Hi all,
In haven't posted for a while -- mainly hanging back and lurking. I still feel new.
Tex, many congrats on your book! Awesome news!
So I was slated to go to China tomorrow, but I canceled the trip. I'm just not ready. :( I sure hope another chance down the road is in the cards.
I'm hoping someone might have some ideas or strategies about some lower left abdominal pain I've had since my colonoscopy a month ago. No pain at all before them. Now, it's like a sharp memstrual pain in the exact same spot. We're it not for that I would feel great. My doctor shrugged his shoulders, but I have dealt with this too long now to feel like it's just a 'mystery.' I can't help feeling like something about the procedure caused this.
I know that antibiotics are risky, but that's my inclination at this point. I'm thinking a mild form of diverticulitis. Sound reasonable? I think I need to someone who can help me. Do you think it's possible without another colonoscopy? That is definately not something I want to do at this point as I think it caused major problems.
Any thoughts or direction would be great! Thank you!
Warmly,
Mary
Pain in same spot one month later
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Hi Mary,
I'm sorry to hear that you needed to cancel your trip to China. If I were in your shoes I would get a copy of the endoscopy report for the colonoscopy procedure. The report will accurately describe the appearance/condition of the interior of your colon in detail. Any visible irregularities will be noted. You just have to know how to interpret the jargon used by GI docs. If you have any "tics" (as they are referred to by GI docs) noted in the report, then diverticulitis is a possibility. If you need any help interpreting the report, we can help.
Since the pain began immediately after the procedure, though, I would be inclined to suspect either mechanical damage caused by the passage of the scope, or longitudinal splitting of the wall of the colon due to over-inflation. (During the procedure, the colon is inflated with air pressure to allow easier examination of the inner surface, and it is common for longitudinal splits to develop as a result). The splits don't go all the way through the wall, but they can certainly be painful, and presumably they can be the site of an infection. This is sort of a dirty little secret in the trade, and it's not surprising that your doctor would pretend to not have a clue, since doctors are understandably very reluctant to criticize the work of other doctors whom they work with, let alone "blow the whistle" on a friend. The point is, a colonoscopy exam is a very invasive exam, and "stuff" can happen. That's why they have you sign all the paperwork beforehand, to release them from liability (or at least to reduce their liability).
Usually, those splits heal within a week or two. If you're still having pain there a month later, something is obviously wrong. If a perforation had occurred, surely you would have been extremely sick, almost immediately, including fever and the usual symptoms of a major, life-threatening infection, so I doubt that a perforation occurred, though a somewhat serious split is certainly possible. Acute diverticulitis is definitely a possibility (assuming that you do have diverticulosis), but anyone who has the condition can tell you that the pain associated with diverticulitis is usually extremely severe, often accompanied by cramps and D. Needless to say, your case seems rather unusual.
You may need another opinion (from another GI specialist).
Tex
I'm sorry to hear that you needed to cancel your trip to China. If I were in your shoes I would get a copy of the endoscopy report for the colonoscopy procedure. The report will accurately describe the appearance/condition of the interior of your colon in detail. Any visible irregularities will be noted. You just have to know how to interpret the jargon used by GI docs. If you have any "tics" (as they are referred to by GI docs) noted in the report, then diverticulitis is a possibility. If you need any help interpreting the report, we can help.
Since the pain began immediately after the procedure, though, I would be inclined to suspect either mechanical damage caused by the passage of the scope, or longitudinal splitting of the wall of the colon due to over-inflation. (During the procedure, the colon is inflated with air pressure to allow easier examination of the inner surface, and it is common for longitudinal splits to develop as a result). The splits don't go all the way through the wall, but they can certainly be painful, and presumably they can be the site of an infection. This is sort of a dirty little secret in the trade, and it's not surprising that your doctor would pretend to not have a clue, since doctors are understandably very reluctant to criticize the work of other doctors whom they work with, let alone "blow the whistle" on a friend. The point is, a colonoscopy exam is a very invasive exam, and "stuff" can happen. That's why they have you sign all the paperwork beforehand, to release them from liability (or at least to reduce their liability).
Usually, those splits heal within a week or two. If you're still having pain there a month later, something is obviously wrong. If a perforation had occurred, surely you would have been extremely sick, almost immediately, including fever and the usual symptoms of a major, life-threatening infection, so I doubt that a perforation occurred, though a somewhat serious split is certainly possible. Acute diverticulitis is definitely a possibility (assuming that you do have diverticulosis), but anyone who has the condition can tell you that the pain associated with diverticulitis is usually extremely severe, often accompanied by cramps and D. Needless to say, your case seems rather unusual.
You may need another opinion (from another GI specialist).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.
Hi Tex,
Thanks so much. My doctor has ordered a PT scan. When I saw the word 'prep' and 'drink' in the same sentence, I almost sponteniously combusted. But they have assured that nothing is going to be stick up anywhere.
