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Posted 9/27/2012 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Had the endoosocpy and colonosocpy done this morning.  Was put completely under, never knew or felt a thing, and woke up somewhat refeshed.  The nurse was correct, she said it would be the best sleep you ever had.

The upper end, came out squeaky clean, as nothing was suspected there.

In the colon, 4 large polyps were found.  Appearently, there are "bulb" type, which almost never turn to cancer, and there are "sessile" type, they grow right in the walls, most colon cancer comes from the sessile type.  They have been sent off for biopsy, not sure how long it will take to get results.

Also, doctor found some strange looking inflamation in 2 other areas that he didn't like the look of, so samples were taken of that to be biopsied.

Was treated first class and with great care, no complaints.  Glad to have it over with.

Still have the same issues - the cramping, back aches, etc.  And I have lost over 9 lbs since Sunday night, which greatly concerned the doctor.  If all digestive systems check out, they are going to re-group about my troublesome non-functioning bladder again.  He said it could still be a cancer in the bladder pushing up against some part of my digestive systems.

Glad to have tests done, really wasn't a big deal, but anxiously awaiting these biopsies and followup.

I ate a small meal of scrambled eggs and a piece of dry toast when I got home.  Will see how my insides deal with that shortly.  Really was the only real food I have eaten in over 2 days.

david

Posted 9/27/2012 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
Glad it's over David and maybe now they can pinpoint what is causing this. Wishing you good biopsy results and some positive solutions. Stay strong (()))
Posted 9/27/2012 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Purg,

Good to have that done and glad everything went well. Let's hope the tumors are benign and your one step closer to finding out something.
Posted 9/27/2012 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
Go get ya a ton of Chocolate and treat yourself turn
Posted 9/27/2012 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
...and what about a protein shake, like Ensure, to get something good into your system? Do you have the same result with cramping, back ache, etc?
Posted 9/27/2012 8:48 PM (GMT 0)
David, I too have had polyps removed both times I had a colonoscopy. The first polyp was a bit of a question mark but the gastro told me right away that she didn't think it was anything to worry about and the biopsy confirmed that. The second time, she was sure it was a benign polyp and the biopsy again confirmed it. Because of the polyps, I have to go back in about 3 years (she wants me to have this test every 5 years). Fine by me.

As to the 2 areas of inflammation, it's good that they were find and are getting checked out. Did the gastro offer any information about them other than he didn't like the way they looked. Biopsy results take about a week so the concern would be the amount of weight you will lose in that time and the pain you will go through.

David, I know this is something you don't want to hear and I'm sorry to say it but if this test reveals no significant findings, I worry about the amount of time that will pass before a new game plan is decided on for checking out your bladder. Testing for bladder cancer doesn't need to involve having access to the bladder...an intravenous pyelogram is a type of X-ray imaging test that uses a dye to highlight your kidneys, ureters and bladder. There is also a CT scan that can be done to check out your urinary tract and the surrounding tissues. My brother-in-law had bladder cancer years and years ago...he's doing fine...and had these tests done in NYC. If there is a chance that bladder cancer could be present, I would strongly encourage you to discuss the pyelogram as a non-surgical option.
Posted 9/27/2012 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
gleason - i have mentioned before, even a simple can of ensure or boost will kick off the violent cramps

steve - been awhile since i have fed my "sweets" passion, perhaps i will gamble on a good dessert

sephie - there is no way to get a contrasting dye into the bladder to check, without doing major invasive surgery to access it, there's not route in or out of my bladder anymore. my uro and the specialists he spoke with have already determined that. wish it had been taken out 2 years ago when they already had me opened up for the urostomy surgery. i can't help but wonder if that was a bad call in retrospect. its always going to be there to be suspicious

and no, i was grogged out when i talked to the doctor, and my youngest son has zero knowledge about anythingthe doctor said. i am sure at the follow up visit after the biopsies are in, i will know more

the only thing i didnt get to ask, was what should i do in the mean time. right before going into the OR, i mentioned to the gastro dr that the weight loss was averaging close to 2 lbs per day, vs 1, but never gave me really any suggestion.

he did say, that even with the prescense of these polyps, that they shouldnt be causing the cramping i have described.

david
Posted 9/27/2012 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
fingers crossed for speedy, conclusive results that lead ot a game plan (yes, that's all I ask!  fix him, and fix him quick!)
Posted 9/27/2012 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
amen, info
Posted 9/27/2012 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
and yes, the scrambled eggs (no butter) and dry toast still cramped me up
Posted 9/27/2012 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
David,

Very glad to hear that going through the procedures was uneventful. Also very good to confirm the top end is fine - one more thing you know is in proper working order.

I understand about the grogginess. That was the one side effect that bugged me.

Will be keeping you in mind, for a definitive non-threatening answer on the biopsy results.

Explorer
Posted 9/27/2012 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
David, been waiting out here all day thinking of you - thanks for giving us all your update. I too am glad that the procedure was uneventful and that the top half of things came out clean. I had polyps removed a few years ago during a routine colonoscopy as well and they fortunately came out negative for Ca so I am hopeful the same will be true with yours.

Again unfortunately I cannot weigh in on the issues you are currently facing - but I can, and am, wishing you the very best as you fight yet another beast. Keep your head up Brother - never give up, never give in, know you have a TON of us right with ya.

