Epiploic appendages (or appendices) are fat pouches from the peritoneum (the sac lining the abdominal cavity) that are just a few centimeters long and are are commonly found along the transverse and sigmoid colon. I vaguely remember learning about them in anatomy a million years ago in college. They weren't important, so I put them out of my mind.
Fast forward from college anatomy to last night. RCC's been complaining of left lower quadrant pain since Sunday. He'd been working on his Jeep Saturday and there is *nothing* in the left lower quadrant of males other than intestines, so we both chalked up his pain to a pulled abdominal muscle.
By Tuesday morning, his pain had increased to a 7 out of 10 (10 being "please put a bullet in my brain" pain), but he went to work anyway and I told him we'd go to the doctor when he got home from work.
He pulled into the college about 3pm yesterday, pale as a ghost. It was easy to tell that his pain had gotten much worse. So much worse that he didn't argue with me about going to Urgent Care. By this time, I'm thinking hernia, but the pain was totally and completely in the wrong area for a hernia. His pain was more where an ovary in a female would be, and that's no where near a typical hernia site.
They got us in quickly at Urgent Care; the doc took one look at him, poked and prodded around and immediately sent us to the ER for blood work and a CT scan. She was thinking that maybe RCC had diverticulitis, despite his age. Diverticulitis is more commonly seen in older patients, not young 'uns in their mid-30s.
So, off to the ER we went, paperwork in hand. They processed us fairly quickly and the Physician Assistant came in to see us. She poked and prodded around on RCC, quickly raising his pain level with her manipulations. She tried to hide it, but she was perplexed, too. Left lower quadrant pain in a male that *probably* wasn't a hernia or diverticulitis.
RCC's pain, despite IV Morphine Sulfate, was hovering around a 4 while he was laying down (unless I was making him laugh - I tell you, I was one witty beast last night, but now can't remember anything I said).
Side note: I have to tell you, I wasn't happy with someone else messing around with "my" boys. I've been in medicine a long time and I understand how to check for an inguinal hernia, but that didn't mean I liked it one bit that another woman was telling my hubby to drop his drawers and doing the ole turn-and-cough routine. When she left and I told RCC that, he burst out laughing and crying. Laughing because I didn't like it and crying because laughing jumped his pain to a 10.
Even after the hernia check was negative, she was still concerned about it. Abdominal wall hernias aren't unheard of, after all. His symptoms matched both an abdominal hernia and diverticulitis. Off to CT we went.
I've sent lots of patients to CT; have scheduled them, done the allergy checklist, have peeked over my doc's shoulder to look at them, but I've never actually seen a CT being done. That is some cool-ass shit. It's like Star Trek medicine and didn't take hardly any time at all.
Back to the room we went to await the CT results.
Side note #2: I love my Nook. I took it along to the hospital with me and the three hours or so we spent there just flew by. I may be doing a review of my Nook (codename: Eloise) soon.
When the PA came back with the diagnosis, it was obvious that she had to look it up, too. Epiploic Appendagitis. Inflammation of an epiploic appendage. Presents just like diverticulitis (well, no duh), but without the infection and the outpouching of the colon wall.
Great. We know what is is now, what do we do about it?
Nothing.
Tincture of time and Vicodin for pain.
Should resolve on its own.
Good and bad news. Good news: no scalpel, no surgery. Bad news: tincture of time sucks.
So does epiploic appendagitis.
Side note #3: I completely understand why PVHS has won so many awards in recent years. The care was awesome.
64 comments:
Our Men Need To NOT Keep On With This Hospital Stuff.
HEal up quick RCC, and enjoy the Vicoden trip ;)
It has two side effects with Dear Husband-- makes him chatty (which is Funny. As. Hell.) and the other... welllllll let's just say it makes me blush ;)
RCC sounds like a typical guy. Pale as a ghost, pain levels off the chart and goes to work. Reminds me of when I got pneumonia. Running a 105 temp, The Queen losing her mind wanting to take me to the hospital, and I'm like do whatever you want...just don't wake me up.
What a night? I hope he is better soon. I am going to look that up. I think I might have it. LOL!
He's feeling marginally better, thank you all.
Hope it turns around soon!
So this is something different than appendicitis? Never heard of it....