The reports said that I do have some diverticuli here and there, so I'm wondering if there is something to this. It feels very crampy, but in the exact spot.
I'm just not having a bunch of confidence in this doctor.
If there are any concerns with having a PT scan or with taking antibiotics if there is some infection, please let me know. The procedure is scheduled for Thursday.
Thank you SO MUCH sor all of your helpful advice!
Yours,
Mary
Thanks so much. My doctor has ordered a PT scan. When I saw the word 'prep' and 'drink' in the same sentence, I almost sponteniously combusted. But they have assured that nothing is going to be stick up anywhere.
The reports said that I do have some diverticuli here and there, so I'm wondering if there is something to this. It feels very crampy, but in the exact spot.
I'm just not having a bunch of confidence in this doctor.
If there are any concerns with having a PT scan or with taking antibiotics if there is some infection, please let me know. The procedure is scheduled for Thursday.
Thank you SO MUCH sor all of your helpful advice!
Yours,
Mary
Hmmmmm. It sounds as though they might be searching for a tumor. My GI doc was always looking for a tumor, when he couldn't find any reason for my symptoms. I've had CT scans and MRI scans, but never a PT scan, so I'm not very familiar with that one. I'm just guessing, but surely it doesn't involve the type of nerve-jarring noise that's so characteristic of an MRI scan.
PT scans are probably at their best when used to determine the extent of cancer, and the functional status of organs, but I would assume that they would also be useful for defining a site of acute diverticulitis, so hopefully it will provide some useful information. Unless it's combined with a CT scan though, (in the same device), it may not detect/define physical damage/defects, such as the type of split that I mentioned. Even if a split were the original problem, surely it would have healed by now. With any luck at all, the scan will pinpoint the source of the pain.
Antibiotics are not the best thing in the world for someone who has MC, but certain types of antibiotics are much less likely to trigger a relapse. For example, the fluoroquinolones (especially ciprofloxacin), and azithromycin (Z-pak) rarely cause problems for us. I'm pretty sure that the scan itself should be a piece of cake.
Best of luck during the test, and please keep us posted.
Tex
PT scans are probably at their best when used to determine the extent of cancer, and the functional status of organs, but I would assume that they would also be useful for defining a site of acute diverticulitis, so hopefully it will provide some useful information. Unless it's combined with a CT scan though, (in the same device), it may not detect/define physical damage/defects, such as the type of split that I mentioned. Even if a split were the original problem, surely it would have healed by now. With any luck at all, the scan will pinpoint the source of the pain.
Antibiotics are not the best thing in the world for someone who has MC, but certain types of antibiotics are much less likely to trigger a relapse. For example, the fluoroquinolones (especially ciprofloxacin), and azithromycin (Z-pak) rarely cause problems for us. I'm pretty sure that the scan itself should be a piece of cake.
Best of luck during the test, and please keep us posted.
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.
I'm such an idiot -- I wrote PT Scan -- but it was a CT scan.
So.... got the results back and everything looked clear. The only thing noted was a "mild diverticulosis" exactly in the spot where my pain has been.
At this point I'm not too sure what to think. I wonder if this is why I have the pain. It makes me sound like such a baby to be getting all uptight if it's only mild diverticulosis (not diverticulitis).
I find that I feel much better when:
1) I'm moving -- exercising, walking, etc.
2) I'm lying flat (sleeping)
3) Right after I've eaten, as incredible as that seems!
So the most painful is when I've pretty much got an empty stomach and I'm sitting down. It feels like a menstrual cramp to me.
Now I'm starting to wonder if there's some type of muscular thing. Aggg!
Thanks to everyone for the insights and thoughts you've shared. I really appreciate it!
Warmly,
Mary
So.... got the results back and everything looked clear. The only thing noted was a "mild diverticulosis" exactly in the spot where my pain has been.
At this point I'm not too sure what to think. I wonder if this is why I have the pain. It makes me sound like such a baby to be getting all uptight if it's only mild diverticulosis (not diverticulitis).
I find that I feel much better when:
1) I'm moving -- exercising, walking, etc.
2) I'm lying flat (sleeping)
3) Right after I've eaten, as incredible as that seems!
So the most painful is when I've pretty much got an empty stomach and I'm sitting down. It feels like a menstrual cramp to me.
Now I'm starting to wonder if there's some type of muscular thing. Aggg!
Thanks to everyone for the insights and thoughts you've shared. I really appreciate it!
Warmly,
Mary
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mzh
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 615
- Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:03 pm
- Location: Upstate South Carolina
- Contact:
Mary, if it's any consolation, I have your symptoms 1-3 too when I have a diverticulosis twinge. I was a baby about it too and even when to the surgeon who did my cecal volvulus surgery. He could feel nothing and suggested I do some general exercises that worked the abdominals a little. I was skeptical but darned if it didn't work. I don't know what that has to do with diverticulosis but the exercise really did work. Incidentally, I had the div. even when I was off gluten. Quitting popcorn and nuts helped that a whole Lot. 
