threethings
12-26-2005, 09:36 PM
Ok...here is a list of the symptoms I've had over the last few months. Does anyone have anything like this? Or know what they might indicate? Ok, so in Oct I had to take Zithromax for an infection. Within one day I had severe diarrhea with a lot of pain in the abdomen. The pain was in the area of my belly button but also radiated to my sides, into the folds of my legs, and also down my legs. I went to 3 doctors (gastro, uro, gyno), and nobody could figure out why I had the pain. They all assumed I had a reaction to the zithro. After 3 weeks of moderate to severe pain, it finally started to subside. After all was said and done, I had diarrhea off and on for that 3 weeks as well as constipation. The diarrhea was so painful that it caused rapid breathing and weakness.
The following 4 weeks I had no pain. I was back to "normal" for the most part. However, a couple of weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night with pain that felt like acid reflux and extreme nausea. The following morning I woke up vomiting violently. I vomited about 15 times. A couple of hours after the vomiting I developed severe pain in the folds of my legs. Again, it radiated down my legs and my knee joints hurt. After 4 hours of non stop pain I went to the emergency room. I had a fever of 101.5 and the pain began to shift to my mid abdomen again. I had a cat scan to rule out kidney stones and blood work to make sure I didn't have an infection of some kind or worse. They discharged me with a diagnosis of "unknown". The following morning I went to my PC and she sent me for a cat scan with barium. This test showed that I had inflammation of the small bowel (mostly on the top of the small bowel). I had to get a pain killer because I couldn't sleep. A few days after that I was scheduled for a small bowel follow through. By the time I got to that test, the pain was gone and so was the inflammation. So....I'm back to square one. I have a follow up appt with the gastro dr tomorrow. They will be giving me the camera pill but they are still unsure what I have! This is getting frustrating because when I do have the pain...it's unbearable. On top of that...I can't go to the bathroom...and then a week later I'll have diarrhea. I have a lot of cramping and gas in between these bouts of pain as well.
So...any ideas?? :)
The following 4 weeks I had no pain. I was back to "normal" for the most part. However, a couple of weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night with pain that felt like acid reflux and extreme nausea. The following morning I woke up vomiting violently. I vomited about 15 times. A couple of hours after the vomiting I developed severe pain in the folds of my legs. Again, it radiated down my legs and my knee joints hurt. After 4 hours of non stop pain I went to the emergency room. I had a fever of 101.5 and the pain began to shift to my mid abdomen again. I had a cat scan to rule out kidney stones and blood work to make sure I didn't have an infection of some kind or worse. They discharged me with a diagnosis of "unknown". The following morning I went to my PC and she sent me for a cat scan with barium. This test showed that I had inflammation of the small bowel (mostly on the top of the small bowel). I had to get a pain killer because I couldn't sleep. A few days after that I was scheduled for a small bowel follow through. By the time I got to that test, the pain was gone and so was the inflammation. So....I'm back to square one. I have a follow up appt with the gastro dr tomorrow. They will be giving me the camera pill but they are still unsure what I have! This is getting frustrating because when I do have the pain...it's unbearable. On top of that...I can't go to the bathroom...and then a week later I'll have diarrhea. I have a lot of cramping and gas in between these bouts of pain as well.
So...any ideas?? :)
Sponsor
threethings
12-26-2005, 10:02 PM
oh and btw....diverticulitis did not show in ct scan.
HRH
12-27-2005, 02:15 AM
It sure sounds like an infection of the colon-- divertiular.
I have had this w/o the leg pain but CT scans don't alway show up infections -- It is the symptoms that should tell the doctors what's going on??
I have had this w/o the leg pain but CT scans don't alway show up infections -- It is the symptoms that should tell the doctors what's going on??
threethings
12-27-2005, 07:46 PM
Hmm...don't know. I've had 3 cat scans now and none have shown that. The problem is, the symptoms I have could be a number of things (the doctor said). Until I have another episode...they will just wait and see what happens. The doctor doesn't want to treat me for anything until they can figure it out for sure. It's a mystery right now. The initial inflammation that was on my second cat scan is now gone. Very strange.