It's not often you hear someone rave about a hospital...must be a good one!
OUCH OUCH OUCH! I hope he gets well soon!!!
Now that I've seen it in print, I understand what you were saying - appendagitis. It's really hard listening on my cell phone with MY mother yacking in the other ear because she didn't hear my phone ring...or me talking on it (and no, Rachel, she isn't deaf, just really good at tuning things out she doesn't want to hear; even her doc told her that.) I am so glad they figured it out - and sorry. We know about the 'tincture of time' thing. Remember Bill's booboo when Shadow ran over him? One of us will have to write that up for RTW!
Mom
Oh crap that doesn't sound like fun. And they can't do anything for him except Vicodin? Yikes! Hope he's feeling better soon and that no one else needs to mess with 'your' boys.
I was just diagnosed with EA, spent a night in the hospital on morphine and they sent me home with vicadin.
3 days later, STILL in pain, in fact getting worse!! how long til you feel better???
hurts like HELL when I try to get up, especially after laying down..
SeAnne - the Vicodin only took the edge off of the pain, didn't get rid of it. Took the pain from about 9-10 to a 7-ish.
It took 4-5 days before he noticed a decrease in pain and could sort of function. After that, the pain slowly resolved over a few weeks.
We were told that if the pain didn't resolve or got worse, that they could do a laproscopic excision of the inflammed appendage. Luckily, it didn't come to that, but it did take quite a while.
The good news (?) is that it typically never re-occurs.
Hope you start feeling better soon.
Thanks for writing this! The exact same thing happened to me. (So painful!) Nobody in the E.R. at our hospital had ever heard of it. Crazy stuff.
I was diagnosed with EA on July 27 after a CT scan. Spent a night in the hospital. I was put on antibiotics. The horrible pain has subsided as well as the horrible gloating. I still have some minor throbbing by my left ovary. I hope the inflammation isin't coming back. Has anyone had the laporascopic procedure done?
Found this blog on a random search. I also spent the morning in ER after 36 hours of this crazy pain...and was told EA. Taking the vicodin and it surely makes me sleepy - but just barely takes the pain down. I feel like I'm birthing a baby through my intestines! So hope tomorrow is a better day.
Found this blog after searching for info on EA. Just got diagnosed with EA after 2 days of horrific pain. So now on day 4, I'm finally starting to feel a little better. Went from an 8-9 on pain scale, now to probably a 6-7. Thanks for posting this blog!
i was just diagnosed with this after pre diagnosed with diverticulitis. your story is practically identical to mine. the pain can be unreal!!
thanks for posting.
I have this same thing... I was diagnosed with it last summer. It went away after a few weeks but It has come back and gone away off and on since then. It does suck.
Interesting to read others experiences here in comments. When I suddenly developed pain that wouldn't allow me to stand up...I grinned and beared it for 3 awful days, went to ER and had CT with same EA diagnosis. I went home with the same sucky tincture of time and pain meds and couldn't stand tall for 10 more days! I googled (this was may 2009) and there was nothing from any individuals, just medical articles...so at least it is not being missed as much!). I was diagnosed with regular appendicitis back in February 2006 and when they got in there, the appendix wasn't infected but they removed it anyway...wonder if a seperate appendage had been inflammed then, too! Best of luck to all of you who've had EA!
I was diagnosed with EA on May 23, 2011.everything described above happened to me, the ER the physicians assistant's perplexion. Went home on Tylenol 3 and a promise it would be gone in 2 weeks. They found the EA on CT scan. Today is January 5, 2012. 8 months later and I just had laparoscopic surgery to remove it yesterday. Over the past 8 months, I have had 2 vaginal ultrasounds (ouch) and 2 more CT scans and one X-ray. Nothing showed up. I was referred to a general surgeon, he ordered an MRI and finally the EA was found! We set up surgery for Jan 4 and hear I am, minus my EA. I have 3 incisions: one right above my Neely button, one about 4 inches above my belly button and one about 3 inches below my belly button. I had to have general anesthesia so recovery was rough. I am sitting up now with ice on my biggest incision but I'm not gonna lie, IT HURTS. However it is the incision that hurts, the spot where the EA was does not hurt. Such a relief after being in pain since May! I missed work, I curled myself in the fetal position with the heating pad every night and took every over the counter medication. I don't like to use narcotics but the pain was so bad by mid-December I was prescribed Percocet. The doctor said I need 1 week off work and it has been les than 24 hours since they cut me. The pain is only unbearable when I stand up or sit down, so staying still is good.
