The ABC Homeopathy Forum
Diverticulosis
My dad 75 yrs was diagnosed with diverticulosis 8 months ago. He used to get pain in the lower left abdomen. Pain has become less frequent, occurs about once in 4 days. His main problem is he has a lot of gas, bloating/belching/burping and a dull headache which we are unable to understand. The headache prevents him from doing much. He has lost a lot of weigh(13 pounds in 6 months) being on a restricted diet. Further we got a CT scan which showed 20% calcification of the abdominal aorta. We were told that is not threatening and he should have frequent meals. However the gas and the dull headache still remain. Please suggest and help..Vikmere on 2004-07-04
This is just a forum. Assume posts are not from medical professionals.
what medication is father currently using?
what medications/treatments has father used in past? please list (though may take some reflection)
what's his temperment? How has this changed (if at all)?
what medications/treatments has father used in past? please list (though may take some reflection)
what's his temperment? How has this changed (if at all)?
♡ John Stanton last decade
John,
First of thanks very much for your prompt reply. Currently he is(and has for more than 20 years been using standard medication for blood pressure and angina(although his stable angina is not confirmed he is taking angina medication). Other than that he does not seem to do well nor has much faith in allopathic(convention drugs) medicine so he is not on any medication. Earlier 8 months ago when he was diagnosed with diverticulosis he toll standard antibiotics for a week. It helped some but the problem with gas and pain remained. Pain is not there anymore. 3 months ago we visited a homeopath who managed to remove the pain. The excessive gas and headache still remain accompanied by intermittent pain.
Food is vegetables that digest easily. Diet is sparse because of the gas problem. Motion is regular. He takes Psyllium husk before going to bed. He has to take sleeping medication to help him sleep else sleep does not come easily.
An hour or 90 minutes after lunch he gets this dull headache which is very discomforting. If he tries to sleep in the afternoon(which he used to earlier) he gets a sudden jerk/spasm type in his head that prevents him from sleeping. That is the big problem.
Thanks again for your help
First of thanks very much for your prompt reply. Currently he is(and has for more than 20 years been using standard medication for blood pressure and angina(although his stable angina is not confirmed he is taking angina medication). Other than that he does not seem to do well nor has much faith in allopathic(convention drugs) medicine so he is not on any medication. Earlier 8 months ago when he was diagnosed with diverticulosis he toll standard antibiotics for a week. It helped some but the problem with gas and pain remained. Pain is not there anymore. 3 months ago we visited a homeopath who managed to remove the pain. The excessive gas and headache still remain accompanied by intermittent pain.
Food is vegetables that digest easily. Diet is sparse because of the gas problem. Motion is regular. He takes Psyllium husk before going to bed. He has to take sleeping medication to help him sleep else sleep does not come easily.
An hour or 90 minutes after lunch he gets this dull headache which is very discomforting. If he tries to sleep in the afternoon(which he used to earlier) he gets a sudden jerk/spasm type in his head that prevents him from sleeping. That is the big problem.
Thanks again for your help
Vikmere last decade
I forgot to mention about the temperament.He temperament is impulsive,gets angry easily, wants things done immediately etc. His temperament has changed in the sense that he gets anxious. Also he does not feel like doing activity. However if he is not having headache or gas he is full of vitality and eager to do things.
Vikmere last decade
♡ John Stanton last decade
You are fast! No white spots on the finger-nails however left hand finger nails are yellowish. When he was diagnosed for diverticulosis via colonoscopy he was not given the right antibiotics to my knowledge. Anyway later he was given flagil and it apparently helped and he was ok for about a week or so. This was 8 months ago. Since then he is having this problem. The heaviness in the head persists after food and pretty much remains off and on until the night. The nights seem to be ok. One thing though, the heaviness in the head is more pronounced while lying down than when walking or active.
Vikmere last decade
flagil or metronidazole eliminates bacteria and other microorganisms that cause infections--this also eliminates healthy digestive flora/bacteria---first have father start using a priobiotic product --something with similar ingrediants ,,as follows,----,Lactobacillus acidophilus: 60%
Bifidobacterium bifidum: 15%
Lactobacillus bulgaricus: 15%
Streptococcus thermophilus: 5%
Lactobacillus salivarius: 5%---
next --what name of ''sleep'' medicine father takes?
what name of angina medicine?
any vision/eye complaints/problems?
Bifidobacterium bifidum: 15%
Lactobacillus bulgaricus: 15%
Streptococcus thermophilus: 5%
Lactobacillus salivarius: 5%---
next --what name of ''sleep'' medicine father takes?
what name of angina medicine?
any vision/eye complaints/problems?
♡ John Stanton last decade
please explain what is meant by father getting "...anxious..."".
the temperament you describe --has father always been that way? what changes observed in past 8 months?
the temperament you describe --has father always been that way? what changes observed in past 8 months?
