BS: Oh, the pain, the pain

Subject: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: kendall
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 02:52 PM

Has anyone here ever had a bout with diverticulitis?
Yesterday, I woke up feeling quite normal, and suddenly, I had unbearable abdominal pain. After spending most of the day in the E.R. at Mercy hospital, and having a tube rammed up my eurethera, I had a CT scan that said it was diverticulitis.
Horrible pain in both areas.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: MMario
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 02:54 PM

Thankfully - no, I have never suffered from diverticulitis; and hope never to know what it feels like - as I have relatives who do so suffer . Luckily they are in-laws.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 03:02 PM

That tube up the eurethra, really stings afterwards don't it, especially when you go for a pee. Enjoy all the fibre they're going to make you eat.
BTW. I don't think onions count as fibre!!!
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Alba
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 03:03 PM

Och that sounds awfully painful Kendall. Bad enough having the pain of Diverticulitis, never mind the search for the diagnosis.
Hope the Pain eases for you soon.
Best Wishes
A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 03:11 PM

As they say, Thank Heaven for Small Mercies.

Hope you feel better soon.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Amos
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 03:26 PM

A cou0ple of commercial links:

Free Diverticulitis Info- Multitudes are testifying to 100% recoveries from Digestive Diseases!
www.molocure.com/

Have Diverticulitis? Try- Lean-N-Clean, Ideal for Colon Diseases, with Detox herbs & fibers

www.leanNclean.com/

Background:

Most people have in their colons small pouches that bulge outward through weak spots, like an inner tube that pokes through weak places in a tire. Each pouch is called a diverticulum. Pouches are diverticula. The condition of having diverticula is called diverticulosis. About half of all Americans age 60 to 80, and almost everyone over age 80, have diverticulosis.

When the pouches become infected or inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis. This happens in 10 to 25 percent of people with diverticulosis. Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are also called diverticular disease.

---

Fiber is the current remedy of choice, Cap''n -- it's just a blown inner tube, basically. Hope you recover quickly!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Troll
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 04:05 PM

Hpoe you get better quickly, Kendall
Remember, 'tis better to be a pain in the ass than to have one.

troll

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: kendall
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 04:35 PM

Thanks folks. Troll, you should know LOL

Two doctors said to avoid my favorite foods, nuts, popcorn and anything with seeds. Now, I just read a piece from the Nationl Institute of health that says there is no evidence to support that ban. Who do you believe?

By the way, I'm feeling fine today, no more jello and beef broth!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 05:03 PM

My mother has it. Lots of fibre, not too strenuous excercise and cranberry juice or natural yoghurt/yoghurt drinks to keep the good flora going in your gut.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 05:29 PM

You don't follow some of the threads Kendall! Lyrical Lady (Barb) and I both ended up for about a week in the hospital AT THE SAME TIME with diverticulitis. Both of us were a gnat's ass from surgery. This was about a little over a year ago. It was funny because we both came back to the 'Cat and had had the same basic experience. Barb was a little worse than I because she waited even longer. Cat-scan show an "infected mass" ......

I was sucking up the pain figuring it was just some kind of gas or intestinal flu or something. When I started running a fever, it was time to go. I have an "Automatic E.R. Pass" that will get me in front of damn near everybody in the joint. I say, "I am running a fever over 100 and I have an artificial mitral valve."

In any case, docs are really mixed on what's what with Divertcular Diseaese and what brings on the acute attacks. For a good while I didn't even try anything that I thought might set it off, but eventually I tried things and found that a few "classics" caused reaction and some of the "classics" were no problem at all. I ran across one about three weeks ago that put me on "Liquids to White to Mashed" diets for a week until things cleared up. I made some pork fried rice with brown rice and no matter how long I cooked or how much water, it was a bit hard. Big mistake eating that! I generally do badly with hard seeds (popcorn hull,sesame,poppy, etc) but not slimy seeds or hulls......Hot pepper seeds, cucumber seeds, corn--all fine)

Good luck and keep a supply of Jello and clear soups on hand when something unexpected may attack you that you didn't expect.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: kendall
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 08:11 PM

You are right 'spaw. I don't read all of the threads; sorry I missed that one.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Peg
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 08:24 PM

good luck kendall! this is fairly common but also unpleasant so here's hoping you get well very soon...

