Stomach Pains :( UPDATE: diverticulitis

[CountZero]

Americans have so many health problems. All I hear all day from my employees is "I'm dizzy, I can't poop, I feel sick, bleh bleh..." And they actually get days off every week. Here I am slaving away at work 7 days a week, 365 days a year (yes, even on public holidays), and I don't remember the last time I was so sick I can't go to work.

Working 7/365 is messed up healthy or not.

I have diverticula which can be inflamed. First time I had symptoms identical to yours and went to the ER, eventually had a CAT scan and determined the issue. Clear liquid diet for a few days, antibiotics and slow introduction of solid food. Happened again recently but didn't do the ER, just did the clear liquid and went to the doctor, got a scan later in the week but by then it had cleared up and they didn't see what was causing the pain which wasn't surprising as it had passed. Frustrating to not verify it was the diverticula but at least it wasn't something worse. Good luck!

 

[ichy]

Americans have so many health problems. All I hear all day from my employees is "I'm dizzy, I can't poop, I feel sick, bleh bleh..." And they actually get days off every week. Here I am slaving away at work 7 days a week, 365 days a year (yes, even on public holidays), and I don't remember the last time I was so sick I can't go to work.

Working 365 days a year? WTF are you, a plantation slave?

 

[BrokenVisage]

Working 7/365 is messed up healthy or not.

I have diverticula which can be inflamed. First time I had symptoms identical to yours and went to the ER, eventually had a CAT scan and determined the issue. Clear liquid diet for a few days, antibiotics and slow introduction of solid food. Happened again recently but didn't do the ER, just did the clear liquid and went to the doctor, got a scan later in the week but by then it had cleared up and they didn't see what was causing the pain which wasn't surprising as it had passed. Frustrating to not verify it was the diverticula but at least it wasn't something worse. Good luck!

Thanks. I think mine is clearing up now but since these pains went away before and then came back for me I still want to get the CAT scan done. Did you have to drink some kind of liquid for your scan? It doesn't sound like a big deal just like getting an X-ray but some first-hand experience might help calm my nerves going in.

 

[CountZero]

Thanks. I think mine is clearing up now but since these pains went away before and then came back for me I still want to get the CAT scan done. Did you have to drink some kind of liquid for your scan? It doesn't sound like a big deal just like getting an X-ray but some first-hand experience might help calm my nerves going in.

I've had two. The first I drank a ton of this orange flavored liquid (I could swear it was like 2 liters over an hour or something) the second I drank a full glass of this soda like liquid. They both tasted awful.

After some time you go in to the room, you'll get an IV going and lay down. The table moves in and out of the big circular deal and it tells you to hold your breath and stuff. Had three runs when I went. First with plain IV, second with I think iodine in the IV (makes you feel oddly warm all over, was warned that it might feel like you peed yourself), third after the iodine should be flushed to see what your kidneys did. Aside from the awful liquid and the odd warm sensation not too bad.

 

[clamum]

Thanks. I think mine is clearing up now but since these pains went away before and then came back for me I still want to get the CAT scan done. Did you have to drink some kind of liquid for your scan? It doesn't sound like a big deal just like getting an X-ray but some first-hand experience might help calm my nerves going in.

Last time I was in the hospital I had a CAT scan and had to drink this white, chalky/milky type crap. Wasn't the greatest but it wasn't that bad either.

 

[BrokenVisage]

I've had two. The first I drank a ton of this orange flavored liquid (I could swear it was like 2 liters over an hour or something) the second I drank a full glass of this soda like liquid. They both tasted awful.

After some time you go in to the room, you'll get an IV going and lay down. The table moves in and out of the big circular deal and it tells you to hold your breath and stuff. Had three runs when I went. First with plain IV, second with I think iodine in the IV (makes you feel oddly warm all over, was warned that it might feel like you peed yourself), third after the iodine should be flushed to see what your kidneys did. Aside from the awful liquid and the odd warm sensation not too bad.

That doesn't sound so bad except for the IV stuff (really hate needles) but thanks for the details.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Just drank half the contrast (225ml) in preparation for the scan, banana smoothie, actually not bad. Look out kidneys! Hate that this stuff will be in my body for another 4 hours, but beats being probed or worse.

 

[NesuD]

Sounds like it could be diverticulitis to me as well. I have that. Had a flare up last week. My condition was discovered when my PC physician scheduled a colonoscopy for me to celebrate my 50th bday. fun times!

