I think I overall am gradually getting better. Still lots of gas, movements still quite explosive, but tending toward more solid. I can tell my colon is still inflamed because I lost weight down to college weight, but waist line has not budged, about ten inches larger than that time. It has been a year ago Feb that I've been GF SF DF and 6 weeks ago started YF since that number was 20. I started l-glutamine 3x1000 a day about mid May, I had tried twice a day previously, but read someone's comment from a doctor to take 3 a day, so decided to try it again since it is supposed to work on inflammation of the gut. Maybe that has helped, I am trying to do only one thing at a time and keep records!
So on Thursday I woke up with a big pain in my gut, about 4" to the right of my navel, pretty much waist line level. Kind of seemed like gas, but didn't go away, still hurts, maybe is slightly better today. Last night I was able to sleep lying on my left side--right side and back painful. I was walking around hunched over, Dave was ready to make a trip to ER yesterday. It kind of reminds me of something I had in my 20s or 30s, the Dr ruled out appendix and concluded it was a viral gas bubble, went away after a few days.
I'd appreciate hearing any comments or suggestions from anyone who has a clue about this. Happy 4th to everyone.
Beverly
can someone please explain this pain in my gut?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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Joefnh
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Hi Bev the pain in the lower right quadrant can be appendicitis and you should be aware of any other symptoms like fever and nausea. If they occur at the same time as the pain you should get it checked out.
The other possibility and more likely one is activity in or near the terminal illium. While pain is not normal associated with mc, when inflammation is present pain can certainly be a factor. Does the pain remain in the same spot or move around some. If it is moving around it may very well be gas.
I hope you feel better soon Bev
Joe
The other possibility and more likely one is activity in or near the terminal illium. While pain is not normal associated with mc, when inflammation is present pain can certainly be a factor. Does the pain remain in the same spot or move around some. If it is moving around it may very well be gas.
I hope you feel better soon Bev
Joe
Joe
Hi Joe, thanks for your comments. The pain might move around slightly, but not too much, no fever or nausea.
I thought of the ilium also, since I know it is in that general area, and unfortunately so is the appendix, but since no fever and no nausea, hope that is not it. Wonder if the gas would last this long? Anyway, I'll watch for further symptoms and keep everyone posted. Thanks, Beverly
I thought of the ilium also, since I know it is in that general area, and unfortunately so is the appendix, but since no fever and no nausea, hope that is not it. Wonder if the gas would last this long? Anyway, I'll watch for further symptoms and keep everyone posted. Thanks, Beverly
Beverly -
I hope you're feeling better. There's nothing like realizing that your symptoms are still there... and it's a holiday weekend... so the whole medical system is out on BBQ
Here in NYC, I try to make sure I'm never sick on a Friday in the summer, or in any way at all in August! (Having said that, when I had pneumonia, years back - I think I was lucky to get the young doc who was covering for the senior folks who were at the beach. He was wonderful!)
I totally sympathize with the dilemma of wanting to be attentive, but not hyper-nervous. I sincerely hope you're already feeling reassured, and the ER won't be part of your holiday weekend.
All my best,
Sara
I hope you're feeling better. There's nothing like realizing that your symptoms are still there... and it's a holiday weekend... so the whole medical system is out on BBQ
Here in NYC, I try to make sure I'm never sick on a Friday in the summer, or in any way at all in August! (Having said that, when I had pneumonia, years back - I think I was lucky to get the young doc who was covering for the senior folks who were at the beach. He was wonderful!)I totally sympathize with the dilemma of wanting to be attentive, but not hyper-nervous. I sincerely hope you're already feeling reassured, and the ER won't be part of your holiday weekend.
All my best,
Sara
Beverly,
That's not a common site for pain due to a cause other than appendicitis. If the pain originated near the navel, and then later shifted to the right and down, that would be highly suspicious for appendicitis, (even in the absence of nausea and/or fever).