StenoLady1
12-28-2005, 11:58 AM
Ok...here is a list of the symptoms I've had over the last few months. Does anyone have anything like this? Or know what they might indicate? Ok, so in Oct I had to take Zithromax for an infection. Within one day I had severe diarrhea with a lot of pain in the abdomen. The pain was in the area of my belly button but also radiated to my sides, into the folds of my legs, and also down my legs. I went to 3 doctors (gastro, uro, gyno), and nobody could figure out why I had the pain. They all assumed I had a reaction to the zithro. After 3 weeks of moderate to severe pain, it finally started to subside. After all was said and done, I had diarrhea off and on for that 3 weeks as well as constipation. The diarrhea was so painful that it caused rapid breathing and weakness.
The following 4 weeks I had no pain. I was back to "normal" for the most part. However, a couple of weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night with pain that felt like acid reflux and extreme nausea. The following morning I woke up vomiting violently. I vomited about 15 times. A couple of hours after the vomiting I developed severe pain in the folds of my legs. Again, it radiated down my legs and my knee joints hurt. After 4 hours of non stop pain I went to the emergency room. I had a fever of 101.5 and the pain began to shift to my mid abdomen again. I had a cat scan to rule out kidney stones and blood work to make sure I didn't have an infection of some kind or worse. They discharged me with a diagnosis of "unknown". The following morning I went to my PC and she sent me for a cat scan with barium. This test showed that I had inflammation of the small bowel (mostly on the top of the small bowel). I had to get a pain killer because I couldn't sleep. A few days after that I was scheduled for a small bowel follow through. By the time I got to that test, the pain was gone and so was the inflammation. So....I'm back to square one. I have a follow up appt with the gastro dr tomorrow. They will be giving me the camera pill but they are still unsure what I have! This is getting frustrating because when I do have the pain...it's unbearable. On top of that...I can't go to the bathroom...and then a week later I'll have diarrhea. I have a lot of cramping and gas in between these bouts of pain as well.
So...any ideas?? :)
The Z-pack caught my eye.
I took Z-pack and a corticosteroid for an ear infection/dizziness this past May. No big deal, right? Infection subsided. Well, about a month later, I noticed severe pain in my left flank which would sometimes radiate to my belly, severe constipation and then loose stools. Finally, I went to my family doc, who diagnosed me with a UTI. No other symptoms of a UTI, but that's what he said. Put me on Floxin (more antibiotics) for a week. Pain was even worse with the Floxin, and my culture from the lab was negative for a UTI, only doc's office was positive.
After a week of being of Floxin, I go back in with serious pain, on and off constipation/loose stools, another UTI test in doc's office. He says I still have a UTI, will send sample off to be cultured again. In the meantime, he prescribes another antibiotic (Macrobid), kidney ultrasound, referral to nephrologist and GI specialist, extensive stool sampling tests and full blood tests. Took Macrobid for a few days, and the pain was excruciating. Culture came back negative for UTI again, kidney ultrasound was normal, still waiting on blood work.
Called doc about extreme pain on Macrobid, and his nurse said since it doesn't appear there's an infection, stop antibiotics, give it a few weeks, come back in. Hold off on seeing specialists until blood work comes back. Blood work finally comes back totally normal except elevated cholesterol.
With my high cholesterol and fear of kidney issues, I stopped drinking any type of carbonated drinks and seriously began work on a better diet and daily cardio (walking). By the time the two weeks were up and I was due to call the doc, all my pains and bowel issues were gone. Since then (August/September), twice I've eaten a heavily fried food, and the pain and bowel problems came right back, lasted a day or two and then disappeared. I've discussed my diet change and exercise with my doc, and he doesn't see the need for any further testing at this point. He believes whatever the problem was, was fixed with a healthier diet and exercise.
