Back from the gastroenterologist(sp?)! - ThinnerTimes

so_gorjess · 02-12-2007, 11:23 AM

Just a little update

I just got back from the gastroenterologist like ten minutes ago. I explained to her that I'd been having diarreah for the past two months and that for the past two weeks it had gotten worse(I actually went to the bathroom twice WHILE I was waiting to go in and I hadn't even had breakfast yet!). I also told her about me being nauseous 24/7 and that burning sensation that I feel where my pouch is. She started off by telling me that maybe I grew intolerant to lactose by having the GBS...BUT I've BEEN lactose intolerant since I was 10 and I stay away from milk, cheeses, ice cream and yogurt like it was the plague(specially now since most of those things are loaded with sugar...). To tell you the honest truth for the past two weeks all I've been able to really get down has been water, SF jell-O, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and some light tuna without mayo just salt and pepper.

I was actually in the ER on Saturday(with excrutiating butt pain haha!). My dad actually dragged me there even though I didn't want to go(I mean, c'mon, I never heard of anyone going to the ER for a hemmorhoid flare-up). I was waiting in that emergency room for three hours(I guess your butt hurting, no matter how bad, is not considered a real emergency) and while waiting I went to the bathroom seven times! Then as soon as they took me in they asked for a stool sample, I was like "I'm sorry hunny, I'm empty! And it's your fault for making me wait three whole hours...". They did some bloodwork and a CTScan and the CTScan came back normal, they said my "stomach" looked good that the only thing they saw was that I have a fatty liver.(How the hell do I have a fatty liver? I don't drink! And everything I eat is virtually fat free! That really bugged me...). The bloodwork showed that my electrolytes were a little messed up(*ahem*potassium*ahem*) and something else I can't remember so they gave me stuff through the IV and some awesome pain med(for my butt pain) that totally knocked me out till three in the morning.

To make a long"er" story short"er"...the gastroenterologist gave me some Aciphex today and told me to take it for two weeks to see if it helps my burning pouch. I have to go back for the sample and some more bloodwork to keep tabs on my potassium(stupid potassium!!) and if I don't feel better by then, she wants to do an endoscopy(sp?).

BTW, Dyann if you read this. I didn't end up going to your friend/colleague for my hemmorhoid problem. So I didn't "out" you to anyone and I wasn't planning on to anyhow. I wouldn't have mentioned your name at all unless you would've told me to. I actually found this place closer to me that treats hemmorhoids with a special laser that they advertise as being pain-free and quick so I was totally sold on that idea instead of shots and other guaranteed-painful stuff.

Bypassingme619 · 02-12-2007, 11:58 AM

Jess I wish you knew more about what is going on in your body. It is rough being sick but not knowing what is causing the sickness is very stressful. Are you getting any protein in? How often are you eating broccoli?

Don't be offended about the fatty liver. Most obese individuals have enlarged livers. But I am sure your liver is enlarged because of all the stuff that is going on in your body right now. Hopefully the Aciphex will provide you with some comfort.

LisaBoston · 02-12-2007, 12:47 PM

Jess, sounds like you found out a few things and that they did some tests which are great..but still not a lot of info. Having a CT scan is good and usually shows any real big issues...so that is good.

The fatty liver could be from pre-op. When we are overweight or obese, our liver has a hard time and generally has lots of fat around it. I am not sure how long it takes to go away after weight loss (anyone know?).

Endoscope - good idea...really gives a picture of whats going on at the anastomosis and the pouch. They can dialate you at the same time if they need to.

Hang in there....how the meds help and that you can start eating again.

Duckie · 02-12-2007, 02:58 PM

I hope you get some answers soon kiddo.

electrichoney · 02-13-2007, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by so_gorjess

I actually found this place closer to me that treats hemmorhoids with a special laser that they advertise as being pain-free and quick so I was totally sold on that idea instead of shots and other guaranteed-painful stuff.

Did they explain to you how it's possible to point a white-hot laser beam at one's ass without causing any pain?? LOL Not to laugh at your situation AT ALL, but this part just struck me as funny (and virtually impossible!).

so_gorjess · 02-13-2007, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electrichoney

Did they explain to you how it's possible to point a white-hot laser beam at one's ass without causing any pain?? LOL Not to laugh at your situation AT ALL, but this part just struck me as funny (and virtually impossible!).

LOL, no worries. I happen to find my situation quite humorous myself. I don't take myself too seriously otherwise I'd be way down in the dumps with all the shhh... *ahem* going on in my life...

Anywho, I haven't called yet. I saw a commercial on TV but wasn't able to get their number(bummer) then I was looking through the newspaper and they had a huge AD in it. It was like...destiny...I turn the page and written in huge words was the question: "Got Hemorrhoids?". I was like: "Yes!"

It explained on the paper that they use this "revolutionary" laser treatment. That it is "supposedly" pain-free. That all you might feel is a "slight-warm-sensation". The treatment altogether is ten minutes long. It might and it might not be pain free, but I honestly doubt that they'd print something like "after our laser treatment you will feel as if you tripped, fell and landed butt-first on a hot cactus...". Compared to the pain I'm in now(well, not right now, the ER doctor gave me a prescription for some pain meds that are pretty freaking awesome!), it wouldn't "hurt" to try the laser. It's more appealing to me than needles and what not...

so_gorjess · 02-13-2007, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bypassingme619

Are you getting any protein in? How often are you eating broccoli?

I try extremely hard to find some things with a high enough protein content that I can eat. I used to puree chicken and tuna(not together obviously lol) but lately it all goes down soooooooo bad. I know I need it, I'm weaker than I've ever been but until this stomach "mystery" gets resolved, all that goes down and feels OK in my pouch are super light super small portioned things

I eat broccoli probably once every other day. I love it. Like I'm salivating just thinking about it haha! The gastro-doc told me that broccoli causes bloating and gas but I haven't noticed any of that. Maybe it's because I have to go to the bathroom like right after I eat(literary) so I get rid of it before it can do its harm.

Quote:

Don't be offended about the fatty liver. Most obese individuals have enlarged livers. But I am sure your liver is enlarged because of all the stuff that is going on in your body right now. Hopefully the Aciphex will provide you with some comfort.

The reason why the "fatty liver" bothered me was because...I don't know. I guess having the word "fatty" associated with me after everything I've gone through after having the GBS made me kind of "emotional". It's a weird reaction I know, I'm just a mess. Plus, I don't want other sicknesses popping up. I don't need them. I don't want them. And I can almost swear that I didn't have a fatty liver pre-surgery, as stupid as that sounds. I had lots of ct scans and other tests back then and it never showed. As far as I'm concerned the first time I ever heard anything about the fatty liver was in December right after my gallbladder had to be taken out. I had to stay an extra two days in the hospital because of something having to do with it BUT it was never explained to me thoroughly(maybe it was but I was all morphined up). Hopefully, "it" is not the reason for my "weird mystery sickness", ugh.