posted 04-16-2003 06:27 PM            

Any info would be appreciated. Tummy is swollen, stools are thin the last few days, pain is so intense it is interferring with all that I do!

posted 04-16-2003 09:44 PM            

Symptoms

abdominal pain, usually in the left lower abdomen but can be anywhere
possible constipation or diarrhea
chills
fever

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

bloody stools
nausea and vomiting

posted 04-16-2003 09:48 PM            

Treatment

Acute diverticulitis requires antibiotic therapy.

Recurrent attacks or presence of perforation (hole), fistula (abnormal tube-like passage), or abscess requires surgical removal of the involved portion of the colon.

After the acute infection has stabilized, diverticulitis is treated by increasing the bulk in the diet with high-fiber foods and bulk additives such as Metamucil.

Expectations (prognosis)

Usually, this is a mild condition that responds well to treatment.

Complications

posted 04-16-2003 09:50 PM            

Prevention

posted 04-16-2003 11:21 PM            

It has been 2-3 days. I am hoping I can just jump up in the morning and be all better!

Wondering if cleansing fast might help? What do you think? Do you have any experience with fasting?

posted 04-17-2003 03:41 AM            

For myself, I had a colonoscopy. Before the colonscopy I was given a very strong laxative which cleaned me out. That was an opportunity for me. I took probiotics to restore the good bacteria and simplified my diet to just white rice to start off with. Then after a couple of days I added boiled potatoes. One by one I added foods and noted the effects. I did sensible things like avoid spices (but a little salt and pepper was OK). I also avoided alcohol and caffeine. I was 98% better.

Now I take caffeine but still avoid spices and alcohol. Red meat is OK too I found. And I make sure that I get both soluble and insolbule fiber (very important without overdoing it).

But I still avoid food additives and processed foods (except for something like Rice Bubbles which is processed but has no additives). I am much the better for it. You might be too.

You will have to go your own journey but anything is better than being a victim and relying blindly on doctors (who for years have been giving me advice without any results). I even stopped taking antidepressants which I got prescibed once by a doctor.

Keep it simple I say until you can nail it down. Hope this helps. Nothing worse than feeling powerless but you need not be if you take charge and use a bit of common sense.

posted 04-17-2003 09:56 AM            

It sounds like diverticulitis to me, too. Some attacks come with pain alone - no fever. But it takes a balanced approached. While you are in the middle of an attack - like now, with the pain - do NOT increase fiber. Actually, what is called for is a low fiber regime - fruit juices, things like that.

When things settle down, you want to increase fiber GRADUALLY, and make sure you are always getting enough. (Drinking plenty of water and eating yogurt regularly are other recommendations).

Even if things settle down by themselves now, you will want to talk with your doctor about this at some point. They might want to do a sigmoid- or colonoscopy for a definite diagnosis. Plus, the condition may settle down but that does not mean it is cured - it is not.

If you start running a fever, get to the doctor asap!

posted 04-17-2003 10:31 AM            

This morning before arising I felt the area that has been hurting and applied gentle pressure. Ouch!!! Was surprised it hurt so bad! Seems the area has increased in size by about 3x ... yet it isn't as painful when I'm moving around as it has been.

I almost made a doctors appt. this morning. We have lousy insurance since husband is self-employed ... so not sure of coverage. Don't want to get emotionally sick as well as physical.

I have not done a good cleansing fast in about a year. Think I will try that route. My weight is higher than it has ever been. The scales seem to be moving up and up ... ??? Was that a factor for you Samuel?

Cleaning this physical house will do me good. Ugh! But I love to eat. I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing with fast.

Again ... thanks for all you've given me here. I appreciate it so much. Have a GREAT day!

posted 04-18-2003 12:14 AM            

I juiced this morning and skipped lunch. Had a big salad for dinner, and a piece of chicken. Herb tea before retiring.

My 29 yo daughter was here yest, with her 3 kids. She said I looked pregnant. Hubby noticed my tummy this evening. I am so swollen! The pain has subsided some what ... or maybe I'm just getting used to it?

posted 04-18-2003 12:07 PM            

The scales dropped 4 1/2 pounds between yesterday morning and this morning!!! I am shocked! Don't know what this is all about, but certainly won't gripe about it.

posted 04-18-2003 01:04 PM            

Starting 4 mos ago, I would get pain mostly on my left, but sometimes my right...I felt it mostly in front, but a little in the back.

