Short version question: Should I follow the SAME TREATMENT GUIDELINES for IBS for SPLENIC FLEXURE SYNDROME?
Yes! Splenic Flexure Syndrome has been designated a sub-category of an IBS diagnosis. Use high volatile oil Fennel Tummy Tea to prevent as well as relieve the trapped gas and bloating.
Long Version:
I was an energetic, happy, healthy, vibrant woman training for a half marathon a little over a year ago. I began to have symptoms that I thought were gastritis (diagnosed 6 yrs ago and resolved).
My GI put me on omeprozole for a month. It did nothing and my condition worsened every day. I went back and he told me it was probably stress and muscle related.
The pain:
The pain is ALWAYS there (except when I am sound asleep). It just varies in intensity. It is on my LEFT side ONLY. UPPER Abdomen. ( I know this differes from IBS). It is located where my spleen is and at its worst feels like an organ or muscle is being twisted and strangled. Sometimes, the pain radiates around the side and up toward my left shoulderblade. It gets so severe that I can not stand up straight, and I need to squat or lie down.It can stay like this for days straight. At times, the pain radiates down to my lower abdominal area, but I would call that strong discomfort more than full on pain.
At times, I am short of breath and my chest feels restricted on the left side. It always feel like a gas pocket is blowing up on my left side from waist to heart area. Even if I can manage to pass gas, this does not relieve the pain.
DOCTORS SEEN:
Psyiatrists
Osteopaths
GYN
GI's
Spine Specialist
Nueorologist
Rheumatologist
Endocrinologist
Acupuncturist
Herbalist
Chiropractor
Naturopath
TESTS DONE:
Sonogram
Ultrasound
MRI
CAT SCAN
XRAYs
Nerve conduction Test
Pelvic Exam
Blood tests, including for celiac(negative) and Ovarian cancer (CA 125)
Endoscopy
Colonscopy
MEDICINES and THERAPIES:
("complementary medicine")
Acupuncture (various styles)
Herbs (chinese)
Massage
Reiki
Chiropratic
PT
Homeopathy
Craniosacral
Sound therapy
"western medicine"
Omeprozole (did nothing)
Prevacid (did nothing)
Valium (as a calming treatment and a muscle relaxer- suggested by my first GI- made me sleepy, but did not alter pain.)
Percocet (as prescribed by spine dr. Knocked me out, but irriated my stomach and I did not feel an addictive pain pill was a viable long term solution, especially without a clear diagnosis)
Voltrane (topical, did nothing)
Flexeril (muscle relaxer- made me sleepy, did not change pain)
Mobic (strong anti inflammatory- as SPine dr. said maybe it was costochondritis- did not change pain, and irritated stomach a little)
Xanax (prescribed by first GI- as he suggested, if you can get your nerves under control , you would feel better. did not change pain at all)
Amitiza (for constipation, helped constipation, but did not relieve pain)
Miralax (same as above)
Elavil (a low dose antidepressant for peripheral pain and used in IBS, did not change pain)
HEalth History:
35 yo female. 5'7 125 lbs that fluctuates only slightly 5lbs over or under. My family health history is healthy- slim, active and no major illnesses.
During all these tests, my endocrinoligst found, while my thyroid levels are normal, I do have the anitbodies for Hashimoto's ( which ,means I may develop hypothyroid at some point. ALlthough she says this has nothing to do with the pain I am experiencing.
I have always eaten (what I thought) was pretty healthy. A diet mostly of organic, local cooked veggies, fruits and whole grains. I added greek yogurt for the probiotics ( and its yummy!). I also take a probiotic (powder) for a long time now.
I was a vegetarian from ages 15- 30 and began incorporating animal protein for various reasons around age 30. I would say I ate, again organic, animal protein about once a week or every other week.
My weakness was ice cream ( once or twice a month roughly), chai tea (daily)- which is a black, sweet tea made with skim milk, and butter on bread.
I thought these were the worst offenders, so I have given them up for 1 month now, with no noticeable change.
I don't smoke, drink alcohol, never have had coffee and can't stand hot food (mild salsa is even too spicy for me)
A typical meal for me is brown rice, veggies (especially my favorite- brocolli, mushrooms and squash), and maybe some beans or salmon. I included tahini and avocados because my nutirionist said my BMI was a low in body fat, and they taste delicious.
I have ALWAYS had constipation- as a kid they tried various treatments to no avail, but I NEVER had pain. Discomfort, yes, but not pain, and not the type of pain I feel for this past year.
I found, as an adult, that milled flax seed, and LOTS of water, helped me go.
I meditate daily and before this pain I exercisised 6 days a week- alternating btwn light weights at the gym for toning and jogging/running with races every few months or so. I did yoga (hatha) once a week.
WHile i LOVE LOVE LOVE excersising, I have to say when I got this pain, it felt worse- even when I tried to adjust it....I actually thought I fractured a rib or had a hernia- thats how the pain felt.
I have an incredible family, love my work, and adore my husband.
If my pain is non existent (prior to one year ago), or somewhat manageable (most recent) , I am happy and energetic. When it escalates, the pain is SEVERE, excruciating and suicidal. My mood plummets and I am beyond depressed and severely worried and stressed. The littlest thing can set me off.
I NEVER have diarrhea- unless induced (for ex: colonoscopy).
MOST RECENT:
I am an acupuncturist myself and very patient-compliant! And I have to say, I have never, ever been so dismayed by the medical profession as this past year. The doctors I encountered along this journey were horribly dismissive and not even very thorough, communicative or informative. Fortunately, my GYN is an incredible doctor and helped me most recently find a GI....So far, I feel he is a great doctor. He listens, is compassionate, answered my questions and gave me a sense of hope. He looked over all my tests thus far and his initial response is "SPLENIC FLEXURE SYNDROME"...which is when gas (made worse by constipation) , gets stuck at the splenic flexure- which is the area- on the LEFT where the transverse colon turns up slightly near the spleen and then turns down toward the descending colon.
I have to say when I read about it- it described my pain to a T.
SOme say that SPlenic FLexure Syndrome is a FORM of IBS.
SO, I am wondering- should I follow the same dietary guidlines as suggested In Heather's books?
Or does anyone else have this same experience or information to share on this topic?
I have been reading her books (which are such valuable resources), drinking fennel tea twice a day (peppermint makes me sneeze like crazy), been doing the IBS hypnotherapy tapes as directed.
I even ate pretty much the SAME food this whole week- just to see and some days were fine and other days-last night and today was SEVERELY WORSE and I can not figure out why! I've kept food journals and mood charts and can find no discernable patterns!
I cut out most of my usual veggies ( because they are gassy) and avocado, tahini b/c of the fat). My doctor prescribed Hycosamine (antispasmatic) for about 2 weeks now, and I will say it doesn't take away the pain, but I feel it keeps it 80% of the time from escalating. I also have to take miralax twice a day just for this week....which is certainly helping me go.The interesting thing is Hycosamine says a possible side effect is constipation, but when I started this (before miralax), I started going every day (small amounts) and my stools were softer, which is RARELY the case! I have an appt. tomorrow. I am wondering- do any of you know anything about this or have suggestions as to whether I should treat it the same as IBS?
Any information is GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Thank you kindly and I hope you feel better as well!
Edited by Heather (09/10/13 03:03 PM)
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Posts
Follow the SAME TREATMENT GUIDELINES for IBS as for SPLENIC FLEXURE SYNDROME?