As always, my thoughts and prayers stay with you Sensei. . . .
Posted 9/27/2012 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
not sure what kind of pain medicine you are taking, but some have cramping side effects, I vicodine, oxycontin will do it. just a thought.
Posted 9/27/2012 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
When I had my colonosocpy it took about a week to get the lab results but then I wasn't an urgent case. As long as it doesn't require a culture of any kind they should get results to you soon.

Here's hoping it leads to something treatable.

All the best,
Andrew
Posted 9/27/2012 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
David, thanks for clarifying the issue about getting the dye into the bladder as I keep forgetting that nothing can go in or out.

The polyps wouldn't cause your intestinal problems but I'm wondering about all that pain medication (not that there's much you can do about it). We know that pain meds often cause constipation and that acetaminophen can be deadly at high doses or over long periods of time...it is especially harsh on the liver which can lead to stomach issues. Of course, we assume that your doctors are on top of all this.

As far as the pain, I also assume that your GI has checked out ulcers...never had them but I've heard they can be really nasty.

Hope you're relaxing tonight and letting your poor "old" body rest up a bit. I imagine you'll hear from your gastro by this time next week if not earlier.
Posted 9/28/2012 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
No evidence of ulcers, that was ruled out. As far as my pain meds, been on them long term (2+ years) - never any negative effects from them, considered by dr to be well opiad tolerent, in fact, never had any constipation from them, not even once.

the acetaminophen portion, is well monitored by my doctor, in fact, the FDA recently lowered the amount that can be in them, and i am kept below even the new lower limits. my oncologist is also my pain manager, and that is one subject he is very on top of.

tonights dinner, with my son and his girlfriend, had the same effect. tasted fine going in (though i had no feeling of hunger) and within 30 minutes, here comes the cramps, and now the back aches. its becoming as regular as clockwork.

so tired of being in an endless world of pain, and with this eating/digestive pain being added to the pile, its almost too much to deal with 24/7. the only real relief is the little periods of sleep i get

cramped in the carolinas
Posted 9/28/2012 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi David, glad to see the test is over with. I'm sure they will look for IBD (Inflammatory bowel disease)?
Posted 9/28/2012 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
thanks squirm, doc ruled that one out already
Posted 9/28/2012 6:37 AM (GMT 0)
We are anxiously awaiting the results.  David, you need a break from all this pain!  Prayers continue...

Peace,

Aimzee

Posted 9/28/2012 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
David, just curious: did the doctor rule out IBD based on what was seen on the endoscopy/colonoscopy or was this ruled out prior to the test? I know there are some blood tests that can be performed but, apparently, the gold standard for diagnosing IBD is an endoscopy/colonoscopy. Since your endoscopy showed no problems but there were areas of inflammation found on the colonoscopy, it is possible that these areas can come back showing IBD or IBS. Time will tell.

Hope you're doing better this morning.
Posted 9/28/2012 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hello David - got to tell you I was thinking about you all night, couldn't sleep, and something occurred to me that I thought I'd at least throw out here. Piggy-backing on Sephie's thoughts about IBD - I have been dealing with IBS for quite some time, and while it is very much under control now I do recall severe abdominal pain and extreme urgency right after eating, before I got it addressed with probiotics. I take two "Align" tabs every day, morning and evening, and that combined with better eating habits - specifically nothing too spicy, eating 6 small meals a day and also nothing late at night, and it has become a non-issue for me.

Don't know if this is helpful, but darn it I/everyone else out here are very affected by what you are going through so I thought I would at least add it to this post.

Thoughts and prayers continue to you sir. . . . .
Posted 9/28/2012 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
Purg - Not trying to doubt your doctors, but just wondering......You are constantly complaining of endless pain (and I believe you!).....so given that, is your doctor really 'on top of it'??
I know pain management isn't necessarily supposed to rid someone of 100% of the pain....but you shouldn't be in that '10' pain zone too much.
My father's rad oncologist ended up referring him to the palliative care team for pain management. My father kind of freaked out when it was first mentioned, but calmed down after the doc explained that he wasn't about to kick the bucket, that he wanted that team involved because he considered them to be the experts in pain management.
Maybe up the fentanyl patches closer to 200? Oxycodnoe? Or a butterfly needle and injectible dilauded (all stuff we ended up using....).

Hope you get some answers. In the meantime, it would be nice if you were given a break from the discomfort.
Posted 9/28/2012 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
With this post, going to stop trying to explain every move or decisions my doctor's make with me. Sounds to me like I am having to justify every possible move or option. I leave that to my doctors. Not everything is cut and dry. There are many complex issues.

This is why I spend a lot of time in the Chronic Pain community, because I don't have to keep explaining my chronic pain issues. People that haven't experienced it will never understand how one with CP lives day by day.

Perhaps I should be less descriptitive in my posts, hard for me to do - as I dwell in detail as a writer, but it does seem to give fodder to others.

I am not happy with my situation, but I am satisifeid with the quality of care that I get from those experts in my current medical team.

david
Posted 9/28/2012 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
That's the important thing David, to have faith and confidence in your medical team. Hope they have some answers for you very soon. We are here to support you and not to question your decisions. It Definately helps to be able to get it out and not have to deal with it by yourself. Stay strong. You have a lot of people here pulling for you. ((())))
Posted 9/28/2012 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
David
Sorry they didn't spot something that would have provided an instant answer.
It almost sounds like you just need to get constipated somehow so that food stays in you longer, even if it means what seems like an unhealthier diet.
Alf
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