Abdominal pain-Tortuous Colon--Post Lyrica

[paleryder]

I have been to THREE different emergency rooms -brought via EMS--with LOW blood pressure --as low as 78/49, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding , vloating, nasuea, severe constipation --post being on LYRICA for a month. NO ER would agree to a cat scan--all they did was state "you have internal hemmoroid". I argued THAT doesnt cause ANY of the symptoms I have except some bleeding--i want a CT with contrast of abdomen--I beleive I have a bowel obstuction or Diverticulosis. DENIED. I was able to get the GI department of my loca lhopsital to do  a colonoscopy--where "upon multiple attempts" (without my permission--i was asleep) tyo ascend to the CECCUM portion of the colon they wer UNABLE> No doctor spoke to me post colonoscopy. The written report stated (I had a nurse print it out) "TORTUOUS COLON--unable to complete. They also noted "a large blue patch was noted--probably due to SCOPE TRAUMA) they admitted they causes injury) and a biopsy of that area taken (that could have caused a vleed). SO i have had had NO IMPROVEMENT in bowel--i still ahve severe constipation after a month--i have NOT been given any medication )(one moron told me to take an enema--a very BAD idea if there is diverticuli ) and I still have not been s cheduled for  a CT of abdomen--Iwhat are my risks--and what are methods to to stimulate bowel movement---I read a tortuosu colon will NOT unwind itself--it has to be "managed". So far it is NOt being managed and I still do not know if I have dicverticulitis or other serious abdominal problem since in 6 weeks NO ONE will ordfer a CAT SCAN despite repeated requests in three emergency rooms. MY M AIN CONCERN is I have an internal BLEED or PERIOTINESIS--because my blood pressure has been consistently LOW (under 90.60) and I have a borderline fever all of July (around 99- 99.5)...any ideas?

[paleryder]

hi
Thanks for your reply.
I beleive LYRICA is TOXIC..it has caused [permanent damage to my refractive close up vision--i have seen two optho are\ part of my HMO who gave independent opinions that "Lyrica has caused changes beyond my age" NOT a good drug. It also caused the abdominal issue and kidney stones. They are still evaluating all of these issues. At least I have not needed the ER in almost two weeks...i will never take another "Lyrica" again. T^he longer Lyrica is out of my system I hope my colon responds more nornally...still a problem--but GI doctor thinks It will take time and hopefully NOt need any surgery just adjustments in method of treatment. i would get a full remal profile if I were you taking Lyrica--if in ONE month it caused me three ER trips and permanent damage--which  it DID--I would say tyhe warnings on the packaging are completely insufficeint. No Black Box of any kind!

[foundone]

Feel better man glad you got checked out.  I have a tortuous colon too and you are right its not much of a problem unless it gets volvulus which is rare but you sounded to be in really bad shape so I thought I should mention it in case you didn't know about it.

I had problems with Lyrica too, not sure if its just lots of side effects or that drug is toxic.  But now that you got things moving hopefully you are feeling better.

[paleryder]

ALso--someone has posted erroneous information on a "tortuous" colon--the GI doctor--who is an expert--has explained to me--that does NOT always mean you ahve a twist or fold in the colon preventing flow--it means your colon is long and extended-- (I have had multiple abdominal surgeries in the past--could have scar adhesions) and he said--it means they didnt get up past the SECCUM--proabbly due to length---we need the VIRTUAL to see the rest and see the bowel for any posisble "ulcer" or obstruction/.twist--- I just had a BM (wonderful--sarcasm) so it cant be 100% obstructed---so the Miralex doses I took yesterday are working--I still ahve abdominal pain---and that is why a VIRTUAL is ordered--now I am i nthe fate of HMO WAIT hell till they send an approval letter--it is only done a few hopsitals in NYC-- NYU/ NY hospital and 2 more.

[paleryder]

