Votre situation semble complexe et mérite une évaluation approfondie pour identifier la cause sous-jacente de ces symptômes. Commençons par aborder les symptômes principaux. La faim intense et les douleurs abdominales peuvent être liées à une irritation ou inflammation gastrique ou intestinale. Une gastroscopie pourrait être utile pour visualiser l’intérieur de votre estomac et du duodénum afin de s’assurer qu’il n’y a pas d’ulcère ou d’autres anomalies comme une gastrite. En examinant votre apport hydrique, la consommation d’eau est nettement inférieure aux recommandations quotidiennes. Ceci peut aggraver la déshydratation, accentuer la frilosité et les sensations de vertiges. Il serait judicieux d’augmenter progressivement votre apport en eau à environ 1,5 à 2 litres par jour, en répartissant cette consommation tout au long de la journée. Quant aux épisodes de fatigue et de somnolence, une carence en vitamine B12 pourrait être envisagée. Même si vous n’avez pas encore dosé cette vitamine, il pourrait être pertinent de le faire, surtout si vous avez des restrictions alimentaires ou êtes végétarien. Pensez également à vérifier vos niveaux de magnésium et de vitamine D, qui peuvent influencer votre niveau d’énergie. Une consultation chez un nutritionniste pourrait aussi vous être bénéfique pour adapter votre alimentation, assurant ainsi un apport suffisant en nutriments, sans aggraver les symptômes gastriques. L’absence de signes d’alarme gastro-intestinaux sévères (comme des saignements ou des vomissements répétés) est rassurante, mais la persistance et l’impact important de ces symptômes sur votre qualité de vie justifient un suivi médical rapproché. Un stress psychosomatique ou un trouble fonctionnel tels que le syndrome de l’intestin irritable pourrait probablement jouer un rôle ici, étant donné l’épisode d’angoisse évoqué. Travailler avec un thérapeute peut aider à réduire l’hyperactivation nerveuse. Si vos symptômes se détériorent, n’hésitez pas à contacter votre médecin pour un réévaluation immédiate.
Could the symptoms I mentioned, and the fact that I have this abnormal hunger and thirst that disappears for several days at a time and then returns very strongly, be a dysfunction of the hypothalamus?
Hello dear See fortunately majority of the test including h pylori and blood tests are normal. As per clinical history it seems post gastric issue associated with dehydration or functional dyspepsia or autonomic nervous system irritability With time it is going it is going to improve Iam suggesting some precautions for improvement Be hydrated (6-8 glasses per day must) Take zincovit multivitamin therapy onca a day for 1 month ( b12 concern) Balanced diet for good health Take nuts and protein for recovery Avoid refined food Avoid junk food and alcohol Avoid overthinking Do meditation for anxiety Do good physical exercise atleast half an hour daily for better physical health Hopefully improvement will occur. In case the scenario remains same consult concerned physician Regards
Thank you very much for your reply, is it reversible nonetheless and should I continue taking Inexium?
Hello dear Yes it will diminish with time. Yes for 3-4 days you can continue current medication but for longer time please ask the concerned physician only Regards
Hello I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this — what you describe sounds exhausting and distressing. I’ll break this down clearly and calmly.
First, based on what you’ve written, there are no obvious emergency red flags (no bleeding, no vomiting, no nighttime pain waking you up, normal blood tests, negative H. pylori). That’s reassuring.
What This Pattern Most Likely Suggests
From your description, this combination strongly suggests:
1️⃣ Post-infectious functional GI disorder
After gastroenteritis, some people develop:
Gastric hypersensitivity
Altered gut–brain signaling
Visceral pain with normal tests
Poor appetite but exaggerated hunger sensations
This overlaps with:
Post-infectious functional dyspepsia
A form of IBS
Gut–brain axis dysregulation
Autonomic nervous system dysregulation
Your symptoms of:
Fatigue
Heavy legs
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Sensitivity to cold
Reduced thirst perception
Slightly elevated hematocrit (suggesting mild dehydration)
All point toward mild chronic dehydration + autonomic imbalance.
