Test today

I went in for a colonoscopy and EGD today. I've been experiencing abdominal pain and ultrasound ruled out gall bladder problems. So I got scoped in both ends, met in the middle. (j/k)
Turns out that I have Diverticulitis, other than that my colon looks very healthy of which I am thankful to know.
The source of the pain is gastric ulcers, Duodenditis, and esophagitis. I was shown the pictures of my ulcers....no wonder I have been in pain.
Has anyone here had ulcers and what did you do for releif? They think I caused damage by using too much Ibuprofen as I have been having a lot of pain in my shoulder. They have given me Vicodin and prescribed 40 mg of Omeprazole (prilosec). Just told me to lay off spicy foods until I go back to Dr in 2 weeks.
Seems like something is missing but I don't know what.
I do know that I was not out nearly enough for the lower scoping and I'm not very happy about that and let them know afterwards. I was completely out for the EGD, and would have appreciated the same for the first procedure. Grrrr!

I've never been completely out of it during a colonoscopy, I'm usually fading in-and-out of consciousness.

I have ulcerative colitis, so I can relate to how you are you feeling. I don't take pain medication for it. I'm on Omeprazole but that is because I have acid reflux. I'm not all that familiar with treating diverticulitis except that some of the symptoms are the same as ulcerative colitis. To help keep my colitis under control I take Balsalazide Disodium (Colazal) tablets three times a day. I don;t know if there is a similar medicatio available for your condition.

Originally Posted by Essayons89

I've never been completely out of it during a colonoscopy, I'm usually fading in-and-out of consciousness.

I have ulcerative colitis, so I can relate to how you are you feeling. I don't take pain medication for it. I'm on Omeprazole but that is because I have acid reflux. I'm not all that familiar with treating diverticulitis except that some of the symptoms are the same as ulcerative colitis. To help keep my colitis under control I take Balsalazide Disodium (Colazal) tablets three times a day. I don;t know if there is a similar medicatio available for your condition.

Click to expand...

This was my first colonoscopy. They assured me that I would have no discomfort or even remember it. That was a no on both counts. I even relayed some of the conversation back to them that I heard during the procedure. I would have said something at the time but there was something in my mouth for guiding the upper scope.

I have had numerous colonoscopies. I guess it has probably been 8 or nine years ago, maybe longer when I was also diagnosed with diverticulosis when it was found during a colonoscopy. It is pockets in your intestines where waste can get trapped. If that happens it can become infected and be very painful. At that time mega doses of antibiotics are prescribed. I have had to such flares and both times have had to take the meds. This last time has been since the first of the year and I took 3000 mg. of antibiotics per day. I also took aspirin for the fever. It is quite painful and I spent about 5 days doing bed rest. My doctor told me take one teaspoon of Metamucil every day in a glass of water. Do it first thing before eating or drinking. It binds things together and keeps it moving through your intestines. The best preventive is to keep your stress level as low as possible and take the Metamucil. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946

I have had numerous colonoscopies. I guess it has probably been 8 or nine years ago, maybe longer when I was also diagnosed with diverticulosis when it was found during a colonoscopy. It is pockets in your intestines where waste can get trapped. If that happens it can become infected and be very painful. At that time mega doses of antibiotics are prescribed. I have had to such flares and both times have had to take the meds. This last time has been since the first of the year and I took 3000 mg. of antibiotics per day. I also took aspirin for the fever. It is quite painful and I spent about 5 days doing bed rest. My doctor told me take one teaspoon of Metamucil every day in a glass of water. Do it first thing before eating or drinking. It binds things together and keeps it moving through your intestines. The best preventive is to keep your stress level as low as possible and take the Metamucil. Hope this helps.

Click to expand...

That is very good advice....about the Metamucil. I will definately ask the Dr about that. In the meantime I don't see where it would hurt. My DIL has history of colon problems in her family and she hits the Metamucil every morning. My Mother has Diverticulosis and takes Metamucil everyday. I'm surprised that it wasn't mentioned today.

Did you mention your mother to them? That's a bit interesting.

Has no one ever warned you about how hard ibuprofen (and other NSAIDs) are on your GI? If one is going to take them regularly, and in pretty significant doses, please consult your doctor or at least take a PPI to help protect your GI.

No ulcers here, but I have some painful and annoying GI issues going on - suspect at the very least that my biliary system is still very messed up and that there's IBS along with it (since there's no reason for even water to give me the problems it does). I don't want to have, or pay for, a colonoscopy - mind you. Maybe later when I can afford it.
I still have acid reflux and take omeprazole daily. I hope that it helps you some.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Did you mention your mother to them? That's a bit interesting.

Has no one ever warned you about how hard ibuprofen (and other NSAIDs) are on your GI?

If one is going to take them regularly, and in pretty significant doses, please consult your doctor or at least take a PPI to help protect your GI.

No ulcers here, but I have some painful and annoying GI issues going on - suspect at the very least that my biliary system is still very messed up and that there's IBS along with it (since there's no reason for even water to give me the problems it does). I don't want to have, or pay for, a colonoscopy - mind you.

Maybe later when I can afford it.
I still have acid reflux and take omeprazole daily. I hope that it helps you some.

Click to expand...

I did mention my mothers problems and also the fact that my aunt had colon cancer that was the cause of her death. I was very relieved that apart from that one problem, my colon looks very good. To be honest, with my family history....I was afraid.

Also, I have health insurance and still had to pay $500 out of pocket as my deductable!

Originally Posted by spudsmom

Also, I have health insurance and still had to pay $500 out of pocket as my deductable!

Click to expand...

Mine is like that, too. Or they'll try to avoid covering certain things - they hate covering the cost of any imaging done.

And yes, you are lucky. That you start feeling a better soon.

Wow... Issues with digestion suck... I am so sorry I've had issues for years, starting when I was born. I feel for you. It's no fun at all!! I hope everything gets under control soon.

I've never dealt with ulcers though (thanking the creator). It's so hard to change your diet, and stick to it. I'm still struggling with that since I got out of the hospital in Feb.



I hope you are better at it then I am!!

Be safe.

Gary had ulcers from aspirin - add exercise, a healthy diet, lower stress and they heal on their own. But he is a total type A, stresses easily, and is on Protonix. The prilosec did not work well for him.

As an alterantive to metamucil, consider this: http://www.irritable-bowel-syndrome.ws/acacia-fiber.htm

Acacia fiber - we purchase the Heather's Tummy Fiber (organic acacia fiber) - I think you can buy it on amazon these days.... it is tasteless and you can start by adding a little to just about anything, and gradually increase the amount you consume every day. It's soluble fiber, which is an important distinction. I don't know what metamucil is - I just know this really helps sort out bowl-related issues and is super easy to use.