Diverticulitis??

[smile1960]

I posted this a couple of days ago, & did get a response.  Since then I have done some more research on my symptoms, and wonder if I could have diverticulitis?

I have edited this down a bit, but add'l info in is my May 12th post titled GI Infection

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I think that I have some sort of a persistent inf that needs to be id'd because I'm stuck in a loop of getting sick every mo for the last 5+mos. Now it'd happening w\ my digestive sytem.

First symptoms are fatigue, slight headache & scratchy throat.  A day or 2 later I get the feeling of acid pain right below my sternum.  The headache & scratchy throat go away after a day (as though whatever this thing is is trying to find a place to settle in).

I take some Pepto-Bismol which seems to help w the acid pain (Ranitidine tablets don’t work) at 1st.  I then develop a fever that is off & on for the next couple of weeks.  Usually, this is one-two degrees over my usual temp.   At about this point, I get “poking” pains all over, and some stiffness.  A few days after the acid pain starts, I have pain from the bottom of my ribcage downward.  Odd pain:  almost like one huge bruise.  I seems as though I can feel every inch of my digestive tract.  Then I get some cramping.  Sometimes this pain & cramping is enough that I have to lie or sit.  This most sever pain does't last long, but is not relieved by a bowel mvmt.  I have no nausea or loss of appetite.

I had this the first time last Sept.  When I went to the Doctor she said it was “a 3-wk thing that is going around”.  She gave me the usual Z-pak “just in case”.  I felt somewhat better, but it may have just run its course after those three weeks.

In Nov. I had a sinus inf.  Went to the same doc in Dec., got the Z-Pak.  Got a little better.  Had another one in Jan, but mild.  Had a bad one in Feb.  This time, I said that the Z-pak was not doing anything.  Took Levaquin for a week (750mg\day).  Felt much better.  Until March, when I had another mild sinus inf.  In April, I had this digestive "thing".  It did last about 3 wks.  Now only a couple of wks later I have this again.  

About me:  I am a 48 yr. old female.  I eat right (when I don’t have this intestinal “thing”).  Never any digestive problems.  Up until I dev'd hypothyroidism 4 yrs. ago, I had low blood press & blood glucose, and my cholesterol was in the healthy range.  When I don’t have one of these infections, I work out everyday (about 3-4 mi. on the elliptical, etc.)  I don’t smoke or drink.  I drink plenty of water. I am currently on Levoxyl 125 mcg.\day, Lipitor 20 mg\day, DiovanHCT 320\25 mg\day , Vit. D 50 K IU every other week (prescription), Fish Oil 1,000mg\day (I have suspended the therapeutic coated aspirin [1 every other day] for now).  I am good at washing my hands.  Bowel movements are about normal when I am sick.  Perhaps a little slow (maybes due to the Pepto?)  I am not lactose intolerant.  I don’t have any large amount of gas nor is it esp foul.

The sinus infs are no fun, but this intestinal “thing”, just uses up my energy, plus I cannot eat right.  Forget my eating any sort of meat or many vegetables.  About the only things that do not aggravate are fruit, yogurt, low carb ice cream, whole grain waffles\muffins.  

I want to go in & see my doc.  I have never had any sort of culture, blood test, swab, for this "thing" & I think until I find out what this is & get the right meds, this won’t really go away.

I know that this is a lot of info, but any insight would be appreciated.

[coughting]

You need to see a GI dr and let him do tests.   That is the only way to know what is wrong.   Best of luck to you

[smile1960]

Soory.  Meant to say that I did NOT get a response.