Tessa, do you need some encouragement?

Jean · Post by **Jean** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:32 pm

Tessa,

I saw that you mentioned that you're feeling overwhelmed by the gluten free diet. Do you need any help? Words of encouragement?

It does get easier as it goes, but it's so hard at first!

Love, Jean

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:38 pm

Hi Tessa, mi querida amiga!

Yes, how are you doing? Better I hope.

Love,

Polly

moremuscle · Post by **moremuscle** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 9:08 pm

Hi Tessa -

I am also concerned - I read the post Jean mentioned and thought of how brave you are to walk the GF path alone and so proudly without even a question..... But don't hold back; do you know how many questions and how much whining I've done before I figured out the diet? I could pave your Gf path with questions, tears, and whining - that's how much I did it

I am not kidding; just ask the "oldies" from Sally's GF Kitchen - I didn't leave anyone sleeping; I always presented another question, another doubt, another problem

I know, I know - you have a different personality and that's why you do it your way; and there is nothing wrong with that - you will no doubt figure out just what to do and how to do it all. I just thought I would remind you that we are a walking, living, breathing, and caring encyclopedia of the GF diet and lifestyle; take advantage of it, Tessa, if you need to.

Love,
Karen

P.S. We always want to hear how you are doing - even if it hasn't changed or gotten better.

Tessa · Post by **Tessa** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 11:12 am

Hi Jean, Polly & Karen

Thank you for caring about me... I have not been very well since last Thursday and therefore, I have been in bed on Sunday and Monday...

On Monday morning I even had diarrhea (which I am not exactly used to) and stayed home.

I have what I would say are 2 different symptoms: abdominal pain and/or cramps and pain at the entrance of my stomach. The abdominal pain, up to now, has always been related with MC. Even though, I prefer to point out the stomach pain, as it is more intense and sometimes unbearable for a while.
I am not very sure how to explain the pain in English, lets answer some medical questions which will let you now how it affects me.

Is the pain all over (diffuse or generalized) or in a specific location?
What part of the abdomen is affected? Lower or upper? Right, left or middle? Around the navel? As I said the abdominal pain was related with MC, this time it is located at the lower and upper abdomen. With reference to the pain in the stomach it is located at the entrance of the stomach.

Is the pain severe, sharp or cramping, persistent or constant, periodic and changing intensity over minutes?
Abdominal pain: persistent and sometimes sharper.
Stomach pain: changes intensity over minutes from mild to severe, is accompanied by sweats and I would bet it has nothing to do with the abdominal pain.

Does the pain awaken you at night?
Abdominal pain: does, sometimes.
Stomach pain: not.

Lets talk only about the stomach pain from now on:
Have you had similar pain in past? How long has each episode lasted? Yes, but not so persistant and often.

How often do you have the pain? Minutes before meals.

Does it occur within minutes following meals? Within 2 to 3 hours after meals? No, not after the meals.

Is it getting increasingly more severe?
I would say it has the same intensity.

Does it occur during menstruation (dysmenorrhea)?
It has nothing to do with the menstruation as it happens during, before and after...

Does the pain go into your back, middle of the back, below the right shoulder blade, or your groin, buttocks, or legs?
No.

Does the pain get worse after lying on the back?
I would say I feel some relief putting something warm on my stomach and sitting.

Does the pain get worse after eating or drinking? After greasy foods, milk products, or alcohol?
Does the pain get worse after stress? After straining efforts?

No.

Does the pain get better after eating or a bowel movement?
Though it takes some time (some minutes) I feel better after eating.

Does the pain get better after milk or antacids?
Unable to try. I am milk intolerant.

What medications are you taking?
The usual for MC (Salazopyrine), iron and folic acid. When I feel abdominal cramps and stomach pain, also buscapina

Have you had a recent injury?
Are you pregnant?
No.

What other symptoms are occurring at the same time?
Pain starts also when standing up for a while.

And that´s it.
I have to see my GP tomorrow morning and will let him know about it. I am sure he will do something to give me some relief, as I cannot stand up for a while and have been unable even to do my shoppings. (Severe unbearable stomach pain or cramps) I don´t know what to think about all this.
I am sorry to be unable to give better news. I wish I was better already

With regard to my GF diet, it is improving.