Anyway, just thought I'd share. I never vomited, but sometimes the pain was so severe, I broke out in cold sweats and nausea. The not knowing, either, was very stressful, which I think only compounded the problem. I also believe it was all the antibiotics that did this to me, combined with a not-so-bland diet and sedentary lifestyle.
Good luck, and I sure hope you get to feeling better soon :)
Lysne
The following 4 weeks I had no pain. I was back to "normal" for the most part. However, a couple of weeks ago I woke up in the middle of the night with pain that felt like acid reflux and extreme nausea. The following morning I woke up vomiting violently. I vomited about 15 times. A couple of hours after the vomiting I developed severe pain in the folds of my legs. Again, it radiated down my legs and my knee joints hurt. After 4 hours of non stop pain I went to the emergency room. I had a fever of 101.5 and the pain began to shift to my mid abdomen again. I had a cat scan to rule out kidney stones and blood work to make sure I didn't have an infection of some kind or worse. They discharged me with a diagnosis of "unknown". The following morning I went to my PC and she sent me for a cat scan with barium. This test showed that I had inflammation of the small bowel (mostly on the top of the small bowel). I had to get a pain killer because I couldn't sleep. A few days after that I was scheduled for a small bowel follow through. By the time I got to that test, the pain was gone and so was the inflammation. So....I'm back to square one. I have a follow up appt with the gastro dr tomorrow. They will be giving me the camera pill but they are still unsure what I have! This is getting frustrating because when I do have the pain...it's unbearable. On top of that...I can't go to the bathroom...and then a week later I'll have diarrhea. I have a lot of cramping and gas in between these bouts of pain as well.
So...any ideas?? :)
The Z-pack caught my eye.
I took Z-pack and a corticosteroid for an ear infection/dizziness this past May. No big deal, right? Infection subsided. Well, about a month later, I noticed severe pain in my left flank which would sometimes radiate to my belly, severe constipation and then loose stools. Finally, I went to my family doc, who diagnosed me with a UTI. No other symptoms of a UTI, but that's what he said. Put me on Floxin (more antibiotics) for a week. Pain was even worse with the Floxin, and my culture from the lab was negative for a UTI, only doc's office was positive.
After a week of being of Floxin, I go back in with serious pain, on and off constipation/loose stools, another UTI test in doc's office. He says I still have a UTI, will send sample off to be cultured again. In the meantime, he prescribes another antibiotic (Macrobid), kidney ultrasound, referral to nephrologist and GI specialist, extensive stool sampling tests and full blood tests. Took Macrobid for a few days, and the pain was excruciating. Culture came back negative for UTI again, kidney ultrasound was normal, still waiting on blood work.
Called doc about extreme pain on Macrobid, and his nurse said since it doesn't appear there's an infection, stop antibiotics, give it a few weeks, come back in. Hold off on seeing specialists until blood work comes back. Blood work finally comes back totally normal except elevated cholesterol.
With my high cholesterol and fear of kidney issues, I stopped drinking any type of carbonated drinks and seriously began work on a better diet and daily cardio (walking). By the time the two weeks were up and I was due to call the doc, all my pains and bowel issues were gone. Since then (August/September), twice I've eaten a heavily fried food, and the pain and bowel problems came right back, lasted a day or two and then disappeared. I've discussed my diet change and exercise with my doc, and he doesn't see the need for any further testing at this point. He believes whatever the problem was, was fixed with a healthier diet and exercise.
Anyway, just thought I'd share. I never vomited, but sometimes the pain was so severe, I broke out in cold sweats and nausea. The not knowing, either, was very stressful, which I think only compounded the problem. I also believe it was all the antibiotics that did this to me, combined with a not-so-bland diet and sedentary lifestyle.
