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 Back from GI........confussed!
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handsfull4 Member  Posts: 46 |
posted 02-24-2003 01:31 PM
  
Well, I just got back, I was crying in his office when he said "It's not your gallbladder, you have ulcers, we will do the tests (a HIDA scan and an upper endoscopy) bur it's probubly a waist of time" He put me on Protoxin once a day and lavsin 4 times a day. Anyone know anything about these meds. I am not to use ibprophin or asprin, follow a regular diet of at least 3 small meals a day. What can I take now for headaches and pains? I'm upset, I asked him if he could tell me what kind of doctor to see aobut the items in my family history(CREST, raynods and such) and he said "no if you had those it would be obvious" I don't know what to do or believe, I won't have the upper endoscopy untill mid march and the HIDA scan late next week. Should I bother with them, I think at the moment I am beyond giving up. Should I just trust that it's and ulcer? I guess I can only wait and see. My husband said I should be glad that it is just an ulcer, but that dosen't explain everything I have been feeling, it dosen't even say that fatigue, sweats, and sleep problems are symptoms of ulcers. Oh well, who cares right? I don't know. Maybe after I relax I will feel better about what the doc said. Thank you so much to everyone that replyed to my prior post, It helps to know that others understand. thanks again, Emily IP: Logged |
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Denise F Senior Member Posts: 224 |
posted 02-24-2003 03:07 PM
I guess at this point all you can do is go by what the Dr. says. Dr's aren't always right but at least the upcoming tests will prove or disprove his opinion. Also hopefully if he is right you will start getting some relief with the meds. You can always look up the meds in a medical dictionary if you have any questions about them. There are plenty of them on the web. Good luck. ------------------ IP: Logged |
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Katie G Senior Veteran  Posts: 719 |
posted 02-24-2003 03:57 PM
Hi Emily. Hang in there - eventually the answer will come. Glad you're going for endoscopy - it should reveal whether or not you have an ulcer. The hida scan may or may not reveal anything, but go ahead and get it done just to determine if it could be your gall bladder. Keep us posted on your results. Good luck ~ IP: Logged |
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Harry Senior Veteran Posts: 1757 |
posted 02-24-2003 08:47 PM
Alot of ulcers are caused by H.pylori bacteria 85%---of them. A blood test can tell if you have the bacteria. God Bless---Harry IP: Logged |
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purple2067 Senior Veteran Posts: 1234 |
posted 02-24-2003 10:55 PM
I am so sorry to hear that you are having such a difficult time. Please don't give up. One of your tests will show something. Oh, and for Reynauds you would need to see a Rheumatologist, as it is an Auto-Immune disorder. Even if your dr doesn't think you need to investigate things further, go with your own gut feeling. YOU are the one with the final say over your treatment, and YOU are the one who has to live with all of your symptoms. So if you want to investigate the Reynauds and all of your other symptoms further, go for it. Here is a fantastic web-site for finding out information about medications (both prescription and non prescription). Just follow this link and then click on "drug information" and select the letter for the drug you want to look up. There you will find an entire list of medications. Good luck. I hope you get some answers soon. IP: Logged |
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handsfull4 Member Posts: 46 |
posted 02-25-2003 09:31 AM
Thank you all so much for your replys, I see my genral on thursday, I am going to talk to him about what else to do if anything, It's not that I deny it's ulcers, it probubly is, I am stressed I'm sick and it would make perfect sense for it to get worse tight now while I am so worried about how I have been feeling, and finding out my grandmothers history. My husband wants to believe this is the diagnosis, and that the meds will fix everything, he dosen't want me waisting my time on useless tests. But my sister who works aroung doctors all day, and CTs peaple for a living, there is something else, maybe even something that is causeing the ulcers, she wants me to have my doc run the tests for those autoimmune diseases if anything to rule them out. I show to many symptoms not to think that something else is amiss, she said I