Organic fruits and veggies are best...apples, broccoli, fresh pineapple for fiber...and don't forget bananas for potassium...also good if you overdo the fiber a bit...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Sorcha
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 09:15 PM

Me Mum had it. With a flare up, just do clear liquids (Jello, clear soup, etc.) for a few days. Miserable stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Amos
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 09:33 PM

This is what comes of refusing to eat slimy foods when young -- the Fates save up all that jello and such and wait until you get old to spring it on you!!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 Apr 03 - 09:34 PM

I'm sure Peg means AFTER the acute attack is over!!! During an attack the last thing you need is any fiber or whole grain stuff. The most common approach to get past the attack (the only cure is the removal of a chunk of your colon) is to stay on a liquid diet for 24-48 hours and then introduce white and mashed/softened foods with little or no fiber content. Rice, pasta, mashed potato, other soups run through a blender and strained, etc. Well processed wheat only as in "Wonder bread" and you can eat eggs but try to limit the dairy as well.

Once you've got a week or so on this and the pain is gone (oh yeah, you're in for some really interesting and diverse bowel movements), you can introduce soft meats such as chicken or fish in limited quantities and start adding in cooked (not raw yet) veggies and the like. Within a few weeks you'll be ready to start a higher fiber diet and eat in a more normal fashion.

The object of all of that is to eat things that areasy to process and put little or no pressure on the sigmoid colon. It seems as though you should eat fiber, but until your guts are passed the attack, don't do it....you're asking for trouble.

As to what the research says......I can find you articles with long lists of "don't's" and others that say anything goes and the research doesn't support the data. The truth as it often is, is somewhere in between. In talking to others and reading a lot more, most people do react badly to certain foods and if you can forget them and eliminate them from your diet do so. The "classics" I mentioned above include all nuts, popcorn, seeds of any sort, and veggies with a thick husk such as corn, peas, and some beans. Peel all fruits and veggies before eating as well....blah, blah, blah........

The reality is that most people have limited or no problems with many of those things in moderation but others may bring on an attack. As I said, in my case, you can forget any hard seed, popcorn, or nuts. even in tiny quantities I can feel the beginnings of an attack. I know because I tried the stuff. It was worth it to find what I definitely could or could not eat. Hulled veggies as well as the skins of potato and tomato have never been a problem. I never gave that damn brown rice a second thought but it hit me really hard and I was two weeks getting back to normal!

As Peg said, get the high fiber stuff going as soon as you are well past this attack. Limit your beef intake and much as I love a good rare ribeye, eating those things was a big part of the problem as it is for most Americans. BTW, estimates run as high as 70% of the +50 population having the disease although some will never experience an acute attack.

Do become very aware of everything you eat. I love fresh berries of all sorts, but blackberries and raspberries have those little hard seedy things and sadly both I found created problems for me. Seeds from peppers and cukes and zukes and things seem to have no effect although I know a guy who can't tolerate any seed at all. This is whay the research is so mixed.

Welcome aboard this non-exclusive club!!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: kendall
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 08:54 AM

What threw me was the sudden onset. Felt like I was going to explode. Then while waiting in the ER, they gave me that damned laxative, and, after a trip to the head, the pain eased considerably. Now, I feel quite normal, even after a good dinner at a Chinese restaurant.
Is it possible that all it was was a blockage? They said it was diverticulitis, but, of course, they have to justify that million dollar machine.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 09:00 AM

That's what it creates....a blockage. If you're out of pain that quickly though, I'd suspect that you may have a very light case. Do what you want, but if you suspect that this was an early and mild attack of DD, take the advice above and then get a lot of fiber going in your diet.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 09:40 AM

From the thread title I thought we were going to have a thread about Doctor Zachary Smith from 'Lost In Space' !
I hope Dr Smith is not on your case.

Best Wishes

Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 10:55 AM

OH man Kendall!

