Help UPDATE!!!!!!!!

grammadebbie
grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello Dear Ones,

I have been silent for awhile but lurking and praying everyday (several times). I know you all understand how sometimes we just don't know what to say or how to say it....soooooo forgive me for not joining in to the discussions.

I am now NED for 3 years (Oct 2007) Stage IIIC. I am feeling very blessed to be here. I am dealing with the side effects of chemo, (neuropathy hands, legs, feet, chemo brain, hot flashes, headaches etc.) the New Me. I am conflicted as I am so fortunate to be here and don't want to complain about things that seem so minor compared with what some are going through. I guess that's one of the reasons I havn't been posting ..

I find myself in need of your suggestions/experience. I am one of the patients that did not experience diarrhea during chemo or at anytime after my surgery. I have always had a hard time with constipation. Now....for the last 4 weeks I have had diarrhea. This is totally unusual for me. I have been in contact with my doctors (onc. gastro and primary care) they ran stool tests and they just came back yesterday clear. I had a CT scan, colonoscopy and all my bloodwork done back in June. Everything fine. I do have several spots on my liver that they watch closly but they are fatty cysts and have not changed in 4 years. I am waiting to hear from my GI dr on what to do next. I also experience stomach cramps that are uncomfortable not painful. I had 2 complete bowel obstructions when I was diagnosed and had emergency surgery when they found the lemon size cancer. I know what that kind of pain feels like. I guess I'm asking if this could be the start of a obstruction of adhesions.

Anyway, I would appreciate your thoughts. Need to educate myself so I know how to approach this.

Thank you all for your never ending support.

Hugs and Prayers,

Debbie (gramma)




UPDATE !!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. I just wanted to update you and get your opinion.

Ok, oncologist says stool samples clear, Primary Dr. agrees. Get a call from the GI nurse and my GI doctor wants me to have another colonoscopy. I just had one 4 months ago. She said that the stool samples showed an elevated white count. He will be looking for colitis and whatever else he wants ha ha. I don't understand why everyone has a different opinion and wish there was a less invasive way to diagnose this. Don't mean to complain....but...I feel like I'm becoming a pro at this.

Anyway, would appreciate your thoughts.

Big Hugs and Prayers,
Debbie

Comments

  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #2
    Hey Gramma!
    I'm not too sure what to make of this - all of your tests are normal and nothing is being seen at this point.

    You said you'll be meeting with your GI for the next step - sometimes the best move is too just wait...let's see what they come back with.

    It could be that your digestive system is just "acting out" on you right now - diaarrhea at this point instead of constipation. The Yin and Yang, as it were.

    I've found that at any given moment, "things can get unhinged" and the bowels act up - and then they settle back down. Seems like it is just the gift that keeps on giving, after all is said and done with surgery.

    LOMOTIL will help you with your current situation, it will cut the urges down and make that more manageable for you, until you can meet your doc and pick their brain.

    I don't think it is an obstruction, as you seem to be "flowing."

    Good to see you again!

    -Craig
  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    #3
    Sundanceh said:

    Hey Gramma!
    I'm not too sure what to make of this - all of your tests are normal and nothing is being seen at this point.

    You said you'll be meeting with your GI for the next step - sometimes the best move is too just wait...let's see what they come back with.

    It could be that your digestive system is just "acting out" on you right now - diaarrhea at this point instead of constipation. The Yin and Yang, as it were.

    I've found that at any given moment, "things can get unhinged" and the bowels act up - and then they settle back down. Seems like it is just the gift that keeps on giving, after all is said and done with surgery.

    LOMOTIL will help you with your current situation, it will cut the urges down and make that more manageable for you, until you can meet your doc and pick their brain.

    I don't think it is an obstruction, as you seem to be "flowing."

    Good to see you again!

    -Craig

    Thank you
    Thank you for your response Sundanceh, it's much appreciated. I didn't think it could be an obstruction until I read that sometimes when there is a partial obstruction you can only pass loose stool. Oh the things we get to talk about here. He He. Oh well, just waiting to hear back from my GI.

    Keeping you in my prayers always.

    Debbie
  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    #4
    Sundanceh said:

    Hey Gramma!
    I'm not too sure what to make of this - all of your tests are normal and nothing is being seen at this point.

    You said you'll be meeting with your GI for the next step - sometimes the best move is too just wait...let's see what they come back with.

    It could be that your digestive system is just "acting out" on you right now - diaarrhea at this point instead of constipation. The Yin and Yang, as it were.

    I've found that at any given moment, "things can get unhinged" and the bowels act up - and then they settle back down. Seems like it is just the gift that keeps on giving, after all is said and done with surgery.

    LOMOTIL will help you with your current situation, it will cut the urges down and make that more manageable for you, until you can meet your doc and pick their brain.