I guess what I am saying is if you exhaust all diagnostics, surgery may be an option, even though the EA pain is "supposed" to go away in 2 weeks. The EA did not show up on a colonoscopy either. Get a second opinion if the pain doesn't go away.
By the way, I am a 35 year old female, not obese, not skinny, about average.everyoneis different but keep pursuing it if the pain doesn't go away! I'm hoping as soon as my incisions stop hurting me I will never have to grab my side in pain again.
Best of luck to you all who have this and it still causes you pain!
I am a 65 year old woman and after a week of right abdominal pain which I rated an 8, I went to the ER. Blood work showed no increase in white cells (no infection) and I had my appendix removed when I was 11. They hooked me up with an IV and gave me a total of 3 doses of morphine with no improvement in pain. Hours went by and they finally ordered a CT which showed EA. Talked to a surgeon and he explained everything and asked me about my medical history. I have a follow-up appointment with him this Monday to see if I'll need surgery or not. He prescribed pain pills (Percocet)and a week later the pain is much improved at a rating of 2 or 3. I hope it never comes back as the pain is just terrible. Good luck to all of you who have been diagnosed with EA.
My son was diagnosed with EA on 2-19-12. He has been inpatient twice since then and to the ER 3 times due inability to control the pain. Surgeons won't touch him, they keep saying it will work itself out. Well 9 days later and we were just in the ER again last night I am wondering how long this will really last. 1 doctor said a few days, another a couple weeks and the ER doctor last night said 4 to 6 weeks. Not what we wanted to hear since the kid can't function due to the pain and the pain meds. They are taking the edge off but he is at a constant 5 on the pain scale so not much wiggle room before we are back in the ER. Nice to find others that have been through this so I can prepare myself for the long hall.
I was diagnosed with EA a year ago after enduring 2 bouts of pain and a trip to the ER. Whie I am glad it's benign, not thrilled that the only solution is to "Control the pain". Have bouts on and off that last about 4-5 days each. Comes on suddenly. Hope RCC is ok.
Diagnosed with EA. severe pain. No appetite. I had one light snack a day for 4 days so far.
Does it help by not eating and giving colon a rest. I feel worse pain if even gas passes through that area.
In June 2012 I rode the 'fast bus' to the ER with severe lower right pain. CT done and showed nothing but a left kidney mass. .I had a partial nephrectomy done in July '12 and mass proved to be a complex cyst. Still nothing on right side but pain. Nuc-med scan shows a Meckels Diverticulum with ectopic gastric mucosa. Hmmm. Surgeon wants a Colonoscopy done in September, one benign polyp removed. Yesterday I had a laproscopic appendectomy and discovered the EA so removed it too. Possible torsion causing original pain around the adhesions from my hysterectomy 5 years earlier. I'm doing great and feeling nearly zero pain today from surgery. Best of luck to y'all that have had similar situations.
Pain started on Friday, and became much worse on Sunday. I went to the ER yesterday convinced that something in my abdomen had ruptured! I had no fever, bloodworm was normal, identified EA on CAT scan. The ER doc was going to give me IV antibiotics as a precaution in case it was diverticulitis. My gastro dr returned a call to me at that very moment. He asked to talk to ER doc. My dr told the er doc not to give any antibiotics because it was EA. I was discharged and am seeing my gastro doctor today-he's the best! The pain is still bad, although I've had kidney stones and nothing can top that pain! I am sore everywhere i touch on my abdomen. Hoping this doesn't last long...
3/23/12 - Had worst stomach pain ever this morning, figured my appedix was about to rupture. Went to ER - they did a CT Scan to rule out Diverticultis and other serious abdominal issues. CT diagnosed me with EA. The pain meds don't help much - hoping it resolves itself in the 4 to 7 day window, like the DR suggested. Only thing that seems to help is lying totally motionless.