 

[Azraele]

How long will it be until you know your test results?

 

[BrokenVisage]

How long will it be until you know your test results?

Probably Monday, doc leaves for the day at 12:00 and my scan is at 12:00 but it's not like he's awaiting the test. So I'll be on eggshells until then, but at least I feel mostly better.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Back from the scan, went pretty well. Having the IV in was sucky but no big deal, didn't really feel too much of the warming sensation when they injected the dye, actually the saline solution was more noticeable to me. All in all it went just as CountZero said, table moves in and out and you just gotta hold your breath. The nurse who prepped the IV and walked me through what was going to happen was pretty cute too and did a great job, so that was a plus haha.

 

[Azraele]

Glad it went well for you. Hopefully it gives you some answers.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Glad it went well for you. Hopefully it gives you some answers.

Welp the news is out, my doc just called me a few minutes ago with the results. Looks like it is diverticulitis after all. He said there was minor colon inflammation and he's gonna put me on 2 kinds of antibiotics for a week to treat it. So it could be worse, just kinda sucks I'm not even 30 and already have to watch out for this, but that's life. Thanks all for the info and posts.

 

[Phoenix86]

Sounds like relatively good news, good luck in your recovery.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Sounds like relatively good news, good luck in your recovery.

Thanks buddy, yeah at least it's something treatable and not that uncommon. All things considered it could have been worse. I may be singing a different tune if it acts up again though haha.

 

[Slacker]

Look at it as a gift, you are forced to watch what you eat at age 30, you will be better off than many because of it.

 

[CountZero]

Look at it as a gift, you are forced to watch what you eat at age 30, you will be better off than many because of it.

Not really, the only diet related treatment that is even close to agreed upon is eating more fiber. Some doctors will recommend avoiding seeds, nuts, popcorn and such but research has shown that there appears to be no gain in doing that. Basically they know what the inflammation is but not really what causes stuff to get compacted in there.

 

[wirednuts]

Welp the news is out, my doc just called me a few minutes ago with the results. Looks like it is diverticulitis after all. He said there was minor colon inflammation and he's gonna put me on 2 kinds of antibiotics for a week to treat it. So it could be worse, just kinda sucks I'm not even 30 and already have to watch out for this, but that's life. Thanks all for the info and posts.

you could have been like me at been diagnosed with chron's before you were 20, and not able to figure out a remedy for 6+ years effectively ruining most of your 20's. all i can hope is my 30's give me something good to remember.

 

[OverVolt]

What was the solution, something like "if it makes my stomach hurt stop eating it"

?

My sister has Chrons and the rate for siblings to have it is 80%. I had IBS when I was younger and if I didn't stop eating food that made me sick, I'd probably have it too. I could probably give you a list 10 pages long of food to avoid.

 

[DeathRows]

Dang, hang in there bud.

I just recently went to the ER and they thought i might have diverticulitis.

Long story short turned out to be an STD. *high five*

No but seriously, good luck.

 

[kage69]

Welp the news is out, my doc just called me a few minutes ago with the results. Looks like it is diverticulitis after all. He said there was minor colon inflammation and he's gonna put me on 2 kinds of antibiotics for a week to treat it. So it could be worse, just kinda sucks I'm not even 30 and already have to watch out for this, but that's life. Thanks all for the info and posts.

Sorry to hear dude, I know that sucks!

My mother had to be rushed into the ER last May, they thought she had a kidney stone. Turns out it was diverticulitis, they put her on antibiotics that made her dizzy. Took few weeks but she's back to normal now. Stay away from seeds! Any unchewed bits can apparently lodge in the folders of your intestines and bring back all kinds of bad news.

Speedy recovery! Hope you like yogurt!

 

[BrokenVisage]

Not really, the only diet related treatment that is even close to agreed upon is eating more fiber. Some doctors will recommend avoiding seeds, nuts, popcorn and such but research has shown that there appears to be no gain in doing that. Basically they know what the inflammation is but not really what causes stuff to get compacted in there.

Hmm, thought my doc said to avoid fiber, I'll have to look into it but I don't really try to actively involve fiber into my diet anyway. He did say to avoid seeds and "skins" though (like apples, pears). So long as dairy and bread is on the table I won't panic yet lol.

 

[BladeVenom]

Wikipedia says, the treatment is low fiber, and nuts aren't a problem. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diverticulitis

 

[Northern Lawn]

Welcome Brock Lesnar!