I have had an ultrasound, a vaginal ultrasound and both were fine. I have had tons of blood and urine tests and everything was fine also.

So, then last week, I had a colonoscopy and EGD. I thought for sure pouches would be found in my colon....nope....all was fine.

I have really been paying attention to when it happens, and it does seem related to mostly nuts, which is why I was sure I had pouches or Diver. It also happens when I eat a certain protein bar. The pain is not a typical stomach ache pain....it does not come and go....when I have it, it's just there all the time.

So....now I am more baffled than ever. I know someone with Diver and she said to still avoid nuts etc because maybe it's ready to start happening.

My Gastro dr said maybe it's just gas or something. Everything I have read in regard to IBS does not seem to fit the profile for me either.

Any ideas?

posted 04-18-2003 08:25 PM            

This part of the post caught my eye.
I was not going to answer here but decided to share.
The protein bar probably had Soy as an additive right?

Well, when I had similar problems it turned out to be a bad case of endometriosis and pelvic adhesions gluing my internal organs together and creating a huge problem.
I too got worse when I would eat Protein Bars.
We finally figured out that it was probably the phytoestrogen content of the soy product stimulating the growth of endometriosis which feeds on estrogen.
Now I know there are going to be those soy advocates who think I am speaking holistic blasphame, but this was my experience and eliminating all soy and all products with soy additives from my internal consumption was of marked benefit for my condition.
Unfortunately, the condition went untended for too long and the adhesions did enough dammage to require three surgeries in less than a year.
Enddometriosis and pelvic adhesions can cause all kinds of bowel distress.
My colon would swell too. It would swell so badly that the blockage could be seen in my pelvis when I would lay down.
It was all adhered stool that was stuck to the intestinal side wall. Part of the stool would pass but the blockage would build and the discomfort was tremendous.
The pain was constant colon spasms and the pain from my gut being twisted and stuck to other organs and muscles.
This kind of condition is often connected to a metabolic disorder that manifests in the female reproductive organs, but also may include ones pancreatic function.
The only way to get an accurate diagnosis is to have a sugrical Laproscopic procedure done.
If the problem really is endometriosis and adhesions, then it is best to discuss options for treatment with a Doctor who specializes in this kind of medical condition.
I eventually needed a Reproductive Endocrinologist to handle the problem and it's numerous complications.
If insurance is a concern I suggest trying to get in with a womans clinic at a teaching hospital.
There are also social services available for people who are either uninsured or under insured.
It takes a bit of work to figure out which programs
are available.
Sometimes trouble shooting a pelvic pain problem can be a long and difficult road.
I've been working with my condition actively and agressively for over a year.
There are good answers. But you have to be real persistent and patient.
Good Luck and Good Health
kat

posted 04-19-2003 01:34 AM            

I have had a complete hysterectomy, due to severe displesia. Endo never seemed to be a problem for me, although my gynecol. said that I had it before my hyster. I wonder how all that you said would effect me?

posted 04-20-2003 12:15 AM            

My experience with gastroenterologist has not been very good since they now have scopes --- their diagnoses abilities have gone down hill ---they want to see things and do the scope testing.

I had half of my colon removed in March,2002 because of chronic bleeding diverticulas. I lost half my blood while in the ER and past out---- that sorta gets peoples attention.

The Doc didn't want me to go to the ER at 11:30 pm. My hemoglobin went from 16 to 8.4 in about 3 hours.

Harry

posted 04-20-2003 02:23 AM            

I was talking to my sister this morning and she jogged my memory. Do you know that I forgot all about being diagnosed with a spastic colon years ago??? DUH!

I got a bad case of Salmonella in 1982. The results were harmful to the health of my colon. It spurred me on to having to go to a proctologist. Went through the whole series of lovely tests … barium enema, upper GI, proctoscope … you know the routine

After spending thousands of $ on testing, the diagnosis was “spastic colon”! Doctors recommendation? Metamucil twice a day!

I somehow forgot the whole ordeal above, for within just a few months of all the above I recovered and have had no problems since … until recently.

The facts you gave me concerning endometriosis scares me! Adhesions? Never heard of such a thing! Ugh!

I have read that if one was to eat properly, meaning a mainly a diet of veggies/fruit/lean meat, that your body has the ability to heal itself. The thought of having to have “adhesions lysed” makes the above alternative sound very appealing. Want to also heal my thyroid and adrenal. A 40% raw diet is suppose to be very effective. No processed foods, only "true" foods.

