Is your experience remotely similar to mine?

Hi Everyone -

I've spent the last few weeks reading various threads on here and decided to join and post my own. Let me start off with just a bit about myself. I'm 19, female, fairly healthy (I have asthma and PCOS but that's it) and in college. There has always been something 'not-so-right' with my gut - no matter what diet changes, lifestyle changes, etc... I've been constipated for the last 10 years and, of course, docs just chop it up to be IBS. I've always been unsure of that, but just went with it because nothing else was happening except extreme discomfort/pain/cramps and having bowel movements once or twice per two weeks.

Well, fastforward to the very start of August this year year... I got diarrhea OUT OF NOWHERE with god-awful sudden urges and some vomitting. I thought "okay, food poisoning or stomach virus from work (I'm a nanny in the summer)." But, it got worse to where I was going anywhere between 6 and 10 times a day, really dehydrated, EXTREMELY exhausted, having bouts of vomitting, constantly nauseous, bleeding (minor bleeding) and having a good deal of abdominal pain. I've lost some weight but nothing dramatic by any means. One night I couldn't take it anymore, so I went to the ER. CT and bloodwork done, IV fluids, and 5 or 6 hours later, I was home making an appt with a GI doc the next morning. I went to the GI the 28th. Since, my bowel movements are coming less frequently and are taking some similance of form (between 2 and 5 times a day) which is FABULOUS compared to before... but as the days have gone by, my stools have become super thin. Haven't noticed the bleeding or mucus as much this past week, also good. I'm just not sure what to think now. I still feel dragged down and sluggish and like this is taking over my life. My colonoscopy is set for this Wednesday morning. I'm not scared about the procedure - I actually want to be able to watch it a bit. I mostly just not digging having to do the SUPREP and what not - for sure will be kicking my roommate out of the apartment for a while. I guess the only thing I feel unsure, scared, and happy about (all at the same time) is the outcome. GI said it may just be something like Colitis but he wasn't sure and felt it best to do the colonoscopy. So, here I am... a mixed bag of emotions, dreading and welcoming all of the possible diagnoses that could come of this test on Wednesday.

So, if you made it through this... congratulations! You now have a glimpse into my own personal nigthmere! I guess I just want to know y'all's experiences. What was your pain like? Did things come on quickly? What helped you during the prep phase of colonoscopy? What were your symptoms like? What was your end-diagnosis? Did you end up having colon cancer or some other sort of obstruction? Just tell me your (condensed-ish) story.

I'm not going to blow things out of proportion and say "I think I have colon cancer" because... well, I don't think that I do. I know it's a slim possibility... I'm just afraid of there being SO MANY different possibilities.

Thanks!

Jade

 

Jade, colitis can be either chronic such as ulcerative colitis or acute such as infectious colitis. Either way, the onset is much more likely to be fast than is the onset of colon cancer. Also, when I was in your place I was comforted when a physician friend of mine reminded me that colon cancer doesn't often present with diarrhea, much more likely to cause constipation.

When drinking the prep, a lot of us find it helpful to drink through a straw. Then any unpleasant flavors or textures hit the back of you mouth where you don't taste them as much. You may feel some nausea if you have to drink a large volume of liquid quickly; this is normal and is caused by the sheer volume. Try not to throw up, but if you do continue with the prep, going a bit slower.

And yes, a scope is the only way to get a definitive diagnosis. Good luck to you.

Thanks for the responses, everyone! As it nears, I'm just getting more and more ready. It's slightly surreal... but as it gets harder and harder (no pun intended) to have a BM, I'm brought back down to earth. I'm not constipated; the stool is still soft... I just can't go and, to little suprise, my stool has become small tiny pieces that are now super skinny and flat. The pain is getting worse and I am struggling to even pass gas. GI told me not to take IBprofeun b/c of the possibility of it making it worse and... tylenol doesn't really ever help me - so, I'm just getting through it. As of now, I'm just ready to get everything over with and find some sense of normal with my bowel habits. I can't remember EVER have a normal bowel movement... it's been at least 10 years :/

Kazbern - as far as the blood levels go, they said things seemed fairly normal. I've always had an extremely high hemoglobin (usually between 17 and 18), so I wasn't anemic. I am, of course, still vitamin D deficient, and a few others (despite supplements and an overly well-balanced diet) - but, I've been that way for a little over a year now.

As of now, I'm just waiting. I'm not jumping to conclusions. I know that getting colitis is very likely for my age group and with a family history of IBD. I also am aware that colon cancer, while still somewhat uncommon in my age group, is a slim possibility in my age group - I have known and heard stories about 20-something and teens who have had it. But, like I said.. no jumping.

Again, thanks for sharing and responding, y'all!

Jade

Hey, thanks! That was helpful.

I am doing SUPREP. I opened it last night and just tasted it with the good tip of my tongue and it wasn't bad. A little tart as is, but it tasted like grape medicine sort of... For an explanation about the 'good tip' of my tongue: I had oral surgery 12 weeks ago and suffered nerve damage... so, half of my tongue is numb and I have no sense of taste. I guess it works out for me considering I have to drink something gross - but, I lucked out and it doesn't taste as bad as I would've thought.

I'm pretty much already of a liquid diet now... and have been for a few days - with a few solids thrown in the mix, but nothing crazy. Just a slice of bread or some plain pasta. I don't drink caffeine... so, that should be in my favor as well.

Thanks, y'all! I have to jet now. Nature calls (very quickly) AND I have literature class :/ Both horrid.