Call me Twiggy

[greatbear]

Today I finally had my doctor's appointment (this is probably going to be a rant in a future post) regarding my latest bout of diverticulitis. Yep, it's the same routine that I been through twice before. I discovered during my second incident that once I feel the symptoms coming on, I stop eating. Entirely. This has the benefit of allowing my to entirely clear out my system (it's the digested food moving through the bowels that causes the intense pain) and make the duration of this nasty condition a lot easier to bear. The downside is, of course, I have no energy and have to sleep a lot. I get to the doctor's office, and when the nurse has me stand on the scale, complete with my street clothing, shoes, keys, phone, and heavy leather jacket, I slide the balance over to 250# as I usually do before jogging the little weight on the top - and it was too much.

From about 255-260 pounds (when I last weighed a couple weeks ago) in my tightie whities to 248 pounds in winter clothes. In about 6 days time. Take that, Ally McBeal! o_O

What really amazes me is that eventually my appetite disappears. I have no desire to eat anything, but I drink lots of water to stay hydrated and will occasionally have a small cup of mom's homemade chicken broth every other day. After the initial couple days of hunger passes, I seem to 'adjust' and do unusually well with little or no caloric intake. It's actually quite scary.

Diverticulitis is a condition where the pockets and folds in colon and intestinal walls occasionally retain hard bits of undigestible foods or particles and become infected if this trapped stuff begins to decompose. It also can be caused or exacerbated by 'torsion', a twisting or kinking of the intestines or colon, severe constipation, or trauma to these organs. Please note that in my younger years I was into 'gut punching' and could absorb just about everything anyone could throw at me. This was mostly a bar room stupidity thing that accompanied my younger, macho days. Whether this played a part in my getting this disease in my later years is uncertain. I can still take a shot though. lol

The first time I had this condition I was completely unaware of what was going on, I figured it was some kind of flu, as I also had a fever. The doctor ruled out a kidney stone, and at first thought it was a urinary tract infection (Even peeing caused me severe pain). He said it could be diverticulitis, but wasnt sure yet. A pile of antibiotics in my hand and I was sent away, with the suggestion if the pain got any worse, to go to the ER, because it could be something deadly. Well, a couple days later after the symptoms got even worse, I checked myself into the hospital. Tests revealed that it was indeed diverticulitis, and my delay in getting it treated (along with the 'feed a fever' mentality of continuing to eat) allowed it to become a rupture at my lower sigmoid colon.

Long story short, once I had stopped eating while in the hospital (being fed intraveinously instead), getting pumped with three very strong antibiotics and being told that I would need a colostomy with a bag for at least 6 months then surgery to reattach everything, my body reacted and healed up the rupture itself. The docs were perplexed. I saw the CT scans showing the rupture along with the bubbles and matter outside of the colon area (it's this that makes it deadly, any longer and the whole thing would have let loose internally). New scans showed it completely gone, my pain levels went from 10 to about a 3 in a couple days, and they basically showed me the door when they found out that there was going to be no cutting me open. I continued with do-it-yourself IVs and antibiotics at home for a while.

Several years later I started having similar symptoms, and the first thing I did was cut out all solid foods. That was a big help in making a recovery, and there was no 'intestinal load' to cause a rupture like before. Yep, it was the Big D again, but this time I got through it much faster. I lost close to 40 pounds this time (about 30 the first time). I started to see ABS too. Once the symptoms subsided, I slowly began eating more or less regular food again, and only regained about 20-25 pounds since. This was at a time when I was pushing nearly 280 pounds, and I used the 'windfall' of the condition to keep the weight off.

This brings me to the present. I had watched what sorts of foods I'd eat compared to my days prior to ever having the condition. No nuts, seeds, extremely spicy or acidic foods, etc. Such is the diet of someone who is 'susceptible'. Well, apparently making the rounds at the in-laws, friends and restaurants over the holidays coupled with some end-of-year stress caused a return to this nasty disease. Back to the routine of no food, barium contrast solutions (blech!), CT scans, lots of antibiotics (I could easily survive an anthrax attack, one of the drugs is Cipro), lack of energy, abdominal cramps and outrageous weight dropping. I'll take pics of my abs if I can see them again. And will try to keep the excess weight from returning.