Good luck, and I sure hope you get to feeling better soon :)
Lysne
threethings
12-28-2005, 10:31 PM
this is very interesting. thanks lysne. this sounds very similar to what i experienced. i think the only reason why i vomited and had a fever is because i had so much inflammation at the top of my small bowel, the food had no place to go!! my lifestyle is sedentary and has been for the last few months so i have to change that regardless of my "condition". :) i appreciate your feedback. this is very helpful. btw...they kept saying i had a UTI too...because they couldn't find the source of the pain until i had the CT scan and they found the inflammation. thanks again!! i hope you're continuing to feel better!! :)
StenoLady1
12-29-2005, 10:45 AM
this is very interesting. thanks lysne. this sounds very similar to what i experienced. i think the only reason why i vomited and had a fever is because i had so much inflammation at the top of my small bowel, the food had no place to go!! my lifestyle is sedentary and has been for the last few months so i have to change that regardless of my "condition". :) i appreciate your feedback. this is very helpful. btw...they kept saying i had a UTI too...because they couldn't find the source of the pain until i had the CT scan and they found the inflammation. thanks again!! i hope you're continuing to feel better!! :)
You're welcome :)
I hope it's as simple and easy as a diet modification here and there and some daily light walking for you. Not for nothing, getting in a daily walk -- especially this time of year with all the stress and cold weather -- has helped me in other ways that I couldn't even imagine. The one positive element of that whole ordeal all summer was realizing how important diet and exercise is, for both physical health and mental health. Plus, trying some new foods/recipes and walking helped to get my mind off my "condition"...certainly never hurts to drop a couple pounds and tone up, too!
Best wishes for a happy and HEALTHY New Year!
Lysne
You're welcome :)
I hope it's as simple and easy as a diet modification here and there and some daily light walking for you. Not for nothing, getting in a daily walk -- especially this time of year with all the stress and cold weather -- has helped me in other ways that I couldn't even imagine. The one positive element of that whole ordeal all summer was realizing how important diet and exercise is, for both physical health and mental health. Plus, trying some new foods/recipes and walking helped to get my mind off my "condition"...certainly never hurts to drop a couple pounds and tone up, too!
Best wishes for a happy and HEALTHY New Year!
Lysne
threethings
12-30-2005, 08:51 PM
i completely agree! i've been walking at the mall during lunch. i'm eating better already. i have to keep a food diary for the doctor and this is actually helping me with improving my eating habits. it's funny...even though you know in your mind what you ate, when you write it out on paper it looks much worse! haha. so i'm modifying my diet now. thanks again for your help! happy new year!
threethings
01-06-2006, 09:37 PM
stenolady1: since you seem to have experienced similar issues....can you tell me if your pain ever felt like "female" related pain? sometimes mine does...but the doctor swears there's nothing wrong there.....can bowel / intestinal pain feel like ovary / uterine pain? anyone else know? :(
StenoLady1
01-06-2006, 11:58 PM
stenolady1: since you seem to have experienced similar issues....can you tell me if your pain ever felt like "female" related pain? sometimes mine does...but the doctor swears there's nothing wrong there.....can bowel / intestinal pain feel like ovary / uterine pain? anyone else know? :(
Hey, Three :wave: Happy New Year!
I believe it can. Funny you should mention this. I caught a cold last week (yes, right over New Years...ugh!!!) and took quite a bit of the "old school" Sudafed to dry me up. Well, I had no appetite thanks to the Sudafed, felt generally cruddy and certainly didn't exercise and eat like I probably should have, and I ended up constipated. This is also the time where I get cramps close to my "ladies days", and I couldn't tell which one was causing the bulk of the pain, basically everything front and back from my ribs to my thighs. They both cleared up right around the same time, too.
Last summer when I was on all those antibiotics and thought I wasn't taking the appropriate one due to the fact I was in more pain with every new med, I went ahead and called my gyno, thinking he may be the person to see for this if my GP wasn't correcting the problem. I told his nurse my GP had diagnosed me with a UTI, the whole story I told you, and I was still in pain and was constipated/then diarhea, different antibiotics. She mentioned that a lot of the symptoms can overlap and to stick with the route my GP was recommending.
I suppose the short answer is yes, lol :)
Lysne
Hey, Three :wave: Happy New Year!
