Question Re Diverticulitis.....

[Canadian Karen]

Firstly, Mom is not celiac.

She just got out of the hospital yesterday after being in there for 6 days after having another attacked of diverticulitis (her second in 1 1/2 years). While in the hospital, they realized just how bad her lungs are (life-long smoker). She has COPD. They said she has lost 90% use of her lungs. She obviously stopped smoking when she went in the hospital and before she came home, I went over and aired out her place for a few days, cleared out all ashtrays, cigarettes, etc. She realizes now that she has no choice but to quit.

They also put her on two different antibiotics to finish the 10 day cycle of antibiotics (she was in the hospital for 6 days....) One of them is Cipro and the other one, I don't know the name of it, but it apparently targets stuff specifically in the intestines.

My question is: Mom has absolutely no appetite at all. She says she has a metallic taste in her mouth and makes all food taste yucky. Do you think the metallic taste is due to the strong antibiotics she is on? Is this something that is common with diverticulitis? Or is the metallic taste due to the fact that her lungs are now expelling all of the built up crap in her lungs?

Thanks!

Karen

[Lisa]

Karen:

My bet is that the medication is effecting her taste buds, I have heard, where I don't know, that it is possible.

In addition to the fact that she was in pain soooo long, she is probably afraid to eat.

If it does continue, I would call her GP on Monday and ask.

Hope she feels better soon.

Hugs back, L

[mouse]

I don't think it is from quiting smoking. I quit a few months ago and I had smoked for over 45 years. I did not have a metallic taste in my mouth and the taste of food did not change. By the way I quit by the help of a hypnotist that my GP referred to me. This was not an ordinary sesson, but cost me $300 for 3 hours. I had my doubts and she knew it. But, I have to say that I have not really wanted a cig. since then. I think of a cig every couple of days. The thought lasts a couple of seconds and that is it. I have tried to quit for 20 years and saw a couple of hypnotists and would leave their offices and light up a cigarette. I have not had to use my nebuliser UNLESS I cheat on my food allergens (like the pizza yesterday) and then I have to use only 1/2 dosage. So, I hope your Mom can quit as her breathing will improve, even tho she has lost some of her capacity. So, I would guess with Lisa that it is the medication. I certainly hope she gets well fast. I know how much you love her and worry about her. I am so glad that you got her moved before this happened. At least you are near by to give her help and moral support.

[Canadian Karen]

Thanks Metta, my sister says she gets a metallic taste in her mouth, or her words "It's like sucking a penny" when she is on antibiotics. She only has three more days of those, thank goodness......

I better go back to bed, I could SWEAR your ostrich blinked......

[Jpmat]

I am sorry to hear that your Mom is going through so much. She is so blessed to have you to help help her. In regard to the taste in her metallic taste she is experiencing. I have taken Cipro two strong rounds of it because they felt I had an infection in my stomach due to the diverticulitus. It left non taste in my mouth. I did however have a friend who quit smoking and the taste she experienced in her mouth for awhile was really strong. Our guess was that her body was detoxing from smoking. I know when I have gone through period of no appetite that I have juiced or blended things and drank them. Even when I didn't feel like eating I could drink. My main stay was homemade chicken soup. I guess my son and I have both gone through periods of time when we have lived on that along with taking our vitamin supplements. May you and your Mom have the strength to deal with this day by day.

God bless,

Paulette

  Canadian Karen said:

Firstly, Mom is not celiac.

She just got out of the hospital yesterday after being in there for 6 days after having another attacked of diverticulitis (her second in 1 1/2 years). While in the hospital, they realized just how bad her lungs are (life-long smoker). She has COPD. They said she has lost 90% use of her lungs. She obviously stopped smoking when she went in the hospital and before she came home, I went over and aired out her place for a few days, cleared out all ashtrays, cigarettes, etc. She realizes now that she has no choice but to quit.

They also put her on two different antibiotics to finish the 10 day cycle of antibiotics (she was in the hospital for 6 days....) One of them is Cipro and the other one, I don't know the name of it, but it apparently targets stuff specifically in the intestines.

My question is: Mom has absolutely no appetite at all. She says she has a metallic taste in her mouth and makes all food taste yucky. Do you think the metallic taste is due to the strong antibiotics she is on? Is this something that is common with diverticulitis? Or is the metallic taste due to the fact that her lungs are now expelling all of the built up crap in her lungs?

Thanks!

Karen

[HawkFire]

I had a metalic taste in my mouth while pregnant. I believe it was due to hormones. Could it be that she is experiencing fluctuating hormones due to stress from her terrible situation? Best of luck.

