OT I grow sicker by the day

[HVAC]

I finally have an appointment with a PCP tomorrow. I have been pleading all week. I just hope at this point I do not need to be hospitalized. I hate when I go to a Doctor and nothing is done until it turns serious. I finally e-mailed them a picture of my distended abdomen. Now I have gone beyond pain from the gut shutting down to weakness. They told me my digestive system has shut down but all I was told yesterday was quit eating until it resolves itself. Since I have not been eating well for a month I just do not think I can go much longer.  

I wish I could go to a Veterinarian. I would have been treated more quickly and more humanly.

Alex

[HVAC]

Okay my MS Specialist had an emergency appendectomy. No one is returning calls or e-mails.

My Gynecologist has zero front desk help and one nurse. I am kinda glad the last gal was scaring me when she went to draw blood. I think they have been short handed awhile.

Of course my PCP needs more good help.

May be I need to start a temp agency for competent front desk staff? It seems to be an epidemic.

I guess I will drop by the Gynecologists office at 11:30 when she is free. I was told she would call after 11:30. I had an important errand to run so I did at 10:00. She called I missed it and can't get anyone on the phone i.e. the nurse is answering the phone and can't when she is busy. Then I will stop by the PCP in person since the phones there are a nightmare.

I am better today. Still bloated but better.

Alex

[rendean]

That is good to hear!! Please keep us up to date.

Hugs,
Ren

[HVAC]

I am watching this situation closely. I am calling several Doctors today.

[rendean]

Hi Alex,

Deb61 and twopack  make two  very good points. First from Debs61 regarding if its bloating or is it fluid and bloated? Two very different situations.

Twopack is correct. You have tried their version of a treatment and it still doesn't seem to help. To determine bacteria overgrowth in the small intestine they have to do a particular test to perform. I don't remember all the details, but they did it to Kev. I believe he drank a liquid then exhaled into a device for measurement. Sorry about the fuzzy details ;it's been 10 years.

Anyway, twopack is right. Just as we discussed the other day re bloat in an animal . You  too, are an animal only you are smart enough to walk yourself over to the hospital and get checked out properly by a GI  consultant.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers,
Ren

[twopack]

Not to sound argumentative Alex but...
just how did they determine that bacterial overgrowth is your problem???

I ask because this problem would have to be in the small bowel (bacteria is normal and abundant in the large bowel) and can't be confirmed except by aspiration of small bowel fluid.  It doesn't seem to be the first or easiest thing to rule in or out as the problem whilst you take antibiotics and wait around in agony.

Do they even know for sure which part (or parts) of your GI tract are shut down?  Are you distended with gas or fluid or (like Lisa) full of **IT.  Are they even sure it's your food tube?  Do you still have all your girlie parts?  Things can happen there that make you look pregnant even when you aren't.  Maybe the upper gut IS shut down but you can't just let the lower gut veg out on veggies.

Know how everything that goes up must come down?  Well, everything that goes in must come out!  You CAN NOT continue to input food if you have inadequate output of poop.  Ask Polly and Grady.  They'll tell you.

I'm not upset at you Alex.  I'm upset with so-called professionals who routinely drop the ball concerning bowel issues.  Kelly is right.  They can be deadly.  Years ago, I made two trips to the ER and was admitted in misery only to hear the laughter of staff who were clueless to the danger their ignorance placed me in.  It was a bowel prep for a colonoscopy that "cured" my problem.  I took Luctulose until I found a routine that worked to keep IBS (or whatever it is) under control.

So fess up girl.  Are you bloated only or bloated and not pooping?  (You don't have to really tell us all, of course)  

I still think you may be dealing with MS related gastroparesis but if your gut isn't moving anything along right now you have to start there.  If the office doesn't have a resolution for you tomorrow (and that means results and RELIEF) you NEED to go to the hospital and tell them you are not leaving until you have an answer.  Period.

I'm sorry Alex.  I'm geared tonight and not very diplomatic.  I admire you so much but it is possible to be TOO patient.  Pushing through the pain will get you through another day but can't solve a problem that requires more than time.  Advocate for ONE person tomorrow.  You know who that is GF.

Mary

[RazCarver]

hey Alex thanks for checking in. I haven't posted anything but been thinking about you. I just don't know what to say. but am real glad you posted an update.

greens and lean meat doesn't sound bad. ok so not much of a meat eater.  all of a sudden I have a craving for alpha sprouts and veggies.

really this seems to have gone on for too long. sure hope you find something to fix this soon.

please let us know what the PCP says tomorrow. thanks
Raz