I had an internal blockage that maybe was just causing a small amount of diarrhea to occur instead of a full, solid BM. So she had me chug a thing of mag citrate and do an enema, which I know cleared me out from top to bottom and this didn't seem to really do much either. I finally stopped taking my fiber supplements and I also stopped smoking weed, and my gut health is finally getting better. Smoking weed at first helped with a lot of the pain and mental anguish all of this has caused me, but ultimately I think it sped up my digestion and attributed to a lot of the diarrhea. The last few days I have had some bloating and nausea, but my BMs are nowhere near as bad. I recommend the app PCal if you're interested in tracking your BMs. I find that it is a pretty private app, even allows you to take pictures (sounds gross but honestly it does help tremendously to keep track of what affects my stomach and how it affects my BMs). This app helped me to narrow it down a lot also. Hoping to start my journey on making my IBS a lot more tolerable and less debilitating.

Good morning!
Last few days I've had nausea from my post-nasal drip. I feel like there's an endless supply of mucus draining into my throat, stomach, and back of mouth and it's making me want to vomit. I was going to pick up some Sudafed (not PE) during lunch, then I read that it's not a good idea to mix it with adderall.
I take 20mg IR 2x a day.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,

Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is the subject of heated debate. How are mast cell activation syndromes defined? Which diseases are included? What is the diagnosis and treatment of mast cell activation syndrome? Prof. Dr. Knut Brockow, Clinic and Polyclinic for Dermatology and Allergology at the Biederstein, Technical University of Munich answers these questions in an interview with MeinAllergiePortal.
Mast cell activation syndrome: The most important facts!
-The prototype of mast cell activation syndrome is recurrent anaphylaxis
-Other forms of idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome are being sought; however, there are mainly symptom descriptions where the diagnosis cannot be made
-Clinical suspicion of MCAS is based on recurring allergy-like symptoms on the skin, nose, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and circulation
-The diagnosis of MCAS is made according to recognized international criteria based on three criteria
-MCAS is often suspected even when symptoms are inappropriate and the diagnosis is unclear; the suspicion is then not helpful for patients
-The same medications are used to treat MCAS as are used to treat allergies, in particular antihistamines and cromoglicic acid
Prof. Brockow, what kind of disease is MCAS?
Mast cell activation syndrome is not an established diagnosis, but rather a concept. Historically, this concept arose because an increasing number of patients came to the doctor's office with complaints that gave the impression of having been triggered by mast cells. These patients sometimes showed symptoms similar to those of allergic reactions, anaphylaxis or mastocytosis, but a clear diagnosis for these diseases could not be made. Nevertheless, it was suspected that there could at least be a connection with mast cell diseases. Unfortunately, the term MCAS created more uncertainty than understanding. This is because MCAS is now thrown around as a diagnosis for many patients with many symptoms and an unclear diagnosis. This is not helpful for patients and fuels short-term hope of diagnosis and cure, which cannot be fulfilled later.
Is MCAS an autoimmune disease?
No, in autoimmune diseases mast cells are not primarily involved and not as lead cells, but lymphocytes that attack the body's own structures, in some cases by forming antibodies.
Is there a connection between mast cell activation syndrome and autoimmune diseases?
No, there is no known connection between MCAS and autoimmune diseases. It has also been claimed by specific authors that other diseases, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) are related to mast cell activation syndrome. However, there are no good arguments for this. Unfortunately, such claims are easy to make and difficult to refute.
What is the cause of mast cell activation syndrome?
Mast cell activation syndrome is actually more of a symptom description than a diagnosis in its own right. Mast cell activation syndrome is fully applicable to recurrent anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions in several organ systems such as the skin, respiratory tract, digestive tract and circulatory system), for example due to insect bites. All the criteria for mast cell activation syndrome are met here. Severe allergic reactions are the most common cause of MCAS. However, although the term MCAS is correct in this context, it does not provide any additional information, as patients with such events are better described as patients with a diagnosis of anaphylaxis or allergy, and the term MCAS is somewhat confusing.
Is mast cell activation syndrome genetic?
