ABDOMINAL PAIN

[MYIONNA]

I have been diagnosed with irritable bowel and diverticulosis and gerd.  recently, i was diagnosed with.a bladder infection.  I had been having debilitating stomach cramps, feeling like labor pain for the past few months now., with loose bowels and dizzy and weak spells, as though i am  gonna pass out.   The urologist just diagnoses me with a bladder infection on tuesday ,January 27, 2015.  but did not get antibiotics until the next day for treatment.  But I still do not feel any better on this second day of full treatment.  My temperature is normal range 98.6, or so sometimes.   Then at other times it is 96.4 to 97.1.  Why would my temperature be going backward at times if I have a normal body temp of 98.6?  And what could be going on with all of these abdominal cramps and pain, feeling as though I am in label with these cramps and pain that radiates into my lower back and buttock region, with soreness to the touch.  I was once diagnosed with sciatica nerve damage.  What could be wrong with me, as a 68 year old female?  Thank you kindly for your response..........ANNETTE DAVIS

[karas404]

Many years ago (i'm also female of your age) for my stomach issues, which I've had all my life, one incident at work, brought the ambulance and fire department and I was admitted to the hospital for such horrible stomach pains they thought it was a heart attack) my gastro doctor said, "take the recommended dosage of psyllium fiber (like metimucil) every day and you will be much much better. I did and do and for some years now, very seldom do I have stomach pain. There's Konsyl and lately I've been using Benefiber, I put it in my coffee and also even put it in my glass of wine at night!  Good luck!

[jemma116]

You have a urinary infection and this is why your temperature is fluctuating - it means that your body is fighting an infection.

I presume that the reason you were prescribed with the antibiotics until the next day after you saw the urologist was that the urine was being analysed to find out which bacteria is causing the infection so as to prescribe the appropriate antibiotic for you.

It is too soon for the antibiotics to have killed off the bacteria that is causing the infection.  It is important that you MUST drink lots of fluids and especially water.  You should be drinking at least 2 litres of water a day, but as you have the infection drink a little more - up to 3 litres is fine.  I presume your urologist did not give you any advice on the consumption of water!

If you are experience pain when passing urine, you can drink a large glassful of water with a teaspoonful of Bicarbonate of Soda.  You can purchase this from the pharmacy and also the bakery section in the supermarket.  You can drink a glassful of this 1 every hour for 3 hours and no more.  This will neutralise the acidic urine that can cause pain and aggravation when urinating.  The feelings of labour pain, feeling weak and dizzy can also be due to the urine infection.

Wait until your urine infection has been dealt with , because the back pain and abdominal cramps may be due to the bladder infection.

The cramps and pain that are radiating into your lower back and buttock region may be due to spinal problems and the sciatica.  I suggest, that when the bladder infection has cleared up, you make an appointment to see your doctor for referral to a physiotherapist and medication that can treat referred pain due to nerve damage.

After you have finished your antibiotics, wait a few days and take a urine sample to your doctors surgery (or your urologist if you are still under his direction) so that it can be analysed to make sure that the antibiotics killed off all the bacteria causing the infection.

You can taken pain relief medication as prescribed on the packet.  Don't take anti-inflammatories unless prescribed by your doctor because they can cause stomach bleeds.  

For the GERD and the diverticular problem, make sure that you have a healthy and well balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.  Eat small amounts of food regularly, rather than having one large meal at one sitting.  Avoid fried and highly spiced foods.

Your doctor may prescribe stomach remedies for the GERD and also stool softeners to avoid constipation so as to avoid getting blocked and infected diverticular.  

Make sure that you drink plenty of fluids and especially water even after your bladder infection has cleared up.