♡ John Stanton last decade
He takes "Ativan" for sleeping and has been taking this for the last 7 years. He did take probiotics for about a week etc, then we were asked to stop it because it may exaggerate gas formation. Moreover its been 8 months since the antibiotics so the good bacteria should have grown/regenerated by now? The angina medicine is called angispan and contains the standard nitroglycerine. No vision problems.
No change in temperament really. When I say anxious I mean he gets worried easily. However that is only when he is having symptoms.
Thanks
No change in temperament really. When I say anxious I mean he gets worried easily. However that is only when he is having symptoms.
Thanks
Vikmere last decade
Also I got a new probiotic which contains L. Acidophilus B.Bifidum and B.Longum only. This apparently may be less gas forming. Should I start that? Its called Kyo-Dophilus.
Vikmere last decade
will find ativan complicates father's symptomology and in itself will interfere with homoeopathic treatment--any allopathic medicine taken (habitually) will mask symptoms --this treatment is to ease father's symptoms--curative as whole--is questionable due to medication use..pallitation will be the course of action
after starting priobotics as mentioned --1 dose "ONLY" hepar sulph 30c----
avoid all acidic foods and drinks--alcoholic beverages,coffee,tea,fruit and fruit juices,vinegar,sour foods,coca-cola,pepsi and such...etc
post back response or lack of--
after starting priobotics as mentioned --1 dose "ONLY" hepar sulph 30c----
avoid all acidic foods and drinks--alcoholic beverages,coffee,tea,fruit and fruit juices,vinegar,sour foods,coca-cola,pepsi and such...etc
post back response or lack of--
♡ John Stanton last decade
thanks for your response. Also he has taken yesterday two doses of lachesis 200 based upon your recommendation in the forum to someone with similiar symptoms. Can he take Hepar Suph today or should he wait.
Vikmere last decade
why lachesis--each case different..i didnt tell you that..
no hepar--need to wait and access what lach will do....
start priobiotics now
follow the restrictions mentioned above
post back any changes
no hepar--need to wait and access what lach will do....
start priobiotics now
follow the restrictions mentioned above
post back any changes
♡ John Stanton last decade
Yesterday took two doses of lachesis. No noticeable difference. Should we continue lachesis or should we start on Hepar
Vikmere last decade
no more lachesis--
1 dose "only" nux-vomica 30c before bed--1 dose 1 time on 1 evening only---do not repeat the dose at all ...
MUST start priobotics as mentioned
MUST avoid all acidic foods and drinks--alcoholic beverages,coffee,tea,fruit and fruit juices,vinegar,sour foods,coca-cola,pepsi and such...etc--also avoid spicy foods..
AGAIN I re-WRITE (from above)so as to impress
will find ativan complicates father's symptomology and in itself will interfere with homoeopathic treatment--any allopathic medicine taken (habitually) will mask symptoms --this treatment is to ease father's symptoms--curative as whole--is questionable due to medication use..pallitation will be the course of action
post back response or lack of--
1 dose "only" nux-vomica 30c before bed--1 dose 1 time on 1 evening only---do not repeat the dose at all ...
MUST start priobotics as mentioned
MUST avoid all acidic foods and drinks--alcoholic beverages,coffee,tea,fruit and fruit juices,vinegar,sour foods,coca-cola,pepsi and such...etc--also avoid spicy foods..
AGAIN I re-WRITE (from above)so as to impress
will find ativan complicates father's symptomology and in itself will interfere with homoeopathic treatment--any allopathic medicine taken (habitually) will mask symptoms --this treatment is to ease father's symptoms--curative as whole--is questionable due to medication use..pallitation will be the course of action
post back response or lack of--
♡ John Stanton last decade
Thanks for your response. Will discontinue Lechasis and take nux vomica per your suggestion Took a capsule of the probiotic with lunch today. Its evening here(We are out of country..its evening here). All day today mostly after lunch there was pressure/pain in the lower abdomen. Wonder if the probiotic caused it(as I mentioned earlier it is known to cause gas)? This pain..is it due to diverticulae being present or is it due to the calcification that is in the abdominal aorta? We had a CT scan done which showed normal except for the 20%calcification. Wonder if we should get a barium enema test done to get a clearer picture or is it redundant given that we have a CT scan already.
Thanks much
Thanks much
Vikmere last decade
Also this pain usually subsides in an hour or so and is mostly pronounced on the lower left side of the abdomen.
Vikmere last decade
Hello Vikmere,
I just saw your post today & got my attention...
Anyway, first of all, I am neither a homeopathic or an allopathic doctor, but will share my knowledge as asked.
Please share the following:
1. Where are you located & what do u do?
2. Do you understand the very very basics of homeopathy? If yes, it will help you understand what/how John is trying to help you.