MCAS itself is not genetic, but patients with the genetic disease mastocytosis often suffer from anaphylaxis, particularly to insect venom, and therefore MCAS. In addition, it is currently being investigated whether people with genetically determined hereditary alpha-tryptasemia suffer more frequently from MCAS.
How did the term mast cell activation syndrome come about?
There were many patients without a clear diagnosis, some of whom predominantly showed the symptoms typical of mast cell diseases. Accordingly, the experts dealing with mast cell diseases saw the need to develop a concept that took into account the “undiagnosable” symptoms of the patients. In the course of this, the terms “mast cell activation” and “mast cell activation syndrome” were defined. In addition, an attempt was made to sort all mast cell diseases into a classification with regard to mast cell activation. However, the difficulty in classifying these complaints is that many of the complaints described by patients are subjective, relatively non-specific and can be both organic and psychosomatic.
How have you defined mast cell diseases and which diseases do they include?
Mast cell diseases are defined as recurring chronic symptoms that are compatible with mast cell activation.
Mast cell activation is classified on the basis of three criteria:
Recurrent typical clinical symptoms in at least two organ systems
An increase in mast cell mediators can be detected in the blood, most frequently by determining the serum tryptase level during an acute attack
Good response of symptoms to anti-mast cell mediator-directed therapy, especially H1 antihistamines
What types of mast cell disease are there?
The classification of mast cell diseases associated with mast cell activation syndromes defines three groups:
1. primary mast cell activation syndrome
Primary mast cell activation syndrome is explained by a clonal expansion of mutated overactive mast cells. It manifests as systemic or cutaneous mastocytosis. If these criteria are not completely fulfilled, but clonal mast cells have been detected, it is referred to as monoclonal mast cell activation syndrome.
2 Secondary mast cell activation syndrome
Secondary mast cell activation syndrome is present when clear triggers of mast cell activation are known. There are established terms for secondary mast cell activation syndrome that we are more familiar with, such as “anaphylaxis” to a known trigger. The classification in the second group of mast cell diseases is therefore merely a reclassification. Examples of mast cell activation are physical urticaria or cold urticaria. Allergies such as pollen allergies are also secondary mast cell activations, as hay fever also causes symptoms typical of mast cell diseases. In pollen allergies, mast cell mediators are found in the blood serum and drugs directed against mast cells have a good effect. If the symptoms recur in several organ systems, this is referred to as mast cell activation syndrome.
3. tertiary or idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome
Tertiary or idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome refers to mast cell diseases whose triggers are unknown. This group would include, for example, chronic spontaneous urticaria, which has additional symptoms in other organs. Here we know that mast cells are activated, but not by what. This group of idiopathic mast cell activation syndromes would also include patients with as yet undescribed clinical pictures who do not fulfill the diagnostic criteria of known mast cell diseases, e.g. allergy, anaphylaxis, but in whom the disease is triggered by mast cells. In these patients, however, the connection between the symptoms and the activities of the mast cells must be proven.
Does this mean that tertiary or idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion?
Idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome can be described as a diagnosis of exclusion insofar as the prerequisite for the diagnosis is that there is no other disease causing the symptoms. However, the symptoms described are often very, very unspecific and could also be caused by a variety of other diseases. However, there are the three criteria for mast cell activation syndrome already mentioned. If these are not all fulfilled, this diagnosis cannot be made.
How common is mast cell activation syndrome?
Anaphylaxis and severe recurrent allergies are not uncommon and represent the vast majority of appropriate cases for MCAS. In addition, mastocytosis patients often have multiple anaphylaxis and therefore also MCAS. However, our initial idea of finding a new disease, idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome, has not yet been confirmed. There are many patients with many symptoms for whom a clear organic diagnosis cannot yet be made. However, it is almost never possible to prove that a defect in the mast cells is primarily responsible for the symptoms. Many of these patients describe symptoms that could fit, and in some patients anti-allergic drugs also have a positive effect. But in only very few patients can an increase in mast cell mediators be detected during an acute attack. I now believe that somatic stress disorders could play a significant role in many of the patients examined.
Histamine intolerance is also a diagnosis of exclusion, is there a connection with mast cell activation syndrome?