    I don't think it is an obstruction, as you seem to be "flowing."

    Good to see you again!

    -Craig

    Thank you
    Thank you for your response Sundanceh, it's much appreciated. I didn't think it could be an obstruction until I read that sometimes when there is a partial obstruction you can only pass loose stool. Oh the things we get to talk about here. He He. Oh well, just waiting to hear back from my GI.

    Keeping you in my prayers always.

    Debbie
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #5
    Sorry Debbie but can't help you on that
    have a big hug!
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #6
    loose stool
    I was thinking the same thing, partial obstruction, or impaction, can result in only loose stool, since that's all that is able to make it around the partial obstruction. The cramping I'm sure is what is leading you to think that it might be a partial obstruction. I recently was in the hospital for an impaction and it was really easy for them to resolve. How long has it been since you've had a "normal" stool? Do you feel like you have stool that just won't pass? I'm sure your gastro will ask you those questions. I look forward to hearing how this turns out for you, I'm thinking it's probably what Craig is saying, nothing but your bowels acting up. Congratulations on 3 years NED!
    mary
  • TLG320
    TLG320 Member Posts: 167
    #7
    Diet
    Hi Debbie,
    Have you changed your diet at all in the past few weeks or started taking any new medications or vitamins? I wonder if you could have picked up some kind of stomach virus too?

    I hope your GI calls you back soon with some suggestions to manage it - sounds miserable. Best wishes to you,
    Tashina
  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    #8
    pepebcn said:

    Sorry Debbie but can't help you on that
    have a big hug!

    Hugs are Helpful
    Thanks for the Hug.

    Debbie
  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    #9
    msccolon said:

    loose stool
    I was thinking the same thing, partial obstruction, or impaction, can result in only loose stool, since that's all that is able to make it around the partial obstruction. The cramping I'm sure is what is leading you to think that it might be a partial obstruction. I recently was in the hospital for an impaction and it was really easy for them to resolve. How long has it been since you've had a "normal" stool? Do you feel like you have stool that just won't pass? I'm sure your gastro will ask you those questions. I look forward to hearing how this turns out for you, I'm thinking it's probably what Craig is saying, nothing but your bowels acting up. Congratulations on 3 years NED!
    mary

    Thank You
    Thanks for your response Mary. It's been about 4 weeks since things were normal. Not feeling like I can't pass anything. Just cramping and a little nausea. I'm sure my Gastro will get back to me. I always like to find out what my buddies think. The 3 years NED still feels like a dream. I'm very blessed.

    Hugs and Prayers,

    debbie
  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    #10
    TLG320 said:

    Diet
    Hi Debbie,
    Have you changed your diet at all in the past few weeks or started taking any new medications or vitamins? I wonder if you could have picked up some kind of stomach virus too?

    I hope your GI calls you back soon with some suggestions to manage it - sounds miserable. Best wishes to you,
    Tashina

    No
    Hi Tashina,

    Thanks for your response. I havn't changed anything and they ran stool sample tests to rule out a virus and other things. No one around me has anything like this so thinking it's not a virus. Miserable is a bowel obstruction...after that this is easy. Ha Ha I'm sure my GI will get back with me soon.

    Hugs and Prayers,

    Debbie
  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #11
    Ask your Doc.
    My doctor told me to take immodium after each lose stool. This has really helped me. I eat a banana and take an immodium. Before Cancer if I took a hole immodium I would be constapated for 2 days. I can take 4-5 before my stool stiffens up.

    That was my advice from my doc. I would get your doc to give you their advice for you.

    Best Always!
    mike
  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    #12
    oops

    oops
  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    #13
    Update - GI called
    Guess I don't know how to update soooooo I just updated on the bottom of my original post. Thanks for your help

    Debbie
  • bruins1971
    bruins1971 Member Posts: 227
    #14
    grammadebbie said:

    Update - GI called
    Guess I don't know how to update soooooo I just updated on the bottom of my original post. Thanks for your help

    Debbie

    Glad to here your NED
    I am not sure what's up with the new issue but I am so glad to read that you are so far removed from treatments. God is AWESOME

    Big Hugs to you and congradulations on being a SURVIVOR

    BOBBY
  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    #15
    bruins1971 said:

    Glad to here your NED
    I am not sure what's up with the new issue but I am so glad to read that you are so far removed from treatments. God is AWESOME

    Big Hugs to you and congradulations on being a SURVIVOR

    BOBBY

    Thank You
    Hi Bobby,

    Thank you for your kind words. Yes, God is Awesome and I am blessed to be here. Cancer definately changes us but I am content to be the best I can be regardless of ongoing problems.

    Big Hugs and Prayers

    Debbie

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