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pauldavidmena
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Location: Centerville, MA, USA
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abdominal pain
Last week my wife encountered a medical issue that makes me wonder how we might have fared in Baja - specifically Todos Santos. On Thursday morning
she woke up with pain and discomfort in her lower abdomen. She visited her doctor late on Friday afternoon, and the initial indication was that she
might have appendicitis and needed a CT scan right away.
Unfortunately all of the outpatient labs in the area had already closed for the weekend, so we had no choice but to go to an ER at "the hospital of
our choice", which turned out to be Newton-Wellesley Hospital in MA. After a 4-hour wait, my wife had a CT scan, and the diagnosis was... colitis. We
left with a prescription for vicodin (which we did not fill) and a plastic bucket-hat intended for a fecal sample. Naturally this didn't make either
of us feel much better.
By the end of the weekend, the pain had subsided somewhat, but was still definitely there. My wife followed up with a gastroenterologist (sp?) on
Tuesday morning, and after reviewing the CT scan, we had a diagnosis of... diverticulitis. No prescriptions given, no plastic hat to poop in, but
rather the recommendation of a high-fiber supplement as well as increased fluids.
...All of which makes me wonder if we sometimes overestimate the superiority of U.S. Healthcare. By the time the bills come in, I can't help thinking
that we would have paid less - and received a more accurate diagnosis - at St. Luke's.
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woody with a view
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but it made you feel better, right?
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by pauldavidmena
...All of which makes me wonder if we sometimes overestimate the superiority of U.S. Healthcare.
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A question that can only be answered on a case by case basis.
By and large, there is no comparison...more education, better training, superior hospitals. What more needs to be said?
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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pauldavidmena
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by pauldavidmena
...All of which makes me wonder if we sometimes overestimate the superiority of U.S. Healthcare.
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A question that can only be answered on a case by case basis.
By and large, there is no comparison...more education, better training, superior hospitals. What more needs to be said? |
Yes, I did say "sometimes". 
I've heard and read enough nightmare scenarios to realize that this was an isolated case. I'm just frustrated that we saw 3 different doctors and
received 3 different diagnoses, only 1 of which was correct.
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Lee
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Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by pauldavidmena
...All of which makes me wonder if we sometimes overestimate the superiority of U.S. Healthcare.
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A question that can only be answered on a case by case basis.
By and large, there is no comparison...more education, better training, superior hospitals. What more needs to be said? |
Well written. Superior MX doctors are a case by case basis, too. Education, I'm guessing, can't touch US schools, generally.
Diverticulitis might have been diagnosed in Todos but maybe not. I got an attack of diverticulitis once severe ab cramps -- thought it could be
anything. Rx: lots of water, high fiber, skip processed food totally, get exercise. This condition is a lifestyle problem, but I'm guessing
that's true for me. Problem never came back.
Don't know the doctors in Todos, I have a good one in Pescadero but can't remember his name. Dr. Arce? (Office was down from the surf camp on
the hill.)
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vandenberg
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Well Paul, all I can say that when you go through that pain once and get to know what caused it, it's easy to self diagnose the next time and cure
yourself in a hurry with a couple of large doses of metamucil.
Speaking from experience.
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BajaBlanca
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My brother and my mom have both had diverticulitis.
They say it ain't fun at all.
In my brothers case, to this day he can not eat anything with seeds in it (strawberries), multi grain bread etc. my mom even takes the seeds out of
tomatoes, just to be on the safe side.
Glad your wife feels better and yeah, three docs later is mighty expensive.
[Edited on 8-6-2014 by BajaBlanca]
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by pauldavidmena
Yes, I did say "sometimes".
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I was unwittingly agreeing with you. 
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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DENNIS
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Let's not forget Udo when he had stomach distress:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=74513#pid9211...
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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motoged
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Perhaps Udo's intestinal problems were also "lifestyle" related. A week after hospitalization he was planning a rib eye steak feast in
Asuncion....red meat is NOT your friend. 
Don't believe everything you think....
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pauldavidmena
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Yikes! My sister-in-law has Crohn's Disease and is outfitted with a permanent ileostomy bag. For that reason my wife was doubly panicked - although I
don't think Crohn's is genetic.
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pauldavidmena
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
My brother and my mom have both had diverticulitis.
They say it ain't fun at all.
In my brothers case, to this day he can not eat anything with seeds in it (strawberries), multi grain bread etc. my mom even takes the seeds out of
tomatoes, just to be on the safe side.
Glad your wife feels better and yeah, three docs later is mighty expensive.
[Edited on 8-6-2014 by BajaBlanca] |
Thanks BajaBlanca. Fortunately we're insured, so apart from the deductible for the ER, we should be covered.
Interestingly enough, my wife's doctor said that it's a myth that one must avoid nuts and seeds when one has diverticulitis, and that plenty of fiber
- such as that found in nuts - is actually a good thing. Nevertheless we're not taking any chances...
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tripledigitken
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I had a bout with diverticulitis about five years ago. The pain became so acute we went to the emergency room in the middle of the night. The pain
was a result of an infection in the colon and had to be treated with strong antibiotics and pain medication. I also went on a temporary liquid diet
and added more fiber to my regular diet moving forward.
Thankfully no symptoms since then.
Best wishes to your wife Paul.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
I also went on a temporary liquid diet
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SALUD 
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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Lee
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Think I remember the water diet for a few days introducing solid food slowly back into the diet. Lots of research out there saying nuts/seeds
should be avoided. Never had the problem again but I went overboard healing myself as I didn't want a recurrence. Really, skipping the
processed foods is a large part along with added liquids and fiber.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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Bajahowodd
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If you are in Todos, there are a couple of very well equipped hospitals about 45 minutes away in La Laz.
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tripledigitken
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
I also went on a temporary liquid diet
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SALUD |
Which included Sculpin IPA.
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pauldavidmena
Super Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
I also went on a temporary liquid diet
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SALUD |
Which included Sculpin IPA.
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A personal favorite, finally available here in New England.
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Travelinleah
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HI, I am a little late, but here's info: immediately following a bout of diverticulitis, with pain and fever, you need to follow a low residue diet,
ie: low fiber, see attached: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healt...
a few weeks later you want to start adding in high fiber foods, one at a time, as tolerated, to keep the "pouches" (diverticuli) cleaned out. The diet
at this point is individualized, some people can tolerate corn, salads, nuts etc and some cannot. PS: I am a Registered Dietitian/Certified Diabetes
Educator, hopefully arriving in Baja soon!!
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pauldavidmena
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Oddly enough, we've always eaten a healthy diet rich in fiber. My wife, however, doesn't drink nearly as much water as I do. Beyond that, there just
isn't much difference in how we eat. My understanding is that the diverticuli have been there all along, but can be inflamed as a result of stress and
other non-dietary factors. In any case, she's happily on the mend, so we are able to resume our regular programming.
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