I found your blog on a google search of EA - damn, it hurts! I'm on my fourth day and I feel like hell. I'm taking Tramadol (I'm a little scared of Vicodin) and it's managing the pain enough to work, but my left side is sore as all get-out.
Minor dietary changes can keep your guts from having a lot of pressure and thereby ease the pain a little - I've been told to eat more liquids, less protein just so my intestines don't have to work as much.
Hi,
I was diagnosed with EA via CT scan on March 6, 2013 and the paid has not subsided. I have a colonoscopy on July 15. There is no medication for this as doctors do not know what causes it and how it happens. Welcome to the world of confusion.
I've just had surgery for EA, was originally diagnosed as appendicitis as the CT showed inflammation in the area of the appendix, but at the op they found it was EA.
I actually got EA while on holiday in China, lucky I had the op when I got back to Australia. I'm an RN (reg nurse) but had never heard of EA until diagnosed with it.
Not all EA resolves by itself, mine was twisted on itself and attached to the peritoneal wall, so waiting for it to resolve by itself wouldn't have worked. As the reattachment to the peritoneal wall prevented the torsion resolving
Most literature advise to treat medically but if you have it more than 2 weeks or it keeps coming back, get a 2nd opinion.
My sympathy to fellow sufferers, so glad I am now pain free, well I have some pain from the op, but that 8-9/10 pain in my lower right abdo has gone, after being my constant companion for over a week. Yeah I also waited a week before going to the ER.
I just was diagnosed with this last night and I'm pregnant! this really sucks, but I appreciate the post.
I have Ea too. The pain is unbearable but I drink tart cherry juice it has helped so much in fighting the pain. Promgrante juice helps too you need antioxidants to repair the inflammation. Promgrante has the highest level try to get one thats gluten free. I am getting better day by day. Stay away from sugar stuff, and fried foods, and watch your salt intake. God bless hope you feel better soon.
I am going through Ea too. Tart cherry juice helps a lot with the pain. It brings it down so much sometimes I can't even feel the pain. Plus drink promgrante juice three times a day get your body all the antioxidants it's needs to feel better. It has helped a lot.
I was diagnosed with epiploic appendigitis three months ago after waiting 2 days with intense pain. They sent me home and said come back 24hrs later if it didn't go away. 12 hrs later I was back and put on morphine then a CT is how they found it. Question, does anyone know if there are any side effects from this condition like IBS?
I was getting severe pain in my lower right stomach last week. I had gone to the hospital and they told me it was an ulcer and would go away, and to eat as less as possible. 6 days later, I was in awful pain, and super hungry, and went to my dr who had me go back to a different hospital for a CT scan. After the doctor came in, he said I had EA. It is so awful, and still having it a week later is the worst. The pain meds are good at least, but it makes work (with kids) very difficult. I'm glad I could find this blog to see other people have it and its some what normal. Hope you're better soon!!!
I was diagnosed with EA about 3 weeks ago. I had surgery to remove my right ovary 2 weeks prior and wasn't healing. It really hurts in my right lower rib cage and left abdomen. It seems that anything other than lying flat aggravates it. I thought I should add a comment to let others know that this doesn't always heal within 1-2 weeks as many of the articles on the web say it should. Best wishes to anyone dealing with this awful pain.
Thank you out for these dietary tips. I have not had much success in finding some food suggestions. Dr said no restrictions and had no advice for food choices. Ugh. Was diagnosed three days ago
It's been almost five years since the original post. I'm sorry to see so many people suffering from EA. It seems like the doctors don't know a whole lot about what causes it, how long it lasts, or how to treat it.
It took a few weeks for RCC to feel 100% again, and it was very gradual. He hasn't had a recurrence, for which I'm very grateful (probably not as grateful as he is, though!).
Thanks for all the tips on diet - at least if people keep sharing what they did to manage their symptoms, maybe we can help newly diagnosed people.
Thanks to all for posting. I don't feel so alone now. Diagnosed yesterday in ER by perplexed Doc. Hoping it goes away soon. Just taking 600 mg Ibuprofen. Definitely going to buy some tart cherry and\or pomegranate juice.
