I had colonscopy and endoscopy- results! Possible cancer!

I have been suffering with possible IBS and stomach pains for about a year now. I went to my dr who referred me to a GI dr.  I had my colonscopy with biopsies and everything was fine except for some slight irritation around my rectum/anal cavity (I assumed this was from constant wiping especially after having to drink the prep.) Then I had my endoscopy with biopsies and they have diagnosed me with acid reflux (which I don't have any symptoms related to acid reflux), espoghagitis, gastritis, and I have H. Pylori bacteria in my stomach. They have put me on the Prevpac (prevacid, biaxin, and 2000 mgs of amoxicilin!).  They told me that it should clear up my stomach problems. I asked them if all of those diagnoses would give me lower bowel problems like diarrhea.  They said yes possibly. However, my GI dr still thinks that I will have IBS after my stomach problems are alleviated.

Has anyone else had similar situation like being dianosed with acid reflux even though you've never had any symptoms such as heartburn?  Has anyone taken the Prevpac and has it cured your problems?

Here is where I am now worried and will need more advice.  My GI dr called me (I have never really talked to him directly; ususally his office relays all of the information) and said he wanted to go over his findings of the colonscopy. This is three weeks later after they had told me everything was fine.  He said that the slight irritation that he found in my rectum/anal cavity was actually a lump or bump similar to a polyp but not a polyp. He said he could have biopsied the anal cavity area where the lump is but he said I would have jumped off the table. I don't understand why he didn't do one, becuase I was asleep from the drugs they injected into my IV. Why would that biopsy be painful but the stomach and colon biopsies weren't? Anyway, he wants to refer me to another specialist because he thinks that it could be colorectal cancer caused by a specific virus. He said the specialist will perform an analscope that will be able to look more closely at the sight of the "lump". 

Has anyone else had an analscope?  What should I expect to happen with this procedure?

I am a little worried about the procedure, whether I have cancer or not, whether I will have to eventually have surgery and really upset that even though I'm going through all of these procedures that he indicated that I will probably still have IBS symptoms.

I appreciate any advice that you great people can give!

Hi IBS,
Wow, you have had a lot to endure recently. I'm sorry that you got the news that its possible cancer, I can imagine how scary that is for you. I hope that the specialist can tell you that its not that and can be treated. I haven't personally had an analscope but from the name, it sounds like its similar to a colonoscopy but limited to the anal area and possibly rectum. They probably will take a biopsy. We have certain nerve endings that are more painful than others and I think that the closer you get to the rectum, the more you can feel the pain. Biopsies usually will cause a cramping sensation.

You can have reflux without having any pain. The actual burning doesn't affect people and many people do get surprised when they get an acid refulx/GERD dx. My reflux has been horrible lately and is caused by a relaxed esophagus but I don't get the regular heartburn as much as I get the regurgitation (thats horrible in itself). I hope the prevpac will help you with your bacteria problem so you don't get any ulcers from the H. Pylori.

I'm sorry that you haven't got a response. A lot of people that read posts are actually not members and cannot post until they become one (as I write this there are 121 guests and 12 members in HW). A lot of people also come to just read posts and some people are not comfortable yet to post. And then you have some that just don't have any words of wisdom for your situation because they don't have the experience with that problem. Also weekends are very slow and a lot of the regular members are M-F people in this forum. Be patient, I'm sure you will get some replies soon.

Take Care (and please don't feel you are alone, YOU ARE DEFINITELY NOT)

so sorry!
i had upper gi problems as well, and didn't notice because of all the diarrhea. i don't know much about the lump issue though, i had a polyp removed and i thought doctors would remove anything suspicious while in there...

i don't have much in the way of information for you--but lots of hugs... and i think it is good that your doctor wants you to be looked at by another party, i had a heck of a time with a doctor that i believe did not treat me properly. it is always honorable when someone says, "i don't know, let me get someone who might..."

i understand your frustration, and maybe even lonliness--what a terrible thing to have to worry about, i am very sorry and i hope that you find some relief soon.
--bunnybabe

Thanks for all the words of encourgement. Hopefully I can get this fixed and start enjoying my life. I am 35 single and starting to get lonely and want to find a mate! I can't really do that with the problems I'm having and it's getting me depressed. I do sincerely appreciate all of your posts and thoughts. Thanks!

Thanks. I hope to be able to find someone, but in the gay world it is very hard to connect with someone especially if you have medical problems that would prevent you from going out and socializing. I haven't been to any bars in over a year (since I don't want to have to keep running to the bathroom at a bar!). Is there anyone else on here who is gay and also running into problems with meeting people?