Histamine intolerance can cause similar symptoms, but is not a mast cell disorder and has nothing to do with MCAS. When mast cells are activated, the messenger substance histamine is released, which in turn can cause symptoms. In histamine intolerance, the mast cell is not activated - it is not involved in any way. Rather, histamine intolerance describes patients with an increased sensitivity to histamine, which is supplied, for example, via the diet. This can lead to similar symptoms, but in contrast to mast cell activation syndrome, histamine intolerance has a clear trigger, histamine. As a result, the symptoms occur after eating histamine-rich foods, but disappear again if the patient follows a low-histamine diet. A test is also available to diagnose histamine intolerance.
So there are also patients with suspected mast cell activation syndrome who cannot be assigned to a classification group, even though they have corresponding symptoms?
There are many patients in whom no mast cell activation syndrome can be detected despite suspicion. They do not fit into one of the three groups. However, this also used to include monoclonal mast cell activation syndrome. These patients showed anaphylaxis and a KIT mutation, but not the full criteria for mastocytosis. In the meantime, a separate disease diagnosis has been created for these patients. The independent accepted disease of these patients therefore lies between mastocytosis and normal findings.
We thought that there might be other forms of idiopathic MCAS with clinical pictures that have not yet been described. However, this is not supported by the findings to date. There are patients who show symptoms but do not meet the necessary criteria for idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome. In these patients, the diagnosis remains unclear. In how many of these patients functional physical complaints play a role still needs to be investigated.
Are there risk factors that favor mast cell activation syndrome?
There are hardly any recognized studies on this. In a study conducted by Cem Akin in the USA, patients were examined who met the three criteria for idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome. They had the right symptoms, there was an increase in mediators and their symptoms improved with treatment. It was shown that many of these patients suffered from urticaria factitia, a scratch-induced urticaria, abdominal pain and flushing.
Recently, a genetic trait was discovered, hereditary alpha-tryptasemia with elevated basal serum tryptase levels. In patients with this trait and insect venom allergy, the severity of the allergic reaction appears to be increased. It is also discussed that the frequency of mast cell activation syndrome is increased in patients with this genetic trait. However, the published studies are not yet unanimous in this respect.
What symptoms can occur with MCAS?
The following symptoms could be signs of mast cell activation syndrome:
MCAS symptoms on the skin:
Appearance of sudden intense redness (flushing)
itching
wheal formation
Deep wheal formation (angioedema or Quincke's edema)
MCAS symptoms on the nose:
Nasal congestion
Nasal itching
MCAS symptoms in the airways:
Swelling of the upper airways
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
MCAS symptoms of the digestive tract:
Vomiting
abdominal pain
diarrhea
Systemic MCAS symptoms:
Syncope - where you suddenly lose consciousness, but only for a short time
Sudden drop in blood pressure
Allergic shock
These symptoms can occur together or individually. In principle, symptoms must occur in two or more organ systems for MCAS. These symptoms, together with the typical skin changes and anaphylaxis, are also typical of mastocytosis.
Are muscle pain and hair loss also symptoms of MCAS?
No, why would anyone think that these symptoms are primarily caused by a malfunction of mast cells? Mast cells are not important cells for muscle pain and hair loss.
How is MCAS diagnosed?
MCAS is a diagnosis of exclusion, i.e. there is no mast cell activation syndrome test. However, this does not mean that all other diseases must be ruled out before a diagnosis of MCAS can be made.
When testing directly for mast cell activation syndrome, three criteria would be examined, all of which must be met, not just two:
First, there must be a matching of symptoms to see if the above symptoms are leading, recurrent and occur in at least two organ systems.
Is there a substantial or complete improvement in the clinical symptoms when taking anti-allergic medication, antihistamines or cromoglicic acid? Then this criterion would apply.
The blood levels of tryptase in the serum can now be examined at two different points in time. This would check whether there is an increase in mast cell mediators or tryptase in the blood serum in a highly symptomatic phase or during a seizure compared to a time when there are no symptoms.
What does the tryptase level in the blood mean in the diagnosis of mast cell activation syndrome?
