Well, what should I do next??

[Honeycomb04]

Hi again!!
I posted a question last week about some advice. I went to see my P.C.P on Mon. 6/18.She started me on prednisone 20 mg 2x daily for 5 days, cipro 500 mg 2x daily for 7 days, and flagyl 3x dailly for 7 days. I am now experiecing horrid stomach cramps(we're at the "worse than labor pain" stage) and loose stools, but kept the appointment with the G.I. for 7/18. She also gave me hyoscamine.125 2 tabs s.l. every 8 hours as needed, and it is no longer working.
I placed another call to her for some much needed relief, and I have an appointment this afternoon. My question is, does anyone think the steroids were stopped too soon? Anything else I should ask?
Thanks in advance!! Honeycomb!

 

[David]

I just read your original post and it said your CT on 6/6 showed acute appendicitis? Did they remove your appendix or try to control it with medications? If medications, which one?

Where specifically is your pain in your abdomen? Around the belly button? Lower left? Lower right? Or elsewhere?

If you're in "greater than labor pain", pain and didn't have an appointment with your doctor, I'd be telling you to head to the ER.

And yes, the course of steroids was potentially too short but it's hard to say without knowing exactly what's going on in there.

 

[Honeycomb04]

Hi, My appendix was removed 6/4/2012. The pain I'm having is mainly below my naval. I've tried heat, and alternating extra strength tylenol with alka seltzer, but nsaids make me bleed! I'll keep you posted. Thanks again!!

 

[Honeycomb04]

Well, I saw the Dr. She ordered a stat. ct. scan, c.b.c c.m.p. amylase,and lipase. She also re-started prednisone 20 mg. 2x daily for 5 days, aciphex, and vicodin for pain. Is it possible to have a flare and for nothing to show on the scan? I haven't heard anything yet, but I'll let you know. Thanks for letting me "vent". This is so frustrating!!

 

[David]

Did they have you drink some stuff and also inject you with some stuff on the scans?

Did they by chance check you for C.Diff? After all those antibiotics I'd hope they would. This would be a stool test.

Yes, you can be flaring and not have new stuff show on the scans. But other issues related to the Crohn's or medications (such a C.Diff) can cause your symptoms as well, and those wouldn't show on the scan.

 

[Honeycomb04]

I had a scan with oral contrast, but no stool for C.Diff. I'm not sure, but I think she was leaning toward a possible bowel obstruction. I'm going to ask if there is anyway possible she might be able to get me in to see the gastroenterologist sooner.

 

[David]

Obstruction was a concern of mine as well. But it seems you're at home now? Are you feeling better?

 

[Honeycomb04]

Not really, but thanks for all your advice!!

 

[AshleyB85]

I would ask for a stool sample to test for C.Diff, especially since you are experiencing loose stools and are taking antibiotics. They might also want you to go in for another CT with IV contrast as well for a clearer picture, if obstruction is a concern and the oral contrast (yuck) doesn't give a concise picture. If your pain gets worse, or is not controlled with the vicodin, I would suggest going to your nearest emergency room. Also, if you experience any new symptoms (nausea, vomiting, fever, etc) go to an E.R. after first consulting with your primary care doctor. It could be that you are experiencing an unusual side-effect from one of the many medications you are on, or it could be something else entirely (such as an infection from the appendectomy, or C.Diff just to name a few) keep note of any flares in pain, time, what you have eaten, how you felt before that, etc. and take your temperature as well. I hope you get some relief!

 

[Txgirl]

Flagyl gives me horrible D!!

 

[AshleyB85]

Flagyl gives me horrible D!!

It did for me too, as did Keflex!

 

[Honeycomb04]

C-Diff. it is!! The G.I.Doc stopped the steroids, and put me back on flagyl 500 mg 3x daily for 10 days. Thanks for all your help!!!

 

[David]

I'm glad they got it sorted. Did you bring it up or did they end up testing for it on their own?

Note that since you've had it once, you're at increased risk for it happening again. Anytime you think you're in a new flare, you need to also be checked for c.diff.

I'd also get on some high quality probiotics if I was you. I'd look for one that contains S. boulardii.

 

[Honeycomb04]

By the time the Gastro. got back to me, it was close to 5p.m. We were unable to find a lab. that was open past 5, his decision came from the fact that I had gallbladder surgery on 4/10, and an appendectomy on 6/4. Both times, I was on broad spectrum antibiotics, in a hospital setting. Instead of waiting any longer, he decided to start flagyl last night. I did buy acidophilus, but I'll see if I can get some S. boulardii. Thanks again!!- Colleen