It's almost 11am here and in two hours I'm gettin' the fucking camera stuck up my whatsis, and I'm freaking!

They'll be checking my bladder for god knows what, and I'm sooooo sick of the medical indignities I've had to go through this year.

I wish I could tell you all about this year, but I'm going to wait til it's all over (or I'M all over) to tell the tale. As you well know, I like to throw a lot of jokes into the misery....and right now I don't feel one bit funny!

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 11:11 AM

Having had tubes of assorted sizes and shapes snaked into my nose, stomach (through the mouth), urethra, rectum, and arteries.....the worst was and is the urethra with the stomach a close second.. Not that having a tube up your ass or down your nose is any prize either but........Oddlly enough, a heart cath where they run the tube through your arteries is painless.

One of the reasons that hospital patients are not allowed guns is that most of us would shoot the assistants on these tests...sometimes the Docs as well. I'd shoot whichever one kept saying things like....."Just relax now....Don't tense up....Relax....it will only be a bit longer....Oh it doesn't hurt that bad...." Right. They'd be dead as soon as I could take aim. It's obvious to me that most of these yahoos have never had the test themselves!

For sheer pain though, none of the above can hold a candle drawing blood for Arterial Blood Gases unless it's an ABG draw by a bad Phlebotomist (the tech who draws blood). I had one that took the tech 15 minutes and they never did get a good sample which meant someone had to come back and do it again...this took only two minutes. I was at the point where I would have just preferred they slice my wrists (which is the draw site for ABG's).

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Peg
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 12:09 PM

yes, spaw I did mean that!
However I have also read that the usual "presecription" diet of white bread and bland foods is not necessarily a good treatment even when the attack is on since this is the type of food that caused the condition in the first place...I think I read this in one of Lendon Smith's books recently (he is a bit of a pioneer in the food as medicine movement). I will look it up...
there are some less fibrous foods that are nevertheless more nutritious than Wonder bread. A simple vegetable broth made by cooking celery, carrots and potatoes (then tossing out the solids and drinking the broth) is excellent; full of vitamins and alkalizing nutrients.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: kendall
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 12:45 PM

Mild case? Holy s**t! if that was a mild case, I sure don't want a big one!

I'd never had a catheta before, so, didn't know what to expect. This young nurse came in and said she had to perform an unplesant procedure. Then, she grabs my crank and starts rubbing somthing creamy on it. I'm laying there thinking, "Unpleasant for her, maybe" then the pain, the pain!

That should cheer you up. Rick!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 01:35 PM

Considering I'm just going out the door Kendall......thanks! Hmmmmm....

"Catheta"

My gawd man you really are a Maine-liner. Here we pronounce it "Cathetrrr"....ahh, why am I tryin' to be funny, I'm scared shitless.....and I've had about ten of them this year.

Wish I were a drinkin' man.

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Amos
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 01:38 PM

Can we sign up just for the preps and skip the actual tube part?

Maybe "Catheta" was the nurse's name? Willa Catheta?


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 01:53 PM

LOL at Peg!!! Couldn't agree more on the Wonder bread!!! The white diet is safe and only used for a short period untim the bowel is less inflamed from the infection. I can't take it much myself and my Docs don't advise it totally either if you can easily do other options. I have a lot of neat recipes for healthy strained soups and casseroles you where you mix your pureed "mess" with mashed potato. And thank gowd for garlic!!!

For me, a good blender was and is a lifesaver. As you said there are lots of good and nutritious things to eat that simply need to be pureed. Where you have to watch are on the things that regardless of consistency are hard to digest and put the intestine which is supposed to resting to work. I'm a huge salad eater and a big fan of cabbage and it's relatives and I miss that stuff the most during that time bevause there is no way to make them easy on the sigmoid colon.

The other thing we had that helps a lot is a juicer. I don't use it much otherwise but during those times, it's my buddy. I have numerous very tiny flare-ups of DD because I push the envelope on foods a bit and I am ultra sensitive to the first thing that seems like pain so I have found that a quick change of diet to liquids and white for a brief time. It all depends on how lazy I am at the time as to whether I go really bland or really interesting.