I have some recurrent problems with diverticulitis and assumed that's what it was when I did my latest ER run, but was diagnosed with EA. The pain was never horrible,really, just annoying. It's been about three weeks and it just twinges when I've eaten a full meal, so I'm very grateful for the mild pain compared to what everybody else here has been going through! My problem is that I'm always on the watch for another diverticular flare, and this mimics it enough that it keeps me on edge!
I was just got a diagnosis of EA. Pain unbearable. Pain meds help but constipation . Had fever. Put on antibiotics. Taken off those because of diarrhea. Which causes even more pain. Put on Prednisone and Bentyl. Started BRATT diet. Bananas, rice ,applesauce, tea and toast. Feel a little better. Still have bad pain when up and about. Have lost 10 pounds in 18 days. Very frustrating. I want my life back.
Recently disgnosed with AE and having colonoscopy in 6 weeks to rule out diverticulitis. Pain that comes and goes on lower left side and all over cramping, bloating, constipation and gas. From articles I have read about AE it only lasts 2 days to 2 weeks. It's been about a month of symptoms. How long for other people before their system was back to normal?
I was diagnosed a year ago. Took three months before I felt no pain/discomfort. It came on suddeny. I never experienced a fever.
I have been experiencing symptoms again for the last three montgs. Not terrible pain. Mostly aching pain. I have had to rest a day or two a couple times. I have been reading more on this and finding information I didn't know of a year ago. Reaccurrances can happen... I am glad it is a benign condition.
Best of wishes to you
Here is a link to some information re EA
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1925058/
Surgery is an option in chronic cases. See link.
http://bmcsurg.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2482-7-11
Just diagnosed yesterday... :( A little scared. I went to the hospital after gradually increasing pain since Monday (Dx Wednesday) and I only went because there was clotty red blood when I tried to go to the bathroom all morning. Because of the blood, they were sure it was diverticulitis. Now they don't know where the blood's coming from. Colo-rectal specialist in about a month. Womp womp.
Last night I spent several hours at a local ER. I was convinced I had appendicitis. Most of my symptoms fit. I’d ruled out everything else after spending hours online. At the ER, the doc took my history and the nurse drew blood and took a urine sample from me. The doc also did an ultrasound of my abdomen. Finally, the radiologist did a CT scan with iodine contrast. From what I’d read these were the normal methods used to confirm appendicitis. After all the tests were in (two-and-a-half hours later), I was shocked when my doc came in and told me I had epiploic appendagitis. Yeah, I did a double-take, too. Nothing I’d found online mentioned epiploic appendagitis. I can usually pronounce anything but I hadn’t seen epiploic appendagitis before. Bottom line is that it’s self-limiting, doesn’t require antibiotics, does respond to anti-inflammatories, and I was really glad that my ER doc had even heard of it. Lucky me or I may have had a scar and a large expense for no good reason. And yes, it really sucks.
I am SO GLAD I found this blog. I am a 38 year old male. I had my appendix taken out when I was 23. I got the knife vs laparoscopic appendectomy. I have had issues with the surgical site (I'm a flight paramedic that lifts lots of patients and stretchers!). For the last few months I have noticed pain around my surgical site. I also noticed a inflamed mesenteric lymph node. Woke up yesterday with pain in my RLQ and went to the ED. I declined pain meds as I didn't want to be "that guy" looking for pain meds. I was a solid 4/10. I had a CT performed and less than 2 hours later I was at a 7-8/10. I received .5mg dilaudid and it didn't touch my pain. Couldn't find a position of comfort either. Received an additional 1mg of dilaudid and tordol. The tordol seemed to help. Going in for a surgery consult today. I can't begin to describe how bad this hurts. I had never heard of EA and the dr said she had never treated it. Oh, this is supposed to be treated with IV antibiotics as it's self-limiting but they haven't helped me at all. Netflix and chilling on the couch with my wife while hopped up on OxyContin...I can't stand pain meds so honestly would rather have the laparoscopic procedure to prevent this from reoccurring.
@danetaylor I am so sorry you're going through this. It's awful. I hope that you are able to find some relief. I don't know of anyone who has had the surgery (at least I don't recall any), since it's supposed to be self-limiting, but it would stand to reason that if they just laparoscopically snipped off the inflamed appendages that your pain would subside.
If you do have the surgery, please check back in and let us know how you're doing.
