An Unusual Colonoscopy

Yesterday I had a colonoscopy.  It was unfortunately not a normal thing.  First there was the prep.  I finally finished it and then vomited a whole bunch of it back up.  I guess that is normal for me.  Then I was up most of the night on the toilet.  That is also normal for a colonoscopy prep.  So in the morning, I get up and my husband and son drive to the endoscopy center.  They got the IV in on the first try!  (this is definitely not normal).  I had the sedative as well as something for nausea (in the past I've gotten a bit nauseous from the sedative).  I was awake for the colonoscopy, but I don't remember the entire thing, and I have fuzzy memories from the next hour.  I know we came home and I ate an English muffin.  Then I took a nap for about 2 or 3 hours.  I woke up with a pounding headache.  Then I started vomiting.  Not just a little, but projectile vomiting, a then dry heaving.  And with each heave, the headache pounded even more.

I didn't know what to do, but I couldn't find the papers from the colonoscopy.  So I called my husband at work.  He called the endoscopy center, and one of the nurses called me.   She told me to go to the ER, so I called my husband to come drive me there.  By this point, I was starting to get confused, which happens when I get very dehydrated.  On the drive to the ER, I threw up the rest of my stomach acid.  Fortunately the were able to take me in right away.  It took 5 tries to get the IV started now.  Between the colonoscopy prep and the vomiting, my veins were so small due to the dehydration.  Once they got it started, they gave me Reglan and Benadryl for the nausea, and I got 2 bags of fluids.  By the time I went home, I felt so much better.  I ate then slept for about 10 hours.

I never want another colonoscopy again!

And Life Gets in the Way

I've been busy lately.  My dad and stepmom are in town visiting, and there's the normal summer activities to keep me busy.  Add work, and I am fairly busy.  But that isn't very good when my Crohn's is acting up.  I've spent a lot of time the past few days in the bathroom.  It's been poop central for me.  I know it is bad when I am actually looking forward to my colonoscopy next week.  I don't really want the colonoscopy, or especially the prep, I'm just hoping to get some answers and help.  I've about given up on my back improving, so all I can hope for is less bathroom time.  Because honestly, with the weather as beautiful as its been, I'd rather be outside than in the bathroom.

Lab Results

I had blood drawn on Tuesday.  The phlebotomists was very good, and actually got the blood on the first try!  I can't remember when that's happened before.  I has been over a year, I'd guess.  Yesterday, I got the email that showed my results were in.  My liver enzymes were still elevated, but less elevated than last time, so that is good.  I can't drink alcohol, though.

My father and step-mom are in town, so yesterday my son & I drove down to my sister's house, and we all went out to dinner.  I paid with my credit card, and now can't find it anywhere.  So I had to cancel the card and get a new one.  It is a joint card with my husband, and he's so mad at me, as if I did it on purpose.  It will be a pain when the new one comes, as we'll have to change all the auto-pay stuff, like my cell phone, our membership at the JCC, etc.

On the potty front, I'm still having lots of fun, mucousy diarrhea all day, so at least there's that.  I guess some girls have all the luck!

Back for More

A lot has happened since I last updated.  My back has been giving me a lot of trouble, more than the Crohn's, actually.  I am in constant pain in my lower back and left buttock area.  It is sometimes so painful I can't walk at all.  I started to use a cane in the house, as I have a hard time just walking.  I don't want to use it out of the house, but I feel it might be only a matter of time before I need it all the time.  I've been to a spine specialist.  He keeps trying this and that to give me some relief, but nothing helps.

This doesn't mean my Crohn's is under control, though.  Last month my liver enzymes were elevated, which means I might have to stop the mercaptopurine.  However, I am also having symptoms.  My pain in my lower right abdomen isn't disabling, but it is very uncomfortable.  I am also having more and more explosive diarrhea.  I go for a(nother) colonoscopy in 2 weeks, so that should tell what I'm facing on the inside.  I don't know what we'll do, though.  The only thing that worked was the methotrexate, but I couldn't function while on that due to the side effects.  Neither the Humira nor the Remicade worked, and the Remicade caused such a reaction, I'd be loathe to try it again.

I guess I'll know more after the colonoscopy.  I just hate the prep so much I'd rather anything other than that.

