I don't know what to do...need advice.
#77660 - 06/09/04 02:32 PM
|
|
|
|
Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
|
|
|
Hello all,
I just spoke with the receptionist at my GIs office who told me that she believes that my colonoscopy came back normal. I have to wait for the follow-up with my family doc, but she said as she recalled there were no abnormalities.
As screwed up as I'm sure this might sound, I'm upset by this because now I'm back at square one. Even my doc doesn't seem to think it's just IBS because the symptoms have been so severe. 40lb weightloss, no food seems to be ok, I pretty much live off of rice, bread, potatoes (and just recently angel food cake). I've adhered to the diet strictly with absolutely no cheating since March with zero improvement and have tried SFS, herbal teas, everything and none of it makes a difference. Doesn't make it worse but doesn't make it better.
Plus, I've had problems with incontinence, pain so severe that I'm unable to move and none of the medications I've been on have helped. I've tried anti-spasmodics, Modulon, Dicetel, Ativan, Buscapan, nothing is helping.
So now I'm really worried, because if there wasn't anything on the colonoscopy I don't know what to do. I did have that ultrasound that showed some abnormalities of the gall bladder, which from what I've read can cause D and gas and bloating and pain, but I've been unable to get a doctor to examine the ultrasound and give me any advice!
I'm worried about my job, because although they've been great about my sick days, they also knew I was having this test and I think assumed that once I got the results I would get treatment and start to get better, because I've been missing almost 1 day every week. And now I don't think I'm going to have any treatment options coming my way.
Anyone with any advice would be greatly appreciated. Aside from my gallbladder, I can't think of what else this could be...does everything think it could be IBS despite having no changes with all the dietary/lifestyle changes I've undergone?
Sorry this is so long, I'm just frustrated.
Thanks,
Kelly
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hi Kelly,
Sorry you are having a rough time. I know it always feels better to find something wrong so you can "fix it". Have you had upper GI tests done? If not, that might be a good idea. Could it be acid reflux or ulcers?? Also, since your gallbladder showed up abnormal, that certainly could be causing you problems. Hopefully your doc will pursue more about that.
The incontinence, I can't help you with, sorry.
I'm sure you have been to doc about it because you mentioned meds you were taking. I do know they mention one on TV but I forgot the name.
Keep after it and I'm sure you will find out what is wrong.I know it can be frustrating.
Good luck
Barbie
--------------------
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Have you had your back checked. The incontinence is what triggered the thought to me. My sister has Spinal Stenosis (sp?) and it wasn't diagnosed until she started having bladder and bowel control problems. She too thought she had IBS because she had D all the time but no other symptom. One day her leg collapsed under her while she was carrying her youngest and she went for an MRI and it turned out she has pretty serious back degeration. Also, have you had all the others tests (CA-125 especially)?
Just some thoughts. I'm sorry you are having to live this way right now.
--------------------
Peace,
Tammy
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Hi Tammy
#77676 - 06/09/04 03:12 PM
|
|
|
|
|
Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
|
|
|
I haven't had my back checked, although that would certainly be a good idea. Do you know if a chiropractor can help with that at all?
Also, I haven't had the CA-125 test...is that the one for cancer? My doc hasn't mentioned it because of my age (I'm only 22) so he doesn't think cancer is an issue right now.
Kelly
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Hi Barbie
#77677 - 06/09/04 03:13 PM
|
|
|
|
|
Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
|
|
|
I have had upper GI tests done which did show GERD for which I'm on Nexium, but the doctors don't believe that's the reason for my other symptoms. The only other tests I haven't had is that CA-125 blood test and a small bowel follow-thru.
Thanks for your advice,
Kelly
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Vicam, so sorry you are suffering so much. Regarding your gall bladder, do you have pain under your right rib cage after you eat or any other time. You might consider having it removed. My aunt suffered "D" and it was all due to her gall bladder being bad.
Don't know what to tell you about the incontinence. I suppose that may get a little better once the "D" is under control.
Hang in there, I know it's hard. I'm a grown 31 year old and sometimes I sit down and just cry. I am wishing you the best.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Kelly, I'm SO sorry you're going through this! I have no idea what could be going on. It sure seems like if it was IBS it would have responded by now. MAYBE during the follow up with the family doc, he or she will have some suggestions on next steps. I know sometimes I think I've done all the research and have exhausted all the possibilities and then I actually go to a doctor who actually knows exactly what the problem is and can fix it and it's something I've never heard of!! So don't give up five minutes before the miracle.
(The case where it happened to me was piriformis syndrome causing sciatica down my leg. Doc gave me an exercise to do and it's never bothered me since. I was sure it was my chronic bad back disk problems but it wasn't!!)
Hang in there sweetie!
--------------------
Laura
Keep it simple!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
With your weight loss I am wondering if you were tested for Celiac's. I would think your doctor wouldn't have missed it because it was so popular in the last couple years. They do a blood test for it. I had a follow up yesterday just because I had a borderline positive once and my doc just wanted to be real sure I didn't have it although my symptoms are not in line with it. Weight loss and D are the symptoms and the food you are eating would make Celiac's much worse- it is an intolerance to gluten. Anyway just a thought-Good luck!
--------------------
IBS-A for 20 years with terrible bloating and gas. On the diet since April 2004. Remember this from Heather's information pages:
"You absolutely must eat insoluble fiber foods, and as much as safely possible, but within the IBS dietary guidelines. Treat insoluble fiber foods with suitable caution, and you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of them, in very healthy quantities, without problem." Please eat IF foods!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
So sorry you are having all this trouble and no luck with any treatment. Years ago, before I was diagnosed with IBS, I was prescribed Axid, then Prevacid and finally Nexium for what my then GI Dr. thought might be a mild case of Acid Reflux (I now believe I had IBS even back then). The Axid & Prevacid were fine but Nexium caused me a great deal of abdominal pain and is even listed as a possible side effect of the medication.
As for the testing and not getting any results I know how disappointing that can be. I had been severely sick since January of this year and was finally diagnosed late May. I had many tests with waiting periods in between tests and appointments of three weeks or more. Finally, after the colonoscopy when I was still out of it, my husband told my new GI Dr. just how sick I was and that it was pretty ridiculous to have to suffer so much and wait so long to get appointments & tests. Amazingly I had my last test and was diagnosed and put on Hyoscyamine within a week. My GI Dr. even called me at home to check on me.
My point is that I may not have gotten across to my Dr. just how sick I was, or maybe hearing it from someone other than the patient helped the Dr. know just how bad the symptoms really are.
Please don't let the Dr.'s office put you off or half answer your questions. Your health is important and so is your job - you deserve firm answers, especially concerning test results.
Good luck.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Quote:
I haven't had my back checked, although that would certainly be a good idea. Do you know if a chiropractor can help with that at all?
Also, I haven't had the CA-125 test...is that the one for cancer? My doc hasn't mentioned it because of my age (I'm only 22) so he doesn't think cancer is an issue right now.
Kelly
Ahem, I do have to mention a friend of mine who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer (what CA-125 tests for) at the advanced age of 26. However, the big symptom there is extreme bloating and having to pee a lot. D is not a symptom so far as I know.
BTW, my friend is now 6 years past chemo and is my personal yoga guru. 
--AC
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
Posts