started this with my doc even befor my side and chest pain started. so the ulcers mayy of just been a distraction from the big picture. I'm still confused, my hubby has me feeling like a head case, but I value my sisters oppinoin, I trust her, becouse she will tell you straight up is someone if getting to worked up over something mild or if it sounds sertious, she said the sleeping disorder,a nd sweats are a sign right there that worries her, she said those are serios symptoms of something else going on. I will deffinitly keep everyone posted. Also, if anyone has ever been on these meds, did they make you hurt worse after takeing them, I hurt sooo bad, I was balling last night, they said it is suppose to help with the pain, but OMG the pain is the worst I have felt yet. Thanks again, and hugs to all, EMily IP: Logged |
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Shanny Senior Member Posts: 244 |
posted 02-25-2003 09:18 PM
My mom was just recently diagnosed with an ulcer and H. Pylori and just finished the antiobiotics and medication and she has never felt so good. She was feeling just miserable, there were days she would barely be able to do anything because of pain, reflux, and general feeling like crud. Which was a very bad thing considering there are six of us kids  Anyway, point being, go do the test and take the medication and see how you feel, u could be really surprised Also- the Upper GI and HIDA scan test aren't too bad except the HIDA takes forever!! Let us know what they turn up.~Shanny IP: Logged |
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dsal Junior Member Posts: 7 |
posted 03-08-2003 03:06 PM
Have you considered a thyroid work-up? (TSH, T4, T3)? All the symptoms you mentioned regarding night sweats, fatigue, etc. are also symptoms of thryroid disorders. Donna IP: Logged |
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JanettoB Senior Member Posts: 135 |
posted 03-08-2003 04:53 PM
I agree with the previous poster about the thyroid check as well as a menopause check if you are near 40 years of age. Either of the two can cause sweats, fatigue, etc. If you are worried about the gastro endoscopy, please read the other post: "for anyone who has had an endoscopy" This test is not worth worrying over.....it's so easy....you don't remember a thing. You really need to have the endoscopy done to see if you have the "Helico Bacter Pylori" bacteria that is causing your problem. A blood test does not always reveal the bacteria. The endoscopy biopsy will tell the doctor immediately if you have the bacteria. The treatment is very different if you have the ulcer with the bacteria, vs. ulcer without the bacteria. Don't put off the testing, you could get much much worse and could set yourself up for cancer if you don't cure an ulcer. Just last year, my 80 mother woke up one morning and pooped black in the toilet.....she got up from the toilet to return to bed and passed out on the floor. She had lost so much blood that she passed out!!!! She had no prior warning that she was bleeding.....like dark stools. She had even had a hemocult test done 4 months before and it was negative. The doctor did an endoscopy on her.....she didn't have an ulcer, but her stomach was so irritated (severe gastritis), that anywhere the doctor touched it, it would bleed!!! Anyway, they put her on ulcer medication to heal her up and she's doing great now. When I myself was working on an ulcer years back, my doctor told me that I had to eat well.....this is no time for dieting!!! So I don't know why your doctor told you small meals. Good luck, Janetto IP: Logged |
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giupset Senior Member Posts: 147 |
posted 03-09-2003 08:51 PM
These drugs shouldn't make you feel worse. I can't remember exactly what they are for but I believe Protonix is similar to or is a proton-pump inhibitor (like Prilosec and Prevacid). Levsin (sublingual?) - I think works on your stomach (it's been awhile). Contact your pharmacist as that is what they are there for but keep in mind that Monday is a busy day, the phone number should be on the bottle. As far as settling for someone's word - that's not the best way to go. You need evidence that you do or don't have what they "suspect" you have. Same goes for your gut feeling. If you want to be tested to rule out a disease this basically says that you want to be on the safe side as your symptoms do not sound like the effects of stomach/duodenal ulcers. [This message has been edited by giupset (edited 03-09-2003).] IP: Logged |
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handsfull4 Member Posts: 46 |
posted 03-20-2003 03:28 PM
