Questions regarding hubby's symptoms...please help - Cancer: Colon Message Board

tracilynne99 · 03-28-2005, 11:42 AM

Hi All
My husband is 31 yo and has had intermittent rectal pain that was attributed to hemmorhoids after a normal colonoscopy about 5 yrs ago. (No family history of colo-rectal cancer, just a very thorough doctor.) On Saturday, he began to c/o tenderness below the navel that was only noticeable if he pressed on it or with certain movements. Upon questioning him further, it seems he has had a little blood on the paper after wiping for about 1-2 weeks which he was attributing to the harsh tp at work since it doesn't happen at home. He also tells me his stools have been thinner, not like a pencil, but thinner than usual for about the same time. He has not seen any blood in the stool, nor are they unusually colored. He does have occasional bouts with "explosive diarrhea" or urgency usually attributed to something he has eaten, and does have typical flatulence patterns. (For a man

) J/K! He has never been diagnosed with IBS or any other digestive disorder but I don't know if he's mentioned it to a doctor since seeing the proctologist 5 yrs ago.

I am 9 mos pregnant due in 3 1/2 wks. I am worrying myself sick about this now. Any reassurance re: symptoms would be helpful. We have an appt to see his Dr. tomorrow.

Thank you
tracilynne999

MellyMel · 03-28-2005, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tracilynne99

Hi All
My husband is 31 yo and has had intermittent rectal pain that was attributed to hemmorhoids after a normal colonoscopy about 5 yrs ago. (No family history of colo-rectal cancer, just a very thorough doctor.) On Saturday, he began to c/o tenderness below the navel that was only noticeable if he pressed on it or with certain movements. Upon questioning him further, it seems he has had a little blood on the paper after wiping for about 1-2 weeks which he was attributing to the harsh tp at work since it doesn't happen at home. He also tells me his stools have been thinner, not like a pencil, but thinner than usual for about the same time. He has not seen any blood in the stool, nor are they unusually colored. He does have occasional bouts with "explosive diarrhea" or urgency usually attributed to something he has eaten, and does have typical flatulence patterns. (For a man

) J/K! He has never been diagnosed with IBS or any other digestive disorder but I don't know if he's mentioned it to a doctor since seeing the proctologist 5 yrs ago.

I am 9 mos pregnant due in 3 1/2 wks. I am worrying myself sick about this now. Any reassurance re: symptoms would be helpful. We have an appt to see his Dr. tomorrow.

Thank you
tracilynne999

First of all, stop worrying!! lol...I worried about everything when I was prego too, and always for the worst too, so I know how you feel. But, your husband is rather young for that form of cancer, but also, because it sounds more like maybe pancreatitus (sp?) especially if he has "explosive diarrhea" after eating fatty like foods. Is he overweight? Has he been on any special diets lately or anything that may change his stool? New meds or herbs even? I wouldn't worry. It really does not sound like cancer, but I'm no doctor. It's just my husband has almost the exact symptoms and he is fine

He just takes med's for it, but it is nothing "life threatening". Good luck though and get it checked anyway, and.........CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Melly

West Coast Girl · 03-28-2005, 06:14 PM

I'd definitely get this checked out. It sounds like IBS to me but a number of other things can have these same symptoms. He is very young for this to be colon cancer but it never hurts to get properly checked out. Also very few cases of colon cancer are genetic. Your husband should tell the doctor all his symptoms and insist on another colonscopy. I was diagnosed with rectal cancer 4 years after a clean colonoscopy. You need to have this settled so you both can enjoy your new baby!

ktee_uk · 03-29-2005, 01:37 AM

Hi there

I agree with WCG. It would be great to be able to know what is or is not wrong with him. A colonoscopy is the best way to go for him and is a treat compared to childbirth

good luck
ktee

tracilynne99 · 03-29-2005, 07:29 PM

Hi
Well, we went to GP today and he did a rectal exam, urinalysis and palpated hubby's abdomen because he described the pain like a full, tender bladder sensation without the urgency to urinate. The pain does seem to be located below the navel just above the pubic bone. Very intense there with palpation! Rectal exam did not show any enlargement of the prostate nor any blood in the rectum. Urinalysis did not show any infection. SOOOO...GP sent us for an ultrasound of the bladder to see if bladder was not emptying properly. Radiologist indicated that bladder did empty properly after being very full and no sign of anything unusual in the bladder. Going back to GP for follow-up tomorrow. He did give him an antibiotic in case it is a latent infection. I voiced my concerns re: colo-rectal involvement and he said due to the nature and location of the pain and the symptoms,(no blood in stool, no vomiting, etc...) that is not his first concern. His next step would be an CT scan of the abdomen. Radiologist asked about the possibility of hernia or trauma. No trauma. Hernia...who know's? The doc will have to evaluate that I suppose. Does it sound to those of you who have experience with this that we're on the right track?

Thank you,
traci