Blood draws Suck!!!

I had an 8:00 appointment this morning to get my blood drawn.  I hate getting my blood drawn because my veins suck.  They always have to poke me a few times, and I often end up with a bruise or something.  This morning was a new experience in awful.  First of all, why did the lab make an 8:00 appointment when they don't start drawing blood until 8:30?  I was so annoyed.  Then, my orders weren't in the system.  I need to back up to explain this.  About 5 weeks ago, I had the first draw on this order.  However, at that time, my clinic was moving, so I had the blood drawn in Maplewood at the clinic there.  When I asked about the next draw, they told me they'd enter the orders in the system, and it wouldn't be a problem.  However, of course the orders weren't in the system.  So they had to call my GI's office and get new orders.  Finally, about 45 minutes after my appointment, they called me back.  The first phlebotomist I saw was Nancy.  She can usually get me on the first or second stick.  Of course, not today.  After about 15 minutes, I started to get a bit nauseous.  So she gave me an apple juice (I hadn't eaten breakfast yet).  Two sips, and I had to run to the bathroom with diarrhea.  Then Bridget came in.  She also often can get me.  She poked me 3 times, and was finally able to get one vial (of the 2 needed).  It only took a hot pack and a tourniquet so tight it hurt.  Then they called someone else, and it took two people with a syringe to get the other vial.  My hands are so bruised and sore.

I am so glad I won't need another blood draw for probably a month!

3 AM

It is 3:00 and I can't sleep.  I fell asleep no problem around 9:30, and slept until around 12:15.  I woke up with heartburn and back pain.  I had taken a pain pill right before bed, and I guess it wore off.  If I take one now, I don't know that I'll be able to work later this morning, but if I don't, I don't know that I'll be able to fall asleep again.

The MRI showed multiple problems with my lower back.  Degenerative arthritis, ruptured and bulging disks as well as fibroids.  I'm so luck to be me!  Since I can't take stuff like Aleve or Ibuprofen due to my Crohn's, they put me on a 60 mg Predisone taper, so I had to stop my Budesonide to take the predisone.  I just hope that it helps, because it doesn't seem like there is anything else to do.

I just want to sleep.  Friday is always such a long day.  I work in the office instead of at home.  It is also Shabbat, so we'll be up later than normal for that.  I wish I didn't feel like it was an obligation instead of a joy, but every Friday seems longer and longer and I am more worn out.

MRI and other issues

I took a half day off work yesterday so I could get an MRI done of my lower back.  I've had pain in my lower back for over 4 months.  I did a course of physical therapy and it didn't help at all.  In fact, I think it made things worse.  So my doctor ordered an MRI and prescribed a valium for me so I could tolerate the machine.  My mom drove me to the clinic, I lie on the table, and as soon as they start sliding me in the tube, I had a panic attack.  I tried again, and was hyperventilating for over 10 minutes.  I just couldn't do it.  After the MRI of my small intestine, I swore I never would do one again.  But I thought the valium would help.  It didn't.  So tomorrow morning, Saturday, I am going for an open-sided MRI at 6:30AM.  Ick.  But I hope that I can get through it.  I just wish I didn't have to wake up so early.

I worked in the office today.  I felt horrible.  I had nasty gas all day and was so bloated and uncomfortable.  When I got home, I had diarrhea and more gas and something that looked like blood.  Now my "Crohn's spot" just hurts.  I took some Tramadol, and am hoping it helps, but I'm not too optimistic, based on past results.

I wish I had more energy so I could do more with my family.  I am always tired, and often in pain, so I miss out on so much.  I hate that.

The stomach bug sucks!

Right now, I'll warn you, this post isn't for the faint of heart.  If graphic descriptions of vomiting and diarrhea aren't for you, don't read this.  In fact, probably you're better off reading a different blog altogether.

My son was sent home from school on Thursday because he was vomiting.  He vomited once at school and the rest of the day he said his tummy hurt, but otherwise, he didn't vomit again, and by bedtime he was able to drink some apple juice and by Friday, he was back to normal.  Lucky him (and me!)