If the mast cell mediator tryptase rises by 20 percent of the basal value, i.e. the initial value, + 2 ng/ml during such an episode, the diagnosis of mast cell activation syndrome has been made without the need to rule out other diseases beforehand. However, taking blood samples to determine the tryptase levels is very time-consuming, because a blood sample should be taken in the normal state and then another blood sample should be taken during a seizure or a highly symptomatic episode. This means that the patient must see a doctor in good time for a blood test during the acute phase. If these tests are negative, mast cell activation syndrome cannot be confirmed.
Elevated tryptase levels also play a role in anaphylaxis, is there a connection with mast cell activation syndrome?
Anaphylaxis is an extremely strong mast cell activation, the “prototype” of mast cell activation, so to speak. The tryptase level rises, so that it is considered an indicator of anaphylaxis. Here too, the basal value is measured and compared with the value during an episode. The relevant factor is the resulting increase in the tryptase value. The therapy against mast cells is effective in this case. In this respect, anaphylaxis is the classic form of mast cell activation syndrome.
The tryptase value also plays a role in the diagnosis of mastocytosis, what are the correlations here?
Mastocytosis patients also have an elevated baseline tryptase level. This is therefore an indication of mastocytosis and an indication for a final diagnosis by means of a bone marrow biopsy. However, there is also a mastocytosis-independent correlation between tryptase and anaphylaxis. People who have a higher number of mast cells often develop more severe anaphylaxis than people with fewer mast cells. The tryptase basal value is therefore considered a kind of indicator for the total mast cells in the body. For example, insect venom anaphylactic patients with elevated basal mast cell tryptase levels in the blood are at increased risk of severe anaphylaxis.
What can be done against MCAS and which medications help?
The aim of treatment for mast cell activation syndrome is to slow down the effect of the overactivated mast cells and to calm the mast cells. In particular, the avoidance of allergic triggers is available for this purpose.
Histamine receptor blockers are tried as medication to block the effects of mast cell activation by histamine. Mast cell stabilizers or blockers of mast cell release, cromoglicic acid, can also calm the mast cells. Cromoglicic acid is also used in mastocytosis patients. It is important to know that the use of cromoglicic acid is not advisable if the attack has already run its course. On the other hand, many patients achieve a significant improvement in symptoms if cromoglicic acid is taken continuously as a preventive measure and in a sufficiently high dose. This has also been shown to be the case with antihistamines.
Another option would be leukotriene receptor antagonists and corticosteroids in the short term, but never over a longer period of time.
Unfortunately, many patients with previously unexplained complaints are given a suspected diagnosis of MCAS in the hope that this knowledge will lead to better treatment or perhaps a cure. However, apart from the drugs mentioned, which can also be used on a trial basis in cases of suspected MCAS, there are no other useful drugs available. In this respect, the suspicion of MCAS unfortunately does not offer patients any additional treatment options.
Are there foods that activate or deactivate mast cells?
No such foods are known in humans. Of course, it is possible to bombard mast cells in a test tube with high concentrations of food and measure whether the natural activation of mast cells is increased or reduced. However, such tests are generally not meaningful for humans when consumed.
Can naturopathy help with mast cell activation syndrome?
I don't know how it could help. Naturopathy is the attempt to achieve a positive effect through naturally occurring active substances. Is the avoidance of allergens in our natural environment already naturopathy?
Could certain vitamins, for example vitamin C, be beneficial for MCAS?
This is claimed by a few doctors without any convincing results. Vitamin C is also said to help against seasickness. After all, vitamin C, taken in normal amounts, is not harmful and is beneficial. Sometimes the conviction that a substance is good for you also helps. That's why the experiment doesn't bother me.
Is it possible to prevent mast cell activation syndrome?
Yes, by avoiding MCAS with a known trigger. This is the case with allergies. In the case of allergies and recurrent anaphylaxis as a form of MCAS, omalizumab, an antibody against immunoglobulin E, can also be used in individual patients.
Prof. Brockow, thank you very much for this interview!
https://www.mein-allergie-portal.com/mastozytose-mastzellaktivierungssyndrom-mcas/925-idiopathisches-mastzellenaktivierungssyndrom-ein-neues-krankheitsbild.html

https://www.uniklinikum-leipzig.de/einrichtungen/lica/Seiten/mastzell-aktivierungs-ayndrom-mcas.aspx
More and more patients are contacting us because they suspect that they have mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). We would therefore like to provide some basic information on this clinical picture based on a recent publication (Weiler et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2019 Aug 30).