If it were due to a kidney issue, the pain should be felt in back, rather than in the front. It might be the site of an infection, but if so, it would be sort of atypical, since most infections occur in diverticuli, which would my more likely located in the LLQ, (in the sigmoid colon).
Chron's is a remote possibility, since the terminal ileum is a favorite site for Crohn's. Did your pathology report and/or endoscopy, (colonoscopy), report show any of the markers of Crohn's? How long has it been since your last colonoscopy? The odds are strongly against the development of Crohn's, of course - I'm just grasping at straws, here.
I've had similar symptoms, due to a persistent pocket of gas. An impacted lump can also cause such pain symptoms. I once had that happen to me, in the general location that you describe. All the contrast solution that I had to drink, prior to a series of CT scans, apparently dissolved it, and resolved the problem.
If I were a doctor, I'd have to diagnose you with IBS, because obviously, I don't have the foggiest idea what the problem might be.
Tex
That's not a common site for pain due to a cause other than appendicitis. If the pain originated near the navel, and then later shifted to the right and down, that would be highly suspicious for appendicitis, (even in the absence of nausea and/or fever).
If it were due to a kidney issue, the pain should be felt in back, rather than in the front. It might be the site of an infection, but if so, it would be sort of atypical, since most infections occur in diverticuli, which would my more likely located in the LLQ, (in the sigmoid colon).
Chron's is a remote possibility, since the terminal ileum is a favorite site for Crohn's. Did your pathology report and/or endoscopy, (colonoscopy), report show any of the markers of Crohn's? How long has it been since your last colonoscopy? The odds are strongly against the development of Crohn's, of course - I'm just grasping at straws, here.
I've had similar symptoms, due to a persistent pocket of gas. An impacted lump can also cause such pain symptoms. I once had that happen to me, in the general location that you describe. All the contrast solution that I had to drink, prior to a series of CT scans, apparently dissolved it, and resolved the problem.
If I were a doctor, I'd have to diagnose you with IBS, because obviously, I don't have the foggiest idea what the problem might be.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Beverly,
Tex's suggestion of sleeping on the left side was amazing - I couldn't believe the difference. In addition to all the other "body parts" in that arena, I had significant 'mittelschmerz' (pain around the time of ovulation) for some years. If this pain has a month-ish cyclical nature for you, you might keep that in the back of your mind as your try to decode your symptoms.
Meantime - sleeping on the left side is amazing! My husband and I switched sides of the bed, after many years, and it made a world of difference, though it was funny how hard it was to get used to it. We are creatures of habit.
Keeping records is hard for me. I believe that it will be crucial to my progress to improve in this area... good for you for moving in that direction.
For me the bloated waistline is definitely connected to eating something that I shouldn't. I don't know whether that is permanent, and am still in the early months of getting my diet nailed down. That may not hold true for you - but I hope you can easily rule out appendix, ovarian issues, etc. and get back to where that right lower quadrant doesn't wake you up with pain.
All my best,
Sara
Tex's suggestion of sleeping on the left side was amazing - I couldn't believe the difference. In addition to all the other "body parts" in that arena, I had significant 'mittelschmerz' (pain around the time of ovulation) for some years. If this pain has a month-ish cyclical nature for you, you might keep that in the back of your mind as your try to decode your symptoms.
Meantime - sleeping on the left side is amazing! My husband and I switched sides of the bed, after many years, and it made a world of difference, though it was funny how hard it was to get used to it. We are creatures of habit.
Keeping records is hard for me. I believe that it will be crucial to my progress to improve in this area... good for you for moving in that direction.
For me the bloated waistline is definitely connected to eating something that I shouldn't. I don't know whether that is permanent, and am still in the early months of getting my diet nailed down. That may not hold true for you - but I hope you can easily rule out appendix, ovarian issues, etc. and get back to where that right lower quadrant doesn't wake you up with pain.
All my best,
Sara
It could aso possibly be your ileocecal valve.
