PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP

STOP EATING GLUTEN! Now. Towards the end of 2009 I started experiencing bizarre stomach issues.  Sever cramping and bloating to the point that I looked six months pregnant.  Im a small woman, 5'1 and 125 lbs....and I swelled until I was in a size 8 clothes as opposed to my typical 2 or 4. I went days if not weeks without a bowel movement and had constant pain in my lower back that often left me laying on the floor for hours. I took endless pregnancy tests, consulted my doctor over and over, and tried home redemedies..nothing would relieve the pressure I felt.  My doctor just tried to shove laxitives down my throat and told me I was constipated.  I finally convinced him to do a colonoscopy, but even then he only did the flint test because he didnt believe anything was wrong with me.  It got so bad at work one night that I had to quit my job and leave because I thought my appendix had ruptured.  It was shortly after that that I stumbled upon someone talking about gluten intolerances.  I flashed back to the night I quit my job and realized the only thing I had eaten was a bag of chex mix before my shift.  Gluten is the binding substance found in wheat, barley, and rye.  It is everywhere and can be very difficult to avoid.  I urge you to try at least the weekend without consuming any gluten.  I dont just mean avoid bread; I mean check the label of everything you eat for the next three days and dont touch any gluten.  I bet you will be a pant size smaller on Monday and feel better than you have felt in a long time.  If you follow what I say, and it works, send me a message and I will do what I can to further educate you on gluten intolerances.  Millions of people are suffering from the reprecussions of gluten without even knowing it.  Bets wishes!   Natalie

If you want to go gluten free, I think you have to eat a lot of fresh produce (fruits, vegetables), fresh fish, fresh meats such as chicken, turkey and then for grains, head to a local health food store. They offer a lot of gluten free products and that grocery shop bill could get expensive, but I've heard that my local health food store stocks something called Millet Bread and it's gluten free, very good by the way.

But apparently gluten is in nearly every processed food item we buy or eat at a restaurant. In fact eating out at restaurants can be very tricky. For example you may think ordering a salad would be gluten free but there's gluten in the salad dressing and probably in the croutons or toppings that restaurant may use.

If you're serious about going gluten free it can be done but it's a complete change.

One excellent book to check out from your library would be: The G-Free Diet, written by Elisabeth Hasselbeck. She's the former Survivor contestant (Season 2, the Austrailan Outback season). Prior to S., she had a lot of stomach troubles, went on S., ate only rice and maybe fish if they could catch it, and her stomach troubles completely disappeared. When she returned to the US, she began eating her former Western diet, hamburgers, processed foods, etc. And she was in tremendous pain, went to all sorts of doctors, who kept saying no, you're not gluten sensitive, etc. Somewhere along the way she demanded the test be done and sure enough, she was allergic to gluten. She wrote the book to help those that may find themselves allergic as well. I am not but I did find her book a fascinating read. I don't agree with her personal political views but her book was very, very easy to read.

Good luck to you!

I suggest you gather all your records from your hospitalizations, copies of all the GI tests you listed above, and go to another GI for a second opinion. It is not uncommon for someone to suffer repeat bouts of diverticulitis. I also question why you were give asacol. That medication is used to treat ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Was this given to you when you were told you had ischemic colitis?

Also, constipation can cause problems for those with diverticulosis. That might be causing you to have bouts of diverticulitis more often. I have had 5 bouts of diverticulitis and quickly learned I had to keep my bowels moving properly if I wanted to stay out of the hospital.

Like I said, I think you need to get a second opinion and someone that will work with you to get you on the road to better health.

My apologies for not checking back sooner. I checkj the label on everything I eat and drink...and if the ingredients arent listed, it doesnt go in my mouth.  It's best to avoid battered/fried foods since most are battered in white flour....which is bleached wheat flour in most situations.  In general, I stay away from bread and try to eat healthy.   There are tons of things you can eat when you cook at home, but fast food can be a little difficult what with avoiding the bun and all.  Meat, vegetables and fruits are fine. Check any supplements you take because the coating in most contain gluten..and alot of beek jerky does too.  Dont assume its gluten free because you dont see breaking....wheat and barley salt are often sneaky little ******s.

Hi all,

I too am a new member as of today!

I was diagnosed with IBS several years ago. However over the past few months I've been dealing with a constant pain in my lower left side some times more painful than others... Now just a couple weeks ago I was awakened by excruciating cramps again my lower left side, this was about 3am... I had made my way to the bathroom where I found myself with diarrhea and vomiting at the same time. What troubled me more at this time is that there where blood clots and mucus in the toilet. I'm just concerned as to why the blood clots? Now I don't have hemorrhoids nor do I have fishers so my concern is why the blood clots? This started on a Friday morning, on the Saturday morning more blood clots but the diarrhea had stopped and again more blood clots on the Sunday. The cramping stayed for 3 days this was extremely painful and finally subsided to a more tolerable pain.

I'm curious to know if there is anyone else who has had this happen to them? I'm also curious is it possible to have a cyst in bowl that may have burst due to the sever diarrhea at the time... Any info would be much appreciated...thanks so much...


And just a little reminder to all....Please drink 6-8 glasses of water a day your body and bowls need it... Some people still don't drink enough water and wonder why the constipation...water, fruits and veggies are needed...do your body good.

Best of luck to all.