Like mentioned by you, I also have a strong feeling that your Dad did not get the right antibiotics. When did he take flagil & what was given by the homeopath to control the pain. Did he take another antibiotic alongwith flagil as I don't think flagil itself can cure the infection. It does help to control the spread of the infection & should be taken alongwith an antibiotic like Cipro. Was anything else (any other antibiotic) given to him?
As per my understanding, the pain is due to the infection (diverticulitis). Not being able to pass gas, is sometimes due to blockage in the large intestine.
Although, you have been told that this is not serious, but as far as my understanding, and I am not trying to scare you, this if having infection, can be a serious matter & can land up in the emergency... is life threatening as per my doctor. Allopathy does not have any cure as a permanent solution but can immediately control the infection, which may be possible with homeopathy too with the right remedy/treatment.
Ask him to lie down on a flat surface & then press gently the abdominal area around the pain area, does it hurt? IF hurts, he may have diverticulitis. Does he have any problem in urination, blood in urine or stools?
The headache is because of the problem as I did get those too, when I had the diverticulitis & went away after I took the antibiotics. The doctors also gave me flagil & Cipro. Do not take Cipro or anything out of this discussion as it may interfere with his bloodpressure medication etc. as all cases are different. As asked I am only sharing what I learn't from my experience & is not any advise.
IF acceptable by your doctor, a light exercise regimen is highly recommeneded for diverticulosis, & eating dinner few hours before going to sleep.
Diverticulosis itself may not be causing these problems. They say a lot of people have this & don't even know if it exists till you get an infection or symptoms like diverticulitis (infection in diverticulae). I am not sure how much you understand all this.
Let me know if you have any further questions or if I can be of any further help.
John, I hope you don't mind my jumping in the post like this but I was asked to share my experience & I wanted to let you know what I am writing so I posted the response hear.
Thanks & Best Regards,
Good luck with your Father's treatment.
I just saw your post today & got my attention...
Anyway, first of all, I am neither a homeopathic or an allopathic doctor, but will share my knowledge as asked.
Please share the following:
1. Where are you located & what do u do?
2. Do you understand the very very basics of homeopathy? If yes, it will help you understand what/how John is trying to help you.
Like mentioned by you, I also have a strong feeling that your Dad did not get the right antibiotics. When did he take flagil & what was given by the homeopath to control the pain. Did he take another antibiotic alongwith flagil as I don't think flagil itself can cure the infection. It does help to control the spread of the infection & should be taken alongwith an antibiotic like Cipro. Was anything else (any other antibiotic) given to him?
As per my understanding, the pain is due to the infection (diverticulitis). Not being able to pass gas, is sometimes due to blockage in the large intestine.
Although, you have been told that this is not serious, but as far as my understanding, and I am not trying to scare you, this if having infection, can be a serious matter & can land up in the emergency... is life threatening as per my doctor. Allopathy does not have any cure as a permanent solution but can immediately control the infection, which may be possible with homeopathy too with the right remedy/treatment.
Ask him to lie down on a flat surface & then press gently the abdominal area around the pain area, does it hurt? IF hurts, he may have diverticulitis. Does he have any problem in urination, blood in urine or stools?
The headache is because of the problem as I did get those too, when I had the diverticulitis & went away after I took the antibiotics. The doctors also gave me flagil & Cipro. Do not take Cipro or anything out of this discussion as it may interfere with his bloodpressure medication etc. as all cases are different. As asked I am only sharing what I learn't from my experience & is not any advise.
IF acceptable by your doctor, a light exercise regimen is highly recommeneded for diverticulosis, & eating dinner few hours before going to sleep.
Diverticulosis itself may not be causing these problems. They say a lot of people have this & don't even know if it exists till you get an infection or symptoms like diverticulitis (infection in diverticulae). I am not sure how much you understand all this.
Let me know if you have any further questions or if I can be of any further help.
John, I hope you don't mind my jumping in the post like this but I was asked to share my experience & I wanted to let you know what I am writing so I posted the response hear.
Thanks & Best Regards,
Good luck with your Father's treatment.
RandyTX last decade
Hi Randy,
Thanks for your response.
My dad and I are in Mumbai(Bombay)India currently. We plan to fly back to Los Angeles once he recovers or is able to fly. I do have an idea of homeopathy and my dad knows quite a bit about it. I own a software business. As far as diverticulitis is concerned you make a good point. I am still confused though because diverticulitis is associated with pain which can be there independant of meals. Moreover there can be sometimes blood in the stool etc and also fever. All these symptoms are absent with him. The pain that is there is only after he takes meals and that too in the afternoon. But he does feel pain when the left abdomen is pressed anytime. My conjecture is that
a)He has diverticulae(basically pouches). This is also known as diverticulosis. It is known to sometimes give bloating sensation and also a crampy feeling in the lower left abdomen. Perhaps having diverticulosis might also feel tender upon pressing it?. I will certainly investigate the possibility of blockage in the intestine as being the reason for not being able to pass gas. However I am assuming the CT scan would show any major blockage.
