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Posted 11/21/2012 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there.
I've been having a lot of cramping, pain in my ileum (right lower) and lots of GERD issues. I was having constipation, but I seem to have resolved that with lots of Miralax and Senokot. I have an endoscopy with a ph probe test scheduled in a couple of weeks to deal with the upper stuff. My doc ordered a bunch of blood work and it all came out normal....no elevated white count, no anemia, normal B-12, Sed rate at 17 (in the normal range) It was getting where I could barely eat, so I've tried a round of Cipro as that has helped me in the past, but it doesn't seem to be helping this time around. My doc claims he can't test for c.diff unless I am having diarrhea, which is not the case. I am not having the intermittent severe cramping like I had when I had a partial obstruction last year, but it feels like I'm heading that way.Very bloated with periods of significant discomfort. I'm barely eating....I get crampy and nauseous, but I don't throw up. I tried calling my GI, but he is gone for the holiday and it's not really an emergency. Any ideas for me? I have guests coming for Thanksgiving tomorrow....my husband helps a ton, so I'm not worried about the cooking, and I know I won't eat much. I am just hoping I don't get worse. Any advice will be most welcome....Happy Thanksgiving BTW!
Posted 11/21/2012 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gumby, it almost sounds like you are working on an obstruction/partial obstruction. I had a partial a few times and that is so miserable! I have Rowasa enemas and when I feel as though I am starting with an obstruction, I give myself an extra enema a few days in a row and take SLippery Elm it seems to resolve my issue with a couple days.
I am sorry you are in so much pain, especially this time of year. I am hoping you can feel better by tomorrow so you can enjoy the holiday!
Take care!
Posted 11/21/2012 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have any disease in my colon...it's all in my ileum, so I don't think an enema would help. What does Slippery Elm do? Can I get it at the health food store?
Posted 11/21/2012 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry that you are suffering. Though I do have colon pain coz of rectal narrowing, I can feel how you suffer. My GI prescribed me an old antispasmodic, Duspatalin (mebeverine hydrochloride 135mg) 2 tablets x 2 times. It's really working. Also, I take a natural laxative consisting of Sena and you already take Senakot. Smithcone does not cause constipation, as far as I know snd experienced, and it can relieve the bloating.
Hope you feel better soon:)
Posted 11/21/2012 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
Slippery Elm coats the insides of the intestines and decreases inflammation so everything seems to slide on through a bit easier. At least that is what it does for me. It has helped with with my bleeding issues also. Yes, you can buy it from health food stores or online. Puritans Pride sells it very cheap although many will tell you it is much more effective you get the organic tea form, I always have used the pills. I recommended Slippery Elm to a friend with frequent obstructions and she said it works well for her but each of us is different. Here is a good link on the subject from the University of Maryland
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/slippery-elm-000274.htm

If you try it, space your medication at least 2 hours from the slippery Elm because it may slow down absorption. Also, do not take if pregnant.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!
Posted 11/22/2012 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for your input. Gutsii, last winter I ended out in the ER. At that time the CT scan seemed to indicate a partial obstruction, but I also had c.difficile, so we didn't know if my intestines were spasming or if it was a stricture. My current symptoms are not as severe. My upper GI symptoms have worsened over the past few months, which is why my doc is doing another endoscopy. Any ideas are appreciated. Pmedic, I'll look into the slippery elm too...thanks. Minnietoty, I've taken Levsin in the past, but it tends to make me constipated and then I end out feeling worse.
Posted 11/22/2012 5:52 AM (GMT 0)
Gumby, sorry you are feeling so poorly. I just wanted to tell you that you can have c-diff without diarrhea. In 2009, my husband complained of feeling extremely fatigued, just completely drained, and also didn't have much of an appetite,and had some sharp pain in his abdomen.

We saw the GI, and because my hubby has had so much problem with c-diff, the doc ordered a stool test - he actually said he was just humoring us. 2 days later, his office called us and said the test was positive for c-diff and that they were calling in a script for vancomycin! So, it can happen, it is just very rare.

I hope you can get some answers soon and start feeling good again.

PV
Posted 11/22/2012 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
Wow PV...that's very interesting. When I had c.diff last year, I had months of abdominal pain, but no D, until I got very sick, and when it turned to D, they did a stool test and found the c.diff. My doc claims that the lab won't test for C.diff unless it is diarrhea, even though he knows my history. I will call him back on Monday and tell him I'm not the only one that this has happened to. Thanks for sharing your story!!!!
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