Hey guys. Had the laparoscopic procedure 2 days after being diagnosed in the ED. It's been almost 4 weeks and I feel GREAT! I am back at work with no lifting restrictions. The surgery was easy breezy. I even walked around my circle the same day! Was sore from the procedure for a few days but literally felt 100% better each day.
Thank you for this thread. I am on day 5 and while Meds help and pain level is much improved I am still hurting and finding it difficult to resume day to day activities. I can't imagine feeling like this for weeks let alone months. I keep reading that EA is rare. There seems to be a lot of us on this thread. Feel better every one.
My husband started having severe lower left pain in his abdomen, 3 days ago. It was in the middle of a huge blizzard. I asked him if he wanted me to call 911. His response, let's wait until to tomorrow. The next day was Monday and we had a snow day. He kept belching so I thought he just had gas.
Fast forward this morning Tuesday, drove him to hospital. Immediately gave him morphine and Zofran. Ran blood tests. Finally CT scan diagnosed EA.
He's home now, on Percaset and IBU 600.
Found this blog very informative. Thank-you.
Hoping it works it self out.
I've had EA since September along with ovarian cyst issues. I've managed to get pid some how without any explanation. I also have ibs issues. I have a tender abdomen most days. Its hurts to move at all.been in so much pain I spend a lot of time on the couch or in bed.the pain level is at least a 7 most days. Some days I would even say worse then being in labor Pain meds help but every doc I see won't give me anything. Tell me to take ibuprofen and rest since I'm only 26. Ibuprofen doesn't help me at all. So I suffer and go to work. I can't afford to miss work. I've seen many doctors and I've got no where with it.
Thought I had a stomach ache since Monday today is Friday. I was in the ER yesterday from 4p-1130p. Dr was stumped I had my appendix out in 99 complete hysterectomy 04 gallbladder in 2012. Ct ordered diagnosis EA I'm in pain walking and eating makes it a lot worse. Sorry to hear anyone else go through this. I can barely walk it's so bad. April in Oklahoma
This is way painful. For something rare there seems to be plenty of us with it all of a sudden. Today makes day 7 since symptoms surfaced and still hurting especially if I eat food. Er said nothing we can do pain meds and something for the nausea. Really messing with my exercise ability.
Glad to find this thread. I went to the hospital on Sat with intense left lower abdominal pain. I tried to push through it all day, but was miserable, it hurt to stand, talk, and just be nice. I finally went to the ER at 8:00pm. I had a fever, pain, and was just not feeling well. They gave me morphine, which did not touch the pain, and then dilaudid which took the pain to a 5-6. I had a CT scan which the doctor told me I have diverticulitis. Was given two IV bags one with Flagyl, and one Cipro. They sent me home and told me to return in 48 hours if the pain was still severe. Well instead of going back to the ER I went to my doctor. He was not happy with the pain I was in and also noticed that I had UTI (from the hospital results) and was not being treated for that. So he prescribed another antibiotic. In the mean time I had not had a bowel movement sense Sat. morning (which I had never had a problem with) so he was concerned. He told me to buy some Milk of Magnesia to see if that would help. If I had a bowel movement and was still in pain he wanted me to go back to the ER. Well it took about 13 hours and 60ml. to get things moving. I should mention that I was very bloated too. I called my doctor to make sure he wanted me to go back and he did. They did another CT scan with Contrast this time and came back with the diagnosis of Epiploic appendicitis (EA) I had never heard of this! They want me to finish all the antibiotics and now take an anti-inflammatory (800 Motrin). I am still in pain this morning, but not as bad, about a 5. I go to my doctor tomorrow morning to find out what the next step should be in this journey.
I was diagnosed EA today. I started fo feel pain last Saturday and I went to see a doctor yesterday and took a CT scan. I thought it was appendicitis bec of the symptoms but i never had a fever since saturday and i never felt ill expect with the annoying pain on my lower right abdomen. I'm still here in the hospital right now reading your comments and waiting for me to be discharged. Please let me know on how to improve my situation and how to recover asap. Thanks
I went to the ER with left lower abdominal pain, that lasted a few days before I went in, I was bloated and it felt as if my abdomen was being ripped out.. very painful. And still very painful. Sent home with Percocet to last a couple days, and antibiotics. This pain sucks.. and I have to work a 16 hour shift tomorrow. I don't know. I do know that if I lay really still, it seems to help.
