Update

AZANNIE

I survived the prep and colonoscopy. I was only able to drink half of the prep, but guess that was enough. The dr said everything looked fine, however, he said he couldn't go all the way because of "stiffness" and recommended a barium enema in a month. That will have to wait because I've had enough prep and need to put on some weight - down to 89 lbs. I asked him what caused the diarrhea. He didn't know. Bowel movements were more normal until I did the prep. Still having residual effects from the Gatorade/Miralax cocktail. I didn't think to ask him how far he got with the scope so maybe I'll make an appointment to discuss results in depth. I'm wondering if radiation has petrified my colon. I had a colonoscopy in 2013 without difficulty. Since my CT scan and labs including CEA were fine, I'm not too concerned, but maybe I should be. My rear end is sore because he dilated it.

Next on the list is the breast biopsy. I called today. Request has been sent, but no orders. The gal said if she didn't hear tomorrow, she'll call.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas! We're still here!!! Hurray!!

 

Ann

 

mp327

Ann

I'm glad you made it through the prep and scope and got a good report.  Your weight loss needs to be evaluated, IMO.  I have malabsorption issues and do not put on weight, no matter what I eat.  I also have issues with diarrhea if I don't take an Imodium every day.  I believe it's post-radiation effects. 

Good luck with the breast biopsy.  I hope you'll get more good news in that regard. 

Have a Merry Christmas and I wish you all the very best in the New Year.  Hugs!

Martha

Phoebesnow

mp327 said:

Ann

I'm glad you made it through the prep and scope and got a good report.  Your weight loss needs to be evaluated, IMO.  I have malabsorption issues and do not put on weight, no matter what I eat.  I also have issues with diarrhea if I don't take an Imodium every day.  I believe it's post-radiation effects. 

Good luck with the breast biopsy.  I hope you'll get more good news in that regard. 

Have a Merry Christmas and I wish you all the very best in the New Year.  Hugs!

Martha

Colonoscopy

I have had the same result for the past 3 colonoscopies.  I had the barium enema and then another colonoscopy  andendoscopy.  What worries me is they have seen everything excepwhere the blockage  is.  The blockage is in the first turn.  I continue to have a great deal of pain in this area.   Prior to radiation I had a dull nagging pain in this same area.  Now it is much more intense.

 

Good luck with the breast biopsy.

 

Fyi. It is super hard to correct typing on the I padi.  This system the same for regular computer users?. I just tried to put is in front of the prior sentence but it will not let me.  I feel very embarrassed as my first job was a proofreader.

 

Happy holidays!

AZANNIE

Phoebesnow said:

Colonoscopy

I have had the same result for the past 3 colonoscopies.  I had the barium enema and then another colonoscopy  andendoscopy.  What worries me is they have seen everything excepwhere the blockage  is.  The blockage is in the first turn.  I continue to have a great deal of pain in this area.   Prior to radiation I had a dull nagging pain in this same area.  Now it is much more intense.

 

Good luck with the breast biopsy.

 

Fyi. It is super hard to correct typing on the I padi.  This system the same for regular computer users?. I just tried to put is in front of the prior sentence but it will not let me.  I feel very embarrassed as my first job was a proofreader.

 

Happy holidays!

No pain

I'm sorry you're dealing with pain. Fortunately, I don't have pain (knock on wood). Just hope this "stiffness" doesn't get worse down the road.

No need to feel embarrassed, these computers sometimes have minds of their own.

Happy Hollidays!

Ann

AZANNIE

mp327 said:

Ann

I'm glad you made it through the prep and scope and got a good report.  Your weight loss needs to be evaluated, IMO.  I have malabsorption issues and do not put on weight, no matter what I eat.  I also have issues with diarrhea if I don't take an Imodium every day.  I believe it's post-radiation effects. 

Good luck with the breast biopsy.  I hope you'll get more good news in that regard. 

Have a Merry Christmas and I wish you all the very best in the New Year.  Hugs!

Martha

Martha

I've wondered about malabsorption, too. I was doing much better before that darn prep and was almost tempted to cancel colonoscopy. I'm still thinking it was something I ate at Red Lobster- maybe the salad, but who knows? Will see how I do without taking Lomotil. I'm taking Align probiotics. So after this darn prep, my gut needs to be repopulated with good bacteria. Thinking about seeing a gastro dr if weight doesn't improve. Thanks for your well wishes!

