It is you my friends and others in each group I am in, friends I never knew looked upon me as a friend who have given me strength. I can't say which is worse; knowing one has a specific condition, suffering and trying to cope, or "Not Knowing" and trying to cope? All I can say is that these last 2 months have been life altering for me, both physically and emotionally. I see the light at the end of the tunnel though whereby I will, I hope receive a phone call from a distant VA hospital GI dr.; who will tell me what day to arrive at Livermore VA hospital for a colonoscopy to determine why my colon has been irritable and inflamed for the past 2 months. Then I also can find out what can be done medicine wise.
All I know is the massive abdomen cramps and diarrhea came on "Suddenly" January 23, with no symptoms leading up to it! I had to go to the Emergency room, where they did not tell me what was wrong. Then I suffered on the 24th in silence, and on the 25th, gave in and had to go to the emergency room for 13 hours, with diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Once more the hospital did not tell me what their diagnosis was.
Then a month later, february 25th, I went back to the hospital medical records section and got a copy of the berium and cat scan tests. The tech evaluating the berium cat scan took the following possible causes of my abdomen pain and diarrhea:
1) Inflamation of the sigmoid colon Colitis,
2) a benign tumor on my liver,
3) some allergy congestion in my lung
4) and inflamation in my abdomen lympth nodes.
However, subsequent examinations three VA doctors, 2 regular county drs.; along with stool samples, blood samples and repeated pressing on my lower abdomen with me feeling pain, disputes the diagnosis of Diverticulitis in the lower abdomen. But something is inflamming my lower intestine for 2 months now. So I am to hear from a distant VA hospital tomorrow to tell me the date to arrive for a 3 day inpatient stay to determine what is wrong with me and treat me.
I eat rice, chicken (baked), eggs scrambled, apple sauce, jello, gateraid, immodium, Beano for gas cramps and most importantly Acidophilus (Good Bacteria) for my stomach and Colon.
http://www.swansonvitamins.com type in the word Acidophilus in the search box. I reccomend buying three (3) bottles so you don't run out before ordering again. Take 2 capsules prior to 3 main meals, for example as soon as you get up, then at noon, then at 6 pm. Good bacteria is crucial to helping your colon and stomanch have good bacteria flourish. I have Rice Crispies and wheat toast to settle tummy, and definitely Bananas Every day!
Any other foods tear my tummy up and result in stomach abdomenal cramps, nausea and diarrhea. I basically suffer from nausea all day, and diarrhea usually within 2 hours of waking up. My day is filled with mild nausea, but I am stable. My life has changed so dramatically since January 23, and what is so confusing is that I have been told by 5 drs. that I do not have Chron's, a terrible series of irritable bowel disorders that are so hard for many to cope and endure. Yet ithere must be a explanation for my condition.
The Consensous is that I have an unusual and stubborn Stomach flu virus that won't go away! To be sure and to rule out all other problems or to discover the real culprit in my stomach I must have a colonoscopy procedure where I drink a nasty drink in the hospital and then sit on the toilet for hours to empty my bowel, then be put asleep the next morning so they can look inside and see EXACTLY what is in my lower colon.
I am not eager to experience this discomfort but it must be done if I am to be better.
Prior to this illness I had already made the decision to stop eating at Burger King, McDonalds, Jack in the Box, Taco bell, No pizza, No beef jerkey, No caffenated drinks like Coke or Bottled fruit flavored water from Wal-Mart, No Kilbosha, No processed meats like Bolonga, turkey Bolonga, sliced ham or sliced turkey meat, And NO RED MEAT! I made this decision not with the thought of avoiding a bowel disorder but because I am 55 and wanted to take personal responsibility for my future health.
I have been a disabled veteran for 34 years wearing 2 back supports 24-7 to allieviate lower back pain and I have managed my pain for 34 years. I have adapted and found my happiness in writing and sharing my stories and poetry and volunteering to help others in every way I could find.
But this health issue I feel helpless to control, to adapt and to minimize my pain. I know everything I am doing IS minimizing my pain and I am finally being able to sleep 6-8 hours a night thanks to Beano, suppressing my abdomen cramps when I go to bed. Gas was the only thing really keeping me awake at night depriving me of sleep.
| http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=10450&catid=10&brand=7278&trx=PLST-0-BRAND&trxp1=10&trxp2=10450&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-BRAND As you can see, 100 capsules are $16.00 plus shipping of course. Even if I buy beano locally, I am not saving much money for 100 capsules! So I looked at www.swansonvitamins.com and typed in the words Legumase. I found 180 capsules for $13.99. I still pay for shipping but I get 80 more capsules for my money which is still less then $16.00. Value is what we all need when we are trying to stretch our dollars from the first to the 31st of each month, and some people are on a very fixed income. Always compare lables to see if you are getting VALUE for your money! Here are the Beano Supplement facts! | | Supplement Facts | | Serving Size: | 1 Tablets | | Servings Per Container: | 100 |  | | Amount per Tablet | | | | Alpha-galactosidase Enzyme Derived from Aspergillus niger | 150 GALU* | | <TD* Daily Value not established. | | Here are the supplement facts of Legumase! THE HUGE DIFFERENCE is that it recommends (1) capsule, not two BEFORE A MEAL! If this is effective, this bottle would last someone 60 days! The Beano would only last 16 days! Legumase Supplement Facts 
| |
As you can see both contain Aspergillus, but Legumase contains other products related to aspergillus ! So I feel it is a better buy. Always consult your dr. before choosing what to do, but I know this will be what I am switching too to help my stomach gas problems.
When suffering with diarrhea, It is critical that you replace your fluid loss hopefully with Gateraid which has electrolytes. Pedicare also has electrolytes. Both come in flavors so choose the best one and best PRICE for the quanity, to get your best value!
I Can't suggest any stronger the NEED for you to make a Daily CHART of your pain level each day to be able to show your doctor on one sheet of paper, making a Monthly Chart what level of pain and how often you suffering. In this way he or she can try different pain relief options with you.
Here is a sample pain chart. You will have to expand it to make it go all the way across the page for the days of the month:
Monthly Pain Chart
_______________, 2008
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Pain level
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Then all you do is place a dot each day where your pain level is and then draw a line with a
ruler to connect each dot to show the up and down pain level thru the month.
You could also make another pain chart by the hour to show the time you hurt the most.
Knowledge is everything to you and your doctor.
I know I am a NEWBIE to this type of pain and comfort and that others, regardless of their
particular illness or disability have suffered often times in silence and for much longer then I
have! But I hope you will know that YOU are not alone. Many do care whether they post
something, send you an e-mail or call you. Even if others say nothing, it doesn't mean they
do not care about you or know what you're going through. Please do not suffer in silence.
I am grateful for all the support members have offered to me so that I do not feel I am alone.
If any members suffering from irritible Bowel Disorders would like the MSN Group link of a newly formed group suffering from this illness, PLEASE E-Mail me and I will share the Group ADDY! You ARE NOT Alone.
Raymond.
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