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hernia? bowel obstruction?

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Posted 5/10/2014 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
My daughter, 26 and attending college in Chicago, is waiting for her appt with a new GI in 10 days and she has been having abdominal pain for weeks. Her current GI went on vacation (long story) and she has been in contact with her surgeon back home. Her surgeon was hoping it might have been some infection or inflammation and tried her on flagyl for almost 3 weeks and then she went back on augmentin since the flagyl was giving her a problem. Nothing improved with the change in antibiotics. Also, she just got over the flu 10 days ago. She has cut out dairy and sugars and is eating low fiber. She is post op since a July resection, 4cm, from her old ostomy site (j pouch for 10 years now and they are still not considering crohns).

She was in a little more pain last night and was up most of the night and called me in the middle of the night saying that she had a lump poking out near her bikini incision and was going to the ER. She never goes to the ER so I know she was concerned about this. She thought she may have a hernia. They checked her out, just an exam. Said they didn't want to expose her to any more radiation with a CT or even an xray and said they saw no sign of a hernia but she did have hyperactive bowel sounds. Dr said this could be a start of an obstruction. She has had obstructions before and knows how she feels, she doesn't think that is it. She has had hyperactive bowel sounds sometimes since her surgeries. Dr said it could have been a hernia that went back in?
Posted 5/10/2014 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi beckysmom,
I have no idea how to advise you. I have kids, ages 25 and 21 and I can relate to that helpless feeling of being a parent far away and not knowing how to help. Augmentin always gives me massive D. It seems a little weird to be giving her antibiotics without establishing an infection. Also I do understand wanting to limit radiation exposure, but it seems like an obstruction is more dangerous than radiation exposure at this point. If she continues to be in pain, she should not hesitate to go back and insist on some sort of imaging. I asked my GI about MRI, and he said it's not done much, but I completely don't understand why....unless it's an insurance coverage issue. Did she go to the ER at Northwestern where Dr. Hanauer is? My other idea is for her to call Dr. Hanauer's nurse on Monday and leave a message that she is going to see him in 10 days, but she is currently having trouble. He might then order a CT in advance of the appointment and she will have better information to work from when she has her appointment.
I am going to see Dr. Rubin at University of Chicago this coming Wednesday. I originally was told that I had to wait until September by the receptionist, but when I called Dr. Rubin's nurse and explained my situation, they got me in with the next cancellation. I'll let you know how the visit goes if Dr. Hanauer ends out not being helpful....Encourage your daughter to stay assertive, (or do it for her) Squeaky wheel does pay off sometimes.
Posted 5/10/2014 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your reply Gumby. Not NW ER but Northshore in Evanston, which is close to her. My daughter was on augmentin prior to the flagyl try and felt better on it, this is before the pain started. She has been on antibiotics for a while, to treat pouchitis and then keep it at bay. I am really hoping that Dr. Hanauer can help her. My daughter left a message last week on his nurse's voice mail that she was not well and did not have medical care in the area, but no call back with an earlier visit.

It seemed odd that Northshore didn't want to do at least an xray, but there is only so much I can question without upsetting my daughter and making things worse.

I'm pretty sure the MRI is an insurance issue. Thanks for the idea of asking ahead for some imaging, she can ask.

She is so tired of battling her health issues along with rigorous college program, and does not want to give up.

Hope your visit goes well.
Posted 5/10/2014 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi beckysmom,
I spent a lot of time at Northshore in Evanston. My mom died a few years ago from lung cancer and she had all her surgeries there. It is a very good hospital if that offers you any comfort at all. I do think your daughter needs some imaging done...I can't quite make sense of it. But I have zero medical training, so take my advice with a grain of salt. Is your daughter at Northwestern? What is she studying? Try not to worry. If she gets worse tell her to maybe go to the Northwestern ER where Dr. Hanauer works....maybe she'll get a different response. Maybe she should ask for stool studies too. In 2011, I tested positive for c.difficile without D. But then again, the Flagyl should have helped with that....just thinking out loud.
Posted 5/10/2014 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi gumby. Yes she is at NU studying in the communications dept.
She had asked to see another dr at Northwestern and then see Hanauer when it was time for her appt but they said she would have to stay with the gi she sees first.

I will feel better when she is under Hanauer's care.
Posted 5/10/2014 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Keep us updated. I hope she gets to feeling better soon.
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