In desperate need of advice...
#86637 - 07/06/04 12:48 AM
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Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Hey Guys,
Well, I'm having the night from you know where and could really use some advice.
I had these terrible lower abdominal cramps that started around 8:00pm tonight and have been raging non-stop ever since. They're so bad I've been doubled over in tears all night, and can't even sleep. I've tried everything I can think of...I've taken my Modulon (anti-spasmodic), some Ativan (anti-anxiety), Tylenol (thought it might help the pain), hot peppermint tea and have had a heating pad on, and nothing has helped even a little.
I've been running to the bathroom, but I wouldn't necessarily say I have D, more that I just keep having to go, and it hurts terribly (cramping) when I'm going. I get about 10 minutes of relief and then the cramps start again.
nothing I'm doing seems to be working, and I'm supposed to work tomorrow and it's almost 4:00am and no end seems to be in sight.
Anyone with any advice would be great, Kelly
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Hey Kelly,
Unfortunately I can't really give you any advice as you've tried anything I'd suggest.
I'm just writing to say I hope you feel better and eventually got to sleep.
Jamie
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Kelly how are you feeling today? Hope you are feeling better and you got some sleep.
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Sorry Guys
#86974 - 07/06/04 03:40 PM
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Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Just wanted to say thank you for your kind words, and say sorry to everyone if my post sounded stupid or dramatic. I realized this morning that it was pretty silly to be asking for advice, because i literally tried everything and I don't think that there could have been any other suggestions
On the upside, I finally managed to get a "real" doctor (right now I just go to a student health clinic) as someone pulled some strings and got me into a clinic that's supposed to be one of the best in the province for dealing with IBS. So hopefully they'll be able to help me and at least prescribe some sort of anti-spasmodic or something that'll work for those really bad times.
Thanks again for everyone's support, Kelly
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Oh Kelly, You don't need to apologize! Your pain and frustration was a real thing for you, and a difficult one at that. No it wasn't stupid. I'm glad you posted your feelings, that's what we're here for, right? I hope you're doing better, and good luck with the new doctor!
-------------------- ~ Rachel (IBS-C)
If life hands you lemons, make lemonade!!
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Aww...
#86977 - 07/06/04 03:46 PM
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atomic rose
Reged: 06/01/04
Posts: 7013
Loc: Maine (IBS-A stable since July '05!)
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You didn't sound stupid or dramatic to me. It's never silly to ask for advice, even when you think you already know what everyone's going to suggest (and you've tried it all). You never know!
I'm sorry I missed this post earlier... and I hope you're feeling a little better.
I'm so glad you're finally going to see a "real" doctor! I'm sure they can help you better than a student health clinic can.
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Re: Aww...
#86978 - 07/06/04 03:48 PM
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ibsgrl
Reged: 04/18/04
Posts: 1060
Loc: Canada
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Kelly I am glad you have found some help. Where and what is the name of the clinic. Since we live in the same province I am just curious...and hopeful...
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For Ibsgrl
#86980 - 07/06/04 03:51 PM
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Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Hey,
It's part of the London Health Sciences Center and it's called the Byron Medical Clinic (I believe). I'll let you know how it goes if you like...I was referred there by a woman my dad knows who works at the hospital as a nutritionist for cancer patients, and she said they have an excellent reputation for dealing with IBS. I'm sure they don't have a miracle "cure-all" (wouldn't that be nice) but they apparently take a really good, serious approach to dealing with it. And they have psychologists and dieticians on staff as well so it's sort of a multi-focal approach.
Where abouts do you live in Ontario again? I'll be sure to let you know how it goes (I have my first appointment Thursday). I don't want to get my hopes up because I've been disappointed by doctors so many times, but we shall see
Kelly
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Kelly!
#87006 - 07/06/04 04:16 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Kelly, call the doctor. Your symptoms sound EXACTLY like my diverticulitis attacks. Do you have diverticulosis? Do you know? A catscan would show it.
I had the same symptoms you describe. I was doubled-over in pain, clutching onto the furniture to hold myself up. I'd go to the pot with diarrhea, but very little would come out, and it would not relieve the doubled-over cramping. I took all my antispasmodic meds, but nothing worked. I went to the emergency room of the hospital. They gave me an antibiotic and a shot (pain killer).
If you have diverticulosis, when the "pockets" that protrude from your colon get infected, then it's diverticulitis. The only thing that gets rid of it is an antibiotic; I was given Flagyl.
Call the doctor or go to the emergency room.
Keep us posted.
Bev
-------------------- <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Bev!
#87014 - 07/06/04 04:21 PM
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Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Thanks for the info...might I not be too young for diveritculitis?
I don't know if that's what it is, because there will be time (maybe just 10-20 minutes at a time) where the pain subsides before it comes back. Plus, I don't have any good anti-spasmodics (i.e. your big gun-donnatel) so it's not like I had much to try. I've taken some Ativan because I figured it might help, but no such luck.
I really dont want to go to emerg because I'll likely sit there for 8 hours (it's happened before) and my doctor isn't the kind you can just call (but that's about to change soon). I go on Thursday, so maybe I'll try and stick it out...if it gets worse I guess I'll be off to the hospital.
BTW, since diverticulitis is an infection, would you likely have a fever with it? Because thankfully I don't have a fever.
Thanks Kelly
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Diverticulitis
#87025 - 07/06/04 04:39 PM
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Bevvy
Reged: 11/04/03
Posts: 5918
Loc: Northwest Washington State
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Why not go online and do a google search for diverticulitis? You'll find more info than I can provide, but this is some of what the info I have says:
Quote:
The colon is home to many beneficial bacteria -- helpful as long as they stay in the colon. However, these bacteria can seep through the thin wall of diverticuli and cause infection. This infection around diverticuli is called diverticulitis. It can be mild with only slight discomfort in the left lower abdomen. Or it can be quite extreme with severe tenderness and fever. Treatment is usually needed for diverticulitis. It requires antibiotics and resting of the bowel by avoiding food or, at times, even liquids. For severe cases, the patient must be hospitalized.
It is not uncommon to see this occur in people who are in their 30s.
The chance of developing diverticula increases with age, so that by the age of 50, about 20-50% of all people will have some diverticula.
I didn't have a fever either, ironically, but that could be because my case wasn't too severe. It sounds like, if that's indeed what you have, yours is not severe at all; otherwise, you'd be reaching for the phone to dial 911.
8-hour wait in the emergency room? Good grief, a person could expire in that time! What is it about the word "EMERGENCY" that the hospital doesn't understand?!
Keep us posted.
Bev
-------------------- <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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its really ridiculous. KELLY - I hope that the clinic can help - I live near Toronto (about 15 mins away) so 2 hrs from london!! I really like your apartment too btw, it looks really spacious. Oh and also, when are we going to see a pic of you. I agree with the others its nicer when you get to see the person you're talking to!
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When ARE we gonna see a pic of you, Kelly? You've been on the Boards long enough to post one -- what's up with that?
Okay, now we're on a mission -- Get Kelly's Pic! We're gonna hound ya, Girlfriend, 'till you give in.
WE WANNA PIC!
-------------------- <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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I hope to have a pic up soon guys I have absolutely no pics of myself stored in the computer, and I don't have a scanner, so I would have to take a new picture, and I'm horribly camera shy
I haven't exactly looked my best lately because I've been so sick, I haven't been getting out and have been getting ghastly pale, I'm avoiding having my pic taken. But I'll try and bite the bullet and get one up soon ok?
Kelly
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