I really need some opinions / advice - Cancer: Colon Message Board

trish2 · 10-09-2006, 09:07 AM

Hello everyone,

I posted a little while back due to lower left abdominal pain, bowel changes, and major pain after a BM. I had been dx with severe diverticulitis back in May and the doctors have been assuming that all my current symptoms were due to a flare-up of diverticulitis. Although, it has felt completely different and did not respond to 25 days of very strong antibiotics. The first time, I was very tender to the touch and the meds worked almost immediately.This time has not been like that.

Anyhow, my internist had me call a GI doc that I saw 5 years ago and he ordered another ct scan which was 2 weeks out. He did not want to see me until the results were back. The night before the scan I was crying and doubled over with a different type of pain. It totally encompassed my entire waist area. I was sent for an emergency scan (they thought it was a bowel perforation) and turns out the pain was kidney stones. Also turns out that all the diverticulitis inflammation/infection is cleared up.

Now even though the stone pain is gone, I STILL have this pain that is constant over my lower left side, I have terrible pain after a BM and stool changes. I went back to my internist because GI doc does not want to see me because CT scan was clear and my internist sent me to my GYN. He said I had a perfect exam and he thinks my pain is due to my colon.

I had a bad weekend with this continuous pain and I believe on Friday there was a streak of orangish, red blood in my stool. Saw this twice. I have never had blood before and I cannot be completely sure that is what it was.

My questions to all of you...does this sound like colon pain? Should I push to see a GI doc? I had a colonoscopy almost 5 years ago so none of the doctors I have seen believe this is necessary. I am at my wits end. I feel terrible all the time and have gained weight because I cannot exercise anymore. Ughh..I just need an answer.I think my husband and friends are starting to think I am crazy because nothing is showing on tests. I think they are tired of hearing me complain about how bad I feel and the pain.

What would you do?

Please, any advice you can give, I would so appreciate it.

Blessings to all of you,
~Trish

OK, that

CancerDad · 10-09-2006, 09:41 AM

Trish:
Because you had a colonoscopy 5 years ago REALLY tells us NOTHING about what you are going through today. I don't know what physician told you this, but I find MANY physicians are misinformed when it comes to colorectal issues.

Five years is CERTAINLY enough time for polyps to develop. How old are you? If you are still menstruating, does the pain relate in any way to your cycle? If so, it may be endometriosis, which can be EXTREMELY PAINFUL, where endometrial tissue "sprays" retrograde and sticks to the outside of your uterus, ovaries, colon, etc. During menstruation each month, these "patches" and nodules that form, bleed and swell just as the lining of your uterus does as you have your period. Some women experience very heavy bleeding, others not. Some experience EXCRUTIATING pain, while others feel little. This is usually diagnosed through an exploratory laparoscopy... a surgical procedure where your OB/GYN takes you to the OR and inserts a small port and camera and visualizes your organs. There are different treatments available if this is the case.

If it is GI related, then you need another colonoscopy. A CT scan does NOT always show the inside of your intestine and whether any polyps are present. I personally would start by visiting a GI, have a colonoscopy and rule out a GI issue before having exploratory surgery with your OBGYN.

I hope all this makes sense. I wish you luck. Please keep us posted.

Regards,
CancerDad

trish2 · 10-09-2006, 10:00 AM

Cancer Dad,

Thanks so much for your reply. I just do not know where to go from here.
With the pain and the unknown, I am exhausted physically and emotionally.

My internist (who I love and trust) says I do not need a colonoscopy because they are good for 7-10 years but he also admitted he just does not know what is causing my pain. I have spoken to the GI doctors nurse several times and she said he does not think it is GI related although I cannot understand this because he has not even seen me for an exam or consult.
I am assuming he is basing this on the CT scan results. He is supposed to be the best in our city so my family is saying I should trust him.

As for endometriosis, last year I had an exploratory lap because I had a complex cyst on my r ovary and the report states I do not have endo. I did talk to my GYN about the possibility last week but since I have no pain with my cycles or sex, he says he is almost positive that is not causing the pain.
He advised me to see a GI doc. He said the pain is directly over my colon and with increasing pain after BMs that it points to colon problems.

I am almost 37 with 2 beautiful girls and a wonderful husband. All I can think about is doom and gloom. I really feel like no one is listening to me.

Would polyps cause pain? Does this sound like intestinal pain?

Not sure whether to call back the gi that ordered scan or to seek out someone else. What do you all think?

Thanks again!!

sharon7270 · 10-09-2006, 11:22 AM

I had four polyps removed last year after many years of pain and a diagnosis of irritable bowel. When the horrendous bleeding started, my doctor sent me for the colonoscopy (well, actually, I bled for nearly three years before telling him...will never do that again). I can't say if it was the polyps or I truly have IBS, but I would get pain so bad I could not stand up...and no pain medication ever helped. Oddly, I have not experienced any pain since the polyps were removed, so maybe they do cause pain!!

CancerDad · 10-09-2006, 11:28 AM

Trish:
I would see a different GI doctor. You CANNOT always see what is going on INSIDE the colon from a CT Scan. Your internist is basing his opinion on the statistics that he/she learned in med school, that colorectal cancer only happens in patients over 50. THIS IS NOT TRUE as I was diagnosed at 31 with Advanced Stage Rectal Cancer. There are MANY other people on this board under 40 fighting cancer. Time and time again, I have heard this that Internists just are not aware. I began bleeding at 28 and my Internal Medicine doctor told me that it was hemorrhoids, stress, and Advil. I believed her because I liked her, trusted her, and she was Board Certified in IM, so she MUST know. Well, she didn't. I self-referred at 31 when the intermittent bleeding became bad, and I was passing mucus and clots and going multiple times/day. Looking back now, I did also have pain and fatigue.

Well I did self-refer to a GI... he scoped me and found the tumor 2cm up my anus. I am NOT saying this will happen to you, but you NEED to be your own advocate and DEMAND A COLONOSCOPY. Your IM is WRONG about the 7-10 year thing.

Do yourself a favor... Go to another GI and get a colonoscopy. If you do have polyps, they will remove them then and there. If you wait long enough for them to become cancerous (if they were pre-cancerous polyps) then you will have a problem. PLEASE listen to your body.

Good Luck,

CancerDad