what kind of illness i have and which doctor i should see - #12958
I would like to ask for your opinion regarding my case. My digestive symptoms began when I was 4 years old. I mainly had chronic diarrhea (the color was never brown), with mucus, foam, and sometimes green stools — in short, always abnormal. I saw several doctors, but none of them performed an ultrasound or any advanced examination; they only prescribed anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic medications. I followed this treatment for about six years. The last gastroenterologist who was following me advised my mother to schedule a colonoscopy and gastroscopy when I turned 16, if my symptoms returned. After I got better, I began experiencing unexplained fatigue, difficulty breathing, constant muscle and bone pain. At the age of 13, I instinctively began watching my diet — I stopped eating processed sugar, bread, and reduced my intake of white flour. Even today, I maintain a balanced diet, rich in fiber and protein, avoiding processed foods and junk food. At 14, my fatigue worsened. I wasn’t taking any medication at that time, but by the age of 16, my symptoms became much worse — I could barely stand for long periods, had severe breathing difficulties, and frequent hypoglycemia (around 0.55 g/L). I also started developing neurological symptoms: neck stiffness, numbness, cold extremities, electric-shock sensations, involuntary muscle twitching, and severe chronic headaches. In 2020, I began passing thick white mucus (like silicone), sometimes green, sometimes mixed with small amounts of blood (never bright red), along with painful subcutaneous nodules and frequent green or yellowish stools. I thought it might be stress-related, so I didn’t worry much. During that period, I was diagnosed with early-stage asthma, severe allergies, cerebral hypoxia, chronic sinusitis, and migraines. I consulted a neurologist who told me it was all psychological and prescribed Xydol and Dogmatil for depression. I took them for two months but stopped because I noticed no improvement. During that time, I still had mucus and blood in my stools but without any pain. Later, I was diagnosed with severe bronchial asthma. My pulmonologist never prescribed NSAIDs, but another neurologist prescribed the same antidepressants again (Xydol + Lomac capsules). I stopped everything because my neurological symptoms persisted. In 2023, I started experiencing unbearable abdominal pain, loss of appetite (or painful hunger), and extremely rapid bowel movements — up to 12 times a day and 10 times at night — which caused severe fatigue. Another neurologist found macrocytosis, a moderately high homocysteine level, and slightly low vitamin B9 (I had previously taken multivitamin B supplements). She prescribed 13 B12 injections, but my neurological symptoms persisted. She then advised me to see a psychologist (for the second time), but again, nothing changed. I gave up for about two years, completely losing hope. Then, in October 2024, I began forgetting basic things — my home address, familiar places, even people close to me. I had brain fog and concentration issues. In January 2025, I repeated the blood tests on my own: macrocytosis was still present, homocysteine around 20 µmol/L. A hematologist then ran a full panel and found vitamin B9 deficiency, vitamin D insufficiency (despite supplements), mild iron deficiency, and a slightly high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). I also received 15 B12 injections, although my B12 levels were technically within the normal range. While following this treatment, I reduced gluten, replaced white flour with whole-grain flour, maintained a fiber- and starch-rich diet with no processed sugar (only fructose), no caffeine, no lactose, and no industrial drinks. Despite all this, I still had abdominal pain and rapid transit, as if my body absorbed nothing. (However, I should note that I finally gained 8 kg after staying at 50 kg for nearly 10 years.) During Ramadan, I ate some homemade dates stuffed with peanut butter and covered in sugar-free dark chocolate with almonds. Shortly after, I had a severe vertigo attack (I thought it was related to my Ménière’s syndrome diagnosed 4 years ago) and immediate severe diarrhea with green, foamy mucus. I went to see a gastroenterologist who diagnosed lactose intolerance (without any test) and told me to “drink water in the middle of your meal.” Blood tests for celiac disease were negative, and a stool test was misinterpreted as Giardiasis (later ruled out by colonoscopy showing a healthy small intestine). He prescribed anti-diarrheal powders, antispasmodics, Flazol, and Smecta, along with a strict diet — no fat, sugar, fiber, lactose, or starch. I was told to eat only eggs, pasta, rice, fish, and boiled meat. I ended up hospitalized for malnutrition, but continued anyway. After 20 days, I developed severe constipation for nearly 3 weeks, unable to move properly. Once the treatment ended, I redid my blood tests in April — no more macrocytosis, no more deficiencies. My hematologist told me, “You’re perfectly fine — don’t come back, you have no digestive issue.” Still, I continued to suffer from abdominal pain and rapid transit (I should mention that stress never triggers my symptoms). In August, I noticed a large amount of mucus and blood in my stools. I underwent a short colonoscopy, which showed chronic rectosigmoiditis without any signs of IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). Blood tests again revealed no macrocytosis, but a high ESR, low vitamin B9, positive anti-intrinsic factor antibodies, and normal B12 levels. During the gastroscopy, an H. pylori infection was found. I completed the treatment successfully — no more acid reflux, nausea, or heartburn, and I can now eat normally. However, I still have persistent digestive issues, dry skin, white tongue with red patches, caseum, mouth ulcers, and inflammation from mouth to anus. Recently, I had a long ileo-colonoscopy, which was entirely normal — though no biopsies were taken. I will send you all my lab results, reports, and the images from both the short colonoscopy and gastroscopy.
100% Anonymously
No sign-up needed.

Doctors’ responses
Hello dear See after careful evaluation of your query, i noticed you have almost all organ systems affected by one or the other disease or it seems a combination of syndrome affecting digestive, respiratory and even brain functioning causing malabsorption, digestive issues, respiratory insufficiency, depression and cognitive impairment. I suggest you to please share the latest report done for confirmation of exact diagnosis so that right and effective medication can be prescribed. Please note that take any medication only after confirmation of exact diagnosis. Iam suggesting some tests. Please get them done if not already done Serum tsh Serum ferritin Serum RBS Serum albumin globulin ratio Serum bradykinin Stool culture Esr Cbc Serum troponin and LDH Cpk mm Crp latest Serum cortisone Please get them done for confirmation Regards
You appear to have a multi-system autoimmune and malabsorption disorder centered on pernicious anemia (Biermer’s disease), with secondary intestinal inflammation and nutrient malabsorption. Your current picture (persistent gut issues despite normal colonoscopy and corrected labs) suggests microscopic inflammation or dysbiosis rather than psychological or purely functional disease.
This condition can improve significantly, but it requires: Lifelong B12 maintenance Gut microbiome restoration Balanced diet (not overly restrictive) Regular autoimmune monitoring
Hello, Given this, a leading suspicion would be autoimmune gastritis / pernicious anemia (or a related autoimmune process affecting stomach lining and intrinsic factor) causing insufficient absorption of vitamin B12 (and possibly other nutrients). This can then lead to neurologic damage, gastrointestinal disturbances, and systemic symptoms.
And which specialist you should see; Find a specialized GI center or academic hospital where they handle complex malabsorption / autoimmune GI cases and please request for a multi specialist evaluation.
Tests to consider; Upper GI endoscopy plus gastruc biopsies Complete blood panel Serologic tests Neurologic test Autoimmune screen
Feel free to talk Thank you
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.
About our doctors
Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.