Can someone PLEASE help me? I am scaredd to death!

Coop · New User Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 9

I moved this from another forum. I have included all updates. Please help me if you can:

I am a 38 yr old mail & have abdominal pain in my lower left side along the belt line and some in my lower back. It ranges anywhere from a mild aggravation to somewhat severe pain in my abdomen. I haven't noticed anything That I can say definitely is blood in my stools before, but I have noticed quite a bit of 'red' in my stool the last 2 days (none on the toilet paper) but I also had watermelon the last 2 nights. This doesn't happen all of the time but does frequently and lasts for several days to a week each time it does. During this period it seems that my bowels move more frequently (although not diarrhea). Defecation does relieve the pain momentarily but it will shortly flare up again. During this I pretty much feel the urge to defecate all of the time whether I go or not. During extreme flare ups I also feel quite sick to my stomach, although I haven't vomited.

Less than a year ago I had a CT Scan of my colon (where I had the dye put in my veins) with a barium enema and they said everything looked normal.

I have had bouts with severe constipation for about 4 years now and have been drinking Metamucil every day since then. My bowels will NOT move if I miss the Metamucil.

About 1 week ago I bought some "Oxy Powder" ( a colon cleanser) on line and did a 7 day colon cleanse. I have noticed since that time that I do not have to take as much Metamucil in order for my bowels to move. I drink 1- 8 oz cup of water with 1 tablespoon of Metamucil every night now as compared to 2 or 3 before. I was feeling better after the colon cleanse until this episode.

I stopped the colon cleans 4 days before this started up this time.

I always have a mild abdominal discomfort in the same place that I am having the more sever pain now, but it is usually really mild and hardly noticeable, and my stools aren't nearly as frequent as they are now with this flare up.

We did go to the lake the day before this flare up and played on a ski boat and I drank quite a few beers, (but I usually drink 3 or 4 beers nightly anyway)

Does this sound to you like it could be IBS or should I be concerned of something more serious? Please help me if you can.

Please would somebody that has had similar symptoms reply.
I thank you so much in advance.

OK here is my follow up since this flare up 8 days ago:
The pain in my lower left abdomen is worse and has also moved into my right side just a little though not nearly as severe. I also have a mild discomfort/pain going down to my left testicle area. The pain in my lower left abdomen (belt line) with urgency to defecate has been going on for 8 days now. I also have a slight burning after defecation and urination.

I have noticed what could possible be red in my stool on a couple of occasions but only on the stool itself, not in the toilet bowl or on the toilet paper.

I am scared half silly that this is cancer. I have made an appointment with the doctor but cant see him for a few days and the wait is killing me.
my mom had colitis and had surgery on her colon and ended up dying from infection she got during that surgery.
I have a VERY low fiber diet.
Very little antibiotic. Havent noticed that dairy or anything else makes it worse honestly.

Update:
Doctor just confirmed that I did have some hidden blood in my stool and is referring me to a specialist.
Should I be scared? It seemed to be just a little blood.
I have been having really foul smelling (floaty, mushy) stools for a while now.... not 'really' long but for awhile now. I just ignored it because I figured that it was a result of my taking Metamucil.
They have however became even worse smelling here the last week or so since the other symtpoms started. (Lower left abdominal pain and frequent defecation and a little hidden blood) My stools float, and are very "stringy" looking and they are very soft yet they bind together and arent easy to pull apart. (I know thats gross but I have been told to check periodically to see if the blood is "mixed in with my stool" and not just on the outside of it). (not sure why)

I know it can not be determined if I have cancer or not on the internet, but a lot of you have experienced colon cancer and I need to know if this sounds like what I have or something less serious. I have an appointment with a GI specialist but it is like 2 weeks or more away and I am scared to death. My stool is mostly a tannish color with some darker brown in it. I have also now seen some little flakes of "pink" kind of mixed in with my stool. It isnt red or maroon or black, it is actually 'pink', I also noticed a couple of darker pink or lighter red "sliver like" things in it as well. Kind of like a little splinter, and also what looks like some little white "sesame seed" looking things in my stool as well. I havent ate any sesame seeds.
My stool is mostly very soft and mushy. Sometimes it is bulky and bigger in size and other times smaller strings that are connected that resemble small sausage links.
My pain is now from left to right side lower abdomen with the most pain still being on the left side.

PLEASE HELP.

I hope all of this rambling on makes sense.