[kristiney]

Hello. I also have diverticulitis, along with celiac disease too...had an attack last Spring (2006). The two antibiotics I was put on to treat the occurance made me feel nauseous and I had no appetite also and yes...I had the metallic taste in my mouth too. Usually the antibiotics are a two week course...it will be a difficult two weeks but it is important she finishes her meds. I was so close to stopping the meds bc they did make me feel so lousy...but I knew the symptoms were temporary and I just buckled down and finished them. Apple juice, jello and popsicles saved me.

Good Luck and Take care.

-Kristine

  Canadian Karen said:

Firstly, Mom is not celiac.

She just got out of the hospital yesterday after being in there for 6 days after having another attacked of diverticulitis (her second in 1 1/2 years). While in the hospital, they realized just how bad her lungs are (life-long smoker). She has COPD. They said she has lost 90% use of her lungs. She obviously stopped smoking when she went in the hospital and before she came home, I went over and aired out her place for a few days, cleared out all ashtrays, cigarettes, etc. She realizes now that she has no choice but to quit.

They also put her on two different antibiotics to finish the 10 day cycle of antibiotics (she was in the hospital for 6 days....) One of them is Cipro and the other one, I don't know the name of it, but it apparently targets stuff specifically in the intestines.

My question is: Mom has absolutely no appetite at all. She says she has a metallic taste in her mouth and makes all food taste yucky. Do you think the metallic taste is due to the strong antibiotics she is on? Is this something that is common with diverticulitis? Or is the metallic taste due to the fact that her lungs are now expelling all of the built up crap in her lungs?

Thanks!

Karen

[StrongerToday]

The metallic taste is probably due to the meds. Whatever she can do to tough it out will be worth it for her. Not sure if mints or lifesavers would help? Might also help with the quitting smoking too. Gum? And good for her!! I smoked for 13 years and only quit because I got pregnant... it was the only thing that made me throw up...not hard to quit when it makes you sick

[angel-jd1]

  Canadian Karen said:

Firstly, Mom is not celiac.

She just got out of the hospital yesterday after being in there for 6 days after having another attacked of diverticulitis (her second in 1 1/2 years). While in the hospital, they realized just how bad her lungs are (life-long smoker). She has COPD. They said she has lost 90% use of her lungs. She obviously stopped smoking when she went in the hospital and before she came home, I went over and aired out her place for a few days, cleared out all ashtrays, cigarettes, etc. She realizes now that she has no choice but to quit.

They also put her on two different antibiotics to finish the 10 day cycle of antibiotics (she was in the hospital for 6 days....) One of them is Cipro and the other one, I don't know the name of it, but it apparently targets stuff specifically in the intestines.

My question is: Mom has absolutely no appetite at all. She says she has a metallic taste in her mouth and makes all food taste yucky. Do you think the metallic taste is due to the strong antibiotics she is on? Is this something that is common with diverticulitis? Or is the metallic taste due to the fact that her lungs are now expelling all of the built up crap in her lungs?

Thanks!

Karen

Antibiotics like biaxin cause the metalic taste quite frequently. Most pharmacists recommend drinking some fruit juice with the medicine to get rid of the taste. I would double check with HER pharmacist to be sure that that paticular antibiotic doesn't have any reactions with the fruit juice

-Jessica

[Jpmat]

Hi Kristine,

I have Celiac Disease and have been told they believe I have diverticulitus too now. Could you please tell me how they confirmed you had diverticulitus? Could also please tell me where I could read about the diet for Diverticulitus. The Celiac diet I have learned well over the years but am new to the diverticulitus. I wondered if it was common to have this combination. I felt like I had gone back to before they discovered I had Celiac Disease. Sick to my stomach, fevers, swollen stomach, a lot of strong abdominal pain (it could wake me while I was sleeping etc), poor sleep, stron fatigue and the only time my bowels seem normal was when I was on antibiotics. I checked everything to be sure I wasn't getting a hidden source of gluten and I wasn't. My doctor, told me that he felt I had diverticulitus and put me on strong anitbiotics -- two rounds. I am waiting to be able to get in for a CT. It has been 7 weeks since they sent in my referral for the CT. I felt much better for about a month and a half but now am slipping back. I was wondering if I could be eating something that I shouldn't be. I have cut out nuts, popcorn, peelings and seeds. I don't know if there is anything else I need to avoid. Can you eat blueberries. You input would be great. If you can, please email me

Thank you.

Paulette

  kristiney said:

Hello. I also have diverticulitis, along with celiac disease too...had an attack last Spring (2006). The two antibiotics I was put on to treat the occurance made me feel nauseous and I had no appetite also and yes...I had the metallic taste in my mouth too. Usually the antibiotics are a two week course...it will be a difficult two weeks but it is important she finishes her meds. I was so close to stopping the meds bc they did make me feel so lousy...but I knew the symptoms were temporary and I just buckled down and finished them. Apple juice, jello and popsicles saved me.

Good Luck and Take care.

-Kristine