[Artificial Disc Replacement / Lumbar] L4/L5, Active L, 3/17/09, Dr. Rolando Garcia

[Justin]

Justin, is it possible to put that explanation above as a sticky on the top of the forum? You did such a great job, and I hate having such gems buried

It doesn't take much to confuse me

Hi Katie,

I put the information above in another thread (with Kathy's permission, of course). See this link...
Your Artificial Disc Replacement Questions Answered Here!

Thanks!

[KBear]

Great news, I get to have my very first roto-rooter! Yea. I saw the gastro doc yesterday, he put me on a prescription laxative and ordered testing. I have a baruim test with x-ray tomorrow (pretty sure this is for the upper and small gi). I hear the barium tastes wonderful, can't wait, getting hungry already! Actually, I had heard that the glucose testing when preggo was bad and that the stuff tasted bad; but by the time I was given it (and after fasting), I was so dang hungry, that I drank it down in 30 seconds flat (and liked it). So maybe, just maybe, the same will be true for barium, although not likely.

I then have a colonoscopy scheduled for Monday. I can only hope for good drugs, so I just don't give a crap (pun intended).

The doctor wasn't convinced it was adhesions, he asked if colon cancer ran in my family (which it doesn't, although in 80% of the population, it doesn't) and he suggested that maybe a nerve that controls the gi was injured during surgery.

I still feel it is an adhesion causing a partial blockage. It has gotten really bad, severe consipation, trouble passing gas, small or narrow stools (there is a technical word for this; but can't remember it), nausea, vommitting, extreme thirst, swollen abdomen, and so on. I am thinking that if it is a blockage, tomorrows test will show. Wish me luck and I will let you know, when I know.

[Justin]

Great news, I get to have my very first roto-rooter! Yea. I saw the gastro doc yesterday, he put me on a prescription laxative and ordered testing. I have a baruim test with x-ray tomorrow (pretty sure this is for the upper and small gi). I hear the barium tastes wonderful, can't wait, getting hungry already! Actually, I had heard that the glucose testing when preggo was bad and that the stuff tasted bad; but by the time I was given it (and after fasting), I was so dang hungry, that I drank it down in 30 seconds flat (and liked it). So maybe, just maybe, the same will be true for barium, although not likely.

I had an upper GI series a couple years ago that required barium and it didn't taste that bad.

I then have a colonoscopy scheduled for Monday. I can only hope for good drugs, so I just don't give a crap (pun intended).

Nice one!

The doctor wasn't convinced it was adhesions, he asked if colon cancer ran in my family (which it doesn't, although in 80% of the population, it doesn't) and he suggested that maybe a nerve that controls the gi was injured during surgery.

I still feel it is an adhesion causing a partial blockage. It has gotten really bad, severe consipation, trouble passing gas, small or narrow stools (there is a technical word for this; but can't remember it), nausea, vommitting, extreme thirst, swollen abdomen, and so on. I am thinking that if it is a blockage, tomorrows test will show. Wish me luck and I will let you know, when I know.

Good luck tomorrow! Hopefully, this will help reveal what is causing your problems.

[Katie]

We must be living parallel lives, Kathy.

I just got a call from the gastro specialist for an appointment that I've been waiting for since last August, and I only got it on Thursday because of a cancellation. I'm getting both an upper GI and a colonoscopy to find the reasons behind my ciliac like symptoms.

But instead of giving me barium, I'm getting some stuff called Colyle, a gallon worth, that I have to drink through tomorrow till midnight, along with lots of clear fluids. My scopes aren't till 1 pm on Friday....I'm just hoping that my morphine doesn't eat a hole in my empty stomach over that time.

Nothing like working both ends towards the middle

[KBear]

We must be living parallel lives, Kathy.

I just got a call from the gastro specialist for an appointment that I've been waiting for since last August, and I only got it on Thursday because of a cancellation. I'm getting both an upper GI and a colonoscopy to find the reasons behind my ciliac like symptoms.

But instead of giving me barium, I'm getting some stuff called Colyle, a gallon worth, that I have to drink through tomorrow till midnight, along with lots of clear fluids. My scopes aren't till 1 pm on Friday....I'm just hoping that my morphine doesn't eat a hole in my empty stomach over that time.

Nothing like working both ends towards the middle

That's crazy that we are both having the exact same procedures. We can be the 'sh*t sisters' I am pretty sure the barium test if upper gi and small bowels. Sadly, I am looking forward to drinking all the laxative and finally being able to go. I think it is a small bowel partial blockage (Can you tell, I'm a dr.... at least I should be with all the medical crap I have been through, and my kids, both had horrible reflux, one almost requiring corrective surgery and one had ear problems) Anyway, I think I will know something tomorrow, I really don't think it has anything to do with the colon. I guess we can compare horror stories , or sh*t stories, whatever you want to call it.

[trkdoc714]

Aah the one gallon of lime flavored drink. I'll never be able to drink a Sprite again.

The bright side was the flock geese that hang out (and poo everywhere) at the lake built an alter in my honor.........

[runagain]

Katie,

Sorry, I think you are (were) getting stuff called go-lytely, or something to that effect. You will poop, for sure.
Kbear,
Sending warm bear hugs to get you through this.
That goes for Katie, too, nice warm bear hugs.

[KBear]

Yuck, the barium was disgusting. At first it didn't seem too bad, but the more I drank, the worse it got. Maybe if you didn't have to drink so much, it wouldn't seem that bad. I thought I was going to vomit and finally after drinking 3/4 of it, the nice lady said I could quit. Yea! So then the x-rays began, every 10 minutes, then every 20 minutes. It was 1 hour from the start to finish. I still feel sick from the barium, like I just want to throw up. Eeeck... Hopefully, I will have the results in the next day or two.

[Justin]

Yuck, the barium was disgusting. At first it didn't seem too bad, but the more I drank, the worse it got. Maybe if you didn't have to drink so much, it wouldn't seem that bad. I thought I was going to vomit and finally after drinking 3/4 of it, the nice lady said I could quit. Yea! So then the x-rays began, every 10 minutes, then every 20 minutes. It was 1 hour from the start to finish. I still feel sick from the barium, like I just want to throw up. Eeeck... Hopefully, I will have the results in the next day or two.

Hope you're feeling better soon. I guess I'm weird.. the barium wasn't all that bad for me.

I bet you're anxious for the results...keep us posted!

[Dave]

Kbear,

I hope everything comes out ok.

I know this isn't funny in any way, but you and Katie have painted such a vivid picture I could not resist.

Although I have not been scoped yey, I was told that next year it is my turn.

Really, I hope everything is Ok with you and get better real soon.