27 yr old female with GI problems

fmulmt · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 9:23 am Post subject: 27 yr old female with GI problems

I'll try to keep this post as short and sweet as possible for you all.

My name is Liz, and I"m a 27 year old female that has been having some issues concerning...uhm...my bathroom breaks. I guess my symptoms have been going on for awhile when I think about it, but it's been so long (a year or more) that I kind of got used to them and thought they were normal for me, or at the very least just stress-related.

I have had alternating bouts with constipation and diarrhea for over a year now. Someetimes I can't go for a week or more; sometimes I go 5 times a day. It would alternate back and forth. I chalked it up to stress. Back in December, I started to put on a lot of weight - I've gained 25lbs since then and I haven't changed my diet except for the BETTER. In an attempt to lose the pounds (which haven't budged, only gone up) I have given up sweets and chocolate, and eat 6-7 small meals a day. I am actually eating less food now than I ever have before, but I'm still packing on the pounds. I chalked this up to getting older and having my metabolism slow down.

Over a year ago, I started having really bad headache problems on an almost daily basis. I would also feel very weak, dizzy, and nauseous. I stopped exercising because I would feel like I was going to pass out.

Things finally came to a head about a week ago. I was sitting down, relaxing when all of a sudden I got the WORST stomach cramps I have ever had, I felt incredibly weak and dizzy, and I fainted. I told myself I was just dehydrated and layed around all day drinking water. It took me until the next day to really feel 100%, but the next morning I woke up and had to RUN to the bathroom (almost didn't make it) where I had painful diarrhea that was extremely bloody. LIterally, it scared the you know what out of me.

I tried to block it out and ignore it, but the loody stools and cramping lasted until the next day. I probably had 5 or 6 BMs. I thought I just had food poisoning or something.

Finally, a few days AFTER things returned to normal, I went to see a GI doctor. I thought maybe it was hemrrhoids.

After talking with a nurse practitioner, she brought in a doctor, who then brought in ANOTHER doctor....which I thought was weird. They all poked around my stomach area (no pain) and kept asking me questions like, "Does anyone in your family have colon cancer?", and, "Are you *SURE* no one's ever had colon cancer in your family?". I kept saying no. Eventually, the doctor's said I could have anything from Crohn's disease to a blockage to cancer (great, thanks). They also suspect I'm anemic, so they sent me for blood work and ordered a CT scan of my abdomen/pelvis (that barium enema thing) and a chest x-ray, which I thought is strange. I guess for the shortness of breath? Depending on the results, a colonoscopy would be next.

Anyway, I am not really panicking because I can't really wrap my head around the fact that I could have either a chronic condition or a tumor/cancer. It seems so...surreal. I'm 27!! I feel invincible...

In talking with my mom, she mentioned that my great-grandmother had colon cancer, but she never mentioned it because ....well, she just didn't. Even if she had, I doubt it's like I would have gone running towards a colonoscopy, anyways.

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice for me, whether it be on how to get my mind off worrying about being sick (I keep having dying dreams, and dreams where my hair and teeth fall out). I can't sleep, I have zero appetite all of a sudden, and I feel sick almost constantly now. My dizziness is 10times worse. I'm guessing it's from...all this stress! haha

I am praying that I have Crohn's, as sick as that sounds...my boyfriend is being very quiet on the subject, but I get the feeling he thinks it's something worse. He keeps telling me to wait for the test results...I take my barium enema on Friday, 9/19 and have my follow up with the GI on 9/30.

Waiting until the end of the month to find out my medical condition is going to drive me nuts....how do I keep myself sane? WHat can I tell myself?

Rotorhead · Regular Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 34 Location: Hawaii

fmulmt-
First off, welcome to the boards and sorry that you have to be here! I'm just coming off chemo for colon cancer (age 40). I had a similar experience with blood in my stool and constipation prior to diagnosis. Keep these things in mind:

1. There are lots of things that it could be besides CRC (colorectal cancer): crohns, diverticulitis, some weird intestinal infection, ulcers, etc.

2. I can't speak for the other things, but colon cancer is one of the most common and treatable cancers. I did not lose my hair or teeth during any of the chemo or radiation.

3. Keep this in mind: There are things you can control, and things that you cannot. Concern yourself with those things that you have control over, and try not to concern yourself with things that are out of your control.

4. Talk it out. If possible, talk to a psychologist or even a psychiatrist (I've done both) about your concerns and problems dealing with them. It helps. If you are not comfortable with either, if you have a truly sympathetic family member or friend, talk it over confidentially with them. Don't lock it up.