Drinking only 0.5–1 L/day is low, especially if you’re symptomatic. Even mild dehydration can cause:
Fatigue
Orthostatic symptoms
Cold sensitivity
Malaise
Brain fog
Increased gut sensitivity
And dehydration makes gastric pain worse.
Hydration is priority #1
You likely need: 1.5–2 liters/day minimum
But increase gradually:
Add 250 mL every 2–3 days
Use electrolyte solution (oral rehydration salts or lightly salted water)
Drink small amounts every 1–2 hours
Don’t wait for thirst
This alone may significantly reduce:
Fatigue
Cold sensitivity
Heavy legs
Dizziness
Evening crashes
2️⃣ Eat small, frequent, gentle meals
Instead of 3 meals:
5–6 small portions
Soft foods
Warm foods
Moderate protein
Low fat at night
Avoid long fasting gaps
An empty stomach worsens hypersensitive pain.
3️⃣ Calm the nervous system daily
Your symptoms strongly suggest sympathetic overactivation.
Helpful:
Slow breathing (4–6 breathing) 10 min twice daily
Gentle walking after meals
Avoid long periods lying down during the day
Regular sleep schedule
The gut and autonomic nervous system recover slowly — often over months.
4️⃣ Check a few additional labs (not urgent, but reasonable)
You might ask your doctor about:
B12
Ferritin
Vitamin D
Electrolytes
Thyroid function
Low B12 or iron can worsen fatigue and dizziness.
What This Is NOT Likely To Be
Based on your description, it does not strongly suggest:
Cancer
Severe inflammatory bowel disease
Acute ulcer
Obstruction
Neurological disorder
The pattern is too fluctuating and linked to hydration, hunger, and fatigue.
The Most Important Insight
Your system seems stuck in a loop:
Gastroenteritis → anxiety → diet change → under-eating + dehydration → hypersensitive stomach → painful hunger → more anxiety → more nervous activation
That loop can sustain symptoms for months — but it is reversible.
Timeline for Recovery
Post-infectious gut hypersensitivity often improves over:
3–6 months
Sometimes up to 12 months
But hydration + nutritional stabilization can improve things within weeks.
Thank you
Thank you so much. So if it’s a functional digestive disorder or something else, it’s completely reversible? Do you think I’ll get through it?
Thank you very much for your reply, is it reversible nonetheless and should I continue taking Inexium?
Yes it’s 💯 reversible, yes continue with inexium and increase water content .
Thank you so much for your reply. Do you think I can go skiing without any problems?
Because I do experience episodes of intense fatigue that alternate with or accompany this painful feeling of hunger. Also, are the two related, or is the sudden exhaustion more likely caused by dehydration or something else?
Mainly it can be two causes… firstly drinking less water and secondly thyroid or vitamin deficiency… You can go for skiing but be aware of hydration and eat fruits before going .
Thank you for your reply. I’ve already had my TSH and iron levels tested, and they’re normal. I’ve also been taking 10 mg of Inexium for nine days; do you think that could be the cause of my fatigue?
I’ve seen that this medication can also cause deficiencies in vitamins, magnesium, and other nutrients, but I’m taking supplements to address that.
So my fatigue, headaches, weakness, etc., aren’t related to my digestive problems?
That’s great… no I don’t think it’s related to inexium… it’s mostly related to digestive only because of that it can lead to nutritional deficiencies… go for Inexium with nutritional supplements and small meals with proper water intake… go for a week or 2 … Hopefully you’ll feel better .
Could the symptoms I mentioned, and the fact that I have this abnormal hunger and thirst that disappears for several days at a time and then returns very strongly, be a dysfunction of the hypothalamus?
Chances are rare but there can be some probability too . Because of symptoms.
Ah…and how can I know? Is it serious? Is it treatable?
Yes it 💯 treatable but as I already said chances are rare… for confirmation Investigations for hypothalamic dysfunction focus on identifying underlying causes (damage) and evaluating hormone imbalances, involving MRI/CT brain imaging, comprehensive blood/urine tests for pituitary hormones (cortisol, thyroid, sex hormones, GH), and osmolality tests for diabetes insipidus
Okay, thank you for your reply.