I had not had an attack that required more than two or three days to pass before I could eat normally again for over a year until the dumbass episode with the brown rice which hit me from the blindside. Once you learn what you can't eat for sure it's easy to live with DD. My biggest fear is that one time or another corn will affect me as during corn season I am ravenous!!! So far so good as I have prayed to the great god Diverticulia who has answered my prayers so far.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Morticia
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 03:37 PM

oh man, a thread that has made me both wince and laugh....occasionally at the same time. Lots of hugs, Rick,though I spect it's all over now....let's hope it was good news.Kendall, my angel,I am so sorry for the pain and the indignity but thank god it wasn't anything worse.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 04:44 PM

Kendall, I knew a guy who had problems with premature ejaculation and the Doctor gave him a creme to rub on his willy just before sex. I asked him if it worked and he said he came just rubbing it on.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: kendall
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 05:04 PM

Damn yoy Spaw! I still hurt from vomiting, and that last post is killing me!

Morticia, it could have been much worse, the nurse could have been a man.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 05:52 PM

Ladies, are you sure you want to hang around this thread? It's pretty gruesome.....but you're kind gals all.

OH MAN, am I glad THAT'S over! Doctors Singh and Nam (I guess I can now say I've been to 'Nam) were wonderful, and as usual I was the most entertaining terrified patient on the planet.

I had to get up and INTO THE STIRRUPS!! Yes ladies, now I understand how invasive that is.

The TV screen was set up and while Dr. Nam was threading the (flexible) camera through my penis, I said "heh, heh, make sure you get my best side guys." Perhaps my gritted teeth gave me away a bit, but my fraudulent smile never wavered. It doesn't HURT per se....simply because there's nothing like it. It feels terribly WEIRD.

Hmmmmmmmm they said as they looked around, and truth to tell, these things ARE amazing.....sort of looks a bit like a combination of WILD KINGDOM and a close-up of an ENGLISH TRIFLE!

Soon he switched to the RIGID one (for x-ray pics) and that one DOES hurt! He found something which he'll get rid of next week....but I'll be under anesthetic thank goodness!

Long day.......thanks for startin' this kendall, and Catspaw thanks for all the comforting remarks!!

Arghhhhhh, the freezing's coming out!

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 06:39 PM

Poor guy. It's a great idea to establish a baseline though.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Amos
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 07:09 PM

Well,er.., man, as the Bishop said to the Actress. .. naw, that won't do...hmmmmm.

I'd like to say something encouraging, but all I can think of is "hang tough" and "stiff upper lip", neither of which seems especially, ummmm, appropriate.

We're looking forward to your rapid recovery, sir.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: kendall
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 07:25 PM

This reminds me of a joke, (what doesn't)
Seems there were two guys talking about pain.
One said the worst he ever had was being circumcised.
Another said a root canal.
Third said "Well, the second worst pain I ever had was one day,
I was out hunting and had to take a dump. I squatted down and my
crank set off a bear trap."
One guy says, "That was the SECOND worst pain"? what the hell was the number ONE worst pain"
He said,




"When I came to the end of the chain"

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 07:32 PM

Glad you are better, Kendall!

Rick....lottsa hugs, darlin'!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 25 Apr 03 - 11:15 PM

Hmmmmm, so the Maine word for penis is "Crank"? Well I'm hurtin' like hell and I can't think of one damn joke!

By the way, I've noticed that a great deal of Maine humour has a bear in it. I wonder if Northern Ontario humour is the same.

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Kaleea
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 12:48 AM

Kendall,
      Very sorry to hear about it! My dad has that trouble. Thank the Lord I don't, although I seem to have inherited many of his other physical attributes which I would not have chosen if I'd been asked. I take him to the VA hospital in our town for his medical needs, & while they are not quite up to tech standards of other hospitals/clinics, they have helped me to understand his needs, so I keep him supplied with easy to digest "mushy stuff" as he calls it, unlike his meals on wheels, which can be sort of scary to a person with "sensitive innards." He likes to keep apples & the salad in a bag stuff--he says it helps. I check his refrigerator, & try to keep him supplied with all the soft foods for when "it" acts up. I know he is quite pained with it, and all too often. I certainly hope that you will be doing very well, and soon! The pricey "natural" food stuff is ok & all that, but sometimes we have to be practical & have things which are convenient when we aren't able to do all the standing & chopping & combining our lentils & beans & such. Do the best you can, & keep your 'puter set on the mudcat cafe & let us know how you are.   Kaleea

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: kendall
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 07:37 AM

Rick, if I were you, I wouldn't be looking for humour in northern Ontario! What could possibly be funny up there?