Thanks
Thanks for your response.
My dad and I are in Mumbai(Bombay)India currently. We plan to fly back to Los Angeles once he recovers or is able to fly. I do have an idea of homeopathy and my dad knows quite a bit about it. I own a software business. As far as diverticulitis is concerned you make a good point. I am still confused though because diverticulitis is associated with pain which can be there independant of meals. Moreover there can be sometimes blood in the stool etc and also fever. All these symptoms are absent with him. The pain that is there is only after he takes meals and that too in the afternoon. But he does feel pain when the left abdomen is pressed anytime. My conjecture is that
a)He has diverticulae(basically pouches). This is also known as diverticulosis. It is known to sometimes give bloating sensation and also a crampy feeling in the lower left abdomen. Perhaps having diverticulosis might also feel tender upon pressing it?. I will certainly investigate the possibility of blockage in the intestine as being the reason for not being able to pass gas. However I am assuming the CT scan would show any major blockage.
Thanks
Vikmere last decade
Hello Vikmere,
You can check on this, but I think having diverticulosis does not necessarily give you pain, it can be a dormant problem without major problems. Only when infection gets into the pouches, called diverticulitis, or the pouches burst causing bleeding etc. which leads to surgery are all complications of diverticulosis.
First time I found out about diverticulitis, I did not have fever or any other symptoms, only gassy & pain on pressing. The pain went away after a course of antibiotics. There is no cure in allopathy for diverticulosis.
It is also a possibility that with incomplete allopathic treatment etc. the infection may not have been eradicated completely. In general the pain could have been because of gas but because it hurts by pressing does give me a pleasant feeling... John & others or your allopathic doctor can comment on that.
If you are Indian origin, then you already have a lot of fiber in your diet & drastic changes in diet may not bring significant desired changes.
Any kind of blockage should show up in the scan. Sometimes, this is all related & gas cannot be passed. The body has a great healing power. Any blockage if occurs is a risky matter & should get medical attention immediately.
All this above is my own opinion out of experience. Like mentioned before I am not related in any way to the medical field & need further evaluation/ remedy suggestion by others who are knowledgeable in this area. So my comments above may be read with caution.
Best of Luck!!!
You can check on this, but I think having diverticulosis does not necessarily give you pain, it can be a dormant problem without major problems. Only when infection gets into the pouches, called diverticulitis, or the pouches burst causing bleeding etc. which leads to surgery are all complications of diverticulosis.
First time I found out about diverticulitis, I did not have fever or any other symptoms, only gassy & pain on pressing. The pain went away after a course of antibiotics. There is no cure in allopathy for diverticulosis.
It is also a possibility that with incomplete allopathic treatment etc. the infection may not have been eradicated completely. In general the pain could have been because of gas but because it hurts by pressing does give me a pleasant feeling... John & others or your allopathic doctor can comment on that.
If you are Indian origin, then you already have a lot of fiber in your diet & drastic changes in diet may not bring significant desired changes.
Any kind of blockage should show up in the scan. Sometimes, this is all related & gas cannot be passed. The body has a great healing power. Any blockage if occurs is a risky matter & should get medical attention immediately.
All this above is my own opinion out of experience. Like mentioned before I am not related in any way to the medical field & need further evaluation/ remedy suggestion by others who are knowledgeable in this area. So my comments above may be read with caution.
Best of Luck!!!
RandyTX last decade
Correction above in previous post, should read:
....because it hurts by pressing, does NOT give me a pleasant feeling...
....because it hurts by pressing, does NOT give me a pleasant feeling...
RandyTX last decade
Hi all,
Randy diverticulosis does in fact cause pain,usually in the lower left abdomen,along with chills and fever.Diverticulitis is what it is called when the diverticuli become inflamed but they do not always burst and bleed.I have several attacks per weekwith this and life is not the same.My doctor said I need to eat a high fiber diet and not to eat any foods that contained seeds.
Randy diverticulosis does in fact cause pain,usually in the lower left abdomen,along with chills and fever.Diverticulitis is what it is called when the diverticuli become inflamed but they do not always burst and bleed.I have several attacks per weekwith this and life is not the same.My doctor said I need to eat a high fiber diet and not to eat any foods that contained seeds.
cshaw1958 last decade
Also forgot to mention that my doctor indicated that resting the colon will help and it actually does,I use a liquid diet for 2 days along with bed rest and what a difference.
cshaw1958 last decade
Trifla is available at all indian stores. It helps a lot in Diverticulosis.
♡ girilal last decade
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