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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 7/6/2009 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
I am having a colonoscopy on Wednesday and I am super freaked out they are going to find something bad. I am only 29 and have been dealing with Lyme Disease for 2 years and I had open heart surgery 2 years ago.

I have been having constant pain on my left side-- all up and down the left side of my abdomen. I have had spasms, and mucus, and bloating and lots of constipation. The pain is pretty constant and doesn't always relieve itself once I have had a BM. In fact, sometimes it hurts worse after a BM. Sometimes my flank and my back hurt as well. I just keep thinking this isn't right. Last year I had an upper GI test with a small bowel follow through, and and pelvic and abdominal ultrasound. My blood tests are all good--- but why the constant pain on my left side?? My BMs seem to be getting smaller and thinner, and sometimes they are thin like a pencil!! Freaks me out!

I watched my mom died of ovarian cancer last year and I am so freaked out that I have colon cancer or something horrible. I also freaking out about the colonoscopy!! Is it a really bad experience?
Posted 7/6/2009 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
Take a deep breath! I'm glad you are having a colonoscopy. The results will likely tell your doctor a lot to explain why you are having so much trouble. To speculate what it could be is foolish. Just follow your doctors orders for bowel prep, try to relax and before you know it, you'll have your answers.

You asked if a colonoscopy is a really bad experience. No it is not. The horror stories you've heard no doubt have heard are usually pertaining to the prep. The prep has to do a thorough job of cleaning you out. So once you begin your laxative prep (there are several types and each doctor has his/her own preference), remain home and near your bathroom. You will experience some cramping and D, because your doctor needs you completely cleaned out. So make sure you finish the laxatives. Once you arrive for your colonoscopy, you will be asked to change into a hospital gown, you will be given an IV and well, that's pretty much the worst part about a colonoscopy - the IV prick! I kid you not. I've had nine of these procedures. Before the test begins they will give you a sedative, you won't feel a thing and you'll wake up in recovery. Once you are alert enough to get dressed, you can leave. You MUST have a designated driver though. You cannot drive for 24 hours. You will be groggy and nap on and off the rest of the day. I would suggest you resume eating solids slowly, crackers, saltines, pretzels, half a turkey sandwich, chicken noodle soup, any of these would be good. By dinner time you will be back to eating normally.

Hopefully others will chime in.

Let us know how it goes.

Mary
Posted 7/6/2009 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
GreenT603a7,  Ok, I understand your anxiety and the pain and bloating are normal from what I gather.  You say that you have constipation how do you keep your bowels moving.??  I have to tell you though that stress makes IBS worse and you are definately stressing right now so try to calm down a bit.  I am sure you dont have cancer especially if you have had blood test and they can usually tell by the blood work.  You are awfully young to have gone through all this and heart surgery too, so my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Lately after I do my constant ememas my bowels and intestines get so swollen like they are right now plus the nausia, I am sure it is kind of the same after you have a BM.  Everyone is different in this process and for me its like almost all food is not my friend, everything I eat causes a reaction first when it hits my stomach then when it get to my intestines and bowels, but my colonoscopy is the 23 of July and they are doing upper and lower to try and figure out what is going on with me.

So take a deep breath and relax and think positive thoughts and I am sure you will be ok....Leslie nono

Posted 7/7/2009 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your kind words. I am trying to relax but drinking this stuff is not helping! Yuck! I will keep you posted after tomorrow.
Posted 7/7/2009 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
If it makes you feel any better I have to drink it to on the 22 of July.  Had my ultrasound this morning so have to wait for the results on that to see if the blood is flowing properly in my intestines.  Kind of think that their might be a problem because the tec said she was done and had to check with the head guy, so a few mins later she came back and said I had to drink a Boost drink because having some food in my stomach rushes blood to that area, so that made me concerned because usually you would not have to do that.  So now I am worried but will try not to be as I know it does not do me any good.  Well my Birthday is thursday and my friend just called to make some plans for it and I told her that it all depends on how I am feeling that day...I never know, unless I starve then I am not as bad. 

Good luck with drinking that stuff, it's too bad that we have to drink so much of that nasty stuff, I hate it and its hard for me to get down and keep down.

Hope they find some help for you...Leslie nono

Posted 7/8/2009 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
Good news, there is nothing wrong with my colon. Diagnosis stands at irritable bowl syndrome. After all the stuff I have been through in the last 2 years, I am actually happy that is all it is.

The prep was god awful, but you were right ladies, the procedure was not bad at all.
Posted 7/9/2009 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
Great news, so happy that's all you have going on, so now its my turn on 23rd...hate the prep but I have done this so many times the proceedure is ok it's the before that gets ya...
Posted 7/9/2009 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
I always focus on the day after a procedure. For example, on the 21st I would eat lightly but the foods I like, prep 22nd (putting my mind elsewhere!), day of, but the 24th is what I would focus on - horray, it's over, back to eating. Just a mind trick I perfected after recovering from two very painful colon surgeries. LOL! That time I projected weeks and months forward. I started thinking this way while in labor with my first child. "1 week from now I'll have a new baby to care for and all of this will be a blur." I probably believed those baby books, how often newborns slept and all (my first was colicky!)......

But this is my trick Leslie. Like you said I hate the prep too but try to think of the day AFTER your procedure. about how good you'll be feeling!

I wish you well Leslie. Good luck!

And I am so relieved your colonoscopy was negative GreenT603a7 - if you have any questions about IBS, you can start a new thread and many here will be helpful.
Posted 7/9/2009 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
Your right, and I will try it thanks
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