I have already compiled a menu for the week and try to follow it as best as I can. I just ate a chicken soup + fish with pimientos del piquillo and fried potatoes... (Not a large amount as I am still eating very few). I lost some weight again...

I wonder when I will start gaining weith. At work (as it is summer and we are not wearing many clothes) they all insist on how weak and thin I am...

It is not funny... I can see myself in the mirror... And it is true. But what can I do?

I have not much appetite, cannot eat everything I was used to and will see my specialist in September. I have no other option: to wait. Have I?

Ok. My dear friends (mis queridas amigas)

I have been writing and writing explaining part of my life.
What about you? Are you feeling well?

And you, Polly, what about your new diet? Are you going on well with it?
I am looking forward to hearing from you,

Love,
Tessa.

Post by **tex** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:02 pm

Hi Tessa,

How much iron, and in what form, are you taking iron? It is possible to take too much, or maybe you are intolerant of something in the form you are taking. Also, how much folic acid are you taking? Folate intake must be limited, also.

What is buscapina?

Love,
Wayne

Tessa · Post by **Tessa** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 12:31 pm

Hi Wayne,

Thanks for answering so soon.

Buscapina is buscapine. You can find some info about the product on:
http://www.online-medical-dictionary.org/?q=Buscapine

They prescribed me 6 months of iron and I am taking 1 pill of iron a day. It is called Tardyferon. Mainly composed by "Sulfato Ferroso" which is iron. (it does not mention any Gluten and diary, so it must be GF & DF)

I had to change the Folic Acid I was taking, as I had been taking Acfol since last year which contains Lactose. Folic Acid now is Cromatonbic Folinico. (It does not mention gluten and diary, so it is also supposed to be GF & DF)

Any comment?
Love,
Tessa

m · Post by m » Tue Aug 23, 2005 1:10 pm

Tessa,
Have you thought about acid reflux? About 8 years ago, I was having terrible pain just under my right breast. I had no "heart burn" or burbing or other things I would have associated with acid reflux, just sharp pain usually 1-2 hours after I ate but it could be at any time. I was convinced it was gall bladder but it turned out to be acid reflux. I was treated with a short course of Prylosec (acid inhibitor) and worked miracles. I was also given a whole list of things to do like sleep with my head and chest elevated, not to lie down after eating, cut out coffee etc.
I hope you get to the bottom of it soon. I know how debilitating pain can be.
m

Mars · Post by **Mars** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:13 pm

Hi Tessa,

I am sorry you are not feeling good. It is so frustrating to be sick and tired of being sick and tired!

I also have gastric reflux and also a hiatal hernia with some of the same symptoms as you. I also have times I am sick to my stomach before I eat. I have found that if I eat more often or don't allow myself to not get as hungry before eating, I don't get as nauseated.

I am also one who gets very sick taking iron suppliments. I hope that is not the case with you. We are all very different and react differently to medicine and food. I hope you find what is bothering you quickly.

I hope you start feeling better soon. It is not fun being sick all the time.

Hugs to you - :bigbighug:

Post by **tex** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:52 pm

Hi Tessa,

The reason I asked about iron and folate, is because of the effects of overdose, or intolerance, such as Mars pointed out. In this country, the maximum amount of folic acid specified by the government, is 1000 micrograms per day. Note that the dosage is measured in micrograms, not milligrams. A microgram is one millionth of a gram. IOW, 1000 micrograms is only 1 milligram.

For some reason, I can't find any information on buscapine, (other than the definition you posted). It is made from scopolamine, however, which concerns me, since scopolamine is made from one of the nightshade plants, henbane.

Henbane contains a narcotic poison (similar to that of the related belladonna) that is extracted from the leaves for medicinal use. The drug, also called henbane, is composed of alkaloids, chiefly hyoscyamine and scopolamine.. The name henbane refers to the fact that the seeds of this herb are very poisonous to poultry.

Scopolamine depresses the central nervous system. It is used as a sedative prior to anesthesia and as an antispasmodic in certain disorders characterized by restlessness and agitation, e.g., delirium tremens, psychosis, mania, and Parkinsonism. When combined with morphine, the effect produced is a tranquilized state known as twilight sleep; this combination of drugs was formerly used in obstetrics but is now considered too dangerous.

