Lachlan could no longer attend school and he continued to lose weight. His family was desperate for answers.

At 16 years old, Lachlan developed gastroenteritis after a bushwalking expedition in Tasmania. Thinking it was just temporary food poisoning, his family assumed that in a few days he would be back to his normal self. Yet although he recovered from his acute symptoms, from that time on he was beset by daily episodes of nausea and gradually began to lose weight.

Lachlan’s parents, Robyn and Robert, were worried, and took their son to what would be the first of many doctor consultations. Test after test, specialist after specialist, no one could tell them what was wrong. Lachlan was often too sick to attend school, and his parents were worried that he would fall behind. Despite attempts to change his diet and their persistence with testing, they watched helpless as their son, unable to socialize and play basketball and cricket as he used to, continued to suffer.

“We were getting nowhere. Lachlan’s case was not stock standard, we were trying all different treatments, and we wanted a clear diagnosis”.

“When we learned that we had access to Best Doctors, we were a bit sceptical. But after using the service we are convinced that they can really help people when they are dealing with a medical condition.”

Best Doctors selected a world specialist in paediatric gastroenterology to review Lachlan’s case.

Carefully looking at all of the test results and at Lachlan’s particular symptoms, the expert concluded that he was suffering from complications as a result of infection, made worse by gastroparesis, or delayed gastric emptying. In the expert’s opinion, Lachlan’s doctors had done an excellent job at testing and treating him, yet the condition was one that needed time to resolve. Offering various medication alternatives to help cope with the symptoms if need be, the expert reassured Robyn and Robert that their son would soon improve on his own in 12-24 months. The best thing that his parents could do for their son was continue to manage his diet and nutritional needs, for which the expert gave additional recommendations.Robyn and Robert shared the Best Doctors report with Lachlan’s treating specialist, who was familiar with the expert’s work and reputation as a leading authority on adolescent gastroenterology. Whilst following the expert’s advice Lachlan was home schooled and soon began to recover. Just as the expert had confirmed, he is now nearly back to a healthy weight, thriving at university and excited about completing a degree in commerce.

“Today, Lachlan is 90% there. We still have to monitor his diet, and manage his condition but he’s very happy at university and is back playing basketball during the week. We are so relieved and so pleased to see him back on the road to 100% health and fitness.”

Lachlan has almost fully recovered and is back to his normal self.