Here are af few links to read more out it.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5153450_open-cl ... valve.html
http://robdaquila.com/2009/10/14/ileocecal-valve/
http://robdaquila.com/2009/11/23/ileoce ... revisited/
Matthew
Here are af few links to read more out it.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5153450_open-cl ... valve.html
http://robdaquila.com/2009/10/14/ileocecal-valve/
http://robdaquila.com/2009/11/23/ileoce ... revisited/
Matthew
Thanks for all the responses, this board rocks!
Tex, my last colonoscopy was June 30, 2009, almost exactly 2 years ago. I was just going over the report. I think we had a previous discussion of how skimpy the report was. I'll reproduce relevant items here:
Final Surgical Diagnosis, Random biopsy of transverse colon: colonic mucosa with some features suggestive of Microscopic colitis.
Gross Description: Biopsy normal looking transverse colon. Recd in formalin are 2 fragments of pale tan tissue each measuring 0.3 cm in greatest dimension, submitted entirely in one cassette.
Microscopic description: One H & E slide examined. Colonic mucosa showing a patchy and minimal increase off intraepithelial lymphocytes within the surface epithelium but without degenerative changes of the epithelium. Basement membrane appears normal and other features of acute or chronic colitis are not seen. No granulomas, ulcerations of dysplastic changes are present.
Report by dr 8-4-09 states the scope was inserted without difficulty to the level of the cecum, identified by the ileocecal valve, appendiceal orifice, both of which appeared to be normal.
And that was all I got from him, other than the standard "diet has nothing to do with it, take drugs" speech. If you see anything of value here I'd appreciate the Tex translation.
Matthew, thanks for the info on the ileocecal value, quite interesting, I've already done the suggested procedures, simple enough. I plan to continue doing them, sounds like a good idea.
And Sara, thanks for your kind words, as I said, this board rocks!
Happy 4th to all, Beverly
Tex, my last colonoscopy was June 30, 2009, almost exactly 2 years ago. I was just going over the report. I think we had a previous discussion of how skimpy the report was. I'll reproduce relevant items here:
Final Surgical Diagnosis, Random biopsy of transverse colon: colonic mucosa with some features suggestive of Microscopic colitis.
Gross Description: Biopsy normal looking transverse colon. Recd in formalin are 2 fragments of pale tan tissue each measuring 0.3 cm in greatest dimension, submitted entirely in one cassette.
Microscopic description: One H & E slide examined. Colonic mucosa showing a patchy and minimal increase off intraepithelial lymphocytes within the surface epithelium but without degenerative changes of the epithelium. Basement membrane appears normal and other features of acute or chronic colitis are not seen. No granulomas, ulcerations of dysplastic changes are present.
Report by dr 8-4-09 states the scope was inserted without difficulty to the level of the cecum, identified by the ileocecal valve, appendiceal orifice, both of which appeared to be normal.
And that was all I got from him, other than the standard "diet has nothing to do with it, take drugs" speech. If you see anything of value here I'd appreciate the Tex translation.
Matthew, thanks for the info on the ileocecal value, quite interesting, I've already done the suggested procedures, simple enough. I plan to continue doing them, sounds like a good idea.
And Sara, thanks for your kind words, as I said, this board rocks!
Happy 4th to all, Beverly
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MBombardier
- Rockhopper Penguin
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- Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2010 10:44 am
- Location: Vancouver, WA
Bev, I would not rule out appendix, though it doesn't seem like the classic symptoms. In my first appendicitis attack I didn't have nausea or fever. The MD pooh-poohed my saying that I had all the symptoms except those two, so the next attack I had, I waited for the fever and nausea before going to the emergency room. I had a CT scan nine hours later and by the time I got back to the emergency room, the doctor was on the phone calling a surgeon because I had a hot appendix about to burst.
