HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Need Suggestions (distended abdomen and severe pain)

Support Forums
>
Hepatitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/31/2010 10:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, I am new here and am having some major problems.

I can barely eat any more.  I was in the ER this past weekend and they found the right side of my abdomen to be distended.  I was also in a tremendous amount of pain.  They did a CT scan and it showed a severe amount of inflammation but they don't know what is going on yet.

I've been in pain and my abdomen has been sticking out (I look like I'm pregnant even though I'm dropping pounds by the day) for about two months now.

They already know I have Diverticulitis, a kidney stone and they are doing a biopsy tomorow in my anal wall.  Apparely there is a tumor there and they need to know exactly what is going on.  I also have GERD, a Hiatal Hernia and Ulcerative Colitis.

The part that concerns me the most is how little I can eat, how weak I am getting and wondering what is happening to my body.  It feels like I'm slipping away a little at a time and I don't know why.

Has this happened to you?  Do you have any ideas about what could be going on with me?  It's scary and I have visions of tubes in my body and not being able to eat ever again - unless I want to throw it up.  I can't help but think this way as this is where I'm headed.

Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.  I just wish I knew what is happening to me.

Hugs,

pjammiez

Posted 8/31/2010 3:54 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Pjammiez,

Welcome to the forum!  You'll find a whole lotta support here. 

Did they say what exactly was inflammed?  Is it your liver?  Since you have other GI issues, is the inflammation related to that?  Have they checked your LFT's (liver function tests) yet?  That's a simple blood test.  Are you seeing a GI doc?

I have AIH (autoimmune hepatitis).  When I first became ill and had trouble eating, I drank Ensure shakes to get some kind of nourishment in me.  Maybe you can try that to help or have some smoothies.  It's easier to drink than eat when you feel that way.  Try to limit your protein intake however as that causes your liver to work harder.  Fresh fruits and veggies are best.  Also limit your salt.  If your abdomen is fluid filled (did they mention ascites from your scan?), you'll want to drastically limit your salt.  If your tummy is that swollen, it makes sense that it's harder to eat...so try the drinking your food slowly so as not to feel even fuller quickly.  If you are worried it's your liver then have absolutely no alcohol either.

Please don't panic.  I know that's easier said than done but stress is really the last thing you need.  There are so many advances in medicine that once they fully diagnose what's going on...you'll probably be good as new.

What other tests are they doing?  When are you seeing the doc again?  Please keep us posted when you get more results in. 

Posted 8/31/2010 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
I spoke to my nurse, Teresa, today and she said something to the effect of, I have severe inflammation that is causing something to happen but they don't know what.  My liver blood test came back fine, thankfully.  They have thrown out the name Crohn's disease. 

I'm going to have the biopsy today OR, perhaps, the doctor will put it off because I'm scheduled to have a colonoscopy now and also a scope down my throat.  I figure he'll probably do all at once.  So, we'll see.

It's just so weird to not be eating hardly anything to keep the bad pain away.  I'm getting weak and I'm beginning to see this is the beginning of the rest of my life.  A few weeks ago that would've scared me but, now, as weak as I am...I have a peace about it all.  I don't have the energy to be afraid anymore.

I have a friend who has a lot of the issues I have plus she was just diagnosed with Barrett's.  She has tubes in her belly and cannot evacuate.  If she wants to eat a real meal, she has to get rid of it before it tries to digest.  Her name is Carla and she weighs about 85 pounds.  She is so amazing.  She can be in pain yet pull out her guitar and sing, "Why me Lord, what have I ever done to deserve all the blessings I've known..."  She is such a trooper and inspiration. 

I'm not so inspirational.  I've gotten pretty quiet lately and it seems all I do is fall asleep while watching movies.  I can't imagine what my husband is going through but he is extremely supportive.

I didn't mean to get off on the emotional aspects of being ill but I figure all of you understand the day to day of it and what it can do.  Thank you for the reply.  I'll let you know what's going on as soon as they tell me.

*blessings*

Posted 8/31/2010 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
PJ, if your liver function tests were okay, you are probably in the wrong forum. There is a Crohn's forum on Healing Well. Also one for ulcerative colitis.

Dany's suggestion of Ensure is a good one, or smoothies. You might also try Jello, pudding, ice cream, broth...basically anything that you can digest. Eat or drink slowly.

When your doctor is able to pinpoint where the problem is, you will have a better idea of what forum you belong in. This one is for people who have been diagnosed with liver disease.

Good luck to you!

Connie
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply