A funny thing happened during my 18-mile run this past weekend. Somewhere around mile 8, I suddenly felt a sharp, lower abdominal pain that brought me to a dead halt.
I joked with my daughter that it must have been the Mexican food I had for lunch on Friday, but I was very careful to not have anything particularly spicy. This pain did not feel like gas, though. It was like a vice tightened around my lower abdomen, and every step was excruciatingly painful.
We were a good 3 1/2 miles from our cars, so we forged ahead. However, I was relegated to a snail's pace, trying to make it to our next main stop at least 1 1/2 miles up the trail. Well, so much for the remaining 9 miles.
Once admitted to ER, the attending physician had me hooked up to an IV, blood drawn and ordered a CT. The 3 possible issues she listed were a ruptured ovarian cyst (I said, okay, next), kidney stones (I said, nope, try again) or an abdominal issue (to which I said, I'll go with that one).
Well, the scan showed cysts on my right ovary, lymph nodes and liver; but she didn't think they were serious enough to cause concern; my white blood cell count was down, not unexpected, since I have lupus; and my body was colder than it should have been, odd, since she expected an elevated temperature.
The final diagnosis: mesenteric lymphadenitis, an inflammation of the mesenteric lymph nodes in the abdomen and that mimics appendicitis. Lymph adenitis is caused by a bacterial infection in lymph nodes. She said she sees this more often in teens.
OK, so my lymph node thinks I'm a teenager? Is that a good thing?
Here's what I could find about adenitis:
The Wikipedia definition
Mesenteric lymphadenitis, Mayo Clinic
Treatment (excerpt from MayoClinic.com)
Mild, uncomplicated cases of mesenteric lymphadenitis and those caused by a virus usually go away on their own within a few days or weeks. To help ease discomfort, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and fever reducers may help. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for a moderate to severe bacterial infection.
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Tina - I hope your mom is feeling alright, now.
My colonoscopy will be performed by the same doctor who did it the last time. Unlike Michelle, though, I won't be video taping it, lol!
June 23, 2009 - 7:22pmThis Comment
Hey Alysia, thanks for the update. My mother actually went through something like this about three months ago. She wasn't a candidate either and spent two nights in the emergency room before doctors were able to come up with some sort of theory on what happened. Fortunately, her colonoscopy was fine, but it did give her a good scare. She would also be frightened to know I shared this . Please keep us updated on the results of your colonoscopy.
And if you haven't experienced a colonoscopy yet, Michelle shares what it's like in this video.
June 23, 2009 - 5:24pmThis Comment
UPDATE 6/23/09
Today, my GI specialist said that the abdominal pain that I suffered back on 5/23 was more likely diverticulitis than adenitis. So, confuse me, already! I don't exactly fit the profile, and I've never experienced anything like this before. Nonetheless, I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy in early August, so that they can literally see what's going on in my abdomen.
Oh, for joy.
Meanwhile, the good doctor prescribed a pain killer that I was told I could take while on the marathon, just in case I have another attack of whatever this is. The only problem, according to the pharmacist, is that it's a narcotic and can cause drowsiness. When she said I shouldn't drive when I take it, I jokingly asked what about running a marathon. I just might not feel any pain, LOL!
Sometime this summer, I might have a final diagnosis of this mysterious and aggravating issue. I'll be back...
June 23, 2009 - 4:54pmThis Comment
Alysiak,
This was a informative story, although very scary to deal with. I hope you keep us updated!
June 22, 2009 - 3:08pmThis Comment
Thanks, Rachel. Right now, I'm just trying to stay well enough for the marathon in Seattle that I'll be doing with my daughter this weekend.
June 22, 2009 - 4:07pmThis Comment
Thanks for your kind words and concern, everyone. I'm scheduled for my preliminary consultation with my GI specialist next Tuesday, and expect the colonoscopy will be done when I get back from the Seattle marathon.
Funny thing about having to rest - my legs are so restless and want to run, LOL! I'm constantly getting out of my chair at the office to walk down the hall.
We don't really know what's going on and are hoping the colonoscopy might enlighten us. sigh...
June 17, 2009 - 4:26pmThis Comment
Alysia, I can't imagine being struck with that kind of pain and still having to walk. Like Diane and Melissa said I haven't heard of this either. Great education for all of us. I would be interested in hearing about the results of your colonoscopy. What does your doctor think this might be and when do you go in? And I think you deserve a well-needed rest too. Please keep us updated!
June 17, 2009 - 3:11pmThis Comment
Hey Alysia,
What a story. I would have been so scared. I am glad to hear your okay and that it was nothing life threatening. I have never heard of Lymph adenitis, thanks for the information.
Wishing you well on your next run.
June 17, 2009 - 1:19pmThis Comment
Enjoy your week off! I think your body might just love a week in the air conditioning, taking it a bit easy, repairing itself and resting. You deserve it. And good attitude about the marathon.
Heat disease? Off to the internet I go...
June 17, 2009 - 10:09amThis Comment
A few of the resources I found about heat disease, focusing on the "endurance athlete" candidate:
Heat Disease Alert and Prevention, Galloway Training (I'm an alumna)
June 17, 2009 - 7:01pmHeat Illness (in sports), Univ. of Michigan Health System
Treatment of Heat Illness, NCBI
Heat-Related Illness in Athletes, American Journal of Sports Medicine
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