HI, As for the thyroid had it checked, that and diabetes were the two first things they tested for......I will post lab results that I have w/ this post, there are more labs that I don't have yet. They also tested for a bash of autoimmune deiseases, all came back normal, my grandmother had CREST syndrom, a form of sceloderma, and they will be watching me for that, as the symptoms could be that, the skin discoloration, really bugs me, on my left leg. But they don't seem very concerned about it. I took time off of tests, just stressing to much, and everything is comeing back normal. I saw a gasro, and he recomendd a cat scan and depending on those results and upper endo, then depending on those findings a hida, so I just called to schedual my Cat today, I go in on Tuesday night for that. The pain is here, after everytime I eat.....meds seemed to be working for like two weeks, now they seem like I am just takeing m&ms, my general perscribed a pill for sleep, non-addictive, and that works soso, I seem to have more trouble w/ feeling dried mouthed and nose, but that could be from the ulcer meds. and my hands feet and throat seem more swollen in the AM since starting the sleep med. My general wants to see me in a month to see ihow I'm doing, but is out of ideas on tests. And my new gastro seems to agree that it is just ulcers, and to continue w/ the meds. The last 4 days have been hell, I have eaten one meal each day, and become very sick and in pain after each meal, I'm affraid to eat. I had the dry heaves and a mirgraine when I got sick yesterday alonge w/ the chills, it was awful, I just had two peices of bonless chicken breast (baked ) for lunch, and hurt like hell even after that meal. And all I had was the chicken nothing else. I haven't lost any weight, but then I am not very active physically right now, befor I use to work out everyday, but haven't done that since January. I'm outta ideas, and my family is out of paitence with me, so I will plug along quietly and w/out complaint and see where the road takes me. Maybe the Cat scan will have an answer but, truthfully I suspect that will come back normal too. Here are the results. TSH w/ Free T4 RFX TSH 0.62 MIU/L 0.40-5.50 Low end of normal T4,Free 1.4 NG/DL 0.8-1.8 high end of normal T#, Total 169 NG/DL 60-181 high end of normal (would be closer to haveing hyperthyroid complications rather then hypothyroid) CBC W/ DIFF & PLT AUTOMATED DIFFERENTIAL ESR, WESTERGREN 7 MM/HR 0-20 COMP METABOLIC PANEL IP: Logged |
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giupset Senior Member Posts: 147 |
posted 03-20-2003 10:19 PM
You may want to try soft foods such as mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, etc. & see if that changes anything. You can also supplement your diet with Ensure (I recommend with protein or fat), not Ensure alone though. IP: Logged |
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sally502 Newbie Posts: 1 |
posted 03-26-2003 01:22 AM
Handfull4 Try the menu I've been on for the past 2-1/2 weeks for my abdominal pain. Chicken soup, toast, gingerale, tea, and more chicken soup. Actually the chicken soup is the best and it doesn't seem to make the stomach hurt like normal food does. Things are looking up though. The doctor put me on Protonix (2 a day) and this week, I've been able to eat food without pain. Still don't know the cause though, but at least it's a positive sign. I sympathize with you about being afraid to eat. I know exactly what you mean. Try the good old red and white cans of condensed chicken soup. Hope it helps. mjs IP: Logged |
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No2Gluten Junior Member Posts: 7 |
posted 03-29-2003 09:56 AM
Handfull4: Have you had your endoscopy yet? Can you tell me what symptoms you are having? IP: Logged |
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bde2003 Newbie Posts: 1 |
posted 04-28-2003 07:51 PM
I don't know all of your symptons but side pain and trouble sleeping with sweats sounds familiar. I had all of the above a year ago. Couldn't eat, sleep and eventually the back and side pain was so bad I was admitted to the hospital. They did the endoscopy the next day and it was a duodenal ulcer. The doctor put me on Prevacid and changed my diet to low caffeine, low calcium (no milk or ice cream) and no pain killers (ibuprofin, aspirin, naprosin, etc. - they are the culprits). He prescribed Darvocet for headaches. The ulcer completely healed after 3 months and I have been pain free ever since. Anyway, get the endoscopy, it is the only way to find out for sure and it is an easy procedure to go through. God Bless! IP: Logged |
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