Ann

mp327

AZANNIE said:

Martha

I've wondered about malabsorption, too. I was doing much better before that darn prep and was almost tempted to cancel colonoscopy. I'm still thinking it was something I ate at Red Lobster- maybe the salad, but who knows? Will see how I do without taking Lomotil. I'm taking Align probiotics. So after this darn prep, my gut needs to be repopulated with good bacteria. Thinking about seeing a gastro dr if weight doesn't improve. Thanks for your well wishes!

Ann

Ann

Weight loss when trying to lose weight is one thing, but when it happens without changing eating habits, it needs to be looked in to, IMO.  If you increase your calories and include some good fats that should make you gain weight but you don't, then it could be something such as malabsorption.  One thing that is common is not being able to absorb fats.  One indication that this may be a problem is if you have greasy stools.  I often experience that after I eat something fried.

I do hope things turn around for you and seeing a GI specialist won't be necessary.  Take care!

Martha 

AZANNIE

mp327 said:

Ann

Weight loss when trying to lose weight is one thing, but when it happens without changing eating habits, it needs to be looked in to, IMO.  If you increase your calories and include some good fats that should make you gain weight but you don't, then it could be something such as malabsorption.  One thing that is common is not being able to absorb fats.  One indication that this may be a problem is if you have greasy stools.  I often experience that after I eat something fried.

I do hope things turn around for you and seeing a GI specialist won't be necessary.  Take care!

Martha 

Gaining weight

I'm starting to gain weight again! My weight has always fluctuated throughout the years. Hopefully, I'm on the upward swing! I've had stomach and gut problems since childhood - gastritis, ulcer when I was 9 years old. Thought I would outgrow this stuff by now.

I haven't noticed greasy stools, but will be on the look out for them. My stools are back to the new normal. Gee, it's nice to have somewhere to discuss our poop issues.

Found out today that the dr was only able to advance scope 25%. Kind of disgusted to do that awful prep to only go that far. Then I read that there's a pediatric colonscope that is smaller in diameter and more flexible and it has been used in adults.   My sister who was with me said she's almost sure that the dr said he wasn't worried that he couldn't finish the colonoscopy. I don't remember that, but then again I just came out of anesthesia. You no sooner wake up in that surgery center and you're out the door. I'm still blaming radiation for colon "stiffness". 

Take care!

Ann

 

mp327

AZANNIE said:

Gaining weight

I'm starting to gain weight again! My weight has always fluctuated throughout the years. Hopefully, I'm on the upward swing! I've had stomach and gut problems since childhood - gastritis, ulcer when I was 9 years old. Thought I would outgrow this stuff by now.

I haven't noticed greasy stools, but will be on the look out for them. My stools are back to the new normal. Gee, it's nice to have somewhere to discuss our poop issues.

Found out today that the dr was only able to advance scope 25%. Kind of disgusted to do that awful prep to only go that far. Then I read that there's a pediatric colonscope that is smaller in diameter and more flexible and it has been used in adults.   My sister who was with me said she's almost sure that the dr said he wasn't worried that he couldn't finish the colonoscopy. I don't remember that, but then again I just came out of anesthesia. You no sooner wake up in that surgery center and you're out the door. I'm still blaming radiation for colon "stiffness". 

Take care!

Ann

 

Ann

I'm glad to hear you have put on some weight.  I hope you'll enjoy some holiday treats knowing that gaining a couple pounds over the holidays aren't necessarily a bad thing!

Martha

AZANNIE

mp327 said:

Ann

I'm glad to hear you have put on some weight.  I hope you'll enjoy some holiday treats knowing that gaining a couple pounds over the holidays aren't necessarily a bad thing!

Martha

Martha

I have a sweet tooth - Lol!  I bought Ensure Plus that's supposed to help with weight gain. 

Then I got to wondering (or as my Mom says, "my wheels are turning") - if my November CT scan showed mild thickening of the rectosigmoid, wouldn't that indicate the colon was seen? It also showed uncomplicated diverticulosis. Maybe my CR dr needs to see the scan. I'm tired of having stuff done to my rear end, but realize it's probably for the best??? Oh well... not going to worry about it and enjoy the holidays! Will start off the New Year by worrying - Lol!

Ann

 

AZANNIE

AZANNIE said:

No pain

I'm sorry you're dealing with pain. Fortunately, I don't have pain (knock on wood). Just hope this "stiffness" doesn't get worse down the road.

No need to feel embarrassed, these computers sometimes have minds of their own.

Happy Hollidays!

Ann

Making appointment

I'm going to call oncologist's office tomorrow and make an appointment to discuss mammo results. I have some questions to ask him. Will also tell him about the incomplete colonoscopy and get his opinion. 

Ann