I believe it can. Funny you should mention this. I caught a cold last week (yes, right over New Years...ugh!!!) and took quite a bit of the "old school" Sudafed to dry me up. Well, I had no appetite thanks to the Sudafed, felt generally cruddy and certainly didn't exercise and eat like I probably should have, and I ended up constipated. This is also the time where I get cramps close to my "ladies days", and I couldn't tell which one was causing the bulk of the pain, basically everything front and back from my ribs to my thighs. They both cleared up right around the same time, too.
Last summer when I was on all those antibiotics and thought I wasn't taking the appropriate one due to the fact I was in more pain with every new med, I went ahead and called my gyno, thinking he may be the person to see for this if my GP wasn't correcting the problem. I told his nurse my GP had diagnosed me with a UTI, the whole story I told you, and I was still in pain and was constipated/then diarhea, different antibiotics. She mentioned that a lot of the symptoms can overlap and to stick with the route my GP was recommending.
I suppose the short answer is yes, lol :)
Lysne
threethings
01-07-2006, 12:04 AM
Happy New Year to you!! Thank you once again. You have been so helpful. We really seem to have very similar symptoms / pain. I appreciate your thoughts and advice!
I've been feeling better lately (until today with the bloating / pain). I'm exercising more and eating better. If I stop either of those....or get stressed...the pain / bloating returns.
Thank you again. I hope you're feeling better. I hope 2006 is a good one for you. :)
I've been feeling better lately (until today with the bloating / pain). I'm exercising more and eating better. If I stop either of those....or get stressed...the pain / bloating returns.
Thank you again. I hope you're feeling better. I hope 2006 is a good one for you. :)
StenoLady1
01-07-2006, 12:25 AM
Happy New Year to you!! Thank you once again. You have been so helpful. We really seem to have very similar symptoms / pain. I appreciate your thoughts and advice!
I've been feeling better lately (until today with the bloating / pain). I'm exercising more and eating better. If I stop either of those....or get stressed...the pain / bloating returns.
Thank you again. I hope you're feeling better. I hope 2006 is a good one for you. :)
You're very welcome! I'm actually relieved someone else out there has/had these symptoms, too.
If I stop those things, the pains come back for me, as well, as I found out this week :( I suppose if it's corrected with a better diet and activity, it can't be too, too serious, right? I mean, my doc was pretty quick to release me when I improved on my own, but he also kept diagnosing me with this "mystery UTI" too.
I can't help but wonder, also, if it's age related. I know a lot of women who began having GI/bowel troubles and female changes (not the big change!) in their mid-30s, which is where I am.
Anyway, just thinking out loud here. Hope you get to feeling better real soon. Great time of year to get some exercise equipment...the sales are everywhere! I'm 100 percent over my cold now, but DH has it :rolleyes:
Talk to ya' soon!
Lysne
I've been feeling better lately (until today with the bloating / pain). I'm exercising more and eating better. If I stop either of those....or get stressed...the pain / bloating returns.
Thank you again. I hope you're feeling better. I hope 2006 is a good one for you. :)
You're very welcome! I'm actually relieved someone else out there has/had these symptoms, too.
If I stop those things, the pains come back for me, as well, as I found out this week :( I suppose if it's corrected with a better diet and activity, it can't be too, too serious, right? I mean, my doc was pretty quick to release me when I improved on my own, but he also kept diagnosing me with this "mystery UTI" too.
I can't help but wonder, also, if it's age related. I know a lot of women who began having GI/bowel troubles and female changes (not the big change!) in their mid-30s, which is where I am.
Anyway, just thinking out loud here. Hope you get to feeling better real soon. Great time of year to get some exercise equipment...the sales are everywhere! I'm 100 percent over my cold now, but DH has it :rolleyes:
Talk to ya' soon!
Lysne
threethings
01-07-2006, 11:22 AM
hmmm...could be....because i'm in my early 30s. very interesting. :)
i am actually thinking about buying a treadmill for the days i can't hit the gym! :) great idea....sales! :)
have a great day.
i am actually thinking about buying a treadmill for the days i can't hit the gym! :) great idea....sales! :)
have a great day.