Since you have knowledge of natural/holistic methods, will you please share? Don’t mean to wear you out … I really appreciate all you are teaching me. I know that others are benefiting from your rich knowledge.

Thanks so much ~ Joy

posted 04-20-2003 09:18 PM            

Basically, what you have read can be true. But how one gets from point A to B is a whole other matter and an awfully tall order to fill.
Not everyone who travels the pure and natural path comes out whole.
It takes a lot more than a diet or a homeopathic remedy
to facillitate the kind of changes a lot of people expect.
Back in the old days when Holistic concepts were still
a part of the counter culture we refered to Holistic as
Wholistic to focus on the idea of wholeness.
Then came the marketing of the mystics and Wholistic became Holistic meaning those things that are Holy. Because such things as energy balancing and remedys and energy points in the body were all part of traditions that embraced the development of the mind, body and spirit. So eventually Whole became Holy and Holy, became mainstream. And when things become mainstream the reality of any one particular remedy or practice gets a bit lost between application and lore.
So Theoretically, it is possible to make sweeping changes and transformative happenings in the body and then the life or vice versa.

I don't know if changing your diet or doing healing work with your endocrine system will facillitate the total healing you are looking for.
I believe that doing certain things could make your situation better and it could also help you reach a more clear understanding of the things going on with your body. But to totally heal the malady, I believe, is a matter between the individual and the destiny of their soul. It then becomes a matter between man and God. And at that point there is none who can say what is fault or fate.
I believe less in fault and more in the process of healing. I believe that healing that arises from the experiences of any stage is valuable. So definately, a big change in diet and ones approach to the nutrition and health of the body vehicle will serve to the betterment of the individual.
But if you are dealing with a chronic health problem there is also the need for wisdom to know which modality might be the right modality for an illness at any stage. Alternative healing processes didn't save me from surgery. I've had 3 in less than a year.
All 3 surgeries were a necessity at the time I had them. Especially that emergency surgery.
But that does not mean the alternative and holistic path failed. It means that I needed to blend the best of both worlds to help facillitate the best and most positive out come for retaining a good quality of life.
So if the quality of life becomes compromised it's important to be whole enough within ones self to relinquish ones preconceived notions and embrace a radically different approach towards a higher good.
So in learning about alternatives, also learn about the realities in medicine and find the path that works best for your body with your needs.
Sometimes you might find your good answer in some anciet wisdom. And other times you might find your answers through modern science.
I have found that blending the best of both worlds is the more clear answer to on going recovery.
There are many many things that come together to make a healing. We each need to choose the tools we think will serve us best.
Having adhesions lysed was not nearly as bad as having my colon stuck to the pelvic muscle in two places with the curve forcing my bowels to try to move up hill.
I was actually glad to have that third surgery done.
It's given me some hope regarding the destructiveness of the Endometriosis.
I worked with some pretty intensive holistic therapy for several months trying to avoid another surgery.
And pretty much, I think the applications I used really did make things easier on me.
My body is not the ideal body of ease. I'm a bit of a physical challenge given the fact that I've survived a few bad accidents.
So definately, the use of Holistic and alternative methods are something I will continue to use as a part of my on going lifestyle.
For the adhesions, I work with Olive Oil packs on my pelvis and massage. The massage is specific energy work geared towards bringing a balance to my body that has gone through so much change.
My personal modalities are energy and body balance and essential oils. There are some specifics with body postures and stretching that I also find helpful.
The most important Holistic thing you can do for your body is to try and stay motivated to find the best avenue for your own body well being. Our answers are not always easy but we can choose how we repond to the circumstances we encounter with our bodies. So, to make the best of ones health is the best that one can do.
You might find information on the Macrobiotic theorys
of health and nutrition interesting.
You could begin there and see what sounds workable to you as an individual.
The healing journey is often spured on by our physical need to find answers and relief.
But the events we encounter and the knowledge we discover are things that emerge to enrich our lives.
kat

posted 04-21-2003 01:33 AM            

I feel directed to follow my own heart, as well. Therein lies the substance of divine inspiration, truth, and reality. He will direct my paths.

May God bless you as you walk upon this journey. May He bring healing to your being, and allow us to both become Holy and whole
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