Glad to have found this blog! Woke up 2 days ago to what I can only describe as a knife in the LLQ. I grinned and beared it day one. Day 2 woke up to same pain only worse so I decided to go to the ER as I knew my doc would send there anyway. After downing 60 ozs of that wonderful oral contrast barium sulfate I went into get the CT scan. DX was EA. I am allergic to opioid pain meds...learned that years ago with multiple spontaneous Pneumothorax. So not only is this the most nagging, annoying pain but I basically have to grab and bear it until it's gone because anytime I have pain tghe docs have no idea what to do for me. Good thing I have a high tolerance for pain. I'm a 38 yr old male btw.
It certainly does suck! My exercise regimen has fallen off the cliff and my lawn is beginning to look like a jungle(lots of rain lately). I'm 4 days in and pain still keeps me from walking normally. It doesn't help that I'm dealing with no pain meds at all, I'm allergic to opioids...good luck to you!
Thankful to have found this thread! I'm 29 and went to an urgent care center yesterday after 3 days of intense pain on my left side. When I described my symptoms, they told me to go right to the ER, as I would more than likely need a CT scan. Shortly after the scan, they came in and told me I had EA..but not much else. She described it as being almost like a "virus" that settles in a particular area and causes pain. Prescribed me Naproxen and sent me on my way. Obviously I had never heard of it, and it didn't help that all websites about EA weren't written in plain English, but using all medical terms. I'm grateful to have found dietary tips to support the recovery. Hoping everyone is feeling relief!
Going thru the same thing right now , it's taking forever to resolve itself.
I was diagnosed last Wednesday and can confirm that this pain is no joke. I'm hurting so very very bad. I suffer from severe constipation problems and take linzess daily, just to be able to move my bowls regularly so of course when they prescribed Percocet I wanted nothing to do with it. 5 minutes after the dilauded wore off I was begging my husband to fill my prescription while laying in the fetal position crying. Hoping it resolves itself sooner rather than later because this pain is no joke
Just adding to the chorus here of this 'rare' nuisance.
News year's day the pain started - and I actually had an early night for nye, definitely no alcohol. I waited until midnight to go to the e.r, since I did't want to be fobbed off as just having a hangover.
Anyway, that's what happened, so I waited til the following day to see my doctor. CT was ordered, and the result came back for EA.
Now for me, I'm a lifelong sufferer of IBS - so I'm pretty familiar with bowel pain. And it's never lasted as long as this, but like so many here, I've been told to wait it out. No suggestions on how to manage it, but I've surmised on my own that ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory, is what might help.
It's a little disconcerting how it's 'treated' - I'm thankful that the radiologist however knew what he was looking at. I also have thickening around my bowel wall, and again, the doctor didn't mention anything about that, but again, I'm guessing that's the IBS.
I can have 4 or 5 or more BM's a day when my IBS flares, am of a very healthy weight, and generally watch what I eat - just a shame this condition is a proverbial black hole of professional help or even advice.
Hi all. I've just come across this blog and am so grateful to know that I am not alone. After 13 months of almost constant pain at a level of 4 to 5 ( up to 8 on many occasions) I have finally been diagnosed with EA. It took going to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. to get this diagnosis! I've been to the ER twice, had every test, including 4 CT scans, colonoscopy, MRI and exploratory laparoscopic surgery in December of 2017 and no one could figure out why I had this horrible lower left abdominal pain! I had never heard of this condition, and everything I've read since my diagnosis says that it is self-limiting and resolves on it's own after a week or so. Not the case!! The doctor at Mayo also told me that I had developed Narcotic Bowel Syndrome, which has perpetuated my pain. His treatment plan includes weaning off of the pain medication I'm on (Norco) followed by 2 types of nerve medication; one for my central nervous system (brain) and one for my gut nervous system. I have an appointment today with my GP to discuss this treatment plan and am praying that I can soon close this year-long chapter of my life. I literally feel like I've lost a year, as this condition has left me lying on the sofa with a heating pad, missing out on pretty much everything. Good luck to all who have dealt with this awful and elusive condition!
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