Coop · New User Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 9

Nobody on here can help me?

caryam · New User Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 9

Hi Coop,

First off I'm sorry to hear you are having so much trouble : ( I don't know all that much about colorectal or stomach cancer, but I do know one thing; it's incredibly easy to get yourself totally freaked out by cruising the internet and trying to second-guess what is wrong with you...so it might be a good idea for you to sit back and take a deep breath : ) It's really great that you have seen your doctor and are going to a specialist, as a whole lot of people try to ignore medical symptoms and end up in much worse trouble because of it.

Try to remember, there are [i]numerous[/i] other conditions that could be effecting your digestive tract, the vast majority of which are NOT cancer. Problems in this part of the body are notoriously difficult to diagnose, so it may still take a while for them to figure it out. I can think of lots of other syndromes that could cause similar symptoms, ie Chron's Disease, Irritable Bowel, Celiac Sprue...these are all problems that can be dealt with, and ALL of them cause pain somewhere in the abdomen, and some really awful changes in bowel function.

So try not to jump to terrible conclusions just yet, eh? You'll only cause yourself a lot of fear and anxiety, which just isn't any good ; ) and it may well make your stomach condition even worse!

Hang in there,
-Cary

Hey Coop,
I am Cary's wife. I DO HAVE CANCER. I know and can sympathize with your feelings of fear during your time of uncertainty. Hang tight, try and stay calm.

-Lori
_________________
-Cary

Coop · New User Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 9

Thanks guys. I am very sorry to hear about your condition Lori.
I hope all goes well.

I assume you have colorectal cancer? If so was this one that was found by accident or were you having symptoms? (If you dont mind me asking)

Coop

caryam · New User Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 9

Coop, Lori's cancer is what's called an Unknown Primary, meaning they have no idea what kind of cancer it is, because they have never found the site it originated from. However, it is more than likely breast or ovarian cancer.

Neither of us know that much about colorectal cancer, but we couldn't help responding when we saw that no one else was...I'm not really a big fan of this forum, to be honest with you.
_________________
-Cary

Coop · New User Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 9

How is she doing?

Yeah I have noticed people on this forum are NOT very helpful at all.

caryam · New User Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 9

She's hangin' in there...it's been a very long haul (three years so far) You should check in on her at her blog, if you want...she can always use a kind word of support! http://toosexyformyhair.com
_________________
-Cary

jakesworried · New User Joined: 17 Aug 2005 Posts: 1

im a 27 year old male with the exact same syptoms and no insurance so ive spent about 600 dollars thinking its kidney stones and felt better and its been a month now its hurting on right side my doctors a low budget idiot who dosent care if we live or die and is no help so please, please, please, some body help its getting worse tonight, scared very scared
----jake

Lana8

Jake get yourself to the emergency room. The hospitals can find ways to help you out. My sister did the same thing because of no insurance and found out later she had lung cancer. Mush to late she found out and passed away on 6-11-05 from lung cancer. Even a clinic is cheaper than the hospital. Call and ask someone. Find someone that can see you and help you. It could be just kidney stones, but maybe not. See someone please.

abdom · New User Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 2

I have the same exact symptoms as you CO OP! Have you had any luck finding out what it is thats wrong? I think its some kind of parasite, but have done many stool samples and xrays, ultrasounds to no avail, except they did find Giardia.

Please contact me COOP at calgarytaxi@hotmail.com

Weirdly enough my nickname to someone is Coop!?!

Woodrow · New User Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 3 Location: California

Good luck getting a reply after two years. Panicked visitors to forums like these typically inquire with great vigor, and then vanish without follow up.

Are you Canadian, "calgarytaxi"? Is there not room for you in a Canadian health care facility?

abdom · New User Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 2

Woodrow, what is that supposed to mean?

By the way, for anyone reading this that is concerned about their digestive problems, try DAHN YOGA, some of their intestinal excercises have worked wonders for me!

In

This is an old thread and an old post so- you may not get a reply- or this person maynot even be here any more.

You are best to make your own threat, might get better answers for yourself that way..
_________________
Thinking of you Inica

*Administrator*

~Nose Cancer~
~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
Sternum~
~Continous Cervical Cancer~

My Story-
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731

Smile

9 Lives and still kicking Smile

sdiddy · New User Joined: 05 Aug 2007 Posts: 5

Coop,

One procedure to get is a colonoscopy. I had no real symptoms, but was diagnosed with rectum cancer after I had a colonoscopy. The procedure saved my life

Sdiddy

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Colon Cancer and Rectal Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others