Comments

[bonkishnurtaz.livejournal.com]

I hope that you feel better soon. HUGS

[anim8rbear.livejournal.com]

I know what its like to deal with a chronic condition. For me, there's a sharp localized pain right below my left rib cage, deep within the body. It feels like I've been stuck with an ice pick. The pain radiates outward into my back and forward to the sternum. Take that and add in chronic low back pain. I've been to so many doctors and none of them could figure out why I was experiencing chronic pain.

As of today, its been going on for nearly 7 years. Sure, there are some days that are better then others and some that are worse.. but ultimately I've lived with this pain condition every day. I have a stack of medical records, CT scans and MRIs a mile high and each test gives small clues, but no conclusive answer. Doctor's were beginning to think everything was in my head.

I've tried drugs, NSAIDS, opiods, steriods, everything.. nothing has worked. I took so many pain killers that I formed massive ulcers in my stomach. Luckily, after stopping the NSAIDS, the ulcers healed.

After 7 years of searching, it seems like I've collected enough pieces of the puzzle to figure out what's going on. Thankfully, I've finally found a doctor that doesn't have his head up his ass. The condition, he says, has multiple names for it; Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome, Connective Tissue Disorder, Hypermobility syndrome, or Marfan's Syndrome. Blood tests reveal that I possess a lovely little gene that screws with my ability to generate strong collegen and cartilage. The gene is also the culprit of various forms of arthritis. It also affects the valves of the heart. In addition to the pain, I suffer from palpitations, my heart will feel like its pounding out of my chest, and it can suddenly race from 60 beats per minute to 120 beats per minute without exerting myself.

Why I experience the pain is uncertain. The doc says my cartilage/collegen might not be adequately protecting the nerve sheaths in my body.. or because of the poor quality of the collegen, there might be micro tears in the various connective tissue in my body..the result is overall body aches and pain.. and an ever prevalent feeling of lethargy and fatigue. I also struggle with 2 auto immune disorders. (Also genetic) My own freaking body is attacking my thyroid.

All in all...it sucks. I can truly empathize with you. One thing I've learned in my "studies" of my condition is the body's requirement for magnesium. It seems that magnesium is key to dealing with my condition.. however...it also mentions specifically that magnesium is important in dealing with IBS and Chrones. It helps regulate muscle disorders and cramping. Try this for me. Go out and get a bottle of magnesium supplements. 250mg. Take 250 mgs in the morning and 250 mgs at night. Its a small dose....but for me, supplementing with it has improved my ability to handle pain a lot better. If you take too much magnesium, the only primary side effect is diarhea. If that happens.. reduce your intake. Also.. do some research on Magnesium Deficiency. You'll find some interesting reading that might help your condition.

[beastbriskett.livejournal.com]

Man that sucks green wang!
I can empathize a bit, having dealt with ulcers for a couple of years, but this sounds really nasty. I'm glad you got some medical help, and know how to minimize the pain. Maybe now that you can get back to your job, and your stress level goes down, things in your gut will unwind.
I'd definitely look into Anim8rbear's advice about magnesium. And potassium. These make up the bulk of the electrolytic chemicals that make your muscles function, so having a supply in your bloodstream can minimize cramping, and might help heal the damage in your gut to an extent.
Hope you feel better soon!

[beg1n.livejournal.com]

Damn Phil - keep us up-to-date, ok? I hate to think of you in any kind of pain!

[champdaddy.livejournal.com]

it's good that you listen to your body and know how to respond, but do you think the weight gaining/losing is hard on your system?

[digibob.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear you are suffering. Big (((hugs))).

It saddens me we never come up with a cure for anything.

[quuf.livejournal.com]

My aunt had an almost disabling case of diverticulitis, and then discovered flaxseed oil. It's probably not the remedy for everyone, but it's certainly got her back on track. She still has to avoid stuff like salads, though (My apologies for parachuting in with unsolicited advice).