Kaleea, I feel like I have had an early wake up call, and, should be able to live with it with a bit of diet modification,
You said you had inherited some of your dad's less desirable physical attributes? Maybe you should have been more specific, you can imagine what thought came to my mind! LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 02:27 PM

I understand in UK a common expression of encouragement is "Keep your pecker up!" Well, good luck, lads!

Charley Noble, who's had the joy of watching his 98-year old father being recathotorized every month or so...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Amos
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 03:37 PM

I remember hearing from one such old-timer that he had learned one important thing -- namely, you never really appreciate the kuxury of a good piss until you can't take one.

The best things in life are free, including peeing standing up, without pain.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 04:13 PM

The mother in me wants to offer to "kiss it and make it better" but...maybe not. Sorry guys. That has to be worse than a needle in the eye.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: kendall
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 04:59 PM

MARY!! I'm shocked! err, suprised. Well, I guess it couldn't hurt! LOL

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 05:10 PM

What a nice offer Sins!!! I bet you wouldn't make the same one if one of us were having a colonoscopy..........

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 06:20 PM

Thank you Mary. It's the thought that counts.

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Amos
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 06:29 PM

That Rick Fielding -- gentleman to the core!! :>)


A

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 06:46 PM

I know, can you imagine, Sins? I feel for men, they run around with this thing flopping between their legs, it's so vulnerable, then they have to actually lie there while someone handles it, doing nasty things to it, but still handling, so they must sweat a bit hoping the thing doesn't decide to embarrass them by becoming aroused all on its own, and then the further indignities of "opening wide" and shoving a garden hose up there...geez! Might take more than a kiss to make it better, ya know?

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Apr 03 - 10:45 PM

Depends on which one, Spaw.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: kendall
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 09:18 AM

Hmmm, this could take a very interesting turn.

Spaw, you did it again! I don't hurt as much now, so, fire away.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: GUEST,emily b
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 09:22 AM

My boyfriend suffered from his first attack the night I moved in with him. That's right, I move in and make him sick to his stomach. He's tried to tell me it was the cashews...
Kendall, as in your case, it attacked him completely by surprise, although I guess perhaps the stress of having to make room for me in his house may have added to it. Has anyone heard that stress can be a factor? I think so, since his subsequent attacks (not nearly as bad) all seem to occur when visiting my family...
He's avoiding the nuts/popcorn thing but there have been a few attacks with no clear culprit. The mom of one of my band mates must avoid lettuce. Makes no sense and yet Spaw knows to avoid cabbage.
I think the trick is to stay in tune with your body and learn to recognize the very beginnings before the infection really sets in. Then diet is critical.
If humor can help, then this thread and so many others on mudcat surely will help. I'm laughing while sympathizing. Good thoughts to you all.
Emily B

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: SINSULL
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 12:17 PM

Stress can be a huge factor in attacks. Stay stress free, Kendall, by keeping out of the political threads. Of course then your blood pressure will sky rocket. Choices. Choices.

Do you think I finally out-Spawed Spaw? Over 12 hours and no comeback...

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: kendall
Date: 27 Apr 03 - 06:58 PM

So far Sinsull, you get the leather medal.

Subject: RE: BS: Oh, the pain, the pain
From: Amos
Date: 28 Apr 03 - 12:36 PM

What kinda shape is that leather medal in, then, Kendall?

Oh, and BTW skipper -- go see "A Mighty Wind" even if it means driving to Augusta! There's a guy in there reminds me a bit of you, but I ain't sayin' who!! :>)

A