Also have sleep apnea
Hi mzh,
Thank you for your response! Wow, that is really interesting. I would love to know the kind of exercises that you tried that were helpful. I would definitely be willing to give it a go! It would be nice to be giving something a try! Would you be willing to describe what you did?
Thanks so much!!
Warmly,
Mary
Thank you for your response! Wow, that is really interesting. I would love to know the kind of exercises that you tried that were helpful. I would definitely be willing to give it a go! It would be nice to be giving something a try! Would you be willing to describe what you did?
Thanks so much!!
Warmly,
Mary
-
mzh
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 615
- Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2010 8:03 pm
- Location: Upstate South Carolina
- Contact:
Hi Mary,
I joined a senior group (Senior Solutions) that has a gym. I do 2 kinds of pull downs on the Nautilus machine for my shoulders but I think the abs tense up some from them. I do the elliptical for 5 minutes and then do the Curves equipment that the gym has. Nope - no sit ups. LOL
At home I do leg to chest exercises and also lie on the floor and lift my butt off the floor. It's great for the butt and lower back but it's also good for the abs. I use tubing with handles and work on my arms with those to imitate the Nautilus ( I do "rows", pull-downs and a variety of shoulder exercises).
I feel really good after I exercise; when I don't I freeze up! I very rarely have those awful abdominal aches now. When I do it's b/c I ate something I shouldn't have.
Marcia
I joined a senior group (Senior Solutions) that has a gym. I do 2 kinds of pull downs on the Nautilus machine for my shoulders but I think the abs tense up some from them. I do the elliptical for 5 minutes and then do the Curves equipment that the gym has. Nope - no sit ups. LOL
At home I do leg to chest exercises and also lie on the floor and lift my butt off the floor. It's great for the butt and lower back but it's also good for the abs. I use tubing with handles and work on my arms with those to imitate the Nautilus ( I do "rows", pull-downs and a variety of shoulder exercises).
I feel really good after I exercise; when I don't I freeze up! I very rarely have those awful abdominal aches now. When I do it's b/c I ate something I shouldn't have.
Marcia
Also have sleep apnea
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Christine.
- Gentoo Penguin
- Posts: 260
- Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:15 pm
Thanks everyone for the great advice! Marcia, I've taken your insight to heart. Although I exercise almost every day, I mostly either run or do aerobics. I know I need to do more with weights and strength training, so this is motivation, too, to work on my abs.
In addition to that, here's what I've also done. And I realize that this approach would definitely not be for everyone, that's for sure. So with that in mind... In reading up on diverticulosis, it seemed like everyone was mentioning fiber all the time. And I started in wonder if my low-fiber diet might be a little too low. I have been slowly adding back in raw veggies here and there. And each morning I have a bowl of the Goodlife brand flax cereal. But I thought I would try to look for other ways to increase some fiber, and so was looking potential supplements in the grocery store. I decided to try Fiberchoice tablets that say they have "prebiotics" in them. I think the max per day is 6, but I started with 3.
After about a day I started feeling better, and after 2 days, the pain was almost entirely gone. I can't believe it.
As I always the case, I always, always seem to confound my experiments. So it could be the exercise, the fiber tables, or maybe just time. I have no idea.
I do think that all of this indicates that a corner is being turned. For example, last night we had red beans and rice that I had made for my husband (grew up in New Orleans). There's no gluten in that dish, nor dairy, nor every soy for that matter (at least the way I make it). But red beans? Worried about that. So I was going to take some digestive enzymes before we ate anything. But when going to bed later, I realized I forgot to do that. No symptoms whatsoever.
Baby steps, baby steps, getting there. Thanks so much to everyone for the help.
Warmly,
Mary
In addition to that, here's what I've also done. And I realize that this approach would definitely not be for everyone, that's for sure. So with that in mind... In reading up on diverticulosis, it seemed like everyone was mentioning fiber all the time. And I started in wonder if my low-fiber diet might be a little too low. I have been slowly adding back in raw veggies here and there. And each morning I have a bowl of the Goodlife brand flax cereal. But I thought I would try to look for other ways to increase some fiber, and so was looking potential supplements in the grocery store. I decided to try Fiberchoice tablets that say they have "prebiotics" in them. I think the max per day is 6, but I started with 3.
After about a day I started feeling better, and after 2 days, the pain was almost entirely gone. I can't believe it.
As I always the case, I always, always seem to confound my experiments. So it could be the exercise, the fiber tables, or maybe just time. I have no idea.
I do think that all of this indicates that a corner is being turned. For example, last night we had red beans and rice that I had made for my husband (grew up in New Orleans). There's no gluten in that dish, nor dairy, nor every soy for that matter (at least the way I make it). But red beans? Worried about that. So I was going to take some digestive enzymes before we ate anything. But when going to bed later, I realized I forgot to do that. No symptoms whatsoever.
Baby steps, baby steps, getting there. Thanks so much to everyone for the help.
Warmly,
Mary