[excessor.livejournal.com]

Phil, I'm sorry you have to deal with this. It sounds awful and I hope you find a way to make it more tolerable. My paternal grandmother had awful bouts of diverticulitis and tried to avoid certain foods as a result. My dad was hospitalized in September for five days for the same. His doctors told him that they don't advise avoiding specific foods because it's unclear that it does any good. Clearly there isn't a consensus on how best to approach or avoid the condition.

I hope you find a way to not have to go through it again.

[fredneckteddy.livejournal.com]

keep going the way you are and I'll be able to bench press you ;) I took cipro once for some sort of infection I had....it wasn't the big D it was something else........it works really well :)

[kspsibear.livejournal.com]

Get well, soon, buddy. This sounds like a very uncomfortable thing. I've only read about it when you mentioned it and for me (liking nuts and spicy foods) it sounds terrible.

Big (tender) hugs to you, Phil.

Mike

Hugs sir

[arkanjil.livejournal.com]

having wrassled back n forth with colitus, i can sympathize....

[orange-groves.livejournal.com]

Wow, thank you for this post. I have been having similar symptons over the last few months, and one friend redbeardedblond thought it might be IBS. I hadn't heard of diverticulitis until now except through vague rumors of "don't eat lots of weird seeds".

(Sorry, I have meant to look at your journal before and never got around to it. Serendipitous, thank you again)

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Diverticulitis is kinda like 'ExtremeIBS'. Think of how your skin can become irritated by some external factor and also the way it can become infected. The same holds true for the digestive tract tissue. Oftentimes there is an ingredient in the foods people eat which causes an irritation, or excessive acid in the bowels after digestion causes it. If it becomes more painful than it has been in the past, it could be diverticulitis setting in. Just the same way irritated skin can be more susceptible to an infection in it's 'weakened' state, IBS can lead to diverticulitis.

It seems a bit contrary at first thought, but eating lots of fiber helps prevent IBS and the big D. Fiber helps fill up and move the 'stuff' through your digestive tract. Think of it as pushing a sponge through a collapsible hose. It fills up the space, takes the wrinkles out and scours the walls of the hose. A diet lacking in fiber and especially including things not easily digested is the same as pushing wet chunks and particles down the same hose where buildups and backups occur, pieces remain and problems begin. I never heard of a rabbit with diverticulitis. lol

Oh, and my journal is always open for anyone to partake. It might not be subject matter that would be fit for dinner table coversations at times, but if it help someone out, then so much the better. Glad you stopped by.

Re: Hugs sir

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

It certainly can ruin your day. Or week. Or more.

*hugs*

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Eat lots of fiber along with the other things, and you will be fine.

*hugs*

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

You probably can benchpress me now!

[fredneckteddy.livejournal.com]

ok! wanna try it?????

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

My mother had a bout of it only once many years back. She hasnt had any return to it thankfully. She got very sick from it.

It seems to me that it's not so much avoiding certain foods as much as it is including fiber and other food items encouraging a continual movement of matter through the bowels that helps prevent it from occurring/recurring. I try to avoid the rare dish that includes lots of seed or other undigestible stuff.

It appears going from place to place and eating quite a bit of unfamiliar food in hurried settings is what caused it this time. I need to eat more salads when I eat out!

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

"Parachuting" is encouraged! Thanks for peeking in.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

The 'cure' (if there actually is one, more like 'minimizing the chances of getting it again') seems to be healthy eating, which is quite difficult to do these days in the U.S. with such a climate of unhealthy eating surrounding us. Fast foods, hurry-up-and-eat, gigantic portion sizes, etc. It's almost a fight to eat right.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

tee hee

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Thanks :-)

*hug*

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

The weight fluctuation is a bit rough, but I think it is offset by allowing my internals to heal faster. Besides, I could stand to lose a few. It's not just a case of willfully stopping the eating, the condition leaves me with little appetite, and the meds make it even worse. I have a terrible taste in my mouth as a result of the antibiotics that makes food taste bad and unappetizing.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the thoughts. :-)

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Thanks :-)

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the insight on how you researched your conditions. Pain killers for me have also caused troubles with my g.i. tract, so I try to live with a bit of pain rather than cause it in other areas.

Looks like I gotta do some research as well!

*hugs*

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the Beastly insight!

I'm gonna look into what else I can do to help this out.

*hugs*

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Woof. Damn right!