I have never heard of that--what is volvolus--I am researching it-- I jus tdid--NO absolutely do NOt have that--I am getting a better idea --today of what i have---it is COMPLEX.... I saw the GI doctor today--and he did NOt dismiss my low BP and inabilty to have a bowel movement--and that they could nto finish the colonoscopy-----since I have no current bleeding--and my BP is NORMAL today--he did not think i needed ER admission--However--he said--we have to get the bowel moving---the LYRICA defintely did its damage to your entire system---take citrate of magnesium tonight--then follow up with MIRALAX all week--it doesnt work--I am giving you 5 more bottles of mag. citrate---I am ALSO going to get yo a a VIRTUAL COLONOSCOPY-let's get a complete look at your colon and bowel--make sure there is NO bleed or  obstrcution. Your Low BP was REAL--you have "VASA VAGAL sydrome" and the ANESTHESIA for the colonoscpy has set off a reaction--try and REST all week---as to SAND in urine--go toRENAL tomorrow--I insist it is LYRICA damage- you are in a rough patch--stay with it--so it is NOT volvolus--no vomiting.... I wil ldrinkthe citrate--and ;lets see if bowel is not obstructed..it works---it is NOT 100% blocked--we will see what the VIRTUAL shows=--and he said--it will take 4-6 weeks to get it done from your HMO to approve it--you have a seriosu issue BEFORE--yo uwill have to come back to the Er--at least he didsnt dismiss me--he agrees--this is not normal--and I have complex issues-- but without vomiting--volvolus is rare--thanks for the post! I beleive my LOW BP IS a vasa vagal reaction--it is unfortuante and incurable--whe nmy body suffgers TRAUMA--anestheisa--stress--it sets off irregular BP

[foundone]

Do you think you have volvulus? If so, you definitely need emergency help.  

[foundone]

Depends...if your BP is really that low, shouldn't you call 911? But its also possible the unit is not accurate...was your BP normal at the hospital and they sent you home? If it is that low, that sounds like an emergency.

You might have obstructed bowel (re: constipation).  Miralex should work eventually.  Try to drink alot of fluids.  Dehydration can cause constipation and low BP.  If its real bad just do an enema...

[paleryder]

BTW--the only thing that HAS worked was the citrate of magnesium I dranmk prior to colonoscopy. but it specifically states DO NOT USE for more than 7 days or if you have persisent constipation or abdominal pain and naseua ..so I am not sure that is safe to use. In an yevent--it should not be something I should have to use weekly--

[paleryder]

hell--why do you feel I do not need a cat scan with contrast--I have not had a bowel movement in 8 days--and the last one was only with the aid oc citrate of magnesium for the colonoscopy---so my bowel has not bee nworking in almost 3 weeks--I had a blood pressure today of 80/34 -not joking. No one will admit me---my BP is constanlty changing---i ahve abdomina lpain, naseau that is severe, a contstant 99 temperature and I am passing sand i nurine. none of this was present a month ago. I do not have Celiac disease. I was already tested. I used Miralax--LESS than capful yesterday and it has not done anything. I took 3 tablespoons of Mineral Oil--it SHOULD have worked. I took it at about 7;30 PM--so far not working. I bet they DID perforate my colon if my BP standing was around 80/.34 -how do I know this--because it has been unstable all month so I bought an accurate home BP monitor. I have 5 heart stents--i took 81 mg of aspirin today--it said NOt to take aspirin for 7 days following colonoscopu or anti-inflammtories-- iwaited 7 days--which is as long as possible with 5 heart stents--so i took the apsirin and right now I have significant stomach pain. Since 4 Er's refuse to admit me--because I 'dont have a fever" and "have not YET vomited-0I say they are causing me great bodily harm--no bowel movement without help in over 2 weeks--and kidney stones  (passsed one july 18th) and today pasee kidne ysand-- and--and no hopsitalization>? An 80/.34 BP ? that sounds like an obstruction and either ulcer or bleed to me. I wont call 911--i nNYC they will brign me right back where they wont admit me.. I guess when I start urinating blood or coughing up blood- maybe then I will get some help-sine my BP has not been HIGHER than 90/60 in a week I am assuming there is a small bleed--90/.60 is NOT low enough for admission despite the possible abdoomianm lbleed. I kept images of the BP as proof it was as low as I say sicen when I take it iis erratic... the fact I have not had a normal bowel movement since PRIOR to taking :Lyrica (I stopped it July 20th or so) sounds like a serious medical issue that is beign ignored.

[Caryopteris]

I have that also.  They can't do a colonoscopy on me, either.  The trauma you suffered sounds minor.  It should heal fine.  It's not unusual, but usually with enough effort they can get through.  As long as they didn't perforate your colon, they did fine.  

Do not have a CT scan.  You need a barium enema.  

Go to the drug store and get Miralax.  The generic is fine.  You may need to use more than a capful, but try 1 capful in a glass of water first.  You can use it every day.  If that isn't strong enough, you could get a prescription for Amitiza, but it's about $400 if you don't have insurance that will cover it.  

You can also take magnesium citrate to stimulate things.  Stop all dairy.  Get tested for Celiac disease.  Don't eat fried food.  Force yourself to exercise.  If the barium enema shows splenic flexure syndrome, perhaps you can find a physical therapist who knows how to loosen the ligament that might be binding things up.