To Your Good Health
Dear Dr. Roach: Last summer I went camping and ran out of clean water. I had to boil water and drink it without any treatment tablets. That evening, I had painful cramps in my stomach, and in my upper abdomen, under my ribcage. Since then, my digestion has been horrific. I have constant rank gas and bloating when eating foods Ive never had a problem with before, even fruits and vegetables. I have been a big eater of probiotic foods, with no digestive disturbances. However, since this incident, any form of probiotic, whether from capsule or natural foods like sauerkraut or kimchi, gives me the worst gas and bloating Ive ever had.
I had parasite and bacterial stool testing done with my doctor, and I came up clear. I feel like I need antibiotics or something to clear whatever is going on with my digestive system, but am hesitant because I have had four rounds of antibiotics in 2017 from surgeries. I am worried about beaver fever. What do you recommend? A.L.
Answer: There are several infections one can get from drinking unprocessed water while camping. Beaver fever is a name for infection from the parasite Giardia lamblia, which is found in water where animals (especially beavers) are found. Its a reasonable thought its one of the few waterborne infections that can persist for months. However, I think Giardia is unlikely. Symptoms from Giardia normally begin one to two weeks after exposure, and the parasites are killed very rapidly by boiling water.
Your symptoms are very much like irritable bowel syndrome, and I do wonder if it might have been triggered by some event that day you were camping. Usually, three sets of cultures for parasites are done to make sure there isnt an unwelcome guest in your intestine causing symptoms. A gastroenterologist would be a good choice to help you track down an identifiable cause and to get some symptomatic relief. Antibiotics are not recommended without knowing what you are treating.
Dear Dr. Roach: I am a 69-year-old white male. I take one 20-mg pravastatin per day to manage my cholesterol. One of the side effects is joint pain. Are you aware of a substitute that does not have this joint pain side effect?
Answer: Statins are one of the most common medicines used, and although they have relatively few side effects, so many people take them that there are many reported untoward effects.
Muscle aches are common. Muscle breakdown is serious and, fortunately, rare. But joint aches are not a common side effect. In the package insert, arthritis is listed in less than 1 percent of people.
Of all the statins, pravastatin tends to have relatively few side effects. It is metabolized differently from how the others are, so have a discussion with your doctor about taking a different statin, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor). Lipitor is much more potent than pravastatin (Pravachol), so the dose you will need is likely to be much lower.