Some publications and the lay press define the diagnostic criteria for MCAS very broadly. In some cases, findings of non-validated laboratory tests are associated with atypical symptoms in order to diagnose MCAS. This sometimes leads to great confusion among patients and medical professionals. This becomes critical when underlying diseases that are not mediated by mast cells remain undiagnosed.
Clinical symptoms for which there is no evidence of a connection with MCAS, but which are nevertheless frequently associated with it, are
Tiredness / fatigue, Feeling ill, Fibromyalgia-like pain, dermographism, oedema, Various skin rashes, Tinnitus, Lymph node swelling, constipation, Prostatitis, Chronic back pain, Headache, Mood swings, Anxiety, Post-traumatic stress, Weight changes, Hypothyroidism / hyperthyroidism, Polycythemia, Psychiatric/neurological complaints. Anemia Electrolyte disorders, Increased or decreased blood protein levels
Complaints or symptoms may also not be used for diagnosis if they are present in isolation, e.g. abdominal pain, diarrhea or reddening of the skin, or if they occur chronically rather than in attacks.
Affected organs and associated symptoms that are of diagnostic value for making a diagnosis (at least two of four organ systems must be affected, typically in an attack-like manner):
-Cardiovascular: drop in blood pressure, palpitations, dizziness / loss of consciousness / collapse
-Respiratory tract: wheezing, shortness of breath, stridor when inhaling
-Skin: paroxysmal redness, urticaria, itching, angioedema
-Gastrointestinal tract: diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps
Another characteristic feature is the detection of elevated blood levels of transmitter substances originating from the mast cell, such as tryptase. If the tryptase level is significantly elevated, mastocytosis of the skin and other organs must be ruled out (presentation to outpatient dermatology and hematology). The diamine oxidase measurement in serum has no diagnostic value with regard to MCAS. If you notice that certain foods or medications trigger or intensify your symptoms, these must be avoided.
With MCAS, the symptoms typically respond to treatment with antihistamines; only rarely will other medications (e.g. glucocorticosteroids, omalizumab) be used.
The prescription of emergency medication may be useful.
If underlying allergies are suspected, we advise you to consult an allergy specialist near your home. If they are in favor of a referral, we will be happy to make appointments. Last but not least, MCAS is a diagnosis of exclusion.
We are not the right contact for complaints of isolated organ systems or non-specific general symptoms.

Hello. All the problems stated in the title started 13 days ago. I was lying on my bed after the dinner and all of a sudden i felt like some saliva stuck on my throat. After that feeling I'm dealing with these problems. Everytime i swallow(saliva or food) i hear a crackling sound in my left ear. The sound is like when you have water in the ear and is stuck for a few second in it. I also developed a sand/ grinding sound in my left ear when i move my jaw. This sound only shows up sometimes, after eating or even moving my head to the left. I also noticed that when there is not sand sound in the jaw, when i bite i hear a small click in the jaw or ear(left part of thw face) . I went first to emergency care 9days ago and told me i don't have infection in the ear. 3 days later i was told by my gp that no infection was found although my left ear was a little bit red. She didn't prescribed me anything but told me to go to the dentist. 2 days ago i went to emergency care again and told me i have ear infection. I was prescribed antibiotics and nasonex nasal spray. I still haven't noted any improvements, i even have small spams in my right ear but i don't know if this is stress. I have appointment with a ent tomorrow and with the dentist next week. My questions are?
I have the feeling thay all these was caused by reflux acid. This is because of the saliva stuck feeling i had. Can these problems be caused by gerd?
If this is caused by tmj of tmd, does this have a solution?
I also have a weird feeling in my throat like if it is irritated. This increases my worries that this is acid reflux. Thanks for reading.

