1. < Digestive Health

Ischemic Colitis

Posted by spivak @spivak, Jun 21, 2022

My husband, 74 yrs old, was diagnosed with Ischemic Colitis 2 months ago. He had a pretty severe episode of non-stop abdominal cramps with urges to go to the bathroom and with every bowel movement he was passing blood clots.
We checked in to Emergency Department. He had a colonoscopy with further pathology. The dr finally said that he thinks it's Ischemic Colitis. The Dr. ordered an MRI to check the Blood flow in the abdominal area. The results were normal. The Dr. said its good news, most likely the blood flow was interrupted in the small vessels and that that is better then if large vessels are constricted. No meds were suggested and basically no diet restrictions.
After this episode, my husband recovered and for 2 months he felt well.
Unfortunately this morning he had another flare.
Can someone, who has a similar condition, can share how you manage the flares and what usually triggers the flares. Are you on any medication.

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cgent | @cgent | Jun 22, 2022

Yes and yes ... check my other posts on colitis diets and balsalazide disodium RX. Mostly avoid caffeine, fatty foods, and carbonated drinks. Cut way back on beef and pork, rather eat lean turkey and chicken. No chocolate. Eat good grains, avoiding more highly processed foods.

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Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Jun 22, 2022

@spivak - I’m sorry for what your husband has developed.
Question: was all the work up done in the ER?
There is a gap of information in my mind- he is diagnosed with ischemic colitis, but all tests did not show direct evidence of impaired blood flow, just an assumption.
To my knowledge, the best way to determine abdominal blood flow is through Doppler ultrasound. Any positive result then could be confirmed with a CT angiogram.
Does he have a gastroenterologist managing his problem?

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Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Jun 23, 2022

@spivak - thought you might like to read some of the other discussion about Ischemic Colitis: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ischemic-colitis-2b7d41/

Ischemic colitis: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ischemic-colitis-2c114f/

Diet after bleeding from Ischemic colitis: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ischemic-colitis-1/

I would be interested in knowing the answers to Inge's questions as well.

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laurenlass11 | @laurenlass11 | Jul 13 8:00pm

Hi name is lauren my mum just been taking in hospital she collapsed and had sickness and diarrhea we couldn't get her up i witnessed her collapsed so did my 3 year old who's extremely close to her I also had my 11 month old there it was terrible I couldn't get her up and ambulance wasn't there for hours, I wanted to freak out and breakdown but my kids were there so I couldn't me and mum have been best friends all our life's and she also helps when can with my 11 month and 3 year old I also care for her because she has kidney disease and other health issues she's my best friend I dont know what I would cope or do if I lose her .
We waited in hospital for hours with a 3 year old and baby and people were judging us on bringing them but I had nobody else to take them my dad was with me and she was diagnosed with ischemic colitis this is the second time she had it ( is this normal l?
But this time its worst they wanted to remove her bowel but there gonna try other things her blood pressure so low and she's going into a high dependency unit soon I am so anxious and panicking sorry for long post just needed to connect too others going through same thing

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1 reply
margot6425 | @margot6425 | Jul 14 6:17am
In reply to @laurenlass11 "Hi name is lauren my mum just been taking in hospital she collapsed and had sickness..." + (show)
@laurenlass11

Hi name is lauren my mum just been taking in hospital she collapsed and had sickness and diarrhea we couldn't get her up i witnessed her collapsed so did my 3 year old who's extremely close to her I also had my 11 month old there it was terrible I couldn't get her up and ambulance wasn't there for hours, I wanted to freak out and breakdown but my kids were there so I couldn't me and mum have been best friends all our life's and she also helps when can with my 11 month and 3 year old I also care for her because she has kidney disease and other health issues she's my best friend I dont know what I would cope or do if I lose her .
We waited in hospital for hours with a 3 year old and baby and people were judging us on bringing them but I had nobody else to take them my dad was with me and she was diagnosed with ischemic colitis this is the second time she had it ( is this normal l?
But this time its worst they wanted to remove her bowel but there gonna try other things her blood pressure so low and she's going into a high dependency unit soon I am so anxious and panicking sorry for long post just needed to connect too others going through same thing

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Hi Lauren,
That must have been a terrible experience for you and your small children. I am so sorry the ambulance took so long to get to your house to help you. I also hope your Mother is feeling better and the doctors can save her bowel.

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lkcwhitten | @lkcwhitten | Jul 14 3:13pm

I had an eschemic colitis attack at 45 (I’m 62 now) which my doctors told me was rare for a younger person. Spent four days in the hospital. I was taken off all NSAIDS and muscle relaxers. I was having cervical spinal surgery a few weeks latter, so was in a lot of pain.
I would definitely let your specialist know when you have a flare, they may want to check him again. I’ve been lucky so far.
Will be thinking of you two.

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