Sick Husband

did they test him for colitis? my MIL was just hospitalized with it a few weeks ago, it was bad pain. how are his bowel movements are they normal?

You definitely need to follow up with an adult GI doctor to get a clear diagnoses and IBS management plan.

IBS sounds like a rather broad diagnoses for something causing sudden onset and chronic pain, even disturbing his sleep, unless your DH has recently endured enormous physical and/or emotional stress. Which then could cause severe GI upset.

Definitely follow the BRAT diet to which you could safely add soft cooked chicken and broth. Then slowly add other foods back in and document what/when he ate, how much and his reactions. That will help you determine if he is indeed having an adverse reaction to certain food.

I would go to whole foods/or a close health food store..and get the
"bottled" probiotics. They are appox 4.00 a piece, however they are the
best. This will help any irritable bowel, leaky gut etc....
buy 10 of them, drink one a day to start off with.
Wean him off gluten, dairy, etc.....We are in the process of doing that too!!
Eat mild foods/no processed until pain subsides...
Anti-acids, etc...will only cloak the problem....Have to build up intestinal
flora, etc.. :-)

If it is irritable bowel syndrome, that is typically caused by a food allergy/sensitivity. For years I thought I had IBS, and it turned out I had a dairy allergy. No more dairy--no more IBS. Food allergies can also cause indigestion and acid reflux.
We always go the natural route when treating symptoms. Herbs that help ease stomach pain are peppermint, catnip, fennel, slippery elm, marshmallow, papaya and pineapple enzymes(they help with digestion), food enzymes, probiotics, and aloe vera juice. There are also homeopathics for stomach pain. Any local health food store would have these things. They are worth a try to ease his pain until you figure out what is going on. Magnesium could help ease cramps, but it can also cause diarrhea if you take too much.

If its his gall bladder causing the pain then he will probably have right shoulder pain as well, and fatty foods will make him feel worse. There are natural cures for that as well (I can help if you're interested.) In fact, some of them are the same as the list above.

Hope that helps, and hope he feel better soon.
J.

Pay attention to what he is eatting and stop those foods. Have him stick to a brat diet of rice, toast and bannanas and rest his digestive system. He may be lactose intolerant, may have IBS or a bad gall bladder. There are soooo many issues it could be. I think the first thing to do is rest his system and them keep a food diary to see what the triggers are. Good luck.

I'd get a second opinion. That sounds like it could be something else...

The ER is not a great place for a diagnosis sometimes unless you are dying. I would go to a GP or a GI doctor. Where is the pain and is it associated with other symptoms like bowel problems?

I agree with the second opinion. Maybe he is having gall bladder issues? I had to have mine out a few months ago, but it was very unpleasant.
Maybe look up a gall-bladder diet and have him follow that for a bit.
As for pain you can try using an ice pack...having him rest and try to destress.

Make an apt with a gastroenterologist for a more accurate diagnosis. ER doctors are great at saving lives, not so great at diagnosing non life threatening situations. You could ask your family doctor for the name of a good GI specialist. While you're waiting for the GI apt, make sure he drinks at least 2 qts of water daily, and try 1 container of yogurt/day. Just don't eat the yogurt at the same time as he takes an antibiotic, space them at least one hour apart. Hope he feels better soon.

Hi, H.:
What RX did the Dr. give him?
Look up on the web for Alternative Medicine for
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and see what it says.

Look on the Web at www.enzymedica.com

For digestive enzymes, pro-biotics, and Acid Soothe

Hope this helps.
D.

Dear H.,
IBS can be caused by a sensitvity of a food that your husband has eaten. IBS usually occurs when a person has had a lot of antibiotics (4+ times in one year, or therapeutic dose from a operation). Drugs may not be the answer if this is truly occurring. He may be wheat gluten sensitive. You may have to try different grain breads, etc. It could also be dairy products. He may need an IGG Test or an IGL Test for food sensitivities before it becomes IBS.
To determine food sensitivities, you may want to call a lab direct if the GI Doctor or allergist Doctor cannot help him.
If this is not the case, then try to curtail this with probiotics and prebiotics. They should be refrigerated, or they are probably not worth purchasing.
With any drug, ask the pharmacist, "What organ does this drug adversely affect?" It helps you decide, if he needs a drug, which would be the least offensive to his body.
Lastly, garlic is an anti-viral home cooking source. Adding it is a gravy or enhancing a vegetable medley will be helpful. I took three cloves of garlic in mashed potatoes, roast pork and gravy when I was nursing my infant (when I was coming down with "chills" and headache). The next morning, I felt fine and so did my infant.
Good luck.

Has your husband always sort of had a sensitive stomach? If so then I would be more likely to buy into IBS or allergies. An allergist might actually help you figure out triggers.

I might first start with a gastroenterologist if this has been a sudden onset by the "virus."

In the meantime I'd tell your husband to try the BRAT diet for a few days and then come back with bland foods. Get on a good probiotic AND a prebiotic. Try a little peppermint and/or ginger. You may want to work into a good vitamin program. Let me know if I can recommend supplements.

.

What to do for his pains right now is stick with a fairly clear diet.

Whether it's IBS, Colitis, Diverticulitis, his colon is inflamed and doesn't need any sort of food until the antibiotics do their job.

My hubby was diagnosed with Diverticulitis in May. He was in excruciating pain (on his left side). The CT scan told us what was up.

I would make sure your hubby follows up with a GI specialist asap. If he has IBS there are a lot of foods he needs to stay away from and foods he needs to eat (one of my coworkers has this).

You are now on a journey, H.. If your hubby is anything like mine you're going to have to be in charge and make sure he gets on the road to what he can and cannot eat.

If he is in that much pain I'm shocked the ER doc's didn't prescribe something besides tylenol.

You can google TONS of information on IBS - foods to eat, avoid, etc.

Good Luck.