My understanding is that you can have several appendicitis attacks before "the big one" where the appendix bursts. If you look online, you will see that a classic attack goes away within a certain number of hours (I forget how many...12 or so, I think). So your pain does not seem typical. But as I said, I wouldn't rule it out.
My understanding is that you can have several appendicitis attacks before "the big one" where the appendix bursts. If you look online, you will see that a classic attack goes away within a certain number of hours (I forget how many...12 or so, I think). So your pain does not seem typical. But as I said, I wouldn't rule it out.
Marliss Bombardier
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
Beverly,
That pathology report appears to be a "clean" description of LC, with absolutely no indications of any markers of Chron's disease, (nor any other digestive system issues, for that matter). Since you've been on the GF, DF, SF diet for so long, it's very unlikely that Crohn's might have developed since that exam was done, (unless your vitamin D level happens to be extremely low).
I agree with Marliss - the appendiceal orifice leads to a chamber somewhat similar to a diverticular "pocket", which suggests that, (similar to a diverticulitis attack), it could experience, and recover from, an infection that never proceeded to the emergency stage. Or, the episode could repeat, and become more serious, depending on the luck of the draw.
Anyway, your pathology report shows no indications at all of anything other than LC.
Tex
That pathology report appears to be a "clean" description of LC, with absolutely no indications of any markers of Chron's disease, (nor any other digestive system issues, for that matter). Since you've been on the GF, DF, SF diet for so long, it's very unlikely that Crohn's might have developed since that exam was done, (unless your vitamin D level happens to be extremely low).
I agree with Marliss - the appendiceal orifice leads to a chamber somewhat similar to a diverticular "pocket", which suggests that, (similar to a diverticulitis attack), it could experience, and recover from, an infection that never proceeded to the emergency stage. Or, the episode could repeat, and become more serious, depending on the luck of the draw.
Anyway, your pathology report shows no indications at all of anything other than LC.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
UPDATE ON MY PAIN
It was a week ago today that this started. Tuesday I felt really rotten after a sleepless night, weak, no energy, but still no fever or nausea. Tuesday afternoon I started perking up a little. Dave noticed and felt I was over the hump. Wed felt better,the pain moved around a bit, still pretty much around waistline, but also to diaphragm area above navel, which maybe confirms gas. Actually got a couple of hours of gardening done. Today I am pretty much back to normal.
I really appreciate the support from the board. Remaining questions are:
Marliss, how long until you had "the big one"? Did you feel totally better between, or still thought something was going on?
Tex, I really appreciate your comments and your translation of my lab report, really made me feel more confident.
Matthew, wonder if my working on the ilium valve helped bring the recovery about? I was wondering if you thought this should be a continuing thing, or only used when there appears to be a problem. I had been aware of this area puffing up on occasion like big gas moving through. I wouldn't want to close it when it was open or visa versa, but thought it might be a maintainance thing.
Thanks again all, Beverly
It was a week ago today that this started. Tuesday I felt really rotten after a sleepless night, weak, no energy, but still no fever or nausea. Tuesday afternoon I started perking up a little. Dave noticed and felt I was over the hump. Wed felt better,the pain moved around a bit, still pretty much around waistline, but also to diaphragm area above navel, which maybe confirms gas. Actually got a couple of hours of gardening done. Today I am pretty much back to normal.
I really appreciate the support from the board. Remaining questions are:
Marliss, how long until you had "the big one"? Did you feel totally better between, or still thought something was going on?
Tex, I really appreciate your comments and your translation of my lab report, really made me feel more confident.
Matthew, wonder if my working on the ilium valve helped bring the recovery about? I was wondering if you thought this should be a continuing thing, or only used when there appears to be a problem. I had been aware of this area puffing up on occasion like big gas moving through. I wouldn't want to close it when it was open or visa versa, but thought it might be a maintainance thing.
Thanks again all, Beverly
That's definitely good news. I hope that trend continues.Beverly wrote:Today I am pretty much back to normal.
Thanks for the update.
You're most welcome, of course,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.