And do you think I have it based on my symptoms?
your symptoms began after a bout of gastroenteritis followed by anxiety and dietary changes, and your blood tests are mostly normal, which makes a serious or dangerous disease less likely. The combination of painful “false” hunger, stomach sensitivity after meals, fatigue, dizziness, heavy legs, sleepiness, and very low fluid intake (only 0.5–1 L/day) strongly suggests a functional digestive and nervous system imbalance rather than an emergency condition. After gut infections, problems such as Gastritis, Reactive hypoglycemia, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome can develop and cause stomach pain, abnormal hunger signals, fatigue, and mucus in stools. Dehydration can also explain your dizziness, cold sensitivity, weakness, and slightly high hematocrit. To feel better, increase fluids to about 2–3 liters daily, eat small frequent balanced meals (protein + fiber + healthy fats), avoid long fasting, reduce caffeine, manage stress/anxiety, and consider checking vitamin B12 and iron levels. If symptoms persist, worsen, or you develop weight loss, persistent diarrhea, vomiting, or bleeding, see a doctor. In conclusion, your condition is most likely functional and reversible, and improving hydration, nutrition, and gut recovery should gradually reduce your symptoms.
You go for upper GI endoscopy . Don’t take inexium more than 2 weeks .
Thank you very much for your reply, is it reversible nonetheless and should I continue taking Inexium?
Could the symptoms I mentioned, and the fact that I have this abnormal hunger and thirst that disappears for several days at a time and then returns very strongly, be a dysfunction of the hypothalamus?
Vos symptômes ne suggèrent pas une urgence grave, mais ils peuvent correspondre à une hypersensibilité gastrique post-gastroentérite, un trouble digestif fonctionnel (comme une dyspepsie fonctionnelle), ou des effets de déshydratation et d’anxiété, et votre faible hydratation peut aggraver la fatigue, les vertiges et la sensation de faim douloureuse. Essayez d’augmenter progressivement votre apport hydrique à 1,5–2 L/jour, de prendre de petits repas réguliers, de limiter café/épices/aliments acides, de gérer le stress, et de demander un dosage de vitamine B12 et un bilan digestif complémentaire. Consultez un gastro-entérologue ou un médecin interniste pour évaluation complète, surtout en raison de la douleur intense persistante et de la durée des symptômes.
Vos symptômes peuvent être liés à une déshydratation importante, une hypersensibilité gastrique post-gastro-entérite, des troubles fonctionnels digestifs ou un déséquilibre métabolique (carence en vitamine B12, troubles glycémiques, stress/anxiété), surtout avec un apport hydrique très faible et un hématocrite élevé. Augmentez progressivement votre hydratation (≈2–2,5 L/jour sauf contre-indication), prenez de petits repas fréquents équilibrés, évitez les longues périodes de jeûne et demandez un bilan incluant vitamine B12, glycémie et électrolytes. Il est recommandé de consulter un spécialiste en Gastroenterology ou un médecin en Internal Medicine pour une évaluation complète, et consultez en urgence si vous avez un évanouissement, une aggravation marquée des douleurs ou une faiblesse importante.
Vos symptômes peuvent être liés à une déshydratation importante, une hypersensibilité digestive après gastro-entérite, des troubles fonctionnels digestifs, un déséquilibre glycémique ou une carence vitaminique (notamment B12), surtout avec un apport hydrique très faible et un hématocrite élevé. Augmentez progressivement votre hydratation (≈2–2,5 L/jour sauf contre-indication), prenez de petits repas fréquents équilibrés, évitez les longues périodes de jeûne et faites un bilan incluant vitamine B12, glycémie et électrolytes. Il est recommandé de consulter un spécialiste en Gastroenterology ou un médecin en Internal Medicine pour une évaluation complète, et consultez en urgence si vous avez un évanouissement, une aggravation importante des douleurs ou une faiblesse marquée.
Could the symptoms I mentioned, and the fact that I have this abnormal hunger and thirst that disappears for several days at a time and then returns very strongly, be a dysfunction of the hypothalamus?