I'm not looking for answers exactly, but I really hope someone can help me navigate this problem I'm having with my grandfather because I'm at a loss. Thank you in advance 🙏
My grandfather is 92. He's been remarkably healthy and strong his whole life until last October when he fell off a stepladder trying to trim his bushes and broke his hip. After a partial hip replacement, he could no longer go on walks. He couldn't lift his right foot and lost a lot of sensation. Despite this, he actually did recover somewhat and regained some mobility.
Then, last month, he was hospitalized due to fluid buildup/retention around his heart, plus heart inflammation. From this, he was prescribed an antibiotic for an infection, the probable cause of the inflammation, and a water pill to reduce swelling. And Eloquis for A-fib, plus metroprolol.
He took the antibiotic and metroprolol, but I just found out he never took the water pill. I visited him the other day and noticed his legs had gotten really red and swollen. Sores had formed on his ankles and they were weeping fluid. I took him to a doctor, who told him that he needed to take the water pill because of the severe swelling and stop taking the Eloquis due to low blood counts.
I helped him fill his pill box and told him everything he needed to know. But I just found out that he didn't take the water pill for even one day after I left. He's convinced that it's giving him diarrhea, which he is having pretty badly now. I told him that it was probably from the antibiotic and that he should take a probiotic to help his digestion recover. Of course, that didn't work.
I'm concerned that he continues refusing to take the water pill. His attitude has now become, "it's my body, so it's my choice." But if he has a stroke or a heart attack and becomes invalid, he's going to be everyone's problem, and it's not going to be his choice anymore. I'm not saying that to be selfish - I'm saying it because being a burden to other people is the LAST thing he wants in the whole world. That's just the way he is. So that's what I need to prevent from happening.
I just don't know what to do if taking him to a doctor and having her explain everything and him agreeing to it just didn't actually work. One of the problems is that his eldest daughter is an anti-vaxxer and anti-medication type of person whose attitude when he asks her advice is basically, "dad, it's your choice, whatever you want to do." Of course, she's hundreds of miles away, and I'm the grandson down here dealing with the repercussions of her "encouragement."
I'm sorry, that was long. Does anyone have any advice that I haven't thought of? Even advice on alternative treatments for the swelling and diarrhea would be most appreciated.

My 6 month old Cavapoo is struggling with potty training. He was making slow progress until a Giardia infection with its diarrhea hit him. We live in a highrise, and he's too scared of the streets to do his business outside, so we're relegated to our balcony.
Now he's pooping about once a day inside with very little warning. This morning, I took him out (no poop). Fed him breakfast. As soon as he finished eating, he toddled near the door, and pooped before I noticed he was in a squat. (I was nearby but didn't keep my eyes on him while he was eating). I interrupted his squat and opened the door for him to go to the balcony. He finished pooping at his potty station.
So we know he knows where to go. He doesn't know not to go in the home as well.
I understand I need to go back to square one - take time off work, tether him to me, take him out every... half hour? 45 minutes? Treat and celebrate each successful potty. I know it's recommend to confine them for a few minutes when they don't go (and to take them out again), but he doesn't tolerate being put in his crate or pen. Lots of barking. I tried crate training and crate games, but we couldn't get past the first couple of stages.
But for how long would I need to do this? 2 weeks? 4 weeks? Longer? I assume it just gets harder and harder the older they get.
His potty station is too small. He understandably doesn't want to step on his pee in order to poop. I'd love any ideas on diy potty station solutions for balconies.
Is there hope for us after 4 months of trying? Our trainer says he should be potty trained by 6 months, and every poop inside just rehearses the behaviour, making it harder and harder to correct. Meanwhile, I feel like a huge failure of a puppy parent, and am scared to leave him alone at all, in case he has an accident. The problems just compound.
Some of our potty challenges:

He gets overaroused.
- When I take him out to balcony on leash, he often bites, chews and plays tug with the leash.
- He often bites our feet/ankles after we clean/disinfect the poop and change the pads. It's harder than normal biting to deal with since our hands are full of poop/used pads. Confining him while we do this makes him upset.
Sometimes he goes to the door to go out for potty, and sometimes he wants to just sit on the balcony or run around.
He's starting to poop more generally on the balcony, which isn't great as it's hard to clean/disinfect due to the bumpy no-slip surface.

Nausea, nasal infection, diarrhea

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