I have no idea what the side effects of buscapine might be, since I can't find any other information on it, but I would suggest you be careful how you use it.

The iron pills could definitely be part of the problem. Barbara, also recently had problems with iron supplements, as I recall.

I hope you find the problem soon.

Sorry I missed your "Chat invitation". It was noon here, and I didn't have much time available. When I noticed your post, it was time for me to get back to work.

Love,
Wayne

moremuscle · Post by **moremuscle** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:02 pm

Oh Tessa,

That's a lot of pain to be in

I am not a doctor (of course) but I suggest you stop taking the iron supplement to see if it is indeed the culprit; If it is the iron supplement that bothers you you will know soon after you stop taking it.
I get very nauseated when/if taking any kind of supplement w/iron. Perhaps you can find some natural sources of iron - like food products - that will not bother your stomach and give you these unbearable pains. I am sure folks here will have some good suggestions for you.

Your pain doesn't seem to be MC related since it starts before you eat - eating helps aleviate the pain, doesn't it?
Personally I haven't ever had much pain in relation to my MC but I know many of the members here have had lots of pain.

The drug you mentioned, buscapine, does not seem to be a "friendly" one according to Wayne's research - what is the drug supposed to do for you? What is the reason it has been prescribed?

I am hoping you are asleep and getting some rest - not in pain. Please, don't apologize to us for your pain and misery; we are all a "sick" family so it isn't anything new to us; every one of us has had more than her/his fair share of pain, diarrhea, illness, and humiliation so don't hesitate to tell us about your sickness and your pain and your feelings of frustration - like we used to say to all newbies: "Nothing is too gross or too extreme for us, we've all been there and done that". And may I add, we are all sometimes in "deep shi*" again, and again. It just happens, Tessa - it isn't your fault that you are sick. In our view there is more right with you than there is wrong with you.

Love,
Karen

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 7:18 am

Hello Tessa,

I don't have much time - gotta get to work. But wanted to say that I am glad you will be seeing your GP today and will be anxious to hear the results. I agree - it sounds like something more than MC. It could be GERD as others above have noted. That is common with MC.

Love

Polly

Tessa · Post by **Tessa** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 11:49 am

Hello my dear friends

I did not expressed the exact location of the pain, even to the GP I thought to be telling the right thing, but later at night I was able to know the right location of the severe pain: close to the heart.

All that time I had been thinking it was the stomach but it was more above, in fact it is the pericardio. (chestpain)
I have been in Hospital today from 11 am to 6 pm.
Diagnosis: pericarditis
Of course I am not working, they recommend to rest and told me to take anti-inflammatory drugs.
Even though, I am still a little worried because a real cardiologist will not see me until next week and I am wondering if there are any adhessions.

I´ll try to log in sometimes but I am feeling very tired and painful and cannot promise to.
Thanks for caring,
Love,
Tessa.

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 12:13 pm

WoW Tessa,
I know you will be relieved when you get your heart checked out!!

I hope this is something that can be cured/controlled easily.

:bigbighug:

Shirley

moremuscle · Post by **moremuscle** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 2:27 pm

Hi Tessa,

I am glad you went to your GP and had the problem diagnosed properly - it is always better to know than not to.

I hope you are able to get some well deserved rest. Hopefully the anti inflammatory will work very soon and give you some relief. So sorry that you have to wait until next week before you can see a cardiologist - I know it is difficult to wait.

I will be thinking of you.

Love,
Karen

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:19 pm

Hello Tessa!

I am so glad you went to the doctor and got a quick diagnosis. Pericarditis! Did they put you on antibiotics? What anti-inflammatories are you taking? Since these (and antibiotics) can make the diarrhea worse, you might want to take a probiotic for now to help replace the good bacteria in your gut.

As the doc probably told you, we usually don't find the cause. And it usually resolves in 1-3 weeks without any further consequences. It has been associated with some of the autoimmune diseases, although I've never heard of it with MC before. But I know it is always scary when the heart is involved. Be sure to rest lots until the acute phase is over.

I am sending lots of love

and big hugs :bigbighug:

and best wishes for an uncomplicated and speedy recovery.

Love,

Polly