We really had a rough weekend. DH had his colonoscopy last Monday and two polyps were removed, which turned out to be benign. On Saturday he started having pain just below his ribs on the right side. By yesterday, the pain continued plus there was lots of blood in his stool. We called the doc, who told us to go to the ER. The ER doctor ran a complete blood test and everything was normal. He said the blood might just be from the coterized (probably misspelled) areas where the polyps were removed. He had no idea what is causing the pains on the side. No additional tests were run, and we were discharged. Today the pain continues. DH will call our PCP tomorrow but I think he should call the GI doc. Meanwhile, we have no idea what is going on. He can eat and drink fine and there are no other symptoms.

Has anyone had this happen after a colonoscopy? Can it be unrelated? If anyone can help, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Amy

Amy:
In VERY FEW cases, an inexperienced Gastro CAN puncture the side of the colon wall. I would be calling the GI to let him/her know about the pain and see if that's where the polyps were removed. Otherwise, they ran blood work, so his White cells must be good, which means no infection... which is good news. Sometimes you get serious cramping for several days after a colonoscopy, especially when biopsies were taken/polyps removed. The removal causes spasming of the colon.

Use a heating pad, and call the Gastro first thing in the AM.

Good Luck,
CancerDad

Thanks CD. Things are getting more complicated and I anticipate another trip to the ER. DH's blood pressure, which has always been normal, has been way high since the colonoscopy. He had it checked this afternoon and it was 150/120. Ten days before the colonoscopy it was 120/80. He continues to have a pain in his side, plus he has a constant headache, feels nervous, and is exhausted. PCP will see him Thursday, but her nurse intructed him to go to the ER if things get worse. They did an EKG on Sunday night and it was fine.

What in the world could be going on here? He went in for a colonoscopy and now all of the sudden, it seems like he has heart disease. This is all very strange.

Amy

INFECTION! The symptoms you describe indicate a possible perforation and infection. Have the gastro call in orders for another blood profile. Complete blood count including White Blood Cell Count, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, etc. Also, s/he, or the ER, may schedule him for an emergency colonoscopy. If he has a perforation, he needs to be on IV antibiotics and have the torn segment sewn up ASAP.

I don't mean to alarm you, but I would STRONGLY ADVOCATE for him. Is he running a fever?

~CD

Tanks cd. More blood tests showed no infection. The pain in his side has subsided but he is now on blood pressure medication and will undergo more tests next week. PCP thinks it may be a gallbladder issue. I know this has nothing to do with colon cancer so I will not post anymore updates on this bizarre situation. Will keep you updated on his next colonoscopy, which is in March.

amy

Amy,
Good Luck. And feel free to post here with updates whenever you want. We want to know how things are going.

I wish you a Happy New Year!

Fondly,
CancerDad