5. Don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion. I have never heard of a doctor resenting any patient for doing so; it is a common occurence when dealing with serious illness. If your doctor is the rare one that has a problem with this, sh!tcan him/her and go look for a real professional.

6. Don't be a stoic. Don't make this the center of your existence, even though it is hard to ignore. It's easier said than done, I know. Go do the things that define you, whether it's something athletic, artistic, intellectual, whatever. Don't watch serious medical dramas or movies. Ridiculous comedies always did it for me. When I was down I'd pop in Jacka$$ and laugh my butt off watching those idiots. Laughter therapy is seriously underrated.

You are heading in the right direction by coming here and getting some answers/opinions (the bullets above are just my opinions). Do not ignore it and hope it goes away. I hope this helps a little bit.
Aloha,
RH
_________________
Diagnosed Stage 3 rectal cancer Nov 07
6 weeks chemo/rad Dec 07/Jan 08
Surgery (TME) 11 Feb 08
6 months FOLFOX started March 08
My blog: http://rotorheadsblog.blogspot.com/

fmulmt

Thank you for your response! I am starting to calm down about my symptoms, though the bleeding persists and I feel quite dizzy a lot of the time. I'm guessing it is Crohn's or something similar. I go in for my CT this coming Friday. Sometimes, deep down, I fear that it's something really bad, but when you look at the problem logically, I'm sure it's nothing too serious. But I thank you for your support in any event, and I will let you know what happens with me.

REB

Worst case- if it is colon cancer- colon cancer is very survivable.

I know it's hard, try not to worry about what you don't know. The 'what if's' will drive you crazy, so try not to go there.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor and Temporary Colostomy
Started Chemotherapy 11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
Last Chemo treatment 04-09-08, Colostomy Reversal 04-28-08 Age:41

fmulmt

Just to give anyone who cares an update...

I have an endoscopy and colonoscopy scheduled for tomorrow morning in the AM. My CT scan came back ok, but the doctors just want to make sure that everything is *really* ok.

Everyone was right; the prep does suck...

I'll keep you posted.

fmulmt · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:00 am Post subject: Another update

Well, I didn't get my colonoscopy or endoscopy this morning. The anesthesiologist listened to my heart and determined that I have a heart problem (he thinks I have a hole in my heart), and he oculd not in good faith put me under.

Since I had already done all the prep work, and was already there in a gown, they performed a flexible sigmioidoscopy (wasn't really that bad) with no anesthesia. They took a biopsy of a few growths, but basically agreed that all my symptoms - the bloody stool, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fainting spell - are all due to my heart problem.

I'm not sure if I"m relived or dismayed.

I have an appointment on Monday with a cardiologist, and I'll take it from there. I follow up with my GI doctor in 2 weeks.

REB

I am sorry to hear you preped for nothing. I personally know what a pain the prep is.

I think holes in heart problems are common and there is a fix. I am sure you'll learn all about it from your cardiologist.

The good news for you is it sounds like you are cancer free.
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor and Temporary Colostomy
Started Chemotherapy 11-07-07 - FOLFOX regimen - 5-FU (5 Flurouracil) and leucovorin, oxaliplatin. Also Avastin
Last Chemo treatment 04-09-08, Colostomy Reversal 04-28-08 Age:41

Ereshkigal · Regular Joined: 19 Jun 2008 Posts: 16

As someone who's had more or less constant GI problems for the last 4 years, I would like to chime in on this subject in response to the original poster:

My GI problems are the result of IBS and GERD. Though I've never had blood in the stool as you have, I have had every other symptom. I've had abdominal pain that is so bad I can't even stand up, I've had to run to the bathroom 4-5-6 times a day; while other days I don't go at all (though that is rare).

I have talked to other people who have had IBS. And believe it or not, just because you had blood in your stool doesn't even necessarily mean you have colon cancer; you could have (as you said) hemorrhoids, Crohn's Disease, etc. OR, it might not be any of those things, you might have something called (and I'm not familiar with this because this was never a symptom of mine) an "anal fissure" (I think that's what they said).

It's unfortunate that you couldn't undergo a colonscopy to validate what is wrong with you, however. It is reassuring to know that the pain you're experiencing, and the symptoms you're having, are not due to cancer.

And if you do end up having Crohn's disease, know that there are treatments out there (or so I've read reports of directly from people living with the disease) that can allow you to live a normal (more or less pain free) life.

Hope you find out soon what's wrong.

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