BajaNomad - abdominal pain

abdominal pain

pauldavidmena - 8-6-2014 at 12:18 PM

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.

:barf:

woody with a view - 8-6-2014 at 12:20 PM

but it made you feel better, right?

DENNIS - 8-6-2014 at 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pauldavidmena

...All of which makes me wonder if we sometimes overestimate the superiority of U.S. Healthcare.

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?

pauldavidmena - 8-6-2014 at 12:49 PM

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.

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". :yes:

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.

Lee - 8-6-2014 at 12:54 PM

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.

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.)

vandenberg - 8-6-2014 at 02:08 PM

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.

BajaBlanca - 8-6-2014 at 02:16 PM

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]

DENNIS - 8-6-2014 at 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pauldavidmena
Yes, I did say "sometimes". :yes:

I was unwittingly agreeing with you. :saint:

DENNIS - 8-6-2014 at 02:26 PM

Let's not forget Udo when he had stomach distress:

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=74513#pid9211...

motoged - 8-6-2014 at 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Let's not forget Udo when he had stomach distress:

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=74513#pid9211...

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. :light:

pauldavidmena - 8-6-2014 at 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Let's not forget Udo when he had stomach distress:

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=74513#pid9211...

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.

pauldavidmena - 8-6-2014 at 03:00 PM

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...

tripledigitken - 8-6-2014 at 03:09 PM

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.

DENNIS - 8-6-2014 at 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
I also went on a temporary liquid diet

SALUD

Lee - 8-6-2014 at 10:45 PM

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.

Bajahowodd - 8-7-2014 at 05:02 PM

If you are in Todos, there are a couple of very well equipped hospitals about 45 minutes away in La Laz.

tripledigitken - 8-7-2014 at 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
I also went on a temporary liquid diet

SALUD

Which included Sculpin IPA.

:cool:

pauldavidmena - 8-7-2014 at 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
I also went on a temporary liquid diet

SALUD

Which included Sculpin IPA.

:cool:

A personal favorite, finally available here in New England.

Travelinleah - 8-17-2014 at 11:32 AM

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!!

pauldavidmena - 8-17-2014 at 12:31 PM

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.

bajajudy - 8-17-2014 at 01:03 PM

I drank palo de Arco tea three times a day for a year. Also no seeds or nuts and no alcohol...ouch. How did I do that?
I remember too well coming to Mexico and eating plain totopos cause I couldn't eat tomotoes
It has never reoccurred. I am sure the reason is that it healed completely. Since then I eat what I want...oh and drink too!

monoloco - 8-17-2014 at 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajajudy
I drank palo de Arco tea three times a day for a year. Also no seeds or nuts and no alcohol...ouch. How did I do that?
I remember too well coming to Mexico and eating plain totopos cause I couldn't eat tomotoes
It has never reoccurred. I am sure the reason is that it healed completely. Since then I eat what I want...oh and drink too!

What part of the palo de arco do you make the tea from?

durrelllrobert - 8-17-2014 at 03:59 PM

Quote:

Avoiding ALL alcohol may be a myth. When I got my stomach problem I was drinking vodka gimlets with lots of Rose's lime juice. I switched to Southern Comfort for 6 months and it cleared up completely but still can't stand the taste of lime juice (or Southern Comfort) :spingrin:

Kgryfon - 8-17-2014 at 10:07 PM

An ex of mine got diverticulitis and it got infected and burst a hole through his intestines. Fecal matter entered his abdomen. He got a fever and had pain in his abdomen, which were his only symptoms. I made him go to the Dr. He ended up going to the hospital for a week or so. Would have died if I hadn't made him go to the doctor. Nothing to mess with.