Saturday, I felt a bit nauseous, so I figured I had what my son had.  I didn't throw up, and figured I dodged a bullet because with everything else, I couldn't handle a stomach bug.  Plus, every time I've had one in the past 10 years (at least) it ended with me in the Emergency Room due to severe dehydration.  And it wasn't like I didn't already have issues.  My back has been bad for months, to the point where I am going for an MRI on Thursday to see whether it is arthritis, bulging disc or what.  And my diarrhea has gotten worse.

I was so tired Monday evening, I was in bed by 9:30 and asleep soon after.  I was hoping to get a good night sleep.  Of course, it was not to be.  At 12:30, I woke up with my tummy churning, and ran to the bathroom.  Butt Pee galore. But that wasn't all.  About half way through, the nausea started.  The bathroom garbage was full, I couldn't reach the sink and I still had butt pee coming out.  (charming, isn't it!)  I had a wad of TP in my hand to try to catch the vomit, but it spilled all over my sweats that I had been sleeping in.  As soon as the butt pee stopped, I grabbed a 10 cup measuring cup that we used to use when my son was a baby to rinse his hair in the bath and started vomiting again and butt pee again.  Every time I get this type of thing, I think, "I just want to die, I'm never going to feel better".  Of course, eventually I do.

That was about an hour ago.  My tummy is so unsettled, I'm afraid to go back to bed for fear of not being able to make it back to the bathroom.  I am also shaking and sweating.  I can only assume this is some sort of bug, perhaps the new and nasty Norovirus going around.  No matter what it is called, I hate it!  And I am praying I don't end up in the ER again and that this doesn't do anything to my Crohn's.

18 and Counting

Today I decided to count how many bowel movements I had.  So far, I'm at 18.  I don't know why all of a sudden I seem to be stuck in the bathroom, but there I am.  And to add a nice little wrinkle into things, I had some nasty nausea today, too.  On top of lots of pain.  What a lovely day.  I need to get better, though, and soon.  I have a lot of stuff coming up and I'm just too busy to get sick.

In addition to the Crohn's issues, I had parenting stuff today, too.  My husband & I were scheduled to be at my son's school this morning at 8:00 to go over his IEP.  Last week, we had the review of his assessment, and today was the meeting to discuss his services.  However, my son threw a huge tantrum this morning when he learned he'd have to go to school early.  He has finally started adjusting to his new school, and we didn't want to rock the boat.  So my husband stayed home with him and brought him to school at the regular time and I went to the meeting alone.  It wasn't bad, and I am very hopeful that the services they are offering will help him tremendously.  I just felt a little overwhelmed at times.

I told my boss I've been having issues, so I am going to work from home tomorrow.  I just hope that is enough.  We have our vacation coming up in 45 days (not that I'm counting or anything) and my husband just accepted a consulting position, so he'll be working 2 jobs.  Please let me get better!

It's Been a While

Well, it has been quite some time since I wrote all about my poop.  And I know all of my followers (yes, all 4 or 5 of you!) have been waiting with baited breath to hear what is going on in my toilet.  Until recently, my bowels have been behaving themselves.  This isn't to say they never gave me trouble, but generally, when they acted up, after a couple of days, they calmed back down.

However, that all ended about 3 weeks ago.  Right around Christmas time I started having more abdominal pain.  The lower right side.  That is never a good thing with me.  Then the diarrhea started up.  And then more pain.  Pain that wakes me up at night and keeps me from sleeping.

I had a GI appointment on Jan. 3, and at that time, I wasn't overly concerned, as it had only been a couple of days and I thought things would follow the pattern they'd had for the past 9 or 10 months.  Nope.  Now I am woken up at night to go to the bathroom.  I am in pain so often, that the days I work from home I have a heating pad on my tummy the whole time.  Working in the office is a new kind of torture.  I have decided I don't care what my co-workers think.  So when I'm in the bathroom, I just let loose with the loud, noisy disgusting, smelly diarrhea.  If they want me to work in the office (instead of at home) then my co-workers will have to deal with the bathroom issues.

I just wish they wouldn't come to work sick.  My mercaptopure dose has been increased, and every little germ or virus that I come in contact with decides to set up housekeeping in me.  I can't remember the last time I didn't have a stuffy nose or sore throat.  Oh, well.

I hope this is just an unusually